If you love fresh air, wide-open spaces and spectacular alpine scenery, then the small town of Spielberg in the Styria region of Austria could be your ideal destination. Topographically the area is defined by craggy mountains, rolling hills and lush green meadows. As such, the region has long been considered a haven for sportspeople, from skiers and snowboarders in the winter to hikers and mountain bikers in the summer. But it’s not just the potential to indulge in outdoor activities that attracts visitors to the area; it’s also the renowned hospitality of the locals. As you might expect for a track situated at over 600m above sea level, the Spielberg circuit is particularly undulating and provides fans with the opportunity to see cars racing flat out against what is arguably the most breath-taking natural backdrop on the F1 calendar.
Visitors are most likely to fly into Austria’s capital, Vienna, which is about two hours’ drive from Spielberg. The smaller airport in Graz (Austria’s second-largest city and the capital of the Styria region) is closer to the circuit and is a possible arrival point for visitors arriving from central Europe, whilst those with private planes may opt to land at Zeltweg right next to the track. There are numerous places of interest and fun things to do within a distance of the circuit. Those who enjoy the great outdoors are advised to take a hike in the hills surrounding Spielberg to the Tremmelberg watchtower which provides uninhibited views of the area. Alternatively, the Ingeringsee - an idyllic lake framed by mountains - is the perfect place to relax and unwind in natural splendour. Culture vultures will enjoy paying a visit to the nearby town of Judenberg with its picturesque and historic centre and well-preserved
walls, whilst the beautiful Benedictine monastery in Seckau is also well worth a visit. And when out and about don’t forget to try one of the local delicacies such as verhackert (made from bacon) and pumpkin seed oil. Those with longer to spend in the region would be well advised to visit Graz, the cultural capital of Europe in 2003. The scenic old town, with its various examples of traditional architecture, was designated a UNESCO world cultural heritage site in 1999, whilst the forest-clad Schlossberg hill - replete with its iconic clock tower - is also well worth visiting for brilliant views over the city.