O N C E
U P O N
A
T I M E
–
S T O R I E S
F R O M
T H E
G
U
T
S
H
O
F
# 1 ST I S S U E 1 9 / 2 0
I FEEL GUT
THEN AND NOW
THE BEST VIEWS FOR YOUR DREAM VACATION
ABUNDANCE P. 4
INSPIRING 11+1 MONTHS P. 8
COMMITTED TO HOSPITALITY FOR 5 GENERATIONS P. 2 SHALALALALA LALALALA CHALETS P. 7 WWW.TRATTLERHOF.AT
RS
O F ho s p i
ta
lit y
135 Y EA
HOSTS ARE BORN – IN OUR CASE, FOR OVER FIVE GENERATIONS. TRATTLERHOF ST
SINCE 1884
Read more icle! in the chron
LY
FO
R
N IG FA M
I
Dear friends of the Trattlerhof, As the saying goes “if you want to keep something, never stop changing it!” We have remained true to this saying for centuries. Today more than ever, you can read about that change in this magazine. Here at the Hof, there are a lot of new things to discover, not to mention experience. The Trattlerhof has grown a lot, which is a good thing. You‘ll notice it once you‘ve spent a few days or weeks here … then, we hope, the motto at the Gutshof “I feel GUT” will ring true for you too. We, the Hofpeople of the Trattlerhof, know: New things need a solid foundation. Next year, it will be exactly five hundred years since the Trattlerhof was mentioned in historical documents back in 1520. Since 1642, we have been proud
holders of the “Tafern- und Schankrecht” (right to serve food and drinks) as well as other rights and licences. And for 135 years, our Gutshof has been owned by us, the Forstnig family – now in its 5th generation. In 1884, Jakob Forstnig purchased the Trattlerwirt (Trattler Inn). A long tradition indeed… and a good one at that. Not one that‘s a burden, on the contrary. We are whole-hearted hosts – the wonderful contact with all our guests gives us the strength to continue our exciting past today. Our hospitality is deeply rooted in our heritage but with a modern twist. We look forward to spending GUT times with you! Your Hofleute and the Forstnig family
3 HOSTS
GOOD TO KNOW
Trattlerhof, Saturday, 2 November 1737
3,000 gulden disappear from the imperial cash desk. And a glass of wine is drunk in the wrong place. A mystery. Details on www.trattlerhof.at/en/history
ABUND ANCE
It‘s all “Gut”. That‘s our guiding principle for our latest quality addition. The new Gutshof rooms with plenty of authentic wood grown in the region for decades. Spacious areas for uncompromising well-being in 2019: wellness, fitness, forest tranquillity. The light-drenched “Berg-Linse” (mountain lens) is dedicated to yoga, seminars and events. All in all, we think everything turned out pretty “Gut” ...
NOCK/SPIRIT
4 nights including half board 3 feel-good days from EUR 499.– per person
GUT LIFE. GUT SLEEP. GUT LIVING
INSIDE AND OUTSIDE VIEWS OF THE MOUNTAINS
COZY BUNKS IN A COW BARN?
In the traditional sense, authentic hospitality means the guest and host are on equal footing. We, the Hofpeople from the Trattlerhof, always keep our word. A fine example are the new Gutshof rooms. Our region is rich in wood, which defines the atmosphere and indoor climate. Solid oak floors are a pleasure to stand and walk on. One can sleep and dream better in beds made of larch wood that offers plenty of character. Harmonious colours, the accents of natural textiles ... it‘s easy to feel right at home. While being deeply rooted in tradition and nature, the furnishings of our rooms have all of today‘s creature comforts. It‘s a true delight when the holiday comforts of yesterday, today and tomorrow join together.
“The Mountain Lens” is our “eye” on the mountains. A convex lens shape with plenty of glass our new multipurpose rooms welcomes in light from across the valley. This creates a perfect space and atmosphere for a range of fitness or intellectual pursits. So one’s spirit is free to wander.
What does wellness have to do with animals? A lot if you consider our history here at the Gutshof. If we turn back the wheel of time a bit – a few centuries, for example – then you would see cows feeding peacefully where many couples now find their very own personal place to cuddle. This is where the cow barn was once located – and, in honour of our history, parts of the bunks were fittingly made of old wood. So the next time you hold your ear up to the wood, you may very well hear hearty mooing....
KMB – READING WITH 3 LETTERS What do “Everyman”, “James Bond” and “Out of Africa” all have in common?: Klaus Maria Brandauer… a man of many talents, who appeared and was heard in all these films...Trattler‘s Hofpeople and the Forstnig family had the pleasure of serving him on multiple occasions, most recently on April 19 – as part of a reading for the HAPAX Dietrich Bonhoeffer club… where he used his distinct voice and delighted listeners with some of his views...this is also an example of the tradition of the Trattlerhof: the “Impuls am Berg” wich was held for the 60th time in May 2019. See what‘s new with the “Impuls am Berg”
5 CHANGES
GOOD TO KNOW
You drink, swim and relax in water from our own spring whose fresh, serene water has been used to brew our own Steinbeer since the 17th century.
“A LODGE LIKE THIS NORMALLY BELONGS UP ON A MOUNTAIN PASTURE. BUT IN THIS CASE, WE BROUGHT IT DOWN IN THE VALLEY, WHICH IS A GOOD THING!” SLOW FOOD FROM YOUR EPICUREAN HOST Slow food – a growing trend among food enthusiasts for many years. The international slow food gastronomy movement has already discovered and praised regional dishes, preserved local specialties and promoted the rearing of indigenous animals. That‘s a good thing, which goes hand in hand with traditional recipes from the Gutshof that have been carefully modernised with dishes from Carinthia‘s epicurean regions. Slow food is a true delight that we love to serve … after all, good hosts take pleasure in sharing the very best with their guests.
A HISTORY OF DELIGHTS
SMOKE SIGNALS
Occasionally, we Hofpeople break with tradition, as is the case with Trattlers Einkehr. Sometimes you don’t want to venture up the mountain to the lodge, in that case, the lodge should make an exception and come down to the valley. We believe that the romantic flair of a lodge doesn‘t necessarily have to be up high. Also because we wanted to prove that a rustic lodge can also do a lot more. From après ski to gourmet delicacies. From the sunny patio to the fish pond… including permission to go fishing yourself. To be fair, we haven‘t entirely broke with tradition – the wood that the Einkehr was built with comes from a 300 year old barn in St. Oswald. We have also remained true to the building plans for the old farmhouse … after all, there‘s no need to improve what is already good. Our guests feel it – and enjoy stopping by.
Smoking is the barbecuing trend for 2019. We can only smile and give our nod of approval since we‘ve been smoking food for centuries, which we affectionately call “Räuchern”, or “Selchen” in the local dialect. Our guests can reel in trout themselves from the idyllic pond (though they don‘t have to) and smoke it in the process … after all, freshly smoked trout that‘s still warm tastes best of all. We also recommend trying other smoked specialities – lodge hostess Carolina Herbert-Guschelbauer and chef Joshua Kostecki recommend t-bone steak for five, for example.
WINE-GROWERS ON THE MOUNTAIN
2 nights including half board Wine tasting Dégustation menu and much more from EUR 289.– per Person
7 EINKEHR & CHALETS
Guests sometimes share their dreams with us Hofleute – and it‘s not unusual to hear that for many, their dream is to own a house in the mountains. A chalet in the Alps have recently had the pleasure of fulfilling the wishes of those guests by building the Hof chalets. When we plan something, it has to be GUT or not at all. So we went on an “educational journey” through 15 different chalet villages in the alpine region to let ourselves be inspired and come up with new ideas, particularly the typical character of the the pitched roof with a “Kärntnerspitz“ (Carinthian tip)… and sure enough, holiday dreams can come true. Undisturbed in your own house, with a private spa, fireplace and, above all, cosy comfort -- not to mention, the full service of the Trattlerhof. You doesn‘t necessarily have to own such a spectacular chalet in order to enjoy it to the fullest ....
DAYS FOR CUDDLING DELUXE
SELF-RELIANT, BUT... Some like to take care of everything on their own, from breakfast to bedtime sweets. Perfect – the farmers from the area will be delighted if holiday guests get their supplies from their farm shops. Everyday essentials can be bought right on location just a few steps away. The Trattlerhof or Trattler‘s Einkehr are also happy to deliver plenty of GUT things to your home if you like. From crispy rolls early in the morning up to and including a gourmet dinner in the evening. You order it, we bring it. Then we pick up the dishes afterwards ... after all, we all can rest easy when we know our holiday homes offer this kind of convenience. MORE THAN WOOD 14 chalets (either a spacious 85 or 110 m2) have a lot more to do with the rustic Carinthian style of building than their appearance suggests. For one thing, the wood – larch and fichte – from the surrounding area; and regional businesses have worked it the same way as has always been done. Living and sleeping here will transform your resting pulse. The delightful scent of solid wood architecture, the soothing sound of the crackling fireplace not to mention the one-of-a-kind atmosphere of living in wood surroundings – gives you plenty of space and time to unwind. Put simply: I feel GUT!
3 nights including half board Carriage ride Candlelight dinner in the lodge from EUR 399.– per Person
GUT THINGS FROM THE GUTSHOF ALL YEAR ROUND...
JULY
07
LET IT FLOW OPENING OF THE LONGEST FLOWTRAIL IN EUROPE
3 NIGHTS INCL. HALF BOARD, 3 GUIDED BIKE TOURS STARTING AT € 399.– P. P.
13TH JULY 2019 & 11TH JULY 2020
FISH FEST IN FELD AM SEE
05
ely The most wide of booked packag all time! MAY
CUDDLING AT ITS BEST AT THE GUTSHOF 3 NIGHTS AT THE HOTEL OR CHALET, HORSEDRAWN CARRIAGE RIDE, CANDLE-LIGHT DINNER STARTING AT € 399.– FOR 2 PEOPLE
06
26TH – 27ST JULY 2019 & 10TH – 11TH JULY 2020
SOMMER MUSI OPEN AIR
DATES ONLINE
FIRST CLASS WINE
JUNE
THINGS ARE TURNING GREEN SO IT‘S GREENFREE 4 NIGHTS INCL. HALF BOARD, UNLIMITED GOLFING AT THE BAD KLEINKIRCHHEIM GC: STARTING AT € 469.– P. P.
WINE-GROWERS ON THE MOUNTAIN. YOU CAN FIND ALL DATES ON OUR WEBSITE.
AUGUST
08
2ND JUNE 2019 & 7TH JUNE 2020
30TH CARINTHIAN ZAUNRING ROAST
BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE EVERYDAY LIFE OF A MOUNTAIN FARMER
14TH–16TH JUNE 2019 & 19TH–21ST JUNE 2020
CHARITY WINE & GOLF CUP
29TH–30ST JUNE 2019
MUSTANG CLUB – ON THE ROAD 2019
THE GUTSHOF FAMILY PACKAGE 7 NIGHTS IN THE HOTEL OR CHALET, CARINTHIAN & SUNSHINE CARD, USE OF THE LIDO ON LAKE MILLSTATT FROM € 2.169.– (2 ADULTS + 2 CHILDREN UP TO 12)
SEPTEMBER
FAMILY HOLIDAY WEEKS
12
7 NIGHTS INCL. HALF BOARD, € 1.– SKI PASS FOR CHILDREN UP TO 12 YEARS OF AGE STARTING AT 2.129.– (2 ADULTS + 1 CHILD UP TO 12)
DATES ONLINE
DECEMBER
ACTIVE & RELAX 3 NIGHTS INCL. HALF BOARD, 1 THERMAL ADMISSION ST. KATHREIN OR RÖMERBAD (ROMAN BATH) STARTING AT € 259.– P. P.
2ND SATURDAY IN SEPTEMBER 2019
ALMABTRIEB
20TH SEPTEMBER – 12TH OCTOBER 2019
CULINARY NIGHTS IN BAD KLEINKRICHHEIM
10
OCTOBER
“E” KNOWLEDGE TRY A E-TESLA OR E-BIKES 3 NIGHTS INCL. HALF BOARD, HOTEL OR CHALET / 1 HALF-DAY DRIVE IN A TESLA STARTING AT € 339.– P. P.
THE BAD KLEINKIRCHHEIMER THERMAL ADVENT
FRANZ‘S STILL GOT IT
EARLY MORNING SKIING WITH OLYMPIC CHAMPION FRANZ KLAMMER.
MARCH
3 NIGHTS INCLUDING HALF BOARD 15 % OFF A SKI PASS OR ADMISSION TO THE THERMAL RÖMERBAD (ROMAN BATH) STARTING AT € 279.– P. P.
6. – 21. DECEMBER 2019 (FR, SA, SUN)
CHRISTMAS MARKET JANUARY
01
WEIL SKIFOARN IS DES LEIWANDSTE....
(BECAUSE SKIING IS THE MOST WONDERFUL THING) … AUSTRIAN 4 NIGHTS INCLUDING HALF BOARD, WE GIVE YOU 1 DAY VACATION INCLUDING A SKI PASS! STARTING AT € 419.– P. P.
JANUARY 2020
11
02
WINTER MUSI OPEN AIR
FROM 4TH NOVEMBER 2019 BREAK FOR THE TRATTLERS HOFPEOPLE AND FAMILY FORSTNIG IN NOVEMBER, THE KITCHEN AND ROOMS WILL BE CLOSED FOR OUR AUTUMN BREAK.
03
9 CALENDAR
09
FEBRUARY
SUN, SKI AND SNOW – PLUS THERMAL. 7 NIGHTS INCL. HALF BOARD, SKI PASS AND 50% DISCOUNT OFF YOUR SPA ADMISSION STARTING AT € 669.– P.P.
DATES ONLINE
FIRST CLASS WINE
WINE-GROWERS ON THE MOUNTAIN. YOU CAN FIND ALL DATES ON OUR WEBSITE.
04
APRIL
EASTER AT THE TRATTLERSHOF 3 NIGHTS INCL. HALF BOARD, 15% OFF THE SKI PASS OR SPA ADMISSION, TRADITIONAL EASTER PROGRAMME FROM € 309.– P.P.
EASTER SATURDAY
EASTER CUSTOMS IN CARINTHIA
There‘s a new must-ride trail for mountain bikers in the Alps: “Let it flow” that starts at the mountain station of the Kaiserburgbahn attracts bikers with its promise of being the longest flow trail in Europe‘s Alps with a course of 15.4 km and an altitude difference of 970 metres. Pure downhill fun – not just for savvy pros. Even newcomers to knobbly tyres can try their hand at the course without worry. There is plenty of room for passing to accommodate all skill levels. This ensures that bikers out to savour the experience and racy trailsurfers perfecting their best times all make it down to the valley safely. The trail offers a worthy challenge: rollers, small drops and steep curves add spice to the trail. Spots for rest and relaxation at the most spectacular points are perfect for catching your breath while taking in the incredible panoramic view of the Nockberge mountains.
LONDON, MATADOR, BENJI & REBELL To be honest, it wouldn‘t be a real Gutshof without horses in the barn. After all, only a small part of the Trattlerhof‘s long tradition of hospitality has seen the domination of horse power under the bonnet. You could say that the horse and carriage are in our blood here at the Gutshof – tradition we are happy to share with our guests. In our stalls are eight warm blooded and Icelandic horses, Noriker and ponies. Discovering the biosphere park of the Nockberge on the back of a thoroughbred horse is like travelling back to centuries past. There are also adventures to be had for kids like a torch hike with our ponies. Little one‘s also love to groom ponies at the pony farm by the Einkehr and experience getting into the saddle for the first time as their mild-mannered animals trot along on the lunge. ON THE STRAPS, ON THE REINS In the past, our mild-mannered Noriker horses – or more specifically, their ancestors – brought essentials to the Gutshof every day. Today, the carriages are reserved for our guests so they can enjoy the nostalgic charm of long rides through the fairytale forests of the Kleinkirchheim valley. MUCH MORE THAN SADDLE PARTIES
LIKE IT? BIKE IT!
While some discover the restorative landscape on horseback, others enjoy experiencing the Nockberge on Shank‘s pony or refreshing themselves in revitalising waters of Carinthia‘s lakes.
GOOD TO KNOW
Last year, no fewer than 150 children learned to horseback ride at the Trattlerhof. Cheerful faces, happy parents included.
Today, the weather panorama on the TV and webcam report on snow conditions in the Nockberge. Back in the day, the saying on the radio was: “Ski and sled well! The same holds true today from early winter well into spring. Since most of the day is dark during the winter, we‘ve made the best of it here at the Trattlerhof with a cosy winter atmosphere at the Gutshof. Ride through an enchanting forest covered in deep snow with a horse-drawn carriage as fog swirls in front of the horses‘ nostrils. The pony farm is also a fascinating magnet for children in winter and, while the kids cultivate new skills in the pizza baking course, parents meet new people on our curling rink ... so many ways to enjoy the winter at the Gutshof …
As the venue for the Alpine Skiing World Cup, the ski resort of Bad Kleinhirchheim is regularly broadcast to living rooms around the world. The resort is popular among the best of the best while hobby skiers hundreds of kilometres of fun on the slopes for beginners, advanced and fanatics alike. The winter wonderland in the Nockberge has much more to offer: cross-country skiing trails, guided snow shoe excursions far away from the hubbub, well maintained hiking trails or an unforgettable experience also in a horse-drawn carriage. The well kept square in the spa gardens of Bad Kleinkirchheim or the small lakes in the surrounding area are perfect for ice-skating when winter conditions are right. Winter at the Trattlerhof is a refreshing delight … especially while reflecting on an eventful day over a glass of good wine around the fire at the end of an eventful day. Simply GUT …
THE MAGIC OF LIGHT There‘s always another highlight in store for the entire family when it comes to wrapping up exciting winter holidays: Torch hike through the dark winter forest, often accompanied by horses and ponies. A delight that will captivate little ones and stir the souls of grown ups alike. The magic of light in mystical darkness makes us all feel like a kid again, which we may have long forgotten in the big city with its many lights around the clock!
11 SUMMER & WINTER
WINTER AT THE GUTSHOF
WINTER WONDERLAND
ROUND TABLE What you might have wanted to know about the Trattlerhof, the Hofpeople or their guests – but were afraid to ask, you might be able to find out here.
How many days in total did your most loyal guest spent here? Host: Since 1954, a family has spent a whopping 408 days here. However, discretion is our top priority in our house.
What‘s it like to be 499 years old? Lena: Only the building itself knows what that feels like.
Which horse is the most popular among the children?
The best moment at the Trattlerhof? Host In-keeper: At the Hof, there‘s laughter, love and of course the odd difference of opinion that‘s the way it‘s always been … today, we continue to bring people together. A number of marriages between employees, who met one another here, are proof of that. Isn‘t that right Anny, Bertram & Carolina ;-) In the last twenty years, what was the most unusual wish of one of your guests? Elisabeth: One guest from South Africa asked if we could make a Lederhose with springbuck hide … no sooner said than done.
THE PONY NANOOK. CUTE, WELLBEHAVED AND MILDMANNERED, BUT A BIT OF A GLUTTON. Which package has never been booked? Claudia: The sun burn package. Yes, it‘s an actual package. It attracted a lot of attention – but in the end other packages were booked.
The addition-building has a nick name: the Mountain (Berg-)Lens. Has the kitchen been told to add more lentil dishes to the menu? Alexander: Of course, lentil ragout is on the menu from time to time and with the Suppenparade (soup parade). How many centuries ago was the Steinbeer brewed here in the building. Will there be a renaissance? Jakob: It was brewed from 1642 on. Renaissance? Let‘s wait and find out. Who were the most famous guests you welcomed here? Elisabeth: Klaus Maria Brandauer, Franz Klammer and Ivan Rebroff have been official guests of the hotel ... but we won‘t reveal any more! How many pillows do you shake out per year? Svetlana: About 50,000, but it feels more like 1,000,000. In the last 20 years, which meal has been served the most? Anny: Trattlers Hof-cake based on a secret recipe from 1884. Which sauna-infusion relaxes your guests the most? Birgit: Nabucco, an infusion accompanied by opera music in the background.
CREDITS Responsible for the contents: Hotel Gut Trattlerhof, Gegendtalerweg 1, 9546 Bad Kleinkirchheim PHOTOS Gert Perauer, Mathias Praegant, Bad Kleinkirchheim Tourismus, Trattlerhof CONCEPT, GRAPHICS & TEXT www.sterntaler.at AS OF May 2019 Changes, typesetting and printing errors reserved.
HOTEL GUT TRATTLERHOF & CHALETS GEGENDTALERWEG 1, 9546 BAD KLEINKIRCHHEIM, AUSTRIA +43 (0)4240/8172, HOTEL@TRATTLERHOF.AT WWW.TRATTLERHOF.AT