Culture
Popular with Austria's elite since the building of the Southern Railway in the 19th Century, Wörthersee is Austria's Monte Carlo equivalent. Famous historical visitors from Vienna included Emperor Franz Joseph I, Gustav Mahler and Johannes Brahms, who composed his second symphony in Pörtschach. Stroll past the luxurious villas lining the characteristic peninsula of Pörtschach, rubbing shoulders with Austria's beautiful people.
Velden meanwhile, has catapulted itself into the 21st century with an array of high adrenaline sports, so you'll be spolit with the choice of activities on hand. There's also a buzzing nightlife scene - don't miss the eye-boggling explosion of water, music and lasers over the lake in the impressive Klangwelle show - happening twice a week in the summertime. Why not try -- A day out to Carinthia's regional capital, Klagenfurt to see a concert on a lakeside stage at the summer-long Wörthersee festival
- A scenic walk with the local tourist board to a fruit farm for some cider tasting or a plate of Carinthian 'Kasnudel' - a local delicacy
- Jump in a hire car explore the Grossglockner High Alpine road - spiralling up towards Austria's highest peak at 3798m
Active
• swimming in the warm lake waters • a wealth of water sports including water skiing, wind surfing, diving, sailing and boating • cycling around the lakeside and in the foothills • tennis • diving • fishing • horse riding • sailing • concerts • casino