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On an Austro-Hungarian Golf and Cultural Tour

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Tee off amid the gently rolling hills of Southern Burgenland.

Sealed this year, the new partnership between Reiters Golf & Country Club in Burgenland and Zala Springs Golf Club in Hungary promises discerning, culturally minded golfers multiple points of engagement. This collaboration offers culture-loving golfers several points of interest: the opera *Tosca* performed in a quarry in St. Margarethen, Burgenland; the opulent Esterhazy Palace in Eisenstadt; and the 200-year-old Herend porcelain manufactory on Lake Balaton in Hungary. A grand tour through extraordinary landscapes, where golf, music, fine craftsmanship, and the art of living well are all celebrated. A mecca for the pleasure-seeking golfer lies in Austria’s easternmost state—Burgenland. There, visitors can immerse themselves in the Reiters vacation world, which stretches across 125 hectares of gently rolling hills. Within this domain, discerning guests will discover not only two exceptional hotels—the 5-star “Supreme” and the 4-star superior “Finest Family”—but also an expansive 8,200-square-metre thermal spa and wellness centre, as well as a fully equipped golf facility known as Reiters Golf & Country Club Bad Tatzmannsdorf. Those who opt for the “Supreme” have struck gold, for it is a sanctuary for anyone seeking holistic rejuvenation: at its heart lies an expansive spa realm covering approximately 9,000 square meters, where thermal, fresh, and brine pools, saunas, steam baths, relaxation areas, and special spa zones coalesce to create a sumptuous retreat. Particularly alluring is the diversity of wellness experiences on offer—from the Japanese Kensho Spa with its onsen pools and natural swimming pond, to the Yin-Yang Spa and the Ladies Spa.

This is complemented by a new longevity concept that combines wellness with modern medicine, psychotherapy, Ayurveda, and bodywork—promising not just relaxation, but true regeneration. Another notable feature is the hotel’s focus on regional ingredients, sustainability, and ecology, using many products from its own farm—which defines its refined cuisine, ranging from rustic to elegant. Golfers’ hearts will race, as there are 27 holes to choose from here: 1 x 18 on the Championship Course and 1 x 9 holes on the Lichtenwald Course for practice. Both courses wind through a gently rolling landscape, though the 18th hole leads uphill through some pretty rugged terrain. What lingers in the memory is the peaceful tranquility that accompanies you and the sweeping view across the countryside.

Boundless Golf

After a good hour’s drive, you reach Zala Springs in southwestern Hungary. Yes, even the GPS now finds “Zalacsány,” although you feel like you’re “in the middle of nowhere” here. A large gate with a long driveway leading to the resort then signals that you’ve arrived. The entire complex—including the apartment buildings, hotel, and spa—is owned by Hungary’s most successful entrepreneur, Gábor Széles. He began investing in the development of the Zala Valley 10 years ago, building the hotel, apartments, and spa; he acquired the golf course and renovated the Batthyány Castle Hotel and manor house, where guests can also stay. It presents a striking contrast between minimalist and opulent living environments. The golf course, designed by none other than Robert Trent Jones Jr., is completely flat and could just as easily be in Florida. Seven substantial ponds and hundreds of bunkers characterise the layout, rendering play demanding at times. Hole 9 (par 5, 500 metres) may be regarded the “signature hole”—a dogleg left guarded by five fairway bunkers on an embankment and a pond that stretches all the way to the undulating green and beyond.

Afterward, a glass of fine Hungarian wine on the expansive restaurant terrace—with its view of fairways that glow reddish as the sun sets—is an absolute must. Since this summer, Zala Springs Health & Golf Resort and Reiters Golf & Country Club have offered a joint golf package. This also includes staying in one of the spacious cottages—in addition to the spa, which has recently distinguished itself with a longevity program.

200 Years of Hungarian Porcelain Art in Herend If

you take on the somewhat adventurous journey to Herend near Lake Balaton, you’ll experience this vibrant, nearly 200-year-old tradition of craftsmanship firsthand —with real porcelain painters and molders at work, you’ll become acquainted with the iconic patterns and can immerse yourself directly in the world of Herend at the factory store and museum. The best way to experience this is on a 40-minute guided tour, where you follow each stage of production: molding and cutting, flower production, painting, and gilding. You will witness master porcelain artists at work, creating not only historical pieces destined for various royal households but also stylish designs for limited-edition collections that command premium prices. What is particularly impressive is the seamless combination of live craftsmanship, the museum, and the factory store—the “best” of Herend. Add to that the culinary delights at the Apicius Restaurant, where dishes are, of course, served on Herend porcelain. From here, the anniversary celebrations extend to numerous historic sites throughout Hungary, where porcelain meets impressive architecture—as is the case at the Herend Palace in Budapest.

Imperial Splendor and Romantic Opera in BurgenlandAnyone

traveling to St. Margarethen during the summer will experience the opera in the quarry, a cultural event that blends seamlessly with its surroundings: Puccini’s *Tosca* on the imposing open-air stage, where the rocky landscape of the Roman quarry is not merely a backdrop but an integral part of the production. This dramatic tale of love, power, and intrigue is so riveting that, in addition to the artists’ powerful voices, the lighting effects, thunder, and sound of gunfire send shivers down the spine. For many years, the Opera in the Quarry has been one of the region’s most distinctive summer events, drawing some 160,000 visitors annually to its ever-changing repertoire of classic operas.

In addition, guests may savor regional cuisine and wines, feeling fully part of an enthusiastic opera community. They also learn that both the quarry and the castle in Eisenstadt, along with the wineries, are part of the Esterházy family’s estates. For centuries, these have symbolized art, a passion for collecting, and aristocratic splendor, as well as natural resources and forestry. A visit to Esterházy Palace—which has also made a name for itself with special performances in the famous Haydn Hall—offers a fascinating glimpse into the once-glamorous life at the court of the Esterházy princes. The 2027 concert season is already anticipated with excitement, highlighted by a performance by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Riccardo Muti. Further information: www.burgenland.info www.reitersgolfresort.at
www.zalasprings.hu/de www.herend.com www.operimsteinbruch.at www.esterhazy.at

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