Gasthof Schoneck

by – Dion, Contiki Site Rep (RIC), Hopfgarten

The Gasthof Schöneck is Contiki’s very own authentic Austrian gasthof (guest inn) that is owned and operated for the exclusive use of Contiki travelers and comes complete with our friendly experienced on-site “Contiki Crew”:/contikipedia/articles/contiki-crew-europe. The ‘Schöneck’ sits amongst the hills on the edge of the stunningly beautiful Tyrolean village of Hopfgarten and is one of our staff and travellers favourite stopovers in all of Europe.

Schöneck is used during the summer months as one of Contiki’s special stopovers for Concept/Budget Tours while during the winter the Schöneck is the base for Contiki’s winter ski tours.

Accommodation

Our ski tour prices are based on quad-share (most with individual showers and handbasins in room). Triple-share rooms are available (also most with individual showers and handbasins in room). There are also a number of twin-share rooms, all of which have private facilities. Each floor of the Gasthof has additional showers and toilets. If you’re travelling alone, we can arrange for you to share a room with someone of the same sex for no extra cost. An extensive hot continental breakfast buffet is included daily.

Facilities

In a true reflection of the laid-back lifestyle enjoyed by the locals, the vibe at the Gasthof Schöneck is very relaxed. There’s a great chill out room where you can kick back on a couch, catch up on post cards and diaries, meet up with your fellow travelers and maybe even enjoy DVD or two. Schöneck is also fully equipped with a bar that stays open late, a dining room, a sound system and a dance floor. Internet facilities and laundry services are also available. The laundry service is available for tours spending two or more nights at the stopover where your clothes are washed, dried and returned to you by Contiki’s resident Staff.

Food

Contiki has a dedicated, resident cook, well-trained in the delicacies of typical Austrian menus (e.g. Wiener Schnitzel, Goulash soup, and other popular dishes). A hot/cold buffet breakfast is provided everyday. For the winter ski tours, there are two options for meals – Bed & Breakfast or Half Board.

For those who opt to book on a half board basis, dinner is served at approximately 18:30 giving you plenty of time to recover from the day’s skiing and perhaps enjoy a few drinks in the cosy house bar. Dinner is three courses – soup or a starter, plus a main course, followed by dessert. Tea and coffee are available throughout most of the day (but not late evening). Dinner will be provided in the Gasthof for 5 nights or 10 nights (depending on the length of ski package) when half board supplement is paid. This gives you 2 or 4 free nights to explore the restaurants in town (the Contiki team can organize where). Lunch is available in a choice of restaurants on the mountain and isn’t included in the price of the tours.

The Bar

The Gastof Schöneck bar is simply legendary. The bar is stocked with over 20 different varieties of Austrian schnaps as well as the regular bar fare and is home to some of the greatest theme parties ever hosted.

Chill out in the afternoon in our outdoor area and maybe try your hand at a traditional Austrian nail game.

Ski Tours

The winter months see the town of Hopfgarten become one of the hubs for the world-renowned slopes of the Austrian Ski Welt – easily some of the best (not to mention cheapest) skiing in Europe. With 250km (155 miles) of inter connected runs there is more then enough to get out there and explore. The Gasthof Schöneck becomes Contiki’s home base for these ski tours. Contiki offers stays of one week or two weeks with breakfast included with the option to include evening meals, ski and board lessons, ice skating, sleigh ride, paragliding. And if you need a break from skiing, let the staff organise a day trip to Innsbruck, Salzburg, or Kitzbuhel.

Other Activities and Events

Contiki’s Gasthof Schöneck is a great home base for you to use in order to get out and make the most of the sensational Tyrol region as there is so much to do an see in the surrounding hills and mountains.

The stunning scenery of the Austrian Alps provides an unforgettable backdrop for out door activities like hiking, mountain biking and paragliding while the nearby Trout Farm (where you can catch and have your trout cooked fresh for you) is ever popular.

‘Salvena Land’ is open during the summer months and is a great place to take a swim in either the pool or the lake while you can also get up to a bit of beach volleyball or tobogganing with the locals. There is also a restaurant where you can grab a bite to eat after a long day swimming.

One of the best ways to take in the breathtaking scenery is a make the short stroll into town and catch a gondola up into the nearby mountains. Contiki travelers receive a discount during the summer and the views from the top are simply too beautiful to put into words.

You can grab a picnic lunch from one of the local supermarkets before heading up or stop off at ‘Gasthof Thenn’ on the way back down for an authentic Austrian feed with spectacular views. You can also go and try some traditional food at some of the local Gasthof on top of the mountain.

If you want to take in even more of the scenery in an amazingly peaceful manner (and also if you’re into extreme sports) paragliding is a must. Oragnised by your tour manager and on-site reps, paragliding is one of the best ways to see the whole area and to see how incredibly beautiful it is.

Once you have got out any about and enjoyed the area come back and enjoy a variety of home cooked meals produced by our Contiki staff.