A wellness break with a difference

An award-winning hotel and spa complex in Austria has launched horse riding, spa and yoga breaks, for the ultimate in relaxation and adventure. The Reiter’s Resort is a relaxing haven owned by Karl Reiter, voted the best Spa hotelier of the year 2007 by the international Relaxguide for spa hotels.

The Resort provides a range of activities including Ashtanga Yoga with international yoga trainer Silvia Hammerl, who can provide group or private yoga tuition, including poses especially designed to strengthen muscles used when riding.

The Reiter’s Resort is unique in that some of its many treatments and classes are led by a genuine Shaolin monk from the Shaolin monastery, a Buddhist temple in China. The current Grand Master, Shuji Zheng, takes Qigong classes and provides wonderful Shaolin massages.

Karl Reiter is also the owner of the largest private Lipizzaner stud farm in Austria, and the stables are adjacent to the hotel complex. After assessment, guests of all abilities can ride out on 450 km of riding trails in the Burgenland region, which lies south of Vienna. The famous white Lipizzaner breed is closely linked to the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, and visits can be arranged.

Back inside the resort, you will find award-winning restaurants and a luxury spa complex with natural indoor and outdoor thermal pools, huge hot whirlpools, hammams, saunas, plus all manner of treatments, classes and activities including a tennis academy (with a trainer who worked with the Williams sisters), and the 27 hole David Leadbetter golf Academy.

Holidays here are offered through The Riding Company, a noted ‘green’ holiday company committed to responsible tourism, and offers a variety of exclusive, multi activity breaks. Adult prices at the Resort start from £525 for four nights inc. transfers, spa use, normal classes, sporting facilities, riding and full board. Treatments and flights are extra – tailored breaks can be arranged.

For more information, visit Theridingcompany.com.