Local Information

A host of activities await visitors to Wels. Located on the northern province of Upper Austria, near the border with Germany, Wels is easily accessible from Britain by land via the Channel Tunnel going through Northern France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and through Germany's famed and efficient network of Autobahns. Although a UK to Austria road trip would be quite a challenge for people who are not used to such long distances, the scenery along the way is reason enough to embark on such a journey.

Train travel is also possible by taking the Eurostar to France then transfer to several long distance trains in the countries along the way. However, the down side is that you need to know all the train schedules in each country to have a smooth connection to Wels.

A quick and convenient although less scenic way of getting there is by plane from London's Heathrow to either Linz, Salzburg, or Vienna then hop on a train to Wels. Some budget, no-frills airlines do service the Austrian cities previously mentioned. For a bit of luxury, full service airlines such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Austrian Airways also have flights to and from the UK and major Austrian cities but for a heftier sum of course.

Once you get there, hotels are for all sorts of budgets are easy to come by. Quite well known to backpackers are the Best Western Ploberger, the Hotel Greif Familie Pineker, and the Dormotel Traunpark.

If you want to see the city on your own, hiring a car is the best way to do so. Driving in Austria as in any other country in Europe is reasonably safe and car hire fees are acceptable as well.

Wels has a host of natural and cultural attractions for all visitors. The town is near the Alps which is a hit for skiers and sightseers. Wels can serve as the jump off point to such beautiful mountain resorts in Austria's lovely countryside. As for culture, the town is rich in ancient and medieval history as embodied by the many landmarks and architectural wonders that the town has to offer.

Among the most popular tourist attractions are Berg Wels or Castle Wels in English, a medieval palace of stunning charm and architectural appeal. English-speaking tourists can avail of a guided tour through its ornate halls and a walk through its history. A part of the town's history is its gates. Although its original is no longer intact one of its watchtowers remain which is called the Lederer. You can take snapshots of it but there are no available guided tours for it.

Also a must see are the town's museums such as the Puppenweltmuseum or Puppet Museum and the Stempel-und Siegelmuseum or the Stamp and Seal Museum. In the Puppet Museum you will see a collection of exquisitely made puppets made for puppet plays for the town's bourgeoisie.

For a bit of science, there is the Marienwarte or the Planetarium. There is also a zoological and botanical garden, the Vogelpark Schimiding, for a taste of some exotic wildlife.

You can also see how the good tasting Austrian beer is brewed in Wels' Gerstl Brau or Gerstl Brewery.

Lastly, if you are into the religious side of things, the Minoritenkloster Wels or Wels Monastery is for you. Take a peek of its cloistered halls and quiet appeal and feel the serenity that it exudes.

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