Nestled in unique nature reserves is Europe's westernmost steppe lake, Lake Neusiedl, south-east of Vienna. It combines landscapes of the most diverse character, each enchanting in its own way. The flat, almost endless steppe area in the east, the Seewinkel, is characterized by salt lakes and steppe grassland, which form the basis of life for many endangered animals and plants. In the south of the lake, rich princes built magnificent palaces that are in no way inferior to those of Schönbrunn or the Belvedere. Wines that are known far beyond the borders of Austria thrive on the gentle hills on the western shore, and idyllic wine villages, where cosiness is very much appreciated, line the lake. The completely flat west side of the lake and the flat Seewinkel are a paradise for cyclists.