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Innsbruck, Austria

The capital of the Tirol and the most popular Austrian holiday destination, the city of Innsbruck lies at the very heart of the Austrian Alps. Nestling in the valley of the Inn River, tucked between the northern Alps and the Tuxer mountain range, Innsbruck is famous for its winter sports and has twice been home to the Winter Olympics.

To get an overall panorama of Innsbruck and its surroundings, start your tour of the city by climbing the 14th-century Stadtturm on Herzog Friedrich Strasse. Soak up the atmosphere of the city with a walking tour of this picturesque street, beginning with the Baroque 16th-and 17th-century buildings with the impressive Nordkette Mountains as a stunning backdrop. Named for its 2,657 gilded copper tiles shimmering atop a Gothic oriel window, the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof) is an amazing sight. The Dom St Jakob is well worth a visit for its excessive Baroque interior, sumptuous art and stucco work, and its Madonna above the high altar, painted by Lukas Cranach the Elder. Don’t miss the Imperial Palace, dating from 1397, although it has been rebuilt and extended many times since. Marvel at the palace’s piece de resistance: the Riesensaal, a 31m-long stateroom with ceiling frescoes and embellishments of marble, gold and porcelain.

Five main skiing areas are accessible from Innsbruck, each connected to the others by bus. The Hungerburg area is the nearest. For year-round skiing, head for the Stubai Glacier, around 40 km from Innsbruck. Summer skiing on the glacier is at an elevation of 2,900 to 3,300 metres and the varied pistes here cater for most skiiers. Lower down in the valley there is a network of great footpaths for walkers. Take a rest from sightseeing, skiing, walking, shopping or mountain climbing to sample Innsbruck’s other attractions. There are Tirolean evenings where you can enjoy brass bands, yodelling, folk dancing and a drink. Or why not spend an evening listening to fine music from Innsbruck’s own symphony orchestra. Drama, comedy, opera and ballet are also on offer, as well as cinema. A hive of bars and clubs can be found in the Viaduktbogen district, and if you’re feeling lucky there’s a casino at Landhausplatz.

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