Attractions - Austria

Attractions - Vienna

Tyrol, Austria

Visitors flock in their millions to the province of Tirol each year for the Alps and classic Austrian landscapes: breathtaking views of alpine snow-capped peaks and quaint little wooden chalets nestling in the foothills. And of course, where there is snow there is skiing, all year round in many of Tirol’s resorts. These resorts provide many other sporting opportunities, and those who do not ski can walk or simply bask in the stupendous views and fresh alpine air.

The capital of the Tirol, and its most popular holiday destination, Innsbruck lies at the very heart of the Austrian Alps. A wide variety of attractions are on offer, and along with stunning scenery and terrific skiing nearby, this is a spot to suit all tastes throughout the year. 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. If you only do one thing here, climb the 14th-century Stadtturm on Herzog Friedrich Strasse and get a stunning overall panorama of the town and its surroundings.

Innsbruck is a good start-off point for visiting the entire Tirol region and there are a number of good day trips from the city. Five main skiing areas are accessible from Innsbruck, connected to each other by bus, with the Hungerburg area being the nearest. And for year-round skiing, try the Stubai Glacier, around 40 kms 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 beginners to the most advanced skiers. Lower down in the valley there is a wonderful network of footpaths where you can walk around and soak up the Tirolean atmosphere.

T ake a day trip to the small town of Wattens to see the Swarovski Kristallwelten, a series of son et lumiere displays featuring the famous Swarovski crystals. Or visit Ehrwald, a village on Austria’s border with Germany, overlooked by the glorious and mighty Zugspitze. Take the cable car to the summit where you will be rewarded with remarkable views of all of the main mountain ranges of the region, the Bavarian Alps, as well as Mount Santis in Switzerland. The restaurant at the summit is a glorious place to eat good food and recharge your batteries.

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