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Only by “disassembling” the concept of “vacation” do you begin to understand the depth of its meaning. It’s not just leisure time spent on excursions, traveling, visiting historical and sightseeing attractions, museums, concerts, various parties and restaurants, hiking, sports tourism, fishing, or hunting. First, it is restoring the normal state of one’s body, where the initial basis is the choice of the best place to relax.
Of course, when choosing a leisure activity, certain things could be improved regarding the form and method of its implementation. Some people are focused on the gastronomic novelties of Italian or Chinese restaurants, while others prefer measured golf or extreme ski slopes. In this case, we suggest paying attention to Austria, or rather, to the Austrian Tyrol, where centuries-old traditions of history have closely combined the life and way of life of the Tyroleans with endless alpine peaks, lost among the incredible beauty of forests, bottomless lakes, tourist routes saturated with the smell of intoxicating summer herbs and fabulous snow covers of high mountain ranges cut by ski trails in winter. Why choose Austria?
First of all, Austria is the extremely interesting cradle of the European history in the center of Europe, influenced by the Celts, Roman-Germanic, and Slavic tribes. Since the fifteenth century, it has been the political and economic center of the Roman Empire, led by the famous dukes of the House of Habsburg, who expanded the rule of the Austrian Empire over the next few centuries. In the nineteenth century, the country became Austria-Hungary, which, almost fifty years later, split into Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Austria, giving some land to Yugoslavia, Romania, and Poland. Only in the middle of the last century did it regain the status of an independent Austrian republic. However, all the historical vicissitudes could not affect the uniqueness of this country. It remains the bearer of a unique culture. Its capital, Vienna, is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, with the Vienna Opera, the ancient St. Stephen’s Church, Belvedere Park, the world’s oldest zoo, and ancient castles that witnessed the rise and fall of a great empire.
Let’s continue the country’s historical tradition by traveling to Mozart’s homeland, the ancient city of Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is much to be amazed at here. The Hohensalzburg fortress, the houses in the rock on Gstättengasse, the Mirabel Palace, the architecture of the Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter, the legendary Glossglockner high mountain road, the Liechtenstein Gorge, and much more. The second largest city in the country is Graz, with green and well-groomed parks, ancient fortresses, and unique architecture.
In the Wachau Valley, the neat towns of Melk, Dürnstein, Spitz, Krems am Dunai, Gottweig Abbey, and other exciting cities are scattered for tourists and researchers. This also applies to the small village of Hallstatt, “squeezed” by rocks on the shores of a picturesque lake.
And, of course, the fabulous city of Innsbruck, located along the riverbed of the Inn among the high mountain ranges.
Tyrol is where you can get precisely the emotions for which you came to this area. Historical, aesthetic, culinary, research, and just peace of mind. You can enjoy the twelve-kilometer-long ascent along the Gerlos high mountain road to the observation deck above the picturesque Lake Stausee. It is from here, at an altitude of over six hundred meters, that the popular Tyrolean Jodl hiking route begins.
In the western part of the High Tower National Park, several cascades of the Salzach River fall from almost four hundred meters high to form the largest waterfall in Europe, the Krimml. In the same park, you can appreciate the unlimited imagination of the engineering solution built for almost fifty kilometers of road, which stunningly rises above the clouds by three thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine meters to the top of the Grossglockner. You will also see the most profound and longest canyon in the Alps, the Lichtensteinkamm.
And, of course, the capital of Tyrol is Innsbruck. The city with the imperial palace Hofburg, the royal bed of the former residence of Maximilian I called the “house with the “golden roof,” the court church Hofkirche with the empty tomb of the same ruler. These historical monuments harmonize with the city’s modern architecture, sports complexes, swimming pools, and the usual day miracle, the ski jump on Mount Bergisel.
This is a modern story that continues the age-old traditions of Tyrol. And this is the essence of the city today. Here, from the central part of the city, you will overcome more than two thousand meters in a few minutes by cable car and find yourself at the top, enjoying both the ride and the panorama of the city and the Corwendel mountain range. Only here can you visit and meet the inhabitants of Europe’s only high alpine zoo, Alpenzoo.
Winter in the Alps, especially in Tyrol, is unsurpassed, and its ski resorts are among the best in the world. In support of this, it is worth mentioning that two Winter Olympics were held in Innsbruck. Therefore, it is not surprising that there is everything for winter entertainment here, from modern ski slopes, ski jumps, and ice rinks for professionals to various activities for ordinary tourists and guests.
The Tyrolean mountain peaks, of which there are more than five hundred and seventy, have more than a thousand two hundred modern ski lifts, more than three hundred specialized schools for those wishing to learn winter sports skills, and almost a hundred Mayfair parks for freeride enthusiasts. Nearly four thousand kilometers of modern trails have been laid for cross-country skiing and more than two hundred kilometers for sledding.
Of course, the priority is a variety of mountain footpaths, depending on their complexity and athletes’ training. Professionals choose the Ischgl, Lech, or St. Anton resorts, where the slopes are marked with black and red, indicating an extremely high difficulty level. For more moderate skiers and beginners, there are less complicated ski resorts in Innsbruck, Mayerhofen, Sölden, Gerlos, and others.
Families with children are torn when choosing the resorts of Kitzbühel, Serfaus, or Neustift. Keeping in mind some of the
Tuxedo and Stubai resorts, where it is possible to ski throughout the year.
It is essential to mention the most famous ski resort in the capital of Tyrol, Innsbruck, where there are almost three hundred kilometers of suitable ski slopes with elevation differences from eight hundred to three thousand two hundred meters. In addition, bobsleigh trails, unique parks, and an Olympic ice rink are available for extreme sports enthusiasts and everyone else.
Innsbruck has what to propose. All six downhill ski areas on the city’s outskirts, with more than fifty lifts serving them, are integrated into a single system.
The modern winter recreation center located not far from Innsbruck, known for its high-quality cross-country skiing trails, and the Seefeld resort is worth mentioning. The resort has nineteen pistes with modern ski lifts for a distance of two kilometers.
Austrian Tirol is beautiful no matter what time of year. Astonish Innsbruck, mysterious Kitzbühel, youthful Mayerhofen, quiet Seefeld. This is just a small list of the cities you want to visit in the off-season. See and touch centuries-old historical and architectural relics. Walk through the streets of old Innsbruck near the Ambras Castle, see the Renaissance Trazberg Castle in Stams and the early eleventh-century Hazegg Castle in Halle.
And this is only a tiny part of the history you can reach with your hand. After all, Tyrol is home to almost eighty museums, one of which, the Swarovski Crystal Museum, is known far beyond the country’s borders.
In the off-season, Tyrol is recommended primarily for family vacations. Special programs for active recreation, camping, mountain hiking, cycling, and more exist. If you wish, you can visit the amusement park in Linz, “walk” twenty meters above the ground in the cable car park “Zauberwinkel.» Those who have never prioritized active recreation can enjoy passive recreation. This is especially good when you want a glass of local glühwein on one of the high-mountain terraces of a fabulous restaurant and appreciate the beautiful scenery of the Alps. No matter the season.
If you decide to spend your winter vacation on the Tyrolean mountain slopes, remember that such a vacation is traumatic, and medical care here is not cheap. To transport an injured person from the ski slopes, you can either use a sled specially equipped for transportation or, in emergencies, a medical team can evacuate the wounded person to a hospital by helicopter. It is better to avoid getting into such situations if you have already purchased special medical insurance. Otherwise, depending on the accident’s altitude, the helicopter fee starts at more than three thousand euros. It would be best if you didn’t put too much faith in the medical centers at ski resorts. Only primary medical care for further treatment of the injured in a hospital. This also costs money. Anesthesia, doctor’s consultation, X-rays, temporary fixation of the limb if necessary, and an ambulance call will empty your pocket by at least 1,500 euros. Then, everything is according to the price list. A hip fracture, for example, will cost almost five thousand.
At the same time, it is essential to know that not all standard health insurance covers some consumables required for surgery. These are various fixators, bolts, screws, spokes, etc.
If you need your transportation, we recommend using the railroad. The train is convenient, comfortable, and clearly on schedule.
When going on vacation, remember the high price tag for hotels, restaurants, museums, etc. This is Tyrol.
Important. Austria has many public and church holidays recognized as official days off. Then life comes to a standstill. Shops, grocery stores, most cafes, restaurants, etc., are closed.
And finally, I want to share some information that may be useful when traveling in Tyrol. These are some mobile apps that may come in handy. Weather conditions and avalanches – SnowHow; Tirol Travel Guide App; Austrian Railways – ÖBB App; Mountain Rescue Tirol Emergency App; Taxi – TaxiApp Tirol.
