Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tyrol & Vorarlberg
Why Go?
There's no place like Tyrol for the 'wow, I'm in Austria' feeling. Nowhere else in the
country is the downhill skiing as exhilarating, the après-ski as pumping, the wooden
chalets as chocolate box, the food as hearty. Whether you're schussing down the legendary
slopes of Kitzbühel, cycling the Zillertal or hiking in the Alps with a big, blue sky over-
head - the scenery here makes you glad to be alive. Welcome to a place where snow-
boarders brag about awesome descents under the low beams of a medieval tavern; where
Dirndls
(women's traditional dress) and Lederhosen have street cred; and where
Volksmu-
sik
(folk music) features on club playlists.
The Arlberg Alps give way to rolling dairy country in pleasingly low-key Vorarlberg.
Spilling east to the glittering expanse of Bodensee (Lake Constance), this eastern pocket
of the country swings happily between ecofriendly architecture on the cutting edge of
design and deeply traditional hamlets with more cows than people.
When to Go
»
In winter (December to early April), skiers flock to the Tyrolean Alps for snow and
après-ski fun and prices soar, making advance booking essential. At Christmas, markets
bring festive sparkle to towns and cities.
»
In summer (June to September), room rates are lower in alpine resorts and this is prime
time for high-altitude and hut-to-hut hikes, lake swimming and adventure sports like raft-
ing, paragliding and mountain biking. Zillertal rocks to summer folk music; the Bregenz
Festival in mid-July lures opera fans to Bodensee.
»
Crowds are few and room rates low in the shoulder seasons of April/May and October/
November, though many places close in alpine resorts. Seasonal colour is at its best, with
wildflowers in spring and foliage in autumn.
Best Places to Eat
»
Die Wilderin (
Click here
)
