Section Eye on World Tirol – Heart of the Alps
Tirol – Heart of the Alps
At the heart of the Austrian Alps, the state of Tirol is a scenic wonderland of no less than 36 picturesque holiday areas. With majestic mountains, lush green meadows, crystal clear
lakes and picture-perfect towns, this is a region of quintessential alpine beauty.
Tirol is world famous for its excellent ski resorts and its capital Innsbruck has twice hosted the Winter Olympics. In summer it is the ideal destination for enjoying the nature and the panoramic views of the Alps. The region truly lies at the centre of Europe with close connections to Germany, Italy and Switzerland. And although Innsbruck has an international airport and is well connected to the Austrian capital Vienna, it is also served by Munich Airport which is less than 100km away.
Bus companies at Munich Airport take visitors to their lodgings in Tirol in a couple of hours for the price of a comparable train ticket. There is also a regular train connection between Munich and Innsbruck and all other important destinations in Tirol. Trains leaving directly from Munich Airport reach Innsbruck in just 2 hours. Regular trains also operate to Innsbruck from Vienna, Zurich, Venice and many other destinations.
Innsbruck
The town of Innsbruck with its glorious mountain vistas boasts many beautiful medieval palaces and cathedrals. The Habsburg kings once held court here and the architectural heritage of its Golden Age can be seen all around, particularly in the historic Old Town.
The Old Town’s most celebrated sight is the Golden Roof - a shimmering gothic alcove balcony with 2,536 fire gilded tiles, where Emperor Maximilian I would sit and watch tournaments in the square below. Innsbruck’s holiday region, which features 25 villages, came out on top among 245 European holiday regions when judged on environment, living standards and safety.
From the medieval city centre, the amazing Nordkette Cableway transports passengers to high Alpine terrain 2,250m above sea level in just 20 minutes. The ride on the cable car offers breathtaking panoramic views over the town and mountains. The cable car was designed by star Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid and it is one of Innsbruck’s most popular attractions. On the Nordkette route you will find Innsbruck Alpine Zoo. At 750m height, it is the highest zoo in the world and the only wildlife sanctuary worldwide that is purely dedicated to animals of the Alps. More than 2,000 animals and 150 species can be viewed in their natural habitats.
The best way of getting around in Innsbruck is to buy an all-inclusive Innsbruck Card, which entitles the holder to free travel on all public transport, five cable cars and the Sightseer bus for one, two or three days. It also grants free access to Innsbruck’s sights and museums, including Swarovski Crystal Worlds.
Swarovski Crystal Worlds
At Wattens, 15km east of Innsbruck, Swarovski Crystal Worlds has become one of Austria’s most visited attractions since it opened in 1995. The crystal-themed indoor park houses dazzling displays related to or inspired by crystals, covering the spheres of décor, objects, jewellery and fashion.
Visual highlights include the 590-mirror Crystal Dome, the Planet of Crystals, which has a sophisticated blend of 3D projections and the Floating Poem, which has no beginning or end. Brian Eno, who used to produce the music of famous pop-band U2, has created a audio-visual section which is designed to induce a meditation effect. Visitors can round off the experience with the chance to shop at the largest Swarovski shop globally.
Lake Achensee
Just 45 kilometers to the East of Innsbruck lies the Lake Achensee, Austria’s largest mountain lake. The best way to discover Lake Achensee is onboard one of the boats of the Lake Achensee fleet. Emerald green shimmering, the lake is nestled between the Karwendel and Rofan mountain ranges which gives the lake its beautiful fjord-like features. It stretches within a surface area of 6,8 square kilometers, is accessible from all sides and well-known for its beautiful public beaches. Also sailors, surfers and scuba divers will find the perfect conditions there. A boat tour around the whole lake takes two hours.
Zillertal Valley and Hintertux Glacier
Only half an hour to the South from there you will reach the Zillertal Valley, which is one of the most popular holiday regions of Austria. One of the many breathtaking experiences you can have there is a visit to the Hintertux Glacier. There, snow and ice can be enjoyed on 365 days a year. The Glacier Playground at 3,250m altitude is the world’s highest playground. It includes a climbing camp for Children, where your kids learn the basics of mountaineering .
Kitzbühel
Further to the east, the trendy resort town of Kitzbuehel is famous for its stunning panoramic views as well as for its vibrant cultural scene and nightlife. A cosmopolitan city with sophisticated hotels and restaurants, it is popular with celebrities from around the world. Kitzbuehel is located 90km from Innsbruck and 160km from Munich and can be easily reached by shuttle service, rail or car.
The unique landscape with breathtaking mountain views and crystal clear lakes has given Kitzbuehel an international reputation and a title that has to be earned every year again: “Best of the Alps”. It is also secondary residence and destination for many celebrities and royal families from all over the world (Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Sweden
Seefeld
Just 25 kilometres northwest of Innsbruck lies the popular holiday destination Seefeld, which is easily accessible by train from both Munich and Innsbruck. It is situated on a plateau and surrounded by the Wetterstein and Karwendel mountain ranges. The region is famous for hosting the Nordic disciplines during the Winter Olympic Games of 1964 and 1976 further and for its international flair and its top quality hotels. Like Kizbühel, Seefeld belongs to 12 classic Alpine resorts which have joined forces to establish the “Best of the Alps” group. An advantage of the region is its “natural air condition” because of its position in the mountains at a sea level of 1,200 m. That means during the day you have comfortable temperatures and at night you can breathe in fresh mountain air.
