Page 17 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Austria

DISC OVERING A USTRIA  15

A Week in the of the valley, which offers plenty Alps, or take the Hornbahn to
Austrian Alps in the way of refreshment and reach the Alpine Flower Garden.
accommodation. Afterwards, take a side-trip to
• Airports Arrive at and Kufstein (p251), in the shadow
depart from Innsbruck Day 4: The Arlberg of the Kaisergebirge, site of a
Kranebitten Airport. and Vorarlberg historic fortress and an absorb-
• Transport Innsbruck, Continue west by road or rail ing regional museum.
Kitzbühel and the Arlberg over the Arlberg Pass (pp260–61),
are all connected to Austria’s the stark mountain barrier that Day 6: The Pinzgau
train network. You will need divides Tyrol from Austria’s Begin the morning south of
to rely on a private car or westernmost province, Vorarlberg. Kitzbühel in the green pastures
public bus to explore Austria’s If you are travelling by car, opt of Pinzgau. Follow the rustic road
Alpine valleys. to take a detour to the world- west towards the spectacular
famous mountain resorts of foaming waters of the Krimmler
St Anton (p261) and Lech (p258), Wasserfälle (p237), then head
Day 1: Innsbruck busy with skiers and après-ski east towards the lakeside centre
Begin a day in Tyrol’s vibrant life in winter, and blissfully fresh of Zell am See (p236),
capital with a stroll around the and invigorating during the the starting point for the
compact medieval centre, paus- summer hiking season. breath taking mountain road
ing to admire its many highly over the Grossglockner Pass.
decorative façades – of which Day 5: Kitzbühel and
the Renaissance-era Goldenes Kufstein Day 7: The Zillertal
Dachl (p244) is the most cele- Head to the main mountain Before heading back to
brated. Get a taste of Innsbruck’s resort of eastern Tyrol, Kitzbühel Innsbruck, be sure to explore
imperial heritage with a visit to (p251), a pretty medieval town, at least part of the Zillertal
the Hofkirche (pp246–7), where and once the winter sports (pp252–3), a picture-postcard
a monument to Maximilian I capital of the country. Spend valley of pretty villages squeezed
presides over a flamboyant the entire day outdoors hiking between the lofty Alps. Don’t
collection of statues. Stroll along in the local mountains. There forget to take time out for a ride
the elegant boulevard of Maria- are several cable cars taking on the Zillertal’s famous narrow-
Theresien-Strasse, with its famous tourists up onto the high gauge railway, or take a side-
views of the Alps, or take the Alpine meadows: ride the trip up the Tux valley to enjoy
cable car to Bergisel (p247). The Hahnenkammbahn for a superb year-round skiing on the
hill is popular for its easy walking panorama of the surrounding Hintertux glacier.
trails and extensive mountain
panoramas. Next, visit Schloss
Ambras (p245), a Renaissance
chateau filled with artistic
treasures and curiosities collected
by Archduke Ferdinand II.
Day 2: Seefeld
Spend a day in the pretty
mountain village of Seefeld
(pp256–7), northwest of
Innsbruck. Take a leisurely
hike over the Alpine meadows
and enjoy the awe-inspiring
views. Return to Innsbruck
for an evening in one of its
folksy restaurants.
Day 3: The Ötztal
Head west from Innsbruck
to Imst before turning south
into the Ötztal (p256), one
of Austria’s longest, deepest
and most majestic Alpine
valleys. Head to the village of
Obergurgl, at the head of the
valley, which is surrounded
by high peaks. Return to the
hiking and skiing resort of
Sölden (p256), in the middle Houses on the banks of the river in Innsbruck

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