Austrian Alps 2006: Things to Do and See

We'll be staying in Innsbruck, Austria, but the fun doesn't stop there! Innsbruck is a cosmopolitan city that is centrally-located around some of the most exciting places in Europe: Salzburg, Munich, and trips to Bavarian castles are only about 90-minutes away by train or bus. A little further away are Venice and Switzerland. Here's just a sampling of some of the exciting things we can see on our trip.

Innsbruck, Austria

Chosen as the site of the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympic Games, Innsbruck considers skiing part of it's city life. But if you want to take a break from the world-class slopes, you'll be pleasantly surprised that just outside your hotel room is a charming European city with cafes, restaurants, winding alleyways, historical buildings, shops, antiques, museums. It's also a modern cosmopolitan city (most of the residents speak English), offering Internet cafes, shops, museums, theaters, restaurants, bars, bookstores, and everything else you could wish for.

Close-by winter activities include world-class skiing, sleigh rides, tobogganing, and possibly even an exciting ride on the Olympic Bobsled run.

Much of the town is well-preserved and beautiful. Part of the charm is walking street-after-street and marveling at the old-town charm. Surrounded by scenic mountains pouring down clean, fresh air, you may not want to leave this beautiful city and go elsewhere.

Winter Activities

	Olympic Quality Skiing: Chosen as the site of the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympic Games, Innsbruck considers skiing part of it's city life. Free buses shuttle us from downtown to the nearby ski areas. Come and see why skiers around the world go to Innsbruck. Depending on time/availability, some of the winter events you can sample include the following.
	World-class skiing (all levels, from beginner to black diamond). Even experts will find the skiing challenging! Snowboarding Tobaggoning Bobsledding Horse-sleigh ride

Bavarian Castles

	In Austria, we don't need to go far to see castles. Every few miles you'll see these picturesque reminders of medieval life. In Salzburg is the famous Fortress Hohensazlburg (open for tours year-round). In western Bavaria, north of Innsbruck, is King Ludwig's castle, Neuschwanstein, which was used as a model for Snow White's castle by Disney. Beside it is its smaller cousin Hohenschwangau, pictured to the left. (Depending upon the time of year, these castles may not be readily available to tour, but they are an awesome sight to behold nevertheless.)
	This Spanish-inspired castle (pictured to the right) outside of Innsbruck is just one of the many picturesque beauties you'll find here.

Salzburg

	A short 90-minute bus or train ride from Innsbruck is the historical city of Salzburg. Home of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, this city still contains many streets and buildings of his time, including the house he was born in and the house he moved to as an adult. It is also the home of von Trapp family, who inspired "The Sound of Music". You'll stroll down street after street of 18th-century architecture, filled with quaint shops, gorgeous cathedrals, monument-filled town squares, ancient cemeteries, and other fascinating places.
	Many beautiful sites from "The Sound of Music" were filmed here, including the enchanting Mirabella Gardens. Von Trapp tours are available to take you to all the sites.
	The famous Fortress Hohensalzburg, a mighty medieval structure stands high and imperious on top a hill. Its many corridors and rooms are open for walking tours throughout the year. The castle features a rich history and offers a remarkable view of Salzburg and eastern Bavaria.

Switzerland

Just a few hours west outside of Innsbruck is Switzerland. Stroll the countryside, shop for cuckoo clocks, sample their world-famous chocolate. The majesty of the Alps greets you as you enter this marvelous and cosmopolitan country.

Munich, Germany

Munich, Germany prides itself in being one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. A hub of culture, history, art, and technology, you'll find a fascinating place for your day adventures. There are beer-gardens, great food, and culture. The Munich subway/bus/rail system, named the U-bahn (city) and S-bahn (suburbs) is affordable, easy-to-travel, and will take you through the whole city and its outskirts.

A few suggestions include the following.

Alte Pinakothek (Barer Str. 27) is one of the largest museums in Europe and boasts the greatest painting collection in the world for the 14th-18th centuries: Dürer, Botticelli, Rubens, etc.
Neue Pinakothek (Barer Str. 29) Across the lawn from the Alte Pinakothek is this museum of 19th century painting and sculpture. The collection is strong in German Romantics and French Impressionists, including Goya, Manet, Renoir, Cezanne, and Van Gogh.
Frauenkirche "Cathedral of Our Lady" (Frauenplatz 12) is a beautiful gothic cathedral dating back to the 15th century.
Dachau Concentration Camp (Alte-Roemar-Strasse 75) is a bus ride northwest of Munich for all history enthusiasts. Preserved with great care and accuracy, you can visit the camp, barracks, krematorium, and the four memorial chapels built there in the last few years.
Bavarian Film Studio (Bavariafilmplatz 7) is Europe's filmmaking center, used by Stanley Kubrick, Wim Wenders, Fassbinder, and Herzog. Tours take you through sets of films like Das Boot and The Neverending Story.

Oberammergau

Oberammeragua is the site of the world's most famous passion play. In 1634, the town's citizens pledged a vow to God to put on the play every decade in gratitude for preserving their city from the plague that was killing a third of all Europe.

Even though the next production isn't until 2010, you can still visit the theater and tour this marvelous, well-preserved town. It's architecture is simply magnificent. One the way back, we recommend stopping at King Ludwig's castles, Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau, if you can.

Venice, Italy

For a taste of romance, you might prefer a daytrip to Venice, Italy -- the city of love. You'll discover why Venice is incomparable among the cities of the world. A five-hour bus ride south of Innsbruck is all it takes to get to one of the most wondrous cities of the world.

Take a gondola ride through the river streets, sample some of the best Italian cooking you'll ever have in your life, experience the magnificent culture of ancient museums and churches.

Scheduled Sidetrips

There are several concurrent daytrips scheduled by a group that works out of the hotel we are staying at (you get on a bus just a short block from the hotel). Although, you are welcome to use the excellent public transportation to schedule your own itinerary, these are convenient ways that you can see some of the best sites with little effort. Many travelers do a mix of both.

Mon Salzburg (34 euros) Olympic Bobsled Run (46) Skiing: St. Anton (26)

Tues Venice (71) Neuschwanstein Castle/ Oberammergau (29) Skiing: Kitzbuhel (26)

Wed Glacier Man and Vipiteno (37) Tirolean Party Night (evening) (30) Skiing: St. Anton (26)

Thurs Neuschwanstein Castle/ Oberammergau (29) Swarovski Crystal World (18) Skiing: Kitzbuhel (26)

Friday Salzburg (34) Skiing: St. Moritz, Switzerland (43) Skiing: St. Anton (26)

Note: All prices are in Euros (currently, one euro is almost equivalent to one dollar).

Note: Skiing is available in Innsbruck. The ski locations listed here are special, premiere ski trips to locations outside of Innsbruck, for the adventurous skier.