alps travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises spa and resorts

Innsbruck is the capital of the federal state Tyrol and the biggest city in the Western part of Austria. It is located at 573 m elevation, 489 km south-west of Vienna, 190 km away from Salzburg. Innsbruck  is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities and offers a combination of culture, history and nature unequaled anywhere else.

Some of the major attraction in Innsbruck and its surroundings is “Swarovski Crystal Worlds” (Kristallwelten). The Swarovski crystal company is based just outside Innsbruck and they have a museum and store in the center of town. The entrance is from the big head and it leads to a crystal wall, made of 12 tons of the most perfect crystals in the world. It’s free.

In the Swarovski Crystal world you will see many artworks by world-known artists – from Andy Warhol to Salvador Dali. You will also be in the heart of a crystal in the Crystal Dome and be a witness of some amazing shows in the Crystal Theatre.

Other attractions include Tiroler museums, Hungersburg, Schloss Ambras, Wiltener Basilica, Bergisel, Hofburg, The Golden Roof, the Alpine Zoo. The beauty of Innsbruck city is protected by the architects who ensure that the new structures built in the city are harmonious with the preexisting Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance style buildings.

Innsbruck occupies a particularly scenic spot along the Inn river with high Alps to the north and south. In winter you’ll find masses of deep, sparkling powder snow, unrivaled skiing and tobogganing. Come summer, you’ll find picture-postcard Alpine scenery, cool mountain lakes, and rambles through forests.

Salzburg is Austria’s 4th biggest city. Only Vienna, Graz and Linz have more citizens. It is one of the smaller provinces but it is one of the most important for the tourism industry. The old town of Salzburg is an UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Hundreds and thousands of visitors from all over the world visit the ”Small Paradise” of Salzburg throughout the year. Salzburg as a holiday destination is equally popular in winter and summer.

Salzburg lies on both banks of the Salzach River, at the point where it is pinched between two mountains, the Kapuzinerberg on one side, the Monchsberg on the other. In broader view are many beautiful Alpine peaks. If you’ve seen the movie The Sound of Music, you may think you know all there is to see in Salzburg. Admittedly, it’s tough not to burst into song when you’re walking along the Salzach River, or climbing up to the Hohensalzburg fortress which looms over the city. But there’s a lot more to this compact, courtly city than Julie Andrews and Mozart’s birthplace… Salzburg’s Altstadt (old town), on the south bank of the river, is a Baroque fiesta of churches, plazas, courtyards and fountains, oozing the waves of charm that you would expect from this Mozart Mecca. Museums, houses, squares, chocolate bars and liqueurs are all part of one giant homage to Wolfgang. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the city’s most famous son, represents the high point of the classical musical tradition. This tradition is still fostered nowadays – Salzburg Festival, which, since it was founded in 1920, annually attracts thousands of art and culture lovers from all over the world to Salzburg. One of the most important annual attractions is of course the performance on the Cathedral Square of the mystery play “Jedermann” (Everyman) against the overwhelming background of Salzburg Cathedral.The city will be one of the eight host cities in the 2008 European Football Championships.

Above the clouds, between the purest Alpine air, 1500m above the sea level is located Vigilius Mountain Resort. The only way to get there is only by cable car. There are no roads, no traffic, no noise. The place is within driving distance of Milan, Venice, Munich, Zurich, Verona and Innsbruck. 20 minutes from Bolzano, Italy.

The Hotel inside is so warm and stylish. A unique sensory experience is created by the use of the naturally scented larch wood throughout – that has been painstakingly crafted to achieve three different finishes: Floors are covered in roughly patterned larch, a fine grain has been used for all panelling and finishes, and a fluted look for the doors. All guestrooms face either east or west, but always to the outside – that is brought even closer by floor-to-ceiling windows leading on to generous balconies.

There are spa located on three floors with indoor pool, whirlpool which extends into the open air, sauna, steam and the paradise garden, unique vigilius feedback method with individually selected spa treatments, hay bath, vigilius massage, shiatsu, shiseido Qi massage and more.

Each room consist CD player, modem line, phone, laundry service, exclusive bath amenities
satellite TV & DVD on request.

Glaciers, waterfalls, wild mountain streams, mountain lakes, Alpine moors, Alpine flora and traditional agriculture have made it into a high valley of spectacular beauty. Lauterbrunnen is a small unspoilt village in Switzerland nestled between the towering walls of a sheer-sided valley that is famed for its waterfalls. This Alpine valley – Lauterbrunnen is situated in the impressive glaciated valley with the beautiful mountain ranges of Jungfrau, Shilthorn, and Breithorn on its doorstep. It is the departing point to the famous car-free resorts of Wengen and Murren, as well as the Jungfraujoch -Top of Europe (the highest train station in Europe) and the Schiltorn/Piz Gloria (made famous by James Bond).

The Lauterbrunnen Valley is one of the most scenic areas on the face of the earth. Lauterbrunnen is tucked into a deep, long valley of rocky cliffs and green pastures. The valley has 72 waterfalls, including the Staubbach Falls and the equally famous Trummelbach Falls, a series of 10 falls inside a mountain gorge that require a descent by undeground funicular. In Lauterbrunnen itself, the Talmuseum has exhibits on iron mining and other aspects of the valley’s history.

Trummelbach Falls is unique, in that seven of its 10 cascades are inside a mountain. A lift takes you up inside the mountain, and you start climbing up to the cascades. The tunnels and stairs that lead to the cascades are dimly lit and damp, with water dripping everywhere. Add the deafening roar of water and the constant vibration in the rock, and considering we were the only two there, it was downright spooky. 20,000 litres of water flows through Trummelbach per second! Switzerland is incredibly beautiful – lots of perfectly kept chalets with flower boxes under each window, the Swiss flags over the balcony, firewood stacked neatly in the back and cows bells ringing in all directions.
For hikers, skiers, and alpine sightseers with limited budgets, Lauterbrunnen has much to offer–including a valley location that makes it a convenient touring base for the Jungfrau Region, especially when traveling by car.

The river Weisse Lutschine flows through Lauterbrunnen and overflows its banks about once a year. The source of the river comes from melting snow high in the mountains, thus making it a very pure and clean source of water. It is common practice in the camp sites to chill drinks in the water.

Self-organization is the first rule of wanderer, especially when you are going to a mountain like Alps. Even the Alps are full with luxury hotels and resorts, you still can make a unforgettable trip on a tent, with jar of jam and a little dose of adventurer spirit.

First and the most important decision is targeting a route. There are lots of sites in Internet for Weather services, climatic conditions and necessary equipment. Most generally said the summer months and early fall are the ideal for alpine climbing and hiking. The winter of course are perfect season for ski and sweet talks around the fireplace. If you want to have a chill vacation avoid the most loaded periods. It is better to get Austrian Christmas, than Austrian New Year, and even better Austrian post New Year week, when prices are falling down.

Next important step is to choose comfortable way to get there. From where you are located the possible transport ways are by plane, train, bus or by own car, so you should choose it according to what fits best to you. Remember one if you don’t want to spare your money at high prises in the mountain resorts. Fill your backpack with whatever you can carry cause you may need some small things you consider as not important sometime.

Don’t forget to put in your backpack the following items:

* Sleeping bag
* Ski Sticks for walking
* climbing-iron (tested at least one time)
* Prusik
* Gletcher glasses
* GPS Device if possible

I will publish more advices as soon as possible.

These guys and girls are so clearly headed to reach the summit of this plateu in the Alps mountains and make their trip to below, that if you love skiing you would most probably say “I want to be there too…”.

One of the most frequent questions people ask is “Where’s the best skiing in the Alps?”. It’s not a question with an easy answer but the only way to find out is to experience it by yourself.