Saturday, September 29, 2012

The A-Z of Innsbruck























Austrian Alps            Innsbruck is located in the west of Austria, in an Alpine valley. It is the capital of the Tyrol region.

Buying things           Innsbruck has a great variety of shops, with several shopping malls within the town and a short distance outside it. There are also pedestrian shopping areas in the town. There are a number of tourist shops in the old town, but these can be overpriced so it's best to buy souvenirs in one of the surrounding villages.

Churches                  There are churches of various ages, styles and denominations in Innsbruck, some of which are very popular with tourists, as they are really beautiful. Hofkirche, which houses the tomb monument of Emperor Maximillian I, and St Jacob Cathedral are most commonly included on sightseeing trips.

Drinking and eating            Full of places to eat, from the cheap Magic Pizza Kebab, to the expensive Cammerlander. Italian food is very popular in Innsbruck but it isn't difficult to find good local food either. There are lots of bars, many of which have live music, dancing, or other entertainment.

Events                        There are a number of events which are held every year. These include The Four Hills Tournament (a ski-jumping event), Bergsilvester (New Year's Eve), Weeks of Ancient Music, the New Orleans Festival, the Christmas Market, and Tyrolean events. In addition other events are held during the peak skiing season, as well as in the summer months.

Ferdinand II              Ferdinand II ruled parts of Austria from Innsbruck and Schloss Ambras was built for him. Many of the artworks and possessions he collected can now be viewed in the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

Geography                Innsbruck is situated in the Inn Valley, with high mountains either side, including Patscherkofel and Serles.

Hotels                         With a variety of hotels to suit all price ranges, as well as other accommodation options, it shouldn't be too difficult to find accommodation in Innsbruck if you book ahead. One of the most highly rated hotels in the city is The Grand Hotel Europa, but there are many hotels available.

Innsbruck                  Innsbruck gets its name from the river Inn and the word bruck which means bridge. So it is located on the site of a bridge over the river.

Jumping                    Ski-jumping is very popular in Innsbruck, and one of the jumps of the Four Hills Tournament is held here. The Winter Olympics have been held in Innsbruck twice, and the world championships have also taken place in the Innsbruck area.

Kranebitten               The suburb of Innsbruck where the airport is situated. It is approximately 2.5 miles from the center of the city and handles domestic and international flights, depending on the season.

Limerick Bill's           One of two Irish Bars in Innsbruck, the other being The Galway Bay Pub.  Both have staff who can speak English, and sometimes have entertainment including open mic nights.

Museums                  As with most cities which rely largely on tourism for their income, Innsbruck has a number of museums and galleries.

Nightlife                     Innsbruck has a great après-ski atmosphere in the winter, and the pubs and clubs are open throughout the year. In the late spring there is an event called Sound City where DJs play in many of the venues, and buses transport people between them.

Old Town                   The city center of Innsbruck is 800 years old. Featuring the landmark "Golden Roof" built for Emperor Maximillian I, the area is now full of boutiques, cafes and galleries in the pastel-colored medieval buildings.

Panoramic Views     The Tyrol is one of the most scenically spectacular regions in Austria. From the surrounding mountains the views are incredible. Whether you are skiing, hiking, or just taking a trip to the top of the mountain the views will astound you.

Quiet                          Innsbruck can be a lively city, but there are quiet hotels, quiet restaurants, and for real peace, head out on an excursion into the surrounding countryside.

Relaxation                 If sitting in a pavement café with a coffee or a beer isn't your idea of relaxation, then why not try some of the spa facilities in the city. The Romantik Hotel Schwarzer Adler and Grand Hotel Europa both have spa facilities, and further outside the city is the Aqua Dome, with extensive facilities.

Skiing                         Ski resorts surround Innsbruck, and you can get to the Nordpark ski area by underground train from the Old Town. This way you can stay in a lively centre and have easy access to great skiing facilities. Whilst Nordpark is great for experienced skiers, Igls is very near and is really good for those with less experience.

Transport                   With an airport and a major train station, Innsbruck is very easily accessible. Transport within the city includes buses, trams and an underground train system.

Unusual                    A slightly more unusual museum in Innsbruck is the Swarovski Crystal Worlds where you will see some very unusual pieces, including some designed by Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali.

Villages                      The villages around Innsbruck are home to some great skiing. They are often called the "Innsbruck Ski Villages"

Weather                     The climate in Innsbruck is probably as you'd expect. Winters are cold, and can be very cold at night, and due to the central position, and the altitude, it can often snow. Summer temperatures vary. They can be as low as 17 degrees C or as high as 34 degrees.

eXercise                   If skiing or snowboarding aren't to your taste, then there are other activities available. There are gyms, but the best forms of exercise in Austria are outdoor ones. Biking and hiking are extremely popular and tourist information centres will have details of trails.

Youth Olympics        The Winter Youth Olympic Games will be held in Innsbruck in 2012. They are expected to draw great numbers of tourists, so if you are planning to go during that time, book accommodation early.

Zimmers                     If you prefer a more personal touch to your accommodation then why not book a zimmer in an Austrian house? Value for money, and convenient they are an excellent alternative to hotels.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

The Hotel Batzenhausl,Igls,Austria

Hotel Batzenhausl - WOW!



The quintessential Austrian property should have a wooden exterior, apex roof and those charming balconies resplendent with flowers. The Hotel Batzenhausl has all of this and more: complete with a bell tower to finish things off.

Take a look at the website and you’ll see the hotel is referred to as a house and it certainly feels more relaxed when you go to stay there. Four star surroundings and a beautiful setting in Igls bring you the opportunity to be as lazy or as active as you wish. Needless to say you won’t have to travel far outside the hotel to get stuck into some serious skiing, although the area and the venue are good for many other things as well.

The hotel boasts a steambath and a sauna, not to mention a sun terrace to enjoy during the warmer months (and the colder ones too if you’re dressed appropriately!). The Hotel Batzenhausl is perfect for all types of holidays, and the rooms are just the kind you’d want to go back to at the end of a long day. Think sumptuous, relaxing and nicely sized too – especially if you opt for a suite. With the added perks of sofas, seating areas for meals and much more, it won’t take long to find a reason to upgrade your booking.

More Hotels and local Zimmer's and Pension's in Austria could be found here.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Visiting the Alpenzoo in Innsbruck Austria


Alpen Zoo in Innsbruck


Do you fancy heading to Innsbruck in Austria? Zimmers in Innsbruck are easy enough to find, and you’ll certainly have lots to do while you’re there – not least visiting the Alpenzoo.

We recommend:
… visiting from June onwards. By this time most of the baby animals will have been born, so you might just see one or two with their proud parents. Breeding is all part of the plan at the Alpenzoo.

I saw:
… an incredible selection of animals, plants and birds used to living in the Alpine area. Think of the zoo as the perfect capsule of Alpine life, flora and fauna represented in dozens of different species. It also provides a totally different experience in winter as it does in the summer. Think deep snow or lush green scenery and you’ll get the idea.

We tasted:
Getting hungry? Head for the Dohlennest food and drink kiosk for a snack, or go for the Weiherburg restaurant and café for something a bit more substantial. Remember, the zoo is situated in the Alpine area, so be prepared to get tired and aching leg muscles as you negotiate the pathways. Stash a drink or two in your bag and the odd snack too, in case you get peckish a distance from the Dohlennest kiosk.

Traveling to Austria this year? Need a room? Hotel in Innsbruck maybe? Pension or Zimmer? Book your accommodation online.  

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Visit Austria for your next Holiday





Are you looking for an exciting and beautiful country to visit for your next holiday? If so, you might like to consider the European country of Austria, which has something to appeal to everyone. Here are a few reasons why.

Good transport links
Okay, so transport might not be the key deciding factor in your choice of holiday destination but it’s certainly an important consideration as you need to know you’ll be able to easily get around once you get to the country. The good news is that if you go to Austria, you shouldn’t have any problems. The train service is excellent and a popular way to get around the country – there is also a range of train discount passes available for purchase, which can help save you money.

Driving is also a good option. You’ll need to get a toll sticker for your windscreen if you’re driving on the motorway and ensure you’ve got snow tyres or snow chains in the winter, but the roads are well-maintained and offer good variety.

Good accommodation options
As you might expect from a country where tourism is such a major industry, there is all sorts of accommodation available in Austria. From rustic Austrian Zimmers to glamorous Viennese hotels, you’re sure to find something that’s suitable for every taste and budget no matter which region you choose to visit.

Good climate
Austria also benefits from having a good climate. It’s worth mentioning that it can rain at any time of the year so waterproofs are advised, but the country is on the whole fairly temperate. If you’re after skiing or a nice winter break, the Alps are a good place to go. For hot summer holidays, the eastern part of the country could well be what you’re looking for.

Good selection of attractions
One of the main reasons to consider going to Austria is the fact that there is just so much to do there. From going to see the opera in Vienna to visiting the last protected stretch of rainforest in Europe, it’s a diverse and exciting country. Salzburg is a must-see, as this is home to Mozart’s birthplace and is very close to a valley where you will find ice caves. Another benefit is that Austria has very good links to the rest of Europe, so it’s a great place to go if you’re hoping to go on a wider European tour and take in as many sights as possible. If the local Salzburg Casino is closed....just open your laptop and log in to Ozzy Osbourne Slots for some fun and entertainment including real betting and wining real money while enjoying Ozzy Osbourne heavy metal hits playing in the background!