Where to next? Innsbruck, Austria (best of)

Innsbruck: the perfect mixture of city and natural beauty

Knodel

Knodel (dumplings)

Fried potatoes and cheese. Cheese and spinach. Onion, parsley and other spices in fried dough. Yum! The dumplings are a bit salty, but like many Bavarian foods, they pair well with a glass of beer or soda. 

Nordkette

Enjoying the view after a ride on the Nordkette to the top

The cable car system to get you up the mountain that Innsbruck is nestled against and stunning panoramic views. The Nordkette is made up of three different cable car lines depending on how high up you want to go. One round trip is free with the Innsbruck Card provided by the program. At the top of the second cable car line there is a restaurant and plenty of space to explore. At the top of the third cable car line there is a small path of stairs that lead to the very top of the mountain. If you have the time, only 15 minutes or so, it is worth it for the unobstructed, 360 views.  

Grand views over the hills and valleys of Austria

Paragliding (and other outdoor activities)

One of the few things I knew I wanted to do during my European trip was paragliding in Austria. I had seen it in a video from previous adventurers that had done the same trip and it looked like so much fun. Now I am not a huge adventure seeker and have no intent to go skydiving, but paragliding shouldn’t be too bad, right? And it really was not bad. After taking a few running steps down a very steep, perfectly good mountain, you are just floating. The views are magnificent of the lush, green valley below and thanks to the help of your tandem partner, you can get some unique pictures of the experience. There were others on the trip that went whitewater rafting (everyone should try it once in their life) and canyoning. 

Strawberry, white chocolate cocktail at Dunlin Bar

Trendy bars (360 Cafe, Kater Noster Cafe & Bar, Dunlin Bar)

All of these places have a great atmosphere to hang out with some of your new friends from the program and maybe meet some locals or other tourists. 360 Cafe, as the name implies, has the best views. Kater Noster Cafe & Bar is a trendy space with couches, wooden tables and wicker lights. The best for the atmosphere and a drink is Dunlin Bar. This is a place where the bartenders know how to mix a good drink; you never know, they might just uncover a drink in a poof of smoke that changes colors. 

Pastries for breakfast, lunch, dinner and every meal in between

Pastries from Der Backer Ruetz or any bakery

Butter and less processed ingredients than we are accustomed to in the US make for a delicious muffin, cinnamon roll, cardamom buns or sandwich at any time of day. But if you want something more familiar, there is now a Starbucks in Innsbruck.

A glimpse through history

Ambras Castle

While in Europe you have to go to at least one castle. There are surprisingly more than you think. Also included with the Innsbruck Card is admission to many museums including Ambras Castle. The castle looks small from the outside, but inside it feels much larger. There is a lot of history to learn inside the walls of the castle, some of which you already know. Ambras Castle is connected to Emperor Ferdinand I and descendants of the Medici family. 

Under the pyramid representing past, present and future of Reidel Glass

Tour local artisans (Reidel & Swarovski)

Bohemian families settled in regions of the Austrian Alps and established their lives through traditional skills brought from their homeland. Reidel (like needle) is a quaint manufacturer of glassware that has faced the ups and downs of business, but also practices innovation among traditional methods. They were first glassware company to alter the shape of glass to enhance or change the flavor of the beverage consumed. The manufactory is very hot and humid with the large ovens, but the workers seem to enjoy the work they do together. Conversely, Swarovski took a different approach to the traditional Bohemian skill in practice and in business. Swarovski uses the skills to make crystals most famously for jewelry and fashion in a facility so secret that rumor has it that employees do not know what is going on in other parts of the factory. But generations of glitz, glam, awe and spectacle of Swarovski crystal are displayed at Crystal World (Kristallwelten), an innovative space for artists to create and be inspired.

Among the clouds of imagination and inspiration at Swarovski Kristallwelten