With the recent good news about Covid vaccines being available next Spring I have been thinking about holidays again. I don’t know about you but I have really missed being able to travel freely. Top of my list of interesting European Cities to visit in 2021 is the beautiful and historic city of Innsbruck in Austria.
Innsbruck is the perfect place for a relaxed or active getaway. It is the capital of Austria’s idyllic Tyrol region and it sits right on the banks of a river surrounded by majestic mountains. It is the perfect destination for outdoors enthusiasts. You can be out in the spectacular mountains of the Nordkette in minutes on one of the three cable cars which drop you off in the stunning high alpine pastures. You can go hiking, biking, riding, hangliding and skiing within minutes of the city. There is also a funicular railway and an Olympic ski jump which is a great place to visit to appreciate the bravery of ski jumpers and to admire the views across the city.
The city itself is very pretty with a gorgeous old quarter, the Aldstadt, which is full of late medieval buildings, a breath-taking baroque Cathedral, several fine churches, the Ambras Palace and a magnificent Habsburg Palace, the Hofburg. There are fabulous outdoor cafes and restaurants, cosy inns, excellent shops and art galleries and a full programme of cultural events in the summer months. The Tirol Panorama is a 360 degree painting which explains the Napoleonic battles that took place in Innsbruck and is definitely worth a visit, as is the fascinating Folk Museum. You can learn so much more about a place if you visit a museum and learn a little of the history of a place.
In the winter months you are in a prime location to enjoy skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing and all manner of winter sports. You can ski and snowboard close by the city or try out some ice-skating. Honestly, there is no end to activities you can do amidst the beautiful mountain scenery but if relaxing is more your thing there are plenty of places to just sit and watch the world go by enjoying the fabulous food and drink. The wide boulevards, town squares and gardens are surrounded by pretty, colourful buildings and these in turn are surrounded by the magnificent mountains so that everywhere you turn there is a lovely vista awaiting you. I can't wait to sit in a cafe with a proper cup of coffee and a slice of Austrian torte just soaking up the atmosphere of this magical place.
If you want to see for yourself take a look at this video put together by the tourist board.
So I hope this has given you a taste for exploring in 2021 and re-ignited your travel bug. And if you want somewhere truly magical with something to suit everyone then Innsbruck has got to be on your list!
