INNSBRUCK IS AMAZING =====================…read more My husband and I stayed in Innsbruck for three days and two nights on April 14, 2026 through April 16, 2026. I highly recommend the AC Hotel by Marriott Innsbruck. You can walk everywhere in town from there and there is also a train station nearby. We took the train up to Seefeld from there which was beautiful. It was pretty cloudy early in the day, but when the skies clear be prepared to have your mind blown. The Alps are right there and spectacular. The river area, historic downtown and everything else is nice too. I would definitely go back there.

Innsbruck is a literal fairytale come to life…read more I don't usually gush over places, but Innsbruck absolutely earned it. Nestled between the snow-capped Alps, this charming city is the perfect blend of natural beauty, rich history, and modern Austrian culture. I went in expecting cute streets and some decent skiing--what I got was so much more. The Old Town (Altstadt) is like stepping into a postcard, with pastel-colored buildings, cobblestone streets, and the famous Golden Roof gleaming in the sunlight. Every corner offers a new photo op or a cozy café where you can sip a coffee while people-watching. Don't miss the view from the Innsbruck City Tower--360° of mountain magic! As for activities: if you're even remotely into the outdoors, this is paradise. We took the Nordkette cable car straight from the city center into the mountains in under 30 minutes. You can hike or just sit with a beer and stare at the view. (No judgment--I did both.) The locals were welcoming, the food was hearty and delicious (check out the beer garden at Stiftskeller Innsbruck), and everything just felt easy. Innsbruck somehow manages to be both a peaceful alpine escape and a vibrant cultural hub. I'd go back in a heartbeat. 5 stars!

The most significant landmark in the village is the pink-colored Saints Peter and Paul Roman…read moreCatholic Church of which is typical architecture of the region. The church and many of the surrounding buildings, both businesses and private residences, are decorated with elaborate paintings on the exterior walls (photos). Apparently the German writer Goethe called Mittenwald a "living picture book" in 1786. Mittenwald, along with Garmisch-Partenkirchen to the west, was acquired by the Prince-Bishopric of Freising in the late 14th century and the "crowned Aethiopian" head that is part of Mittenwald's coat of arms reminds us that 400-year association that ended when the Prince-Bishopric was secularized in 1802-03 and its territory annexed to Bavaria. Mittenwald's location as an important transit center on a relatively low (and therefore predictable) transalpine route has been a defining feature of the area for at least two thousand years: during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries traffic was boosted by large treasure trains sent regularly from Spain to pay troops in the Netherlands, the more conventional sea route having been rendered unreliable by the (usually) discreet but effective sympathy with which the English Protestant establishment favored the Spanish king's rebellious Dutch subjects. Mittenwald is famous for the manufacture of violins, violas and cellos which began in the mid-17th century by the Klotz family of violin makers, and has been a popular stop with tourists and student musicians since the 1930s. You can also visit the Violin Museum. It was a fascinating stroll around this town admiring all the colorful paintings on the houses and businesses. It's a must visit if you're in the area IMHO.

What a beautiful village. So glad that we added Hallstatt to our travel itinerary. It was a rainy…read moretwo days so there were not many tourists which made our stay even better.

When on an all day tour from Vienna-Melk-Hallstatt-Salzburg. My views on Hallstatt…read more.... Hallstatt -- what can I say? Yes, it's beautiful, but the crowds can overwhelm it. Maybe we needed more time there to truly appreciate it. It's basically a long, narrow strip of lakeside land, perfect for taking the famous selfie. There are food stands and shops along the way, but it gets very busy with tourists. Hey, it's Austria -- just lower your expectations a bit and you'll be fine.

Having spent a few years in Friuli, i have been able to visit some local gems that have maintained…read moretheir amazing historical flavor. Palmanova is one such amazing example. Built in the the late 1500s by venetian magnates, this fortress city has maintained its original shape and size. It is a well-preserved Friulian medium-size town/city. If you are looking for modern buildings, this is definitely NOT your place. This place proudly maintains its local flavor (holding many a fair during the summer time). It is quite peaceful and has many an historical places to visit and freshen up on local history. So, grab a detailed Friuli tourists book, or head to the visitors center. Better just yet, consult google-san and yoy won't regret the visit. AND, just grab a bite to eat (ask locals on which is the best restaurant, they know the tiniest but greatest places). Better just yet, get yourself a nice gelato, sit down on a bench in the center of the town and do some people's watching. .. it is endlessly entertaining: specially nonnos playing cards and nonnas knitting.