We will be visiting Innsbruck in early May. Originally a family member from around there was going to meet us and show us around. This part of the trip was meant to be more of a relaxing portion of our vacation between Italy and Munich, and I wasn't planning on having to do much planning.
Now the family member might not be able to meet us, so I'm looking for some ideas. We will be there 3 nights and 2 full days. I saw RS said something about going to Hall, near Innsbruck.
Does anyone have any recommendations on how to use this time but keep it relaxing? I'm especially interested in scenery, if that helps.
While I'm here, has anyone taken the train from Venice to Innsbruck (via Verona)? I've heard is it scenic, would you recommend taking it in the daylight?
Posted by
OP
St. Louis, MO, USA
227 posts
We are planning on staying at a friend of a friends house, so hopefully that will be a great way to experience Innsbruck!
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
I've driven the Brenner Pass from Innsbruck to Verona (and on to Venice). It is scenic but I lived in Washington State then and didn't really appreciate it. My kids also weren't interested in Scenic routes so we skipped driving through the Dolomites in favor of less time in the car.
I like Hall in Tyrol, which is just down the road from Innsbruck. We also like Verona a lot. I regret not stopping to see the Ice Man along the route. The castle tour Rick talks about along the route was closed the day we were there, so I can't give you a thumbs up or down on it.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Check with the local tourist board when you arrive. There are some pleasant mountain villages you can hike to from the valley floor (I forget their names off-hand). And of course, the available activities greatly depend on the time of year you visit. Great skiing in the winter, great hiking from late spring to mid-autumn. You could also go to Hall in Tyrol, but personally, I found this town rather boring.
Posted by
NYC area
2943 posts
Hi Jesse,
On a clear day, go to the top of the Nordkettenbahn.
The funicular (Hungerburgbahn) goes from Innsbruck to Hungerburg (overlooking Innsbruck). Then take the cable car Seegrubenbahn/Hafelekarbahn to the top. Magnificent views of Innsbruck and the Alps.
Castle Ambras (Innsbruck) is very interesting and worthwhile.
We happen to love the old town of Hall in Tirol. For a nice dinner, go to the Burg Tavern in Burg Hasegg in Hall in Tirol (by the Inn river and train station).
www.regionhall.at/en/a-warm-welcome.html
Mittenwald, Germany is less than an hour from Innsbruck. IMO it is THE quintessential Bavarian village surrounded by Alps.
The castle Brad is referring to is Reifenstein/Tasso, just outside of Sterzing/Vipiteno and just 45 minutes from Innsbruck. To tour Reifenstein Castle, there must be 4 people wanting to take a tour. We found out the hard way. We had 3. The woman said NO tour. I said I'd pay for the 4th.... she said you must have 4 and slammed the castle door.
Hope this helps.
Paul
Posted by
OP
St. Louis, MO, USA
227 posts
Thanks, that is very helpful!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19227 posts
Glad to here someone else was not overly impressed with Hall. It does have an small, interesting old town area, but outside of that it is pretty uninteresting - too big and too commercial. Just an ordinary town, really.
I took the train from Innsbruck over Brenner Pass. It's pretty, but to someone from our mountains (Colorado, Washington) not all that spectacular. I rode about an hour down the Italian side to Fortezza, where I had lunch before coming back. I would say that the Austrian side is more scenic.
If you go to mittenwald, you might want to stop for an hour (trains run hourly) in Seefeld in Tirol.