A visit to Tirol would not be complete without a day out at the Wattens-based Swarovski Crystal Worlds, Western Austria's most-visited attraction. Since its inception in 1995, Swarovski Crystal Worlds has astonished and amused its viewers. Built as a subterranean labyrinth of caves hidden away under a park, playground, and garden, visitors enter through a giant's head to the main hall.
It seems that everything in Innsbruck's old town centres around its landmark: the Golden Roof. It is rightly a favourite place to visit, not least because of the magnificent historic houses surrounding it. And yet the many other hotspots in the old town are just as important - the Imperial Palace, for example, the Schwarzmander Church, the city tower and the countless cafés and boutiques.
114 metres high, 406 metres long and just 1.20 metres narrow - it can make your stomach tingle. The Highline179 south of Reutte, the world's longest Tibet-style pedestrian suspension bridge, is more than just a walkway at lofty heights. It is an experience, for some a test of courage and certainly a guarantee for fantastic views.
From Feichten in the Kaunertal, a panoramic road leads uphill over 29 hairpin bends and 1,500 metres in altitude directly to the edge of Austria's second largest glacier. The Kaunertal Glacier Road to the Gepatschferner reveals six impressive vegetation levels of the Ötztal Alps and one fascinating natural spectacle after another.
In February 1999, the holiday resort of Galtür in the Paznaun Valley was shaken by an avalanche. 31 people lost their lives. Today, this tragic event is commemorated in the Alpinarium Galtür. The adventure museum is part of a protective wall that was built after the natural disaster and tells an impressive story of the dangers of life in the mountains.
In a breathtaking mountain setting at more than 3,000 metres above sea level, fans of the world's most famous agent can immerse themselves in the film set of "Spectre". In the "007 Elements" adventure world on the Gaislachkogel, underground cinematic installations and an impressive view provide thrills.
Lovingly restored buildings line the old stone walls and tell the story of a prosperous, medieval town. The "white gold" once made Hall in Tirol an important economic centre on the Inn. Today, the historic old town with Hasegg Castle, including the Mint Museum and Hall's landmark, the imposing Mint Tower, is a reminder of times long past.
Turquoise-blue, crystal-clear water in the middle of a majestic mountain backdrop: Lake Achensee north of Jenbach is one of the most beautiful bathing lakes and the largest lake in Tyrol. On a cruise-like boat trip with views of the impressive Karwendel mountains, everyday worries are quickly forgotten. And it almost feels as if you are on the open sea.
In the Hexenwasser Söll adventure world, young and old can get up close and personal with nature in the name of water. High up at the Hochsöll mountain station, on the northern slope of the Hohe Salve, 24 stations, from the beehive to the fireplace to the stone mill, as well as a barefoot path, will amaze you.
Where does cheese actually come from? At the ErlebnisSennerei Zillertal, the Kröll family playfully shows children and adults how delicious cheese, fine butter or creamy yoghurt is made from the milk of local animals. Every step is transparent, from milking on the farm to cutting the curd and selling the cheese on the farm.
Majestic peaks, glaciers, wild streams, unspoilt forests and numerous fascinating animal and plant species: the Hohe Tauern National Park covers an area of more than 1,800 square kilometres, making it the largest protected area in the Alps and Central Europe and a very special place to relax and be amazed.
