Dumplings are a core part of the Tirolean diet. While centuries ago there were just a few different varieties, these days you will find all manner of weird and wonderful creations. Here are our top five dumplings you have to try next time you are in Tirol.

When Covid-19 restrictions made life in the city hard to take, our author grabbed his laptop and headed for the hills to set up his very own home office in a mountain hut. Here's how he got on.

Outside the wind whistles and the rain pours, but inside the warm farmhouse kitchen it's nice and cosy. The scent of freshly baked cookies fills the air and reminds me of my childhood, when we would pinch the odd biscuit straight from the tray as soon as they came out of the oven. With Christmas just around the corner, I am looking forward to making my own cookies once again this year. Farmer and baking expert Karoline Schapfl kindly invited me into her kitchen in Lans to share some of her top tips.

There’s nothing better to get you in the mood for Christmas than the beautifully decorated stalls of a romantic Christmas market, a glass of punch with a cranberry Kiachl pastry, and festive tunes played by a traditional brass band. Adding to Jacob’s tips for Innsbruck’s festive markets, here’s my selection of romantic Christmas markets in Tirol. Merry Christmas!

Tirol's Christmas markets are a great place for hand-crafted products. Grab a mug of steaming-hot Glühwein and stroll from hut to hut for an insight into the region's long and proud handicraft tradition. We have put together five of the best items on offer – and where to find them.

Winter in Tirol begins with bells, banging and bizarre beings roaming the streets. Every year at the start of December, the devilish “Krampus” strikes fear into the heart of children. This centuries-old tradition is today more popular than ever.

Making your own Advent wreath in the run-up to Christmas is a dearly held tradition in many Tirolean families – including mine. Every year my grandfather would go into the forest to collect branches from the bushy green fir trees and then weave them together into a wreath which would take pride of place at home. He passed on this tradition to my mother, who has been making Advent wreaths for all the family for as many years as I can remember. Last weekend I had a go for the first time at making my own wreath – under the watchful eye of my mother, of course! I think it turned out pretty well. Scroll down to judge for yourself. All I have to do now is buy four candles and wait for the first Sunday of Advent to arrive.

As a girl, Monika Hirschhuber (80) dreamt of becoming a midwife. In the end she trained as a chef – a job she loves until this day.

Nikolaus Niedermoser from the Neustift Ski School in the Stubai Valley provides lots of handy tips on improving your skiing technique in his YouTube video series. This blog post sums up Nik's most important pieces of advice. The fascinating thing about skiing for me is that I always learn something new every year. Short turns, carved turns, skiing switch, hitting the kickers in the park or cruising the backcountry powder - whatever you are into, the right technique makes skiing more fun. Check out the following tips and tricks from a long-time ski instructor.