Winter holiday through a photographer’s lens

Absolutely! Tirol is a great destination for families with children - especially if you embrace the five lessons learned by our author while staying in the Wilder Kaiser Mountains.

East Tirol. Christian, my husband, has been backcountry skiing and ski touring in Villgratental Valley several times. Every time he returned home, he was totally enthralled by the experience. Not only because of the varied backcountry terrain; he also liked the remote valleys and the pristine wilderness in this area on the border to South Tyrol. East Tirol is where Austria and Italy collide. There is no mass tourism here. Instead of vast hotel complexes, the mountainsides here are dotted with sun-bleached timbered farmhouses. But that's not to say that it’s a backwater, just alluringly remote. East Tirol is close to Italy and to the Sexten Dolomites, with the world renowned Tre Cime (Italian for "three peaks"). These distinctive battlement-like peaks of northeastern Italy are on display in East Tirol, Dolomites near and far can be seen. Moreover, the fusion of an Austrian-Italian style of cooking makes this place a hit.

Take a walk around the Alpine Zoo at Innsbruck while scouting animals that roam large-acreage, natural habitats. With its distinctive hillside setting above town, the zoo is a must-see for animal and plant lovers. You can even discover endangered species that were protected by the Alpine Zoo’s conservation programs. Meet some of the mountain animals that are native to Tirol.

Tirol has more to offer than "just" mountains. The region is home to many gorgeous lakes, including the turquoise Plansee. This body of water, the second-largest in Tirol, is ideal for family adventures together in a canoe – no experience required.

Wondering how you’re going to keep the kids occupied in Innsbruck and environs? Fear not, as we’ve put together some ideas to help you build your own itinerary to suit your family!

Before you had kids, dining out was something you looked forward to. Now, you’re not so sure (you know, simultaneous meltdowns from all kids, having to carry them out kicking and screaming, that type of thing.). Honestly speaking, restaurants and kids can be a recipe for disaster...

Amusement parks are happy to oblige with opportunities for hanging upside down from a roller coaster, swirling down a waterslide or riding easy on a slow train ride. My boys simply can’t get enough of all the attractions on offer and I’m really glad for them having fun… If there wasn’t the admission price—and the nominal fees per ride… Well, fortunately things are different here at Pillersee Family Land where affordable admission rates allow unlimited rides for everyone in the family.

Naturally, Tirol’s summer season is a beacon to travelers who love the great outdoors, with hundreds of miles of hiking trails and mountain bike routes and – what I like best – worthwhile attractions up on the mountains and down in the valleys. However, there’s no summer memory better than those spent “at the lake.” Fortunately, there are many places to dip more than a toe into the water: Tirol’s mountain lakes are just waiting for you and your family to create unforgettable memories. Here I will reveal a couple of the most promising of Tirol lakes for families.

Every parent knows that little ones tend to get fixated on one thing and dwell on it for weeks, months — maybe years. My boys now go through a "dinosaur phase", where they are really into dinosaurs. Well, some obsessions are more fun than others are; this year we have decided to spend our summer holidays at home and explore all of Tirol’s mountain adventure parks. And luckily, there’s a dinosaur attraction in the easternmost corner of Tirol, where we start our discovery tour of the country.