Imagine sitting with an inventive drink, on a sun drenched terrace, listening to chill music while overlooking the most awe inspiring mountain views after a day on the slopes. Sounds like paradise doesn’t it? Spring is my favourite ski season. Having enjoyed the awesome spring conditions on the slopes, I find myself a patio and spend the day catching some rays, and take in the warm and cheerful buzz. Here are my top 10 sun terraces on the slopes in Tirol, in no particular order.

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 varied as the rich flora and fauna of Tirol, it can be interesting to consider the various inclinations and preferences that make us all unique, especially outdoorsmen. People approach hiking differently and people hike for all manner of different reasons, but I have started to notice some broad groups that account for most hiking styles. There are those seeking solitude and there are those who want to push the limits. There are those who want to capture pictures of that perfect moment and there are those who want nothing more than enjoying delectable dishes served on quaint on-mountain eateries. Naturally, there are many exceptions but I’ve found these seem to capture most hikers I’ve come across. What do you think?

"Spectre", the 24th Bond film, was shot in locations around the world – including Sölden and Obertilliach in Tirol. Scroll down to see the precise spots in our region visited by Daniel Craig on Her Majesty's service.

Tirol is a land of spectacular mountain and canyon scenery. White water is pounding its way down the heart of the mountains, rushing as fast as it can go, having no mercy on anything it might take down the mountain with it. The streams and torrents tumble down from the mountains, rushing through forests to plunge over cliff edges in showers of spray, cascading down into crystal clear pools with a roar, into deeply incised canyons and gorges and – finally – making their way into rivers and lakes.

Stopping for lunch on the on-mountain eatery last Saturday I had resolved to opt for something else from the menu. In conclusion, I ended up with my favorite comfort food, my ski-day temptation par excellence: Kaspressknödel (Cheese dumplings). In fact, they are not real dumplings: they don’t have the form of a ball and they are not cooked in hot water, but fried in a pan. And so they have the form of patties. The hardest part is deciding whether I want them served in a hearty broth or with salad. This time I opted for the warming soup. Next time I will go for salad, probably. Or for a completely different dish...Here is my recipe for cooking delicious, pan fried cheese dumplings at home. Trust me, they are to die for! In the video below we will walk you through every step of how to make this filling, classic mountain meal. Enjoy!

Tirol is very easy to get around by bus or train: Few places in the world can match The Heart of the Alps when it comes to inventiveness in getting people around its beautiful valleys and mountains. What’s best, while riding the trams, buses and trains you’ll meet and mingle with locals and other visitors. Come take a ride in one of Tirol’s public transportation systems through beautiful valleys, forests, and rugged territory. Welcome Aboard!

From portraits over landscapes to sports: Acclaimed British photographer George Marshall creates winning shots that are both authentically pure and highly aesthetic. He has dedicated his life to riding and documenting BMX at an early age. Later, he has moulded his passion into a career. He has now swapped his trick bike for a road bike and travels the world to capture photographs for the world’s leading sports and media brands. In late April, when spring and winter were still fighting against each other, George Marshall undertook a trek to the mountainous terrain of Tirol. “It is a hidden gem for dedicated road bikers and the mountains are of awesome natural beauty. I believe this could be the next road biking mecca”, he said after his trip across Tirol.

Denise, Alex and Gero wanted to find the answer to a nowadays much asked question: Why e-bike? They wanted to see for themselves what it is like to step on a bike that gives you extra power. Can you see more in a day? Go longer distances? Go up steeper hills? Can you cover more ground in less time? They found a stunning network of well-marked forest roads, dirt roads and trails in the Kitzbühel Alps. Here, they share the highlights of their weekend tour and why Kitzbühel Alps’ landscapes are perfect for exploring on two wheels with a little boost.