1. Swarovski Kristallwelten – Wattens

Crystal World also called Swarovski Museum is near to Innsbruck. Visitors can keep track the successful history of the company from 1895 to present days. Daniel Swarovski moved to Wattens then and started to apply his own invention, the unique crystal cut and polishing techniques. Today the Swarovski brand is the synonime of jewels, fashion and ornaments, so no wonder that Kristallwelten is Tyrol’s number one attraction. The museum was created in 14 underground rooms. Found in 1995, the musuem offers a special occasion to know that creative process in which the raw crystal becames a masterpiece. In addition to the impressive sight, it’s possible to purchase.

2. Alpenzoo – Innsbruck

Europe’s highest zoo offers a wonderful panorama to Innsbruck. Founded more than a half century ago, Alepnzoo is the home of 2000 animals of 150 species and introduces the typical Alpine fauna. It gives a wonderful insight to the biodiversity of the area, in its aquarium almost every types of Alpine fish species can be found, includes the rare ones. We can get to Alpenzoo by Hungerburgh cable car, which is an architectrual specialty. Tyrol’s most popular zoo welcomes 250,000 visitors a year.

3. Kufstein fortress

The fortress was built in the 13th century, during the period of Bavarian rule, then became the part of Tyrol and scene of countless battles in the next half millenium. The fortress, looks over the town of Kufstein, is one of Tyrols symbolic buildings and also one of the most popular tourist attractions where we can know more about its rich history. Its most interesting parts are the former prison, the Kaiserturm Tower, the Deep Well plucked into a rock 60 m deep, the local history exhibition and the museum. Usually 170 thousands of tourists visit the fortress a year.

4. Bergisel Ski Jump

Towering above the city of Innsbruck, the Olympic Ski Jump was built in 1964. Redesigned before the Winter Olympic Games, in 1974 by the famous architect from London, Zaha Hadid. Those 140,000 tourists who visit Bergisel per year can experience up close what professional skiers feel when jump into the depth. From here the panorama of the city is wonderful, but quite ironic that under the ski jump there’s Innsbruck’s cemetery. From the panoramic glass terrace of the restaurant of Café im Trum the view is unforgettable.

5. Tyrolean panorama with Kaiserjager Museum – Bergisel, Innsbruck

The museum of the Tyrolean Imperial Infantry opened in 1880, stands at the location of the battle in 1809, where the local hero, Andreas Hofer and the Tyrolean freedom fighters beated the French and Bavarian armies which were fighting the side of Napoleon. The gigantic, 1000 m2 panoramic painting depicts the scenes of the battle, replaced here in 2011. Due to the fantastic location of the museum, the view of the city and Mountain Nordkette is fascinating.

6. Hofkirche – Innsbruck

Built in 1555, in Gothic style, the Court Church is Emperor Maximilan I.’s monument, who founded the world conqueror Habsburg dinasty, Austria’s most powerful family. As the emperor’s favourite place was Innsbruck, he did all to increase its prestige and luxury to make his beloved Innsbruck an internationally reknown town. Around the richly decorated white marbel tomb stand 28 giant bronze statues, which forms Emperor Maximilian’s ancestors, relatives and other heroes. The Tyrolean hero, Andreas Hofer’s grave is also in the church. Hofkirche is visited by 125,000 thousands of toursits per year and stands only a few steps from the most famous attractions of Innsbruck’s old town.

7. Hofburg – Innsbruck

The Imperial Palace is one of the most important historical buildings in Austria. With average 115,000 vistors per year only Schönbrunn Palace and Hofburg Palace in Vienna precedes it. Maria Theresa enlarged the palace, then built the ornate ceremonial hall, the chapel and the exhibition hall where we can see the portraits of Maria Theresa’s 16 children. In Hofburg today we can see five thematic exhibition which show the political and cultural history of Habsburg’s residence. It worths to visit Maria Theresa’s room with its original, 18th-century style, Emperor Elizabeth’s room with 19th-century furnitures and the small Furniture Museum, Ancients Gallery and Painting Gallery.

8. Ambras Castle – Innsbruck

The castle sits above the city, was founded by Andech counts more than 1000 years ago. From 1564 it was ruled by Archduke Ferdinand, he converted the castle into a palace. He built the famously luxurious Spanish Hall, which is one of the most beautiful examples of the early German Renessaince interior. In Lower Castle visitors can see armors and weapons, on the first floor there’s the art gallery, in Upper Castle are statues and paintings. The most special part of the castle is Ferdinand’s wife, Philippine Welser’s former bathroom, which still preserves its 16th-century presence.

9. Silver mines – Schwaz

Each year more than 80,000 tourists visit the silver mines in Schwaz. In the Middle Ages the neighborhood of the town gived more than 85% Europe’s silver product. More than 10,000 Tyrolean miner searched for silver and copper, thus the province became the richest in Europe. Visitors can discover the mount from a whole new perspective and can take an unforgettable journey 800 m under the ground. It’s also a time travel, because it evokes the golden age of the silver mining industry.

Considered as one of the most beautiful Alpine towns, the highlight of Bled is absolutely the thermal, medicinal lake and the mountains surroundings. The view of the town is picturesque, the air is extremely fresh, the range of recreational opportunities is almost endless. Bled is a perfect choice for relax, hiking and romance.

In the middle of Lake Bled lies a tiny island, the only island in Slovenia and one of the most beautiful spots of the country. Also an iconic part of the area is the Castle of Bled, sits on a cliff top, outstanding from scratch and look down to the surroundings for more than 1000 years. This fairytale-like spectacle inspires children’s imagination as well. The first document dating back to 1011, so officially this is the oldest castle in Slovenia. It seems that during the centuries it would have been expanded randomly, so its image is quite chaotic today but just gives a unique feeling for the town. In the castle there’s a lot to see. There’s a small but informative museum here, which introduces the history of the region for the visitors. Don’t miss the 16th century chapel, the wine cellar, herbal gallery and the rebuilt Gutenberg’s printing machine where we can see how a hard work to produce the souvenirs for tourists. It worths to timing the visit in lunchtime, because from the restaurant of the castle there’s a panoramic view over the lake, the mountains and the countryside.

The movement of the Bohinj glacier created the crystal clear Lake Bled. The 2120 m long and 1380 m wide lake was born in the last ice age, when the ice melted and the basin filled with water.  The lake has no major tributaries, it’s fed by only a few streams. Thermal springs flowing from the northern part are gathered together into three pool at Toplice Grand Hotel, Hotel Park and Hotel Golf. In summer the temperature of the lake reaches 25-26 Celsius degrees, on winter it usually completely freezes. The lake is the most beautiful from its Western side, its gem is the Baroque style Church of Our Lady which stands on the island with its 55 m high belltower and dramatic mountains in the background. The 12th-century church was destroyed by an earthquake and lighting several times and heavily damaged during the centuries. Its current presence is from the 17th century, inside the fascinating altar and the frescoes remained from the earlier Gothic church are very remarkable. Traditional small wooden boats, “pletnas” carry the visitors to the island, where they can spend half an hour to discover the church. Locals say the trip to Bled can’t be complete without these distinctive boats, which origin is date back to the 16th century. Since then the building and special rowing technique of pletna is almost a science here and inherited through generations. Other typical means of transport for which the locals in Bled are very proud of is the horse-drawn carriage. This service is available for whole year and really worth to use it. From the rain and hot sun special umbrellas protect the tourists. There is nothing more romantic than wandering around the lake while travelling behind the coachman who wears traditional clothes with a ruby Gorenjska carnation on his coat.

One of Bled’s authentic attractions is the little bee house, where we can get a taste of the famous and healthy Bled honey and find out how to produce this natural sweet. An 1-2 hours trip can be done and wonder the richly decorated, hand-painted panels. A professional beekeeper guides groups of 20-30 people to the secrets of beekeeping and of course we can purchased the products. These many attractions can be crowned with the famous Bled cream cake, what we can buy anywhere in the town. It’s not a simple cake, the ‘kremsnita’ is one of Bled’s symbols for decades.

The mountains around the lake also attract people who don’t really adore hiking. It would be a mistake to leave Bled without spend at least only one day with hiking. The top of Straza can be reached with a light walk but we can choose the cable car too. Osojnica is probably the most reknowned part of Bled’s surroundings. Sure we have seen this view on many photos. A 45 mins long, steep trail takes to the first peak on 685 m and from here we can go all the way up to 756 m. To the East there are mountain ranges and the Gorenjska plateau. Bled is an ideal starting point for hikes. The most beautiful natural attractions of the are are Pokljuka and Vintgar where walking trails leads to. Most of the trails are available for hiking all year round.