Vorarlberg: Inspiring, Vibrant and Open to the World

Inspiring, vibrant and open to the world: that’s the really feel of life in Vorarlberg. 

Supremely positioned in Austria’s very west, between Lake Constance and the excessive alps at as much as 3,000 metres, Vorarlberg shares borders with Germany, Switzerland and the principality of Liechtenstein.

You probably have ever taken a experience on a ski elevate or cable automotive, anyplace on this planet, you’ll most likely have come throughout a product made in Vorarlberg. Firstly, Vorarlberg is a pioneer of alpine snowboarding, and secondly, Doppelmayr, the world market chief in ropeway development, is headquartered right here. Although small in measurement, Vorarlberg is an financial powerhouse and residential to firms akin to Wolford (bodywear), Rauch and Pfanner fruit-juice producers, Blum GmbH (fittings), Alpla (plastic packagings) and Zumtobel (gentle design). Vorarlberg is known additionally for revolutionary structure and crafts, authentic festivals, first-rate snowboarding resorts and glorious hospitality.

“Ever so stunning“. That’s how Vorarlberg has been described by its 383,000 inhabitants and guests alike. The standard of residing and the leisure facilities are excellent:

Vorarlberg boasts nice scenic variety inside a comparatively small space. From the fantastically landscaped shores of Lake Constance it’s simply an hour’s drive to the towering mountain peaks. Alongside the way in which, verdant meadows, forests and beautiful mountain vistas catch the attention.

Many websites across the worldwide Lake Constance in Germany and in Switzerland are merely ready to be found. From the Vorarlberg capital of Bregenz, vessels and cruise boats head for the most important locations.

Six totally different vacation areas invite guests for an inspiring keep:

▪ The Bodensee-Vorarlberg area, with Bregenz, Dornbirn, Hohenems and Feldkirch as main cities.

▪ The Bregenzerwald with its 22 picture-pretty villages and the Bregenzerwald Cheese Route, identified for its fascinating structure and revolutionary crafts.

▪ Alpenregion Vorarlberg that includes the Brandnertal and Klostertal valleys, the Grosses Walsertal biosphere park and Alpenstadt Bludenz, which is extremely common amongst households.

▪ The Kleinwalsertal, a high-alpine valley that’s lined by mountains, a perfect place to reenergize within the nice outside.

▪ The Montafon with Schruns as the principle village, a rallying level for hikers and mountain bikers in summer season, the place skiers and freeriders flock to the slopes and runs in winter.

▪ Lech-Zürs am Arlberg, the cradle of alpine snowboarding and one of the legendary ski resorts of the world. In summer season, you possibly can hike throughout blooming pastures and meadows and revel in utter peace and tranquillity.

Tradition Hotspot

Vorarlberg presents wealthy pickings for lovers of art and culture. The cultural venues are throughout Vorarlberg, from the floating stage on Lake Constance to live performance halls in villages and exhibition halls in alpine settings. Vorarlberg boasts some 60 museums showcasing various themes from up to date artwork to the secrets and techniques of nature. Some have attracted European-wide consideration.

Bregenz Pageant

Every summer season in July/August – excluding 2020 owing to the coronavirus scenario – the Bregenz Pageant phases open-air opera productions on the floating lakeside stage of Lake Constance. Opera performances on the Festspielhaus, concert events by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, and different occasions complement the high-carat programme.

Schubertiade Schwarzenberg and Hohenems

Schubertiade, the world’s largest Schubert pageant, takes please every summer season in August/September – excluding 2020 – within the storybook village of Schwarzenberg in Bregenzerwald. Star-studded artists will carry out chamber music, lieder, piano recitals and maintain grasp courses within the Angelika-Kauffmann corridor, which affords magnificent panoramic views of surrounding nature. At given dates from April to October, the village of Hohenems hosts the Schubertiade concert events.

Bregenz Spring Pageant in Autumn

Bregenz Spring Pageant presents fashionable dance on the Bregenz Pageant Home. Normally this occasion takes place in Spring, this 12 months it is going to be from October to December.

Montfort Zwischentöne in Feldkirch

On three events throughout the 12 months, the Montfort Zwischentöne options concert events, talks and performances on the up to date Montforthaus in Bregenz.

Poolbar Pageant in Feldkirch

For over 25 years now, the poolbar pageant has been celebrating pop music, style, structure and design. The primary web site of the pageant, which is able to run from July 23 to August 30 in Feldkirch, is the previous indoor pool. An structure contest is staged every year redesign the rooms and the quick environment on a brief foundation.

FAQ Bregenzerwald

FAQ Bregenzerwald, the most recent collection of occasions in Bregenzerwald, will likely be hosted for the fifth time from 1 to six September 2020. Designed as a mind and foodie pageant, the discussion board will function talks, discussions, concert events and walks. FAQ Bregenzerwald sheds gentle on socially related points from totally different views. All venues within the villages and on the mountains, between Andelsbuch and Bezau, have been fastidiously chosen. Participating in it’s to encourage native residents and guests to replicate on and have a say in issues, however in the beginning, to have enjoyable. FAQ Bregenzerwald needs to unearth “potentials for having time”. FAQ Bregenzerwald is accessible all 12 months spherical as an internet platform, for questions and solutions, inspiration and meals for thought.

Kunsthaus Bregenz

Designed by the famend Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, Kunsthaus Bregenz (KUB) is certainly one of Europe’s main museums of up to date artwork. The programme options various exhibitions, and the museum continuously accommodates solo exhibitions devoted to at least one single artist who designs works particularly for KUB.

Vorarlberg museum in Bregenz

Integrating listed elements, the vorarlberg museum constructing was designed by the multi-award successful Vorarlberg architects Cukrowicz Nachbaur. Other than the eye-catching facade that includes 16,656 concrete flowers – truly nothing greater than the imprints of business PET bottles – guests will stand transfixed within the jaw-dropping 4th flooring “viewing room” designed by Austrian artist Florian Pumh.sl. From the room which is panelled in darkish colors, they will marvel on the ever altering surroundings of Lake Constance beneath them by floor-to-ceiling panoramic home windows. In modern-design exhibitions, the museum depicts the historical past and current of Vorarlberg and the Lake Constance area.

Jewish Quarter and Museum in Hohenems

Jewish Quarter and Jewish Museum Hohenems For hundreds of years, Hohenems was dwelling to a small Jewish group. The Jewish quarter has undergone a cautious facelift in recent times. Guided visits are organised on the primary Sunday of the month. The stations visited embrace the previous synagogue, at this time the live performance corridor named after Salomon Sulzer, the mikwe (ritual bathtub) and the cemetery. In its everlasting exhibition, the Jewish Museum Hohenems is pays tribute to the city’s Jewish group and the assorted methods it contributed to the event of Vorarlberg and the Alpine area. Particular exhibitions showcase up to date Jewish life in Europe, coexistence and migration.

Werkraum Constructing in Andelsbuch

Designed by the Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, the Werkraum Constructing in Andelsbuch in Bregenzerwald hosts altering exhibitions on varied features of workmanship. In the course of the altering exhibition, a spacious entre the place snacks are supplied and which options cosy furnishings and objects created by the Werkraum associate companies invitations guests to sit down, interact in dialog, use the furnishings, and linger.

Ladies’s Museum im Hittisau

The Ladies’s Museum in Hittisau is Austria’s solely ladies’s museum and makes the artistic work and life of ladies seen in altering exhibitions. The museum is accommodated in a contemporary timber constructing within the village centre.

Angelika Kauffmann Museum Schwarzenberg

Winner of the Austrian Museum High quality Seal, the Angelika Kauffmann Museum in Schwarzenberg is accommodated in a historic, 16th century constructing with up to date showrooms. It derives its identify from the well-known classicist paintress Angelika Kauffman, who had shut household ties in Schwarzenberg.

James Turell Skyspace in Lech

As of late 2018, a murals has turn out to be accessible in Oberlech. Designed by US artist James Turell, who’s well-known for his light-space installations, the Skyspace is a walk-through piece of conceptual artwork. Accessible by a 15m tunnel, an exhibition room with particular gentle options has been constructed right into a hillside. Up above, a big movable skylight affords a view of the skin world, opening up new methods, with each go to, to understand the sky and the way in which the sunshine penetrates into the room. When it’s darkish exterior, a light-weight set up makes the room seem completely totally different.

The Nice Outdoor!

Recharge your batteries strolling, biking, swimming or snowboarding.

Let the magic of nature work its wonders. There are a number of trails resulting in websites of remarkable magnificence, full with details about the area and the individuals who reside right here.

Mountain really feel

Up on the mountains, views are by no means the identical. Uniformly posted trails and guided excursions take you to softly rolling hillsides or towering mountain peaks, alongside brooks and rivers, to mountain lakes and alpine farmsteads, the place cows and dairymen spend the summer season. These preferring issues extra easy-going, or desirous to shorten their method up, can all the time go for a experience up the mountain by cable automotive.

The mountain surroundings can ideally be explored on a mountain bike or e-bike. All areas supply guided excursions and an in depth community of trails.

Biking pleasures

In an all-Austrian comparability, the residents of Vorarlberg cowl extra kilometres by bicycle than any of their compatriots. This can be attributable to the well-developed community of biking trails. On straightforward trails, you possibly can bike on the shores of Lake Constance or alongside the plains of the Rhine river. Bregenzerwald, Alpenregion Vorarlberg and Montafon even have leisurely biking trails with out steep ascents.

Get refreshed

Vorarlberg not solely options pure lakes and pure bathing services with most water high quality, it additionally boasts stunning bathing lakes. Because it is freed from chemical substances, the pure water is ideal for a refreshing dip. Lake Constance is the proper spot for surfers and stand-up paddle boarders.

The joys of journey

Paragliding, climbing or gorge discovery? If you’re in for journey, Vorarlberg’s out of doors operators are an ideal selection. As well as, the climbing and forest rope parks with zip strains in a number of areas supply thrilling terrain for a style of journey.

On slopes and runs

In winter, individuals flock to the slopes for snowboarding and snow- boarding in many alternative ski areas. Free driving and ski touring is a wonderful technique to discover deep-powder terrain, ideally within the firm of knowledgeable information. The ski faculties supply programs for rookies and superior skiers.

Laid-back winter pleasures

The magic of winter will also be explored on a winter hike, snow shoe ramble, on a toboggan or snowboarding cross nation. All of Vorarlberg’s areas supply guided actions.

• Mountain climbing in Vorarlberg

• Dawn or Sundown Walks

• Themed hikes particular person tradition hikes

• Bike, e-bike or mountain bike: Uncover the area in type on two wheels

• Out of doors: From canyoning and canoeing to tandem flying

• Lakeside holidays in Vorarlberg

• Snowboarding in Vorarlberg

• Exploring Winter Wonderland

Verify the “Expertise & Uncover” part on the website of the tourism board for extra particulars.

Should-Sees and Should Dos

There are a lot of issues ready to be explored in Vorarlberg and across the worldwide Lake Constance.

There’s a lot to see whenever you take a stroll by small, historic cities, picturesque villages, scenic mountains and plenty of a gem.

Vibrant cities

Vorarlberg’s cosy small cities invite guests to discover the cafes and retailers, go to museums and take in the full of life environment. Bregenz, the capital metropolis of Vorarlberg, enjoys a privileged location between Lake Constance and the native Pfänder mountain, well-known for its beautiful views you possibly can get pleasure from taking over the cable automotive. The second largest metropolis, Dornbirn, is a well-liked buying vacation spot. Twice every week, the bustling and vibrant fruit and flower market is held on market sq..

The city of Hohenems is famed for its majestic previous and a Jewish group. In Feldkirch, you possibly can stroll by slim lanes with arcaded courtyards, passing medieval metropolis towers. Above the town, there may be the towering Schattenburg fortress with a museum and a look-out within the maintain. Bludenz captures guests with its medieval aptitude. In summer season, it doubles as venue for the chocolate pageant.

Story-book villages

Vorarlberg’s villages have retained their authentic character. Within the centre, you will discover the church as a landmark, framed by residential buildings, inns, retailers, accommodations, workshops and farms. The combination of conventional and fashionable structure catches the attention. Domestically sourced timber is utilized in previous and new buildings.

Mountain climbing trails and ski runs are actually at your doorsteps or inside straightforward attain on mountain climbing and ski buses.

Awe-inspiring nature

The pure surroundings between Lake Constance and the excessive alps is surprisingly various. The character reserve within the Rhine estuary on Lake Constance is characterised by sandy shores and reed, and residential to many hen species. Ravines akin to Rappenloch gorge close to Dornbirn and Breitachklamm gorge in Kleinwalsertal make you perceive the ability of water hands-on. Cable-cars whisk guests to lofty summits from the place they will absorb magnificent views.

Nostalgia trains and boat journeys

On two historic trains, you possibly can journey like within the olden days: The Rheindamm nostalgia prepare runs to the place the Rhine flows into Lake Constance. And the Bregenzerwald railway operates between Bezau and Andelsbuch-Bersbuch, sometimes with steam engines.

From the trendy harbour in Bregenz, the Lake Constance vessels set off for varied excursions. The most well-liked locations on the German shores of Lake Constance are Friedrichshafen, with the Zeppelin museum, and the flower island of Mainau close to Constance on the decrease finish of the lake.

Structure:

Within the footsteps of constructing tradition

Vorarlberg is a real hotspot of recent structure in Austria.

Have a look round! Vorarlberg is taken into account a pioneering area of recent structure and cutting-edge craftsmanship in Europe. Structure lovers will discover wealthy pickings!

Trad & Mod

If you wish to discover what essential function up to date (timber) structure and revolutionary craftsmanship can play within the Alpine area, go to Vorarlberg. Nowhere else in Austria will you come throughout such a wealth of up to date design. On the similar time, the brand new buildings slot in seamlessly with the standard houses.

Timber & Crafts

Timber has all the time been used as constructing materials, each prior to now and in current. The brand new buildings, eye-catchers amid the pure surroundings, stand out for uncluttered strains and mix harmoniously with the environment. Inside, they impress by their sensible performance. Vitality-efficient development is a matter after all, as is becoming rooms with ecologically sound furnishings and supplies.

And that is the place the craftspeople are available once more. They design tables and chairs, beds and sofas, cabinets and cupboards, based mostly on age-old strategies, with revolutionary spirit, to mix in seamlessly with up to date structure. The result’s areas which might be pleasing to have a look at and nice to reside in.

Exploring constructing tradition

• Particularly within the cities, you’ll come throughout eye-catching fashionable buildings. It’s positively value whereas strolling by the streets and lanes with an open eye.

• Distinctive structure is a function supplied additionally by accommodations, vacation houses and residences. Most have been both newly constructed just lately or stand out for a harmonious mix of previous and new. The web site vorarlberg.travel/holidays-and-architecture/ informs about 30 hosts who present a hands-on expertise of up to date structure and revolutionary craftsmanship.

• Ten fastidiously chosen themed architectural excursions by the identify of Architectours invite you to individually discover constructing tradition all throughout Vorarlberg. Relying on the itinerary or the chosen theme, the excursions final half a day or a full day.

• “Umgang Bregenzerwald“ are themed village walks which take guests to architectural highlights in Bregenzerwald. A folder accompanying the excursions is accessible on the native vacationer workplaces.

• Locations to take a breather in Vorarlberg: In Vorarlberg, imaginative design ideas present up within the least anticipated locations. Every constructing is in dialogue with the encompassing nature and every one reveals sides of Vorarlberg’s up to date constructing tradition.

• Authentic: Architects from all around the world have been commissioned by the village of Krumbach to design seven bus stops below the motto Bus: Cease Krumbach. 

• The Werkraum Constructing in Andelsbuch in Bregenzerwald showcases revolutionary craftsmanship, internet hosting altering exhibitions and works by the Bregenzerwald Werkraum craftspeople.

• Some accommodations and residences have been redesigned in recent times, combining conventional and fashionable components. Every time rooms or vacation residences are upgraded or renovated, that is largely finished in cooperation with craftspeople from the area.

Treats and Delights

Regional delicacies: from cheese to high-quality brandies

Whether or not you go for a country inn or an award-winning restaurant: Vorarlberg has nice surprises in retailer for foodies, providing impeccable high quality and glorious value-for-money.

The recipe for achievement subscribed to by Vorarlberg’s cooks is a longstanding shut collaboration with native producers. As a lot as attainable, they depend on seasonal and regional delicacies to serve up hearty conventional fare or gentle dishes with a artistic twist.

Cheese

Vorarlberg’s hottest speciality is cheese, notably the spicy Alp and Bergkäse, a tough mountain cheese. It’s manufactured on many small dairy-making farms, partly on high-alpine homesteads throughout the summer season. Different delicacies embrace Emmental, and tender cream cheese made from cow’s, goat’s and sheep’s milk. Creamy camemberts spherical off the product line. Sura Kees, a mildly fragrant low-fat cheese, is typical of the Montafon area.

For a collection of typical recipes – from Kässpätzle to Riebel – check out  vorarlberg.travel/en/recipes-from-vorarlberg/

Meals and Drink in Vorarlberg: Chosen Suggestions

• Purchase straight from farmers:
  Are you after meals and treats that style simply nice and are made with love and a spotlight by household farmers? You then’ve come to the appropriate place. We’ve put collectively an inventory of advisable retailers the place you should purchase produce straight from the farm. 

• Contemporary regional produce – weekly markets in Vorarlberg:
  The markets of Vorarlberg supply a feast for all of the senses virtually on daily basis of the week. 

• Culinary ideas for summer season:
  Celebrating meals is an element and parcel of the Vorarlberg lifestyle. At eating places or inns, mountain lodges, Lake Constance cruises or out of doors eating: the elements are sourced regionally wherever attainable and used within the preparation of tasteful specialities. 

• Meal with a view – Suggestions for enjoyment with panoramic views:
  Admire Vorarlberg’s mountain world from method up excessive, expertise moments of maritime bliss lakeside, or get pleasure from hours of rest in a fairytale setting. At these Vorarlberg institutions, the prospects for scrumptious meals and good views are assured. 

Good to Know

Arrival by automotive, rail, coach and airplane

Vorarlberg is inside straightforward attain on all routes. The native public transport community is extremely developed. Like in a serious metropolis, all rail and bus providers in addition to tariffs are dovetailed throughout the Vorarlberg transport community. In some areas, mountain climbing buses function along with scheduled providers. Guests within the Kleinwalsertal could use the Walserbus freed from cost. The closest airports are Zurich (CH) and Munich (D). vorarlberg.travel/en/how-to-reach-vorarlberg/

Regional Inclusive Playing cards

All of Vorarlberg’s six vacation locations supply their very own Inclusive Card. Relying on the area, the playing cards are legitimate on public transport, cable-cars and lifts, museums, leisure services and enrolment in numerous programmes.

In Kleinwalsertal, Brandnertal, Klostertal and in Alpenstadt Bludenz, the cardboard is included within the worth of lodging for guests staying one evening or longer at associate companies, in Bregenzerwald (together with Fontanella, Faschina and Sonntag within the Grosses Walsertal biosphere reserve), it’s included for guests staying Three nights or longer. As of summer season 2019, the visitor playing cards in Brandnertal, Klostertal and in Alpenstadt Bludenz are readily accessible by way of the “Clara” app in your sensible cellphone.

Within the Lake Constance-Vorarlberg area (Bodensee-Vorarlberg leisure card), in Montafon (Montafon Brandnertal Card) and in Lech (My Lech Card), the playing cards are on sale at a cut price all-in fee.

Curious and Fascinating Information

From alpine snowboarding to cutting-edge innovation

Vorarlberg grabs individuals’s consideration in many alternative methods. Small in measurement, the area surprises with many curiosities and merchandise that are identified all around the world.

Do you know that …

• The primary ever ski course for visitors within the historical past of snowboarding was held in 1906 in Zürs am Arlberg?

• In 1881, Emperor Francis Joseph inaugurated the primary phone within the Austro-Hungarian empire? This phone has been preserved for guests to marvel at at Gasthaus Gütle.

• The solar safety issue was developed in Vorarlberg? We owe this invention to Franz and Marga Greiter, founders of the “Piz Buin“ solar lotion manufacturing firm, which derives its identify from Vorarlberg’s highest peak, the three,312 m excessive Piz Buin.

• The best Baroque church buildings and monasteries within the Lake Constance space have been constructed by builders and craftspeople from native Bregenzerwald? A builders‘ guild shaped within the 17th century in Au in Bregenzerwald whose artistry and abilities have been in broad demand.

• The European watershed between the Rhine and the Danube runs by Vorarlberg?

• The export share of Vorarlberg’s firms stands at 60% and is thus the very best of all Austrian states?

• Ropeways all around the world are designed and partly manufactured in Vorarlberg? Doppelmayr, the world market chief in ropeway expertise, is headquartered in Vorarlberg.

• Heated chair-lift seats are an innovation from Vorarlberg? They have been developed by the Doppelmayr firm.

• The overwhelming share of all Purple Bull cans bought worldwide are crammed in Vorarlberg? It is a job finished by Rauch, an organization manufacturing fruit juices, which can also be based mostly in Vorarlberg.

• Plastic packaging from Vorarlberg is used all around the world for drinks, meals, beauty and sanitary merchandise and much more? They’re produced by Alpla, the expertise chief in terms of packaging options.

• Furnishings and kitchen designers all all over the world depend on fittings from Vorarlberg? An organization with world-wide operations, Blum has its seat in Vorarlberg.

• Wolford, producer of premium tights, bodywear and ladies’s style is predicated in Bregenz? In addition they run a manufacturing facility outlet there.

The primary design resort to open in Austria is positioned in Dornbirn? Designed by architects Baumschlager Eberle, Lodge Martinspark opened in 1996.