The Austrian Alps
As much as we appreciate our tropical weather, we do crave a little drop in temperature sometimes (more so for some). As lovers of all the four seasons, nothing says Christmas more than the Alps! Both the German and Austrian mountain ranges provide a wealth of activities, with fresh powdery slopes for skiers, scenic winter trails for hikers, and flawless white wilderness for the wanderers. Apart from the outdoors, December is also perfect for some culture, with Munich and Salzburg hosting some incredible ballet and classical music performances. Couple these events with evenings spent cosying up to a fire with wine and cheese platters! Unravel the magic of winter on our Path to Lech.
Salzburg
With formidable mountain cliffs in the distance and the transporting effect of Baroque architecture, Salzburg’s setting is one of fairy tales. Walk down one of its mystifying winding lanes to find yourself in the middle of the Winter Festival’s exciting circus performance of contemporary and comical adaptations of the classic acts like juggling and acrobatics.
To round-up the enchanting experience is Hotel Sacher Salzburg, a 19th Century building with stunning old-world décor. The name might be familiar to some because this was the birthplace of the Sachertorte, the most famous torte in town! Apart from tortes, Salzurg is also known for inspiring the genius, Mozart.
Kitzbühel
Kitzbühel is home to The Streif, the most famous ski-run in the world. For the adrenaline-pumping action of steep slopes, curves and jumps, skiers come from all around the globe. But skiing is not all that this Tyrolean Alpine town has to offer—close to the mountains are two establishments that make ideal bases for your adventures.
Hotel Weisses Rossl, in historic Kitzbühel itself, is a 17th century building styled with modern, tasteful furnishing.
While a short 10 minutes’ drive away in Kirchberg, Tyrol, is Hotel Restaurant Spa Rosengarten, a charming property run by a passionate husband-and-wife team—while she is making sure all your needs are met during your stay, he is in the kitchen cooking up his own takes on the Tyrolean classics, much like the highland beef tartare.
Lech
For eighty years, the Moosbrugger family has been running the Gasthof Post with a passion to create, with much success, an authentic “country inn” experience for their guests. Not only do they create a warm and personal atmosphere, those cosy wood-panels house a choice of restaurants featuring fantastic local and regional cuisines—traditional favourites like fondue to more innovative spins on Italian fare.
In December, the mountains come to life as the little town of less than 2,000 inhabitants hosts Fantastic Gondolas, an event that turns the village into a stage and the gondolas (cable cars) into discos. If you are not eating to your heart’s content or getting down on a floating dancefloor, take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the Austrian alps with Lech’s most seasoned coachmen. Skiers will delight in Lech’s 305 kilometres of slopes while non-skiers can revel in beautiful stretches of winter hiking, snow-shoeing and tobogganing.
