Travel Feature: Gorgeous Innsbruck

August 25, 2011

For those longing to combine an activity holiday with culture, Innsbruck offers a city break with a difference. It also proves a sporting paradise for Swindon Business News Travel Editor Anne Gorringe who tries canyoning for the first time.

As I dangled from a bridge, clutching onto Tom's hand felt as it it was the only thing saving me from the icy waters below.

Canyoning photos by Matt Stockman

“Just let go and grab the rope,” he said, “You’ll be fine.” Bravely I took a deep breath, followed my instructor’s directions, and tried to relax as I found myself being quickly lowered 30ft into the river.

As I hit the water, the initial shock subsided as my super-thick wetsuit actually managed to keep me warm. I was left feeling invigorated, and raring to go, as I waited for my team mates to join me.

It was the first time I’d abseiled into an Alpine river but by the end of the afternoon I was happily walking off the side of the gorge and down shear walls into icy plunge pools below.

I was perhaps less happy sliding down the odd waterfall but I trusted my instructor who stressed that safety was paramount.

Wearing a full wetsuit (including cap and socks) I was also kitted out with boots, helmet, and the all-important harness, complete with clips. These attach onto safety wires fastened into the rocks so you can wait safely at the top of obstacles.

One move which – quite literally – took my breath away involved jumping from a boulder in the river into an emerald green pool. It took some nerve but helped keep the adrenalin pumping for the full three hour trip.

Included in the package was the cost of instruction, plus all the kit from the watersports centre, which is a short drive outside the city. For an added price, we were picked up from our hotel in the heart of Innsbruck which, fortunately for me, was the rather nice 5* Grand Hotel Europa.

Not only does it have a wonderful bar – perfect for a celebratory drink when I arrived back – but its location opposite the main railway station made it handy for a day trip to St Anton.

Of course, there’s so much to see and do in Innsbruck itself that you don’t really have to travel. In the winter, there’s easy access to eight world-class ski resorts but, on a summer break like mine, watersports, mountain walks and exploring the museums and interesting cafe bars are on offer.

The city, which is the Tyrolean capital, is surprisingly compact and has a fascinating Old Town filled with interesting museums and buildings as well as ground-breaking modern architecture.

Its position, above the River Inn and surrounded by the beautiful Austrian Alps, gives it a dramatic appearance – a mediaeval centre with a breath-taking backdrop.

While you’re there it’s well worth investing in an ‘Innsbruck Card’ from the tourist office. This offers free entry to most of the city’s museums – plus unlimited journeys on trams and buses plus one free return trip on the funicular railway/cable-car up the mountain. A 48-hour pass cost €34, just €5 more gets you a 72-hour one.

I was stunned by, what has to be one of the key attractions, the Hofkirche, home of Emperor Maximillian I’s black marble tomb, surrounded by 28 larger than life bronze statues of his ancestors. He died in 1519 and is also responsible for the city’s most famous landmark, the Golden Roof, which is actually now a museum with a glittering roof, made from 2,657 copper tiles.

Another bargain was the free daily walks, organised by the Alpinschule Innsbruck (Mountaineering School Instruction). They meet at 9am every morning and – completely for free – English-speaking guides will take you on a daily hike. It is a case of ‘first come, first served’ so you do have to be on time but, if you’re travelling with Inghams, as I did, they organise your place for you for just £1 a day.

On the day I joined up, our guide took us on a scenic ride on the funicular up to Nordkette Mountain. From there, it was a gentle trek to the top of the mountain where the view was, well, breath-taking… though nothing can quite compare with being immersed in the icy river at the bottom of the valley.   Canyoning is definitely one exciting experience I’m determined to repeat . . .

Innsbruck Factfile

Travel and hotels:-

Inghams have availability for 7-day holidays in August staying at the 4-star Hotel Grauer Bar near the Old Town area of Innsbruck and flying from Exeter or Birmingham Airports on August 27 for £1,186 for two people sharing. In September, prices are slightly cheaper and, new for this year, Inghams can offer two-centre trips and it may be possible to split your stay with 4 nights in Innsbruck and three nights at St Anton.

Or, stay at the 4-star Hotel Alberg in St Anton for seven nights on a half board basis, with prices starting from £768 per person, including free daily lunch packs, free bottle of wine on arrival, free bike use, return flights from Manchester to Innsbruck and resort transfers.

For more information, call Inghams Lakes & Mountains tel: 020 8780 4454 or visit www.inghams.co.uk.

Anne stayed in the 5-star Grand Hotel Europa in Innsbruck – www.grandhoteleuropa.at Prices start at from €156 per person, per night for B&B.

In the summer, easyJet flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck start from £100 return. Direct flights from Bristol are available from December to April. April return flights with hand-luggage cost around £67. For more information visit www.easyjet.com

Canyoning

Wiggi Rafting, just outside Innsbruck – www.wiggi-rafting.at, offer a first-time canyoning experience from May 1 – Oct 15. The price of €55 per adult includes all instruction and equipment – additional cost of around €15 to be picked up from hotel in Innsbruck.

Innsbruck Tourist Office – (00) 43 512 53560 sell the pre-bookable Innsbruck Pass.