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Innsbruck visitors and holidaymakers from all over the world
come year-round to this treasure trove of the Alps and they've been
doing so for eight centuries!
Innsbruck's appeal is its rich cultural heritage, traditions, and
modern vitality. It has also been the venue of two Winter Olympics,
and offers superb year-round sports facilities. Last but not least,
it provides the grandeur of high mountains and close proximity to
nature.
The city has amazing art treasures, such as the gilded copper tiles of
the Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl), completed in 1500. The magnificent
Imperial Court Church (Hofkirche) features 28 larger-than-life
figures of the Black Knights. The Ambras Castle (Schloss Ambras)
has a sumptuous Spanish Room, a Cabinet of Curiosities
(Kunst-und-WunderKammer), and an extensive armor collection.
Innsbruck is Austria's second museum city. Eighteen superb museums
showcase impressive classical, modern, and folk art. And you mustn't
miss the enchanting Swarovski Crystal World, with its "Chambers of
Wonder," a collection of small and colossal crystals with sound,
light, and scent effects!
Enjoy an active vacation? Innsbruck offers plenty to do year round.
In the summer, you can go biking, mountain biking, hiking,
paragliding, rafting, swimming, tandem parachute jumping, tennis,
squash, even skiing on a glacier! In the winter, you can enjoy alpine
skiing in an area that has six skiing regions, 53 lifts, 70 miles of
pistes (including the Stubai Glacier), six miles of cross country
trails, about 120 miles of well-marked trails, snowboarding areas,
schools for all of the above, horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice skating,
and bobsled and toboggan runs.
After you've worked up an appetite, chow down at one of the excellent
restaurants, bars, and cafes. As a main dish, try traditional Wiener
Schnitzel (veal fried golden brown, coated with breadcrumbs).
Or enjoy Tafelspitz, a boiled, tender cut of beef, with fried
potatoes and a delicious sauce. Save room for dessert-either tempting
Apfelstrudel (apple strudel) or mouthwatering Palatschinken
(crêpes).
The main shopping areas are located in the city center and the Old
Town, where some shops are open on Sunday. Tourists from outside the
European Union can obtain a refund on most of the VAT (value-added tax)
they pay on single purchases totaling Austrian Schillings 1,001.00 or
more. Ask for details at shops displaying stickers that say "Tax Free
for Tourists," "Austria Tax-Free Shopping," or
"Europe Tax Free."
It is customary to tip waiters, taxi drivers, and hairdressers
10 percent, porters about 10 schillings per piece of baggage. Hotel
concierges and maids expect a small tip.
Salzburg has it all!
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