Tirol (Winter)

Alpine scenery surrounded by a rugged mountainous backdrop plus countless possibilities for activities come together in postcard-worthy Tirol (also spelled Tyrol). Long considered a regional gem in Austria, Tirol's greatest appeal is its unspoiled landscapes and quaint towns where friendly people live. Fabulous ski resorts can be found in the northeast and southwest, including everyone's favorite, Innsbruck. Other famous resorts in the Tyrolean Alps include Kitzbuhel, St. Anton and Ischgl, which offer warm hospitality, hearty meals and lots of rowdy Austrian ski-town ambiance. Rugged southeast Tirol is somewhat isolated from the rest of the ...

Alpine scenery surrounded by a rugged mountainous backdrop plus countless possibilities for activities come together in postcard-worthy Tirol (also spelled Tyrol). Long considered a regional gem in Austria, Tirol's greatest appeal is its unspoiled landscapes and quaint towns where friendly people live. Fabulous ski resorts can be found in the northeast and southwest, including everyone's favorite, Innsbruck. Other famous resorts in the Tyrolean Alps include Kitzbuhel, St. Anton and Ischgl, which offer warm hospitality, hearty meals and lots of rowdy Austrian ski-town ambiance. Rugged southeast Tirol is somewhat isolated from the rest of the state — Italy won the southern portion during post-WWI land reshuffling. Mountains, both the Alps and the Dolomites, rule in this region. Austria's highest peak is here — the Grossglockner (12,460 feet) — as is the beautiful Hohe Tauern National Park. Tirol is also known for its delicious, traditional Austrian culinary specialties. Try the Tyrol Gröstl, which contains potatoes and pieces of cut pork browned with onion and butter and seasoned with abundant marjoram, caraway and parsley.

About the Expert

Aaron Anderson is coauthor of Lonely Planet's Washington, D.C. City Guide, a contributor on western states to Lonely Planet USA, and he wrote the Austria chapters for Lonely Planet's Western Europe and Europe on a Shoestring.