I’ve just returned from a travel bloggers’ conference in stunning Innsbruck in the Austrian Alps. We had a tight, full and interesting programme, with loads of inspiration and new things learnt. Perhaps especially useful were the photo walks and learning more about travel photography. Furthermore, I really enjoyed reconnecting with fellow bloggers and writers. Others I had the pleasure of meeting in real life for the first time. All in all, well done Oliver and TBU.
Along the river Inn
If you’re interested in attending a bloggers’ conference, the next TBU will take place in Umbria (near Assisi) in April 2012.
Blending centuries
The travel blogging sphere is already teeming with posts and photos from Innsbruck and Tyrol. It’s a gorgeous area, and full of history, legends and lore; worthy of a long, unhurried stay.
Zaha Hadid’s Nordkettenbahn
When I was 15, I spent a wild and wonderful summer in Bregenz (Austria), officially doing a German course, in reality having heaps of deliciously carefree and slightly irresponsible teenage fun. After a weekend trip to Venice that summer, we stopped in Innsbruck on the way back.
Can’t say I remember much of the sights from that glorious summer decades ago, so seeing Innsbruck last week, was like seeing it for the first time.
Innsbruck, you’re so adorably unpredictable.
35 degrees is not exactly standard Alpine temperature, not even in August. Yet, that’s what met me on arrival on a sultry afternoon. A day later, the city was soaked in rain and hidden behind low clouds. Next afternoon, as the fog lifted, the surrounding mountains revealed freshly fallen snow.
Hofburg (Imperial Palace)
If you don’t like the weather in Innsbruck, just wait a minute
Mark Twain and Will Rogers have both been credited with the quote: “If you don’t like the weather in … insert US town, state, region…, just wait a minute”. I think this Alpine town would have surprised even these two weather-wise gentlemen.
Fab pink room inside Hofburg
Posts will be forthcoming on my excellent post-TBU blog trip to Oetztal (courtesy of the Austrian Tourist Board), where Ötzi the Iceman walked 5 300 years ago. Coincidentally, the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo is presently hosting an exhibition of this most famous of Neolithic men.
Hölblinghaus, Altstadt
Ever been in Tyrol? What’s your favourite Alpine city or village?
Have a look at more fun photos at DeliciousBaby.
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Sophie these pictures are gorgeous! I too loved Innsbruck and would love to go back very soon.
It was also great meeting you and hope we will meet again soon.
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..Five of the Best Sweet Treats to Try in Paris
@Debbie – Thanks! And such fun to meet you, too
Fussen in Germany. Loved Neuschwanstein Castle
adventureswithben recently posted..Adventures in Alaska
I love that first picture with the foggy Alps as a back drop. My wife is going to Austria in a couple of weeks – not sure if she is going here, but it looks very nice.
Don Faust recently posted..Alaska’s Inside Passage: Can I digital detox for a week?
Such beautiful photos. I’ve been to Innsbruck numerous times, but never noticed these attractions.
Italian Notes recently posted..Dickens and the Palazzo Tè in Mantova
Great photos
Muza-chan recently posted..A Japanese Song per Day: Angela – Shangri-La
Innsbruck, along the river Inn is absolutely stunning! That view can give me loads of inspiration for writing! The Hölblinghaus, Altstadt picture- such amazing detail.
Beautiful, I was sad to miss this TBU, but was still on my honeymoon. I attended the one in Manchester though and enjoyed it. Innsbruck looks beautiful, I plan to go there sometime in the next few months.
Laurel recently posted..Statue in Stuttgart
Simply loving the pictures Sophie. Makes me wanna pack my bags and head there now. I love the details on the building – Hölblinghaus as its stuff like this that makes me spend hours walking around town.
David @ MalaysiaAsia recently posted..Timberland’s Horqin Reforestation Project Inner Mongolia 2011
Beautiful! I like them all, but the one of Hofburg stands out as my favorite.
Christy @ Technosyncratic recently posted..Photo Essay: London
Innsbruck looks lovely — can’t believe it was 35 degrees though, that’s tropical weather!
I’m wondering if we should factor the next TBU into our plans. We’ll be in Europe April/May anyway, and I LOVED Tuscany, would love to see Umbria in Spring.
Barbara – The Dropout Diaries recently posted..Meet The Dropouts – Food Writer Robyn Eckhardt
Cannot wait to visit Innsbruck soon – sounds like an amazing place!
Sphie,
really liked that shot of the Hofburg with clouds behind it — lovely. I may have to think about TBU in Umbria…
Kerry recently posted..Songwriters gather in Minnesota
Great photos! My favorite Alpine town is Mittenwald, Germany.
Sonja recently posted..Photo Friday: Guarding the Eiffel Tower
The pictures are beautiful! I’ve not yet been to the Alps but I certainly look forward to visiting some day and picking a favourite village.
Lisa recently posted..Photo Friday: A Colourful Afternoon in Roussillon, France
We just got back fromm Tyrol– in Obergurgl in the Oetzal valley. Love that the sounds of cow bells wake you up in the morning. Our biggest adventure there was hiking up to the Ramolhouse to spend the night. Haven’t had a chance to blog about it yet. But now whenever my kids say something is hard or far– I say really… you hiked up to the Ramolhouse.
Preparing For Takeoff recently posted..Water Walkers
I’m still so disappointed that we didn’t meet up!
Ayngelina recently posted..Pack this, not that
@Ayngelina – I know. We weren’t that many participants – but still not enough time to meet everyone properly. London in November
gorgeous town…gorgeous shots!! love it!
jenjenk recently posted..Photo Friday: 10 Years Post 9/11
great shots! I need a holiday ASAP!!
Ciki recently posted..Upper Deck, Tanzini @ GTower
@Ciki – Looking out at the rain, so do I! Malaysia sounds about right this time of year
Thanks so much for your lovely comments, everyone. Easy to get good photos in such a scenic city.
All these photos are really excellent, but the one of the statue really spoke to me!
Gorgeous photos! I really would like to attend some kind of travel blogging conference soon to meet up with those I’ve been following for a while.
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Working Overseas | Interview with Wandering Earl
@Samuel – I can recommend TBU. Keep an eye out for next year’s conference in Umbria.
i’ve been there e few years ago with my man, and it’s a beautyful city! it was autumn, and the weather was quite cold, but the beautyful architectural sculptures and the mountains made us feel comfortable. It’s amazing, that in this organic city, there are 500y old houses next to the high-tech new contemporary architectural “sculptures”, for example the thing from Zaha Hadid, and the baroque castles and palaces. i like them so much! thanks for refreshing my amazing memories
Klara recently posted..Brustvergrößerung mit Implantaten
@Klara – thanks for stopping by
Love the “if you don¨t like the weather” quote. It´s not exclusive to Americans, apparently
These photos are really gorgeous.
Wow Sophie, your photos are amazing! I love Innsbruck! It is such a beautiful city and I have fond memories of this place
Nelieta recently posted..YouTube Tuesday
Austria (especially Vienna) is the best place that I’ve ever visited so far. But after looking at your pictures of Innsbruck, I am reassured that Austria is indeed one of the best (if not the best) countries to visit.
Another place I now have to put on my bucket list!! I think I need a new bucket!!
@John – they do fill up quickly those buckets