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 TBU.
If you’re interested in attending a travel bloggers’ conference, the next TBU will take place in Umbria (near Assisi) in April 2012.
The travel blogging sphere is already teeming with posts and photos from Innsbruck and Tyrol. It’s a gorgeous area, full of history, legends and lore – and fabulous architecture, old and new; worthy of a long, unhurried stay.
Zaha Hadid’s cool 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 from the quick stop 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.
If you don’t like the weather in Innsbruck, just wait a minute
Many have been credited with the quote: “If you don’t like the weather in … insert town, region, country …, just wait a minute”. This Alpine town firmly belongs in that category.
Posts will be forthcoming on my excellent post-TBU blog trip to Oetztal (courtesy of the Austrian National Tourist Office), 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.
Ever been in Tyrol? What’s your favourite Alpine city or village?
If you would like to be informed of updates to this blog please sign up via Feedburner here.
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 – Thanks! And such fun to meet you, too 🙂
Fussen in Germany. Loved Neuschwanstein Castle
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.
Such beautiful photos. I’ve been to Innsbruck numerous times, but never noticed these attractions.
Great photos 🙂
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.
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.
Beautiful! I like them all, but the one of Hofburg stands out as my favorite.
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.
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…
Great photos! My favorite Alpine town is Mittenwald, Germany.
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.
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.
I’m still so disappointed that we didn’t meet up!
@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!
great shots! I need a holiday ASAP!! 🙂
@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.
@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 – 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.
[…] Redisch presents Images of Innsbruck posted at Sophie’s World, saying, “If you don’t like the weather in this stunning […]
Wow Sophie, your photos are amazing! I love Innsbruck! It is such a beautiful city and I have fond memories of this place 🙂
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 🙂