Innsbruck, the capital of the famous province of Tyrol sums up its distinctive character. With the shimmering mountain range right at the doorstep of the town, Innsbruck has the old merchant routes of Europe to thank for its development. The combination of old alpine traditions and commerce, first and foremost tourism and sports, is obviously seen here. Located at the mouth of the river Ills where it floats into its sister Inn, Innsbruck is surrounded by the Karwendel massive in the north and the Stubai and Tuxer Alps in the south. Downtown Innsbruck is still a baroque gem of Austria; little has changed here over the centuries. The cathedral and university lend their certain dignity, although the real and pure physical vitality comes from the mountains.

Two past winter Olympics, in nineteen sixty four and in nineteen seventy six, have resulted in first class sports facilities, including the ski jump hill which looms above Innsbruck, making the ski jumpers feel they are heading for the town cemetery behind the jump hill.

Innsbruck also hosted the Euro 2008 football championship a couple of summers ago The main stadium of Innsbruck is called Stadion Tivoli NEU and sits splendidly between the mountains in the southern part of town. It is only three kilometers to the city centre so a walk here from your hotel on any match day is recommended if you are visiting for the games.

Innsbruck's long history of emperors is mirrored in the Altstadt, the Old Town, by the many richly decorated public buildings in renaissance and baroque styles. Fine examples of Tyrolean architecture are the arcade houses which are decorated with bay windows. Parts of the Old Town are car free, and on Herzog-Friedrich Strasse there are many wonderful baroque and renaissance houses. The crown jewel is the bay windows of The Golden Roof, Goldenes Dachl, which was built in the fourteen nineties to celebrate Maximilian's marriage. When the sun shines upon it, it really is a sight for sore eyes.

Right across from The Golden Roof is the late-gothic Heiblinghaus, which has been restored in a rococo fashion with detailed stuccos where cherubs compete for space with plenty of flowers, leafs and vines.

If you are looking for entertainment in Innsbruck you have come to the right place; something happens almost all the time. A weekly party with classical music is held every year in August, with concerts in many of the old palaces, churches and museums. Innsbruck also has its own symphony orchestra and many brass bands. Theatre plays and dance shows can often be enjoyed in the Landes Theatre, concerts and exhibits in the park of Hofgarten and everywhere jazz is played.

Innsbruck is also an important city when it comes to sports. At Bergisel, just south of the area of Wilten, one can partake in ski jumping, bowling, archery, cycling or golf, to name a few things. There are two mountaineer schools and if you feel like skiing in the middle of summer, trips for the aforementioned Stubai glacier are arranged.