Innsbruck

Kelley & Justin get lost in the mountainous town Innsbruck.

It's hard to have a favorite of the towns we visited in Austria, but if I had to choose one place to return immediately, it'd be Innsbruck. The medieval streets with the breathtaking mountain backdrop--it just was awe-inspiring everywhere you turned. The town was both touristy but liveable, quaint but authentic. The surrounding neighborhoods were set up against the mountain, and the tram to the midway station was a highlight--even if it was a foggy day.
A very active and young local community exists in this historic city. Down in the old town (Alstadt), you have the Hofkirche, home of Emperor Maximillian's tomb, the Goldenes Dachl, or Golden Roof, and countless sausage shops and bakeries to peruse. Just across the way, is the newer part of the city with outdoor markets, a large modern indoor shopping center and great restaurants and stores. We enjoyed tea at the top of the shopping center, another one of Innsbruck's best views.

Whether you are into sports, like glacier skiing, down hill biking, hiking and gliding or you enjoy history and shopping, Innsbruck has it all, wrapped around the fluorescent glacial river Inn.