Things to do in Vorarlberg
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Bodensee
Everybody who arrives in Bregenz is bewitched by the Bodensee, Europe's third largest lake, straddling Austria, Switzerland and Germany. In summer, the lake attracts cycling enthusiasts to the beautiful and blissfully flat trails lining its banks. Other activities on the lake include sailing and diving at Lochau, and swimming. For those that would prefer to kick back and enjoy the view, there are numerous boat companies that ferry passengers across the lake from April to mid-October.
ÖBB-Bodenseeschifffahrt Bregenz (428 68) should be your first port of call for information on timetables and prices.
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Montafon
Silent and unspoilt, the Montafon was apparently Hemingway’s favourite valley and is still a fine spot for a wee adventure. Running south from Bludenz, the vale is quilted green in summer, blanketed white in winter and silhouetted by the glaciated Silvretta range year-round. All that natural splendour doesn’t go to waste: freestyle skiers and families seeking uncrowded pistes and a low-key vibe flock here, as do hikers spellbound by the craggy summits.
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Pfänder Cable Car
The Pfänder rises sharply above Bregenz and affords a breathtaking panorama of the lake and the pointy peaks of the Alps. The cable car will whiz you to the top. At the summit, kids and fans of furry critters will love the Wildpark, a 30-minute circular trail bringing you close to deer, ibex and marmots in their near-to-natural habitat. There's also a Greifvogelflugschau (bird of prey show), where feathered performers amaze with aerial feats (11:00 & 14:30 May-Sep).
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Nectar Bar
Nectar Bar Squeezed between the houses, this party place packs ‘em in at the weekends. The inner courtyard gets a regular makeover –expect a Hawaiian beach in summer, and a Christmas market in winter when ‘tis the season to drink hot chocolate laced with rum. The fun-loving owner Tobias stages events from iPod challenges to Mexican nights with free-flowing tequila.
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Inatura
Dornbirn’s biggest draw, though, are the creepy-crawlies at Inatura. This hands-on museum is a great place for kids, who can pet (stuffed) foxes and handle (real) spiders, peer into bee and hornet nests, ogle at snakes and fish from behind glass and generally interact with nature. There’s also a climbing wall and 3-D cinema.
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Jüdisches Museum Hohenems
Jüdisches Museum Hohenemsis housed in the Rosenthal villa. The Rosenthals built up a considerable textile business in the town, and part of their wealth – especially gorgeous period furniture – is on show, alongside photos, documents and religious artefacts from the long-defunct Jewish community.
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Wirtschaft Zum Schützenhaus
Wirtschaft zum SchützenhausSchiessen und Geniessen (shoot and enjoy) is the motto at this half-timbered tavern, where lederhosen-clad staff bring humungous schnitzels to the table. The tree-shaded beer garden has prime views of the castle and a pet corner with fluffy rodents to keep kids amused.
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Vorarlberger Landesmuseum
This museum delves into the region’s history, art and architecture with curiosities from Stone Age artefacts to a model Roman fort and an intricately carved Tragorgel (portable organ). The top floor showcases a superb collection of works by Swiss-born neoclassical artist Angelika Kauffmann (1741–1807).
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Suchard Chocolate Shop
One of Bludenz's best features can't even be seen. Almost anywhere you wander in the centre, the rich, enticing aroma of chocolate will fill your nostrils. The source of these divine smells is the Suchard chocolate factory; unfortunately there are no guided tours but you can stock up on chocs at its Suchard Chocolate Shop .
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Kunsthaus
With its soaring glass-and-steel exterior and concrete interior, this is a cube that would inspire Picasso to paint. Its cutting edge design is supposed to look like a lamp (use your imagination!). Flooded with natural light, the inside is stark, open-plan and perfect for rotating exhibitions of contemporary art.
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Festspielhaus
The lakefront Festspielhaus is the must-see monolith. Blending concrete, tinted glass and clean lines, the striking edifice proves that creativity also comes in boxes. Jutting out onto the lake, the semi-circular Seebühne is where festival performances take place.
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Rheindelta
The Rheindelta is where the River Rhine flows into the Bodensee. Comprising mossy marshes, reeds and mixed woodlands, this nature reserve is an unspoilt wilderness and a haven to more than 300 bird species including curlews, grey herons and rare black-tailed godwits.
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Gaststätte Zum Goldenen Hirschen
For a slap-up meal in traditional Austrian style, head for the delightfully timeless, half-timbered Gaststätte Zum Goldenen Hirschen. Every imaginable cut of beef is available here in a long list of options known as Rindfleischtöpfli (beef pots).
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Rauch Café
Rauch’s buzzy terrace is packed when the sun shines. If you can stomach chilli first thing, try the ‘how to cure the hangover’ breakfast (€12.90). The menu is Mediterranean with flavours like wild garlic gnocchi. DJs spin house music here after dark.
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Martinsturm
Martinsturm is topped by the largest onion dome in central Europe. Take a peek at the 14th-century frescoes in the church on the ground floor before climbing up to the small Vorarlberger Militärmuseum (military museum) for fine views over the town.
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Cafesito
Cafesito squeeze into this tiny café for the freshest bagels and smoothies in town. Lilac-yellow walls and modern art create a funky backdrop for a light lunch or cup of fair-trade coffee. Try the famous bikini bagel or chilli hot chocolate.
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Domkirche St Nikolaus
Domkirche St Nikolaus has a large, forbidding interior complemented by late-Gothic features and vibrantly coloured stained glass. The painting on the side altar is by local boy Wolf Huber (1480–1539), a leading member of the Danube school.
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Cable Car
cable car rises up to Muttersberg (1401m), the starting point for numerous hiking, Nordic walking and cycling trails. If you don’t want to walk it, catch bus 1 from in front of the train station to the cable car station.
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3 Täler Pass
The 3 Täler Pass covers the skiing regions of Bregenzerwald, Grosses Walsertal and Lechtal. After working up an appetite on the slopes, you can dairy-hop your way along the Käsestrasse that winds through the region.
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Nova Bräu
Copper vats gleam at this cavernous brewpub, cranking out hearty fare like Tafelspitz (boiled beef) washed down with Fohrenburger beer (from the brewery opposite). At the front, Arche Nova bar is a ship complete with palms and fish lights.
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Neubeck
Crisp white linen and red leather set the scene in this sleek bistro, opening onto a shady patio. Expect fusion cuisine, from scallops with ricotta-lemon ravioli to Thai crayfish curry. The two-course menu du jour is good value.
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Rappenlochschlucht
Just 4km southeast of Dornbirn is the Rappenlochschlucht, a dramatic ravine gouged out by the thundering Dornbirner Ache. Wooden walkways lead up to a viewpoint (10 minutes) and the turquoise Staufensee (30 minutes).
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Rolls-Royce Museum
The world’s biggest Rolls-Royce Museumis situated at the bottom of the gorge. The hall of fame showcases royal Rollers that once belonged to the likes of Queen Elizabeth and George V.
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Dogana
Earthy tones and mellow music give this gourmet haunt a contemporary kick. The menu changes seasonally, but staples include delicious salads (try the curried kikeriki ) and value for money lunches.
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Fux
Glass walls and gold Buddhas jazz up this slick restaurant. The cuisine has an Asian twist – think Wagyu beef carpaccio and yellowfin tuna. The head-spinning wine list has 1700 bottles to pick from.
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