Witness spectacular opera performanceson the floating stage of Lake Constance.Marvel at the harmonious blend of trad - itional and contemporary timber archi-tecture. Let your thoughts wander freely in the bracing alpine climate. Explore thewonders of nature together with yourloved ones - Vorarlberg invites visitors todiscover the unknown and to live thoseonce-in-a-lifetime moments.

The landscapes between Lake Constanceand the mountains which rise up to 2,000 mand more, stun the eye. Towns and villages surprise with their interesting buildings. Nowhere else in Austria doesone find so much well-designed contem-porary architecture within such a smallarea. In recent years, many hotels have undergone a thorough facelift and now

present themselves in new design. Naturalmaterials create a special aura of well-being. The cultural scene is truly cosmopolitan:the annual Bregenz Festival in July/Augusthas been a tourist magnet for many years.Riveting opera is performed in spectacularproductions on the floating stage of LakeConstance. Lovers of classical music flock to the Schubertiade festival in Schwarzen -berg und Hohenems. The poolbar festival in Feldkirch in thesummer celebrates pop culture and design. Housed in a glass cube, KunsthausBregenz is a museum of contemporary art.The vorarlberg museum in Bregenz dealswith Vorarlberg’s past and present. The modern Werkraum Haus in Andels buchshowcases Bregenzerwald craftsmanshipand artisanry.

Vorarlberg’s many award-winning innsand restaurants serve regional cuisine withan innovative twist. Be it fish caught inLake Constance or mouth-watering moun-tain cheese, many delicacies are sourcedfrom small businesses, farms or delicates-sen manufacturers.

Holiday-makers keen on activity can headfor the mountains, either on foot or bycable car, reaching dazzling panoramiclookouts. Themed trails, some of which arefitted with interactive stations, tell aboutwater, forests, moors, fauna and flora.Artist-designed trails stimulate the senses.Wherever you look, Vorarlberg’s land-scapes are cultural landscapes in the truestsense of the word.

Adventure Destination VorarlbergVorarlberg nestles in Austria’s very west, closely neighbouring Germany, Switzerland and the principality of Liechten -stein. Pleasantly small in size, this Austrian region is known for its inspiring mix of high-carat culture and awe-inspiring nature.

Disclosure Publisher: Vorarlberg Tourismus GmbH, Dornbirn. Road map: Freytag-Berndt and Artaria, 1230 Vienna – Vorarlberg M 1:200.000. Photos front page: Popp & Hackner, Lech Zürs Tourismus, Christoph Lingg/Bregenzerwald Tourismus, SFH, Kleinwalsertal Tourismus, AlpenregionBludenz, Daniel Zangerl/Montafon Tourismus.Photos rear page: Udo Bernhart, Rainer Fehringer/Österreich Werbung, Alex Kaiser/Montafon Tourismus, Anja Köhler/Bregenzer Festspiele, Popp &Hackner, Peter Rigaud, michaelgunz.at, Christian Beck, Heidi Hintereck. Text: Kinz Kommunikation. Concept/design: Vorarlberg Tourismus.Translation: Michaela Spracklin.Printed by: Buchdruckerei Lustenau. Printed in Austria. All information based on supplied data. While every care has been taken in processing the data received, no liability is accepted for the correctness of the information given.Data as of: December 2013.

Six welcoming regionsVorarlberg stretches some 100 km from north to south and stuns visitors for its scenic variety. From the shores of Lake Constance with its near Mediterraneanfeel it is just an hour’s drive by car across gently undulating hills to the high alps. Shaped by different landscapes and forms of living, every one of the six holiday destinations has a distinct character of its own.

Summer 2014 in VorarlbergUseful tips, hints and suggestions for your holidays

Time to unwind

Vorarlberg TourismusPoststraße 11, Postfach 99, 6850 Dornbirn, AustriaT +43.(0)5572.377033-0 (MON–SAT 8–18 h), F +43.(0)5572.377033-5info@vorarlberg.travel, www.vorarlberg.travel/en

... by carFrom the north via Singen–Friedrichshafen–Lindau or Singen–Konstanz/Kreuzlingen–St. Gallen, via Ulm–Memmingen–Lindau.Via Augsburg or Munich–Memmingen–Lindau or via Nürnberg–Ulm–Lindau. From the west via Zürich–St. Gallen or Zurich–Walensee–Sargans.From the south via Como (I/CH)–San Bernardino–Chur, Brennermotorway (I/A)–Innsbruck or Reschen pass (I/A)–Landeck.From the east via Innsbruck–Arlberg road tunnel or Arlberg passroad or via Reutte–Lechtal–Bregenzerwald (Note: the L 198Lechtal road from Warth nach Lech is usually closed in winter).The Kleinwalsertal can be reached on the A7 via Memmingen-Kempten-Immenstadt or Füssen-Immenstadt or Lindau-Immenstadt (B308), then continue via Sonthofen andOberstdorf.

Toll feesMotorways and expressways in Austria are subject to toll. • 10-day sticker for passenger vehicles EUR 8.50• 2-month sticker for passenger vehicles EUR 24.80• One-year sticker for passenger vehicles EUR 82.70www.asfinag.at

... by railAustria: Good connections from eastern and southern Austria, also motorail and night trains (www.oebb.at). Germany: via Lindau–Bregenz. The target station for the Klein -walsertal is Oberstdorf/Allgäu (G). (www.deutschebahn.com andwww.dbautozug.de).Switzerland: via Zürich–St. Gallen–Bregenz or Zürich– Sargans–Feldkirch (www.sbb.ch).

... by airThe nearest airports (distance in km to Bregenz):• Lake Constance-Airport Friedrichshafen (G, 35 km),

serving destinations from/to Germany.• St. Gallen-Altenrhein (CH, 20 km),

direct service from/to Vienna.• Allgäu-Airport Memmingen (G, 77 km),

services within Europe.• Zurich (CH, 119 km), intercontinental services.• Innsbruck (A, 184 km), services to/from Vienna and Europe.

www.vorarlberg.travel/service

How to reach VorarlbergVorarlberg is within easy reach on all routes and all means of transport. The system of public transport is extremelywell developed. Train and bus services are closely dovetailed in the Vorarlberg Transport Network.

We will readily send you information on special themes or brochures and accommodationdirectories of the different holiday regions free of charge. Don’t hesitate to order.

Contacts:Vorarlberg Tourismus, P.O. box 99, 6850 Dornbirn, Austria, T +43.(0)5572.377033-0 (Mo–Sa 8–18 Uhr), F +43.(0)5572.377033-5, info@vorarlberg.travelAt www.vorarlberg.travel/en you will find up-to-date information, suggested events, travelhints, packages and brochures for download. On this website you can directly select andbook an accommodation for your holidays. Or turn to the Vorarlberg holiday destinations(addresses see left) and your travel agent.

More information?

Bregenzerwald

Brandnertal –Alpenstadt Bludenz –

Klostertal – GroßesWalsertal

Montafon

Arlberg

Bodensee-Vorarlberg

Klein-walsertal

CH

CH

D

AFL

Lake Constance

Zurich

LindauFriedrichshafen

SWITZERLAND

Bregenz

AUSTRIA

GERMANY

Konstanz

Feldkirch

Chur

ITALY

Innsbruck

St.GallenAltenrhein

Singen

Schaffhausen

Stuttgart

Lake Constance

Rhine

VORARLBERG

FL

Rhine

SWITZERLAND

GERMANY

Bludenz

Dornbirn

MunichMemmingen

Ulm

➛NürnbergNürnberg➛

Distance in km for the fastest route toVorarlberg (Bregenz):

Berlin 733 km

Frankfurt 424 km

Geneva 396 km

Hamburg 807 km

Leipzig 578 km

Milan 308 km

Munich 190 km

Salzburg 333 km

Stuttgart 217 km

Vienna 623 km

Zurich 122 km

Brandnertal – Alpine City ofBludenz – Klostertal – Grosses WalsertalThree awe-inspiring alpine valleys –Brandnertal, Klostertal, Grosses Walsertal –and the alpine city of Bludenz make forthe charm of this region. 800 km of hikingtrails, 300 km of mountain bike routes,two 18–hole golf courses, horseback rid-ing, and archery all await action-hungry visitors. For families: inspiring nature explor -ations, game worlds, supervised activities,festivals. “Enjoy nature without harming it“is the motto to which the Grosses Walsertalbiosphere park subscribes.

Lech Zürs TourismusT +43.(0)5583.2161-0, F 3155info@lech-zuers.atwww.lechzuers.com

Bodensee-Vorarlberg TourismusT +43.(0)5574.43443-0, F 43443-4office@bodensee-vorarlberg.comwww.bodensee-vorarlberg.com/en

Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGenT +43.(0)5517.5114-0, F 5114-419info@kleinwalsertal.comwww.kleinwalsertal.com/en

Montafon Tourismus GmbHT +43.(0)5556.722530, F 74856info@montafon.atwww.montafon.at/en

Alpenregion Bludenz Tourismus GmbHT +43.(0)5552.30227, F 30227-1712info@alpenregion.atwww.en.alpenregion.at

MontafonGenuine mountains. Genuine adventure.In the 39km long high-alpine valley and its11 villages, the world’s best fitness devicesare right at your doorstep: real mountains,including Vorarlberg’s highest peak, mountPiz Buin (3,312m). The Montafon has richpickings for sports aficionados. Hiking historic trails, conquering mountainson an ebike, fine dining in alpine lodges ormountain forest adventures feature in theprogramme of activities just as much asawesome challenges for zealous hobbyathletes.

KleinwalsertalUnspoilt mountains galore36 summits line the valley which is access-ible by car only via Germany. Hikers andbikers are drawn by an unspoilt, largelypristine mountain scenery. Walser Omgangis a tailor-made exercise and vitality programme for those who want to re-energize. Lebensfeuer® (lifefire) measurements diagnose your state of health, and custom -ized recommendations help boost qualityof living, health and performance potential.

ArlbergMore time – more spaceIt reputation is legendary, its name standsfor passion – the Arlberg. In Lech Zürs amArlberg holiday–makers find “More spacefor their thoughts and more time for thesenses“. As a summer treat, the Lech Card isavailable free of charge for visitors stayingone night or longer. Idyllic, leisurely, pampering: Stuben amArlberg is lined by the Lechtal alps and the Verwall group; the laidback village ofKlösterle enjoys a romantic setting againstthe foothills of the Arlberg mountain.

Bodensee-VorarlbergExciting. Inspiring. Small–town vibrancy, set in enchanting nature, strategically located for trips andoutings around the international LakeConstance. Venue of the Bregenz Festivaland many other cultural events. Famed for modern architecture and stunning museums. A destination of choice for meetings andconventions, with Bregenz, Dornbirn,Hohenems and Feldkirch as main towns.

Bregenzerwald Tourismus +43.(0)5512.2365, F 3010info@bregenzerwald.atwww.bregenzerwald.at/en

BregenzerwaldThe elegance of simplicityA region for connoisseurs who love thegood things in life. Famed for deliciousmountain cheese and the KäseStrasse(Cheese Route). An amazing mix of tradi-t ional and contemporary architecture.Themed trails which tell fascinating stories.An interesting cultural landscape which isideally suited for any kind of outdoor activity. The Werkraum Haus in Andelsbuchshowcases craftsmanship and artisanry.Worth listening to: the SchubertiadeFestival concerts in Schwarzenberg.

Facts & Figures

Inhabitants: approx. 370,000

State capital: Bregenz

Topography: 2,600 km2 (four times the size ofVienna, comparable to Saarland inGermany or Luxembourg), two thirdsof Vorarlberg are more than 1,000 mabove sea level).

Distances: 100 km from north to south. 1.5 hoursby car from Lake Constance (400m) to the high-alpine mountains which feature glacier-tipped summits risingto more than 3,000m above sea level.

Where to stay: 1,000 family-run hotels and guest-houses, some 4,000 private accom-modations (apartments and rooms)Altogether some 65,000 guest beds

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With a Road Map

of Vorarlberg

Kindling Lebensfeuer® (lifefire)How about my health and vitality? In the Kleinwalsertal, theworld’s first ever Lebensfeuer® region, trained professionals do a diagnostic check-up of our lifefire by measuring heart rate variability and advise visitors on how to improve their quality oflife. Walser Omgang is an exercise and vitality programme thatcomes with it. Several hiking trails generate different stimuli andsharpen the senses.

Spending the night at 2,000 m under the skies• How does it feel to spend a night high up in the mountains?Visitors of Lech Zürs am Arlberg now have an opportunity to findout. The package combines hikes on the Green Ring around LechZürs which tells mystery tales and sagas with a night in a bivouacat 2,250 m above sea level.• In the Montafon as well, hikers have a chance to reach for theskies. After a guided hike above Gaschurn, participants spend thenight in an outdoor camp, mounting their own tent. Logwood forthe campfire will be provided.

E-mountain biking in the mountainsBoosted by green energy, ascending a mountain becomes sheereffortless. In the Kleinwalsertal and in Lech am Arlberg, rentalebikes, a network of charging stations and guided tours are available. Aktivpark Montafon in Schruns Tschagguns is home toVorarlberg‘s largest ebike base.

More information and offers at www.vorarlberg.travel/hiking andwww.vorarlberg.travel/offers

Hints for active holiday-makers Exploring Lake ConstanceGentle shorelines, villages and towns in the foreground, moun-tains, hillsides and orchards in the background. A trip on LakeConstance unravels scenic views and novel perspectives. From the modern harbour of Bregenz, the vessels of the LakeConstance fleet head for attractive destinations around LakeConstance. www.bodenseeschifffahrt.at

Golfing with a viewWhether in the plains of the Rhine valley or in a mountain village,Vorarlberg‘s golf courses are set against the backdrop of stunningalpine scenery. There is a choice of four 18-hole courses and two9-hole courses.

Hiking and breakfasting on the mountains Give your day of hiking a delicious start: with a breakfast on the mountains paired with sublime panoramic views.

• In the Montafon, several mountain inns offering splendid viewsinvite hikers all through the summer to a mountain breakfast.Some guided tours also include a mountain breakfast. • In the Brandnertal, hikers are treated to a fine breakfast at lakeLuenersee in the Douglasshütte hut above Brand on Fridays. • In July and August, mountain breakfasts are offered onSaturdays on Muttersberg in Bludenz. • In the Grosses Walsertal biosphere park, Andrea Schwarzmanntreats visitors at Alpe Steris at given dates to an alp breakfast. The farmwoman serves home-made products, self-baked bread,alp cheese and the typical Riebel (a kind of corn meal fry).www.vorarlberg.travel/mountains-and-more

Moor hikesWhat are the secrets of a moor? Individual or guided circuit toursacross the moors in Krumbach yield insights and answers. Alongthe architect-designed trail, moor seats and the open Moorroominvite hikers to rest and contemplate. The four “moor innkeepers“in Krumbach refine their dishes and drinks with plants harvestedin the moor. Moor hikes followed by themed moor dinners arearranged by the innkeepers during the moor weeks in spring and in autumn.

Listening to the echoAn echo wall? Head for Sonntag-Stein in the Grosses Walsertalbiosphere park. You reach the wall on the themed KlangraumStein. trail which features a number of artistic installations.Furniture to rest invites visitors to take in the surroundings, to reflect and listen, the podium at the echo wall amplifies thesounds of musicians playing at this site.

Stimulating: Exercise and NatureContemplation of nature or high-adrenalin thrill? In Vorarlberg, action-seeking holiday-makers can hike, mountain bike or venture into other outdoor activities totheir heart’s content. The wholesome mountain air is bracing and re-energizing. Themed trails tell interesting stories. Cosy lodges and mountain inns beckon afriendly welcome.

Imaginative: Sound Worlds and Art SpacesThe cultural scene is truly cosmopolitan: for decades, the Bregenz Festival has been a veritable tourist magnet, featuring spectacular opera performances on the floating stage of Lake Constance. Nature also plays a leading role in a string of other festivals. Museums and exhibitions open up novel perspectives.

Inclusive CardsMany attractions in the four-country region around LakeConstance are a must-see: museums or lookout points,Baroque monasteries or delicatessen manufacturers. If youare planning to visit more than just one attraction, you canbenefit from different Inclusive Cards.

Regional Inclusive CardsAll of Vorarlberg’s holiday destinations propose an inclusivecard. Depending on the region, the cards are valid for publictransport, lifts and cable-cars, museums, recreational facilities and enrolment in various programmes. In the Kleinwalsertal, the Bregenzerwald and on the Arl -berg, the cards are included in the price of accommodationat the participating hotels and inns. In the Bodensee-Vorarlberg region, in the Montafon(Montafon-Silvretta Card) and in Alpenregion Bludenz, the cards are sold at an inexpensive all-in rate. www.vorarlberg.travel/inclusive-cards

BodenseeErlebniskarteThe Lake Constance Adventure Card is valid from late Marchto late October on 3, 7 or 14 successive days. Depending onthe type of card, it includes boat rides on the Lake Constancefleet, admission to some 180 tourist sites and discounts onleading destinations in the international Lake Constance region such as Mainau island. www.bodensee.eu

Min Weag – Circuit trail around Vorarlberg“Min Weag“ (My Way) is a new long-distance hiking trailwhich runs across all of Vorarlberg‘s landscapes on 31 legs.Starting at Lake Constance, the trail takes hikers via theBregenzerwald, the Arlberg and the Montafon to Alpen -region Bludenz and into the Rhine valley. For details on the route, walking times, altitude profiles etc., check out the free Vorarlberg app, which features detailed inform-ation on other hiking and mountain bike routes as well. www.vorarlberg.travel/min-weag (in German only)

Playing with Burmi Burmi is the name of the jolly groundhog, the mascot of theKleinwalsertal holiday programme for families. The little ones,and those young at heart, can find out more about the life of marmots at play and activity stations on the 500 m long MarmotTrail. Here they can climb in the mini rope garden, hide in theBurmi cave, or enter a Burmi long-throw contest. There is also a barbecue site and a water treading basin.

Further information and more ideas for diverting family outingsat www.vorarlberg.travel/family

Hints for Families Paying a visit to goats and cows Frolicking goats and grazing cows, rabbits and guinea pigs waiting to be petted. Some years ago, the Metzler family in Eggopened Vorarlberg’s first open farm, practicing sustainable husbandry, where visitors can catch a glimpse of and find outabout all farming processes hands-on. They can gaze at an im-pressive cattle run and a goat shed. Interested visitors may alsoenrol in a dairy-making class. Home-made products such as softcheese or whey beauty products are sold directly on the farm.

Hiking from hut to hut Out and about in the great outdoors, plenty of time for play andgame, and spending the night at an alpine shelter. This is how hiking turns fun! The Bregenzerwald tourist office offers familywalks from hut to hut which can be booked individually. The package includes two nights in an alpine shelter camping on mattresses, breakfast or optionally half board.

Touring with huskies“My huskies love hiking and they love kids“ says Husky Tony. At given dates in summer, Tony and his dogs accompany familiesaround lake Luenersee in the Brandnertal valley. Hikers and dogsare connected by a waist belt. In this way, the dogs help withwalking. En route, the party stops for a break and a rest at AlpeLün.

Exploring the secrets of the mountains How did the Alps come into being? Which animals and plants are native to the Brandnertal? And what about water and moun-tains? The new Naturspruenge theme park in the Brandnertal

provides answers to these questions and a lot more. At eleven interactive stations, visitors learn about the special characteristicsand vital functions of an alpine region. The circuit is easy to negotiate and runs from the mountain terminal of the Pano -rama bahn ropeway to Alpe Parpfienz, to the reservoir, before returning.

Boating on the Bear Lake Young and adult explorers take a ride up to Sonnenkopf in theKlostertal on bear gondolas. Having reached the top, they cancrawl into a bear cave, try out the bear playground, the waterworld, or take a rafting trip on the bear lake.

Tobogganing and Flying Golm in the Montafon, the local mountain of Tschagguns andVandans, has rich pickings for families with children, featuringthe Alpine-Coaster-Golm, a sort of tobogganing run that is openall year round. The Golm forest rope park and the Flying-Fox-Golm, which whisks you across the Latschau reservoir, is also a magnetic draw. Original: Golmi’s research trail where 21 stationsinform about local fauna and flora. The trail takes hikers to awater-borne see-saw, a nature memo and the medicinal herbSudoku.

Please touch and tryA museum where you are allowed …. even meant to toucheverything? At inatura, the interactive nature show in Dornbirn,this becomes real. Here, you can climb into a fox den, cuddle fish,experiment in the Science Center, walk through the humanorgan, or learn how the human body works in a playful manner.

Diverting: Games and Adventure Families visiting Vorarlberg are in for educational, entertaining and action-packed programmes, all under the motto of spending quality time with the loved ones and exploring unknown terrain together. Several resorts run programmes for families and children throughout the summer. Adventure trails, museums and farm visits promiseundiluted fun.

Family ClubThe best addresses for families: Specialized hosts offercustomized facilities, practical services, supervised activit -ies for children and entertaining programmes. The Family Club is a pool of accommodations and resortswhich cater specifically to families with young children.

Tips for Connoisseurs Vorarlberg isst ...Where to go if fine dining in a tasteful setting is what you are looking for? “Vorarlberg isst ... besser“ (Vorarlberg dines ... better)is a pool of gastronomists who subscribe to quality dining. Nomatter whether at a local inn or gourmet restaurant, an in-crowdeatery or wine tavern, guest satisfaction always reigns supreme.To the quality of food and drink, add a perfect setting and commit-ment to service by gastronomists and their staff. For addresses,suggested events, recipes and a free gastro app, see www.vorarlberg-isst.at (in German only)

Hiking from course to course The Bregenzerwald Tourist Board runs day tours which start with a mountain breakfast. These 3.5 to 5-hour tours take hikers to exceptionally scenic spots. Halts are planned for en route. Thetours include breakfast, lunch and a dessert which are served atthree different mountain inns or restaurants.

Dairy-farming coursesPremium quality milk, rennet, plenty of manual work and patience: at Ingo Metzler’s dairy-farming school in Egg in theBregenzerwald, at the Montafon Kaesehaus, and at Haus Walser -stolz in the Grosses Walsertal, interested visitors can learn howmilk is processed into cheese. Courses are run at given dates, either for groups or individuals.

Learn about the secrets of cooking from professionals Some of Vorarlberg’s most outstanding chefs are keen to let interested hobby chefs into their secrets. Courses are run at given dates – early booking is strongly recommended as classes tend to sell out fast.

Tasteful giftsFrom mountain cheese to chocolate, mustard to fine brandies: In Vorarlberg, many culinary delicacies are manufactured on small farms, dairy-farms and small manufacturing shops. To find out more about typical souvenirs visit www.vorarlberg.travel/en/souvenir

Soothing and pampering If you are longing for a good dose of pampering during your holidays, then Vorarlberg’s feel-well hosts are a perfect address:They offer fasting regimes, soothing peat baths, slimming andbeauty programmes, relaxing days of indulgence and outdoor activities. In recent years, many feel-well hosts have modernisedand generously extended their hotels and spa areas in the style of contemporary Vorarlberg (timber) architecture.

Modern livingThe booklets “architecture land vorarlberg“ and “Modern hospitality“ inform about sites, hotels and apartments of particular interest which stand out for their architectural design. The booklets are available free of charge from the VorarlbergState Tourist Board.

More information at www.vorarlberg.travel/cuisine

Fine Dining and Living With their ingenuity, sense of quality, well-designed architecture and high-quality craftsmanship, Vorarlberg’s hostscreate a pleasant as well as inspiring setting for your holidays. Vorarlberg’s chefs serve fresh, regional cuisine with arefined twist. Many specialties are sourced from local farms or small delicatessen manufacturers.

Hints for Aesthetes Eye-catching: vorarlberg museum in BregenzA dark-colour schemed room and floor-to-ceiling windowswhich afford views of Lake Constance and surrounding nature:From the 4th floor showroom of the vorarlberg museum inBregenz, designed by the Austrian artist Florian Pumhösl, theview extends to an ever changing scenery. Adorned by 16,656concrete “flowers”, the facade is in itself an original work of art.Inside, the museum stages entertaining exhibitions onVorarlberg’s past and present.

Craftsmanship & design: Werkraum Haus in the BregenzerwaldWith its elongated shape and lined by glass all round, theWerkraum Haus stands prominently in the centre of Andels buchin the Bregenzerwald. A glimpse from outside reveals numerousimplements as well as the surrounding landscape through theall-round floor-to-ceiling windows. It is worthwhile to step inside and marvel at the works of some 80 innovative Bregen -zerwald Werkraum craftspeople and changing special exhibi-tions. The Werkraum Haus was designed as a showcase of crafts-manship and artisanry and as a place of encounter. It also accommodates a small cafe and a shop. The building was designed by the internationally renowned Swiss architect PeterZumthor, who feels strongly about artisanry and in particularabout Bregenzerwald craftsmanship.

Hydro-engineering & power: Illwerke centre in the MontafonIn late 2013 one of the world’s largest CO2-neutral timber-hybrid office buildings opened in Vandans-Rodund in theMontafon. Architect Hermann Kaufmann designed this hydro-engineering centre of the Vorarlberg Illwerke plants as a greenbuilding according to passive house standards.

Architecture discovery and hikes• The Bodensee-Vorarlberg Tourist Board is offering a weekendpackage “Architecture and culture live!“ for visitors interested inarchitecture. The package includes accommodation in a 4-starhotel of architectural interest, admission to the vorarlberg museum in Bregenz and to Kunsthaus Bregenz together with a guided architectural visit.

• A several-day architectural walk in the Bregenzerwald tracesthe footsteps of traditional and contemporary architecture. The price includes overnights with half board in selected hotels,a detailed description of the architecture-walk route with maps,hotel-to-hotel transport of luggage, as well as the Bregenzer -wald Guest-Card for rides on lifts, cable-cars and coaches.

More information on architecture in Vorarlberg at www.vorarlberg.travel/architecture

Shaped to perfection: Architecture and Artisanry Architecture and design in Vorarlberg is different. Modern. Daring. Trailblazing. In their work, Vorarlberg’s artists do not take their cue from fashion. They rely on age-old building traditions which have been handed down for generat-ions and on a natural sense of what best fits a particular site. A sparing use of natural resources is just as important.

Architektouren VorarlbergStarting in spring 2014, the new architectours Vorarlbergapp is to guide visitors travelling Vorarlberg. Nine suggested routes take travellers on themed trails foreither half-day or full-day tours. The choice of themes currently includes: villagescapes, art & culture, timber & material, trad & mod, craftsmanship & innovation. www.vorarlberg.travel/architektouren (in German only)

Hints for culture loversUnique: The Bregenz FestivalThe lakeside performances of the Bregenz Festival stun for theirunrivalled ambience under the open skies, a spectacular setting,and first-class music. This year‘s programme also features a rarelyplayed opera, orchestra concerts, and Kunst aus der Zeit (Art of thetime), a series of contemporary art. Mid-July to mid-August.

Young: poolbar Festival in FeldkirchFor almost 20 years, the poolbar festival has been celebrating popmusic, fashion, architecture and design. The main venue of this 6-week summer festival is the Altes Hallenbad in Feldkirch.

Classical: The Schubertiade Festival in Schwarzenberg/HohenemsFranz Schubert would have been ever so fond of the site: Each yearin June and in August/September, the picturebook Bregenzerwaldvillage of Schwarzenberg hosts the world’s most prominentSchubert festival. At given dates, festival concerts are also stagedin Hohenems.

Groovy: Bezau Beatz & JäzzspätzleAt the festival weekend (early August) you will hear soul, funk andblues being performed in Bezau in the Bregenzerwald. Twice orthree times a year, Jäzzspätzle combines a jazz concert with acheese spaetzle tasting in an unusual setting.

Cheerful: berge.hörenHiking, stopping for a bite and a rest at an alpine lodge, listeningto new folk music in the great outdoors: in September, theberge.hören festival in the Brandnertal valley and in AlpenstadtBludenz invites visitors for culture and pleasure walks.

Regional: Montafon Summer & Walser AutumnThe Montafon Summer features trad & mod (late June/early July).Staged every other year in the Grosses Walsertal biosphere park,the Walser Autumn combines theatre, music and literature, scheduled next for August/September 2014.

Inspiring: Philosophicum LechIn September, philosophers, thinkers, literati and other interestedvisitors gather at the Philosopicum Lech. Each year, the several-dayseries of talks and debates is dedicated to a given subject.

Total Work of Art: Kunsthaus BregenzDesigned by the renowned Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, the KUBbuilding, which resembles a giant glass cube, stands in the vicinityof Lake Constance. KUB is among Europe’s leading museums ofcontemporary art and houses varying exhibitions.

Revealing: Jewish Museum HohenemsFor centuries, Hohenems was home to a small Jewish community.Today, the painstakingly restored Jewish quarter and the JewishMuseum in Hohenems in the Villa Heimann-Rosenthal testify tothese times. The museum accommodates a modern-designed permanent exhibition and varying special exhibitions.

More information on art and culture at www.vorarlberg.travel/culture