The historic and charming little gems of the Tirol, such as Imst to the west of the province and Kufstein to the east, are attracting more and more holidaymakers. 
Kufstein and Imst, both near the River Inn surrounded by idyllic holiday villages, share a timeless air that stems from their long and rich history. Imst, with its ancient streets and calm atmosphere, is something of a Tirolean secret. The little town of 40 fountains has a serene atmosphere that is perfect to relax in, while the surrounding villages of the Oberinntal are full of opportunities for adventure seekers. There are hiking trails of all grades, with one of the most spectacular starting practically in the town centre - a route that takes in the impressive Rosengartenschlucht Gorge. For real adventure there is canyoning, rafting, mountain biking and climbing. For an unusual way of hurtling down a slope, try out the summer toboggan runs. Less strenuous is the Bummelbär, a mountain train that takes things at a steady pace. Nearby is the unspoilt village of Tarrenz, a wonderful place to stay, and nearby is the idyllic Starkenberger Lake and the soothing natural springs at the village of Strad. Horse riding from the stables in Seehof is also popular. Also close to Imst are the quiet and picturesque villages of Imsterberg, Karres and Karrösten. Further east along the River Inn, near the German border, is Kufstein. Beneath its famous fortress, the cobbled streets tell of a town rich in history. Kufstein, with its backdrop of rugged peaks, adopts a gentle pace in summer. The town offers an array of summer activities including a wonderful cruise on the River Inn. Also, not to be missed is the new glass 'panorama funicular' up to the castle. Walking the meadows and hills is by far the most popular pursuit, with the Wilder Kaiser chairlift taking walkers up to the Brentenjoch in the Kaiser Mountain range, the starting point for some of the best hikes. Every diversion is on hand, from walking and tennis to hiking and swimming in the nearby lakes of Hechtsee, Stimmersee or Pfrillsee. KUFSTEIN & IMST FACTFILE: Getting there: Kufstein, at the eastern end of the Tirol on the border with Germany, is less than an hour from Innsbruck and Salzburg and 75 minutes from Munich. Meanwhile, Imst, in central Tirol, is best reached via Innsbruck Airport, 30 minutes away. Highlights: Kufstein holds the Kufsteiner Kaiserfest on the last Saturday of June, while the Tirolean music festival at Erl and Kufstein takes place from July 11-27. Brunch with jazz is held in the lower town square alongside big bands on Saturday mornings during the summer. Imst plays host to a World Cup competitive climbing championship on May 23-24. The Village Summer Festival is held on June 28. From July 18 to August 3 there is a Salvesen artist symposium, with the season concluding in Tarrenz with the Alpine Sheep and Cattle Drive on September 14. |
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| Address: Kufstein and Imst-Gurgltal Tourist Office Kufstein Unterer Stadtplatz 8 A-6330 Kufstein, Austria Tel: 0043 5372 62207 Fax: 0043 5372 61455 E-mail: kufstein@netway.at Website: www.kufstein.at |
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Further Details: www.tirol.at/kufstein Book online |
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