The Alps in the Summer?
After a short flight to Innsbruck we transferred to Mayrhofen, a beautiful Alpine resort in the Austrian state of Tyrol. I was blown away by how picture perfect it looked, even as we approached in the rain!
Hotel
We stayed in the Alpenhotel Kramerwirt, a charming hotel by the church, within easy reach of everything Mayrhofen has to offer. The suites have recently been renovated, and are perfect for a family of 4 – one large bedroom/living area with Austrian twins, and another small room with a sofa bed and bunk bed. Plenty of space, a great bathroom with amazing shower, and a balcony to enjoy the views. It was heaven! As a vegetarian, I was a bit concerned about what I would eat in Austria, but the food in the hotel was amazing! Buffet breakfast was plentiful, and in the evening there was a delicious 4 course meal, with a choice of main – 1 always being a vegetarian option, and it always being very tasty! There is also a children’s menu available. There is a roof spa at the hotel (adults only), where you can relax in the whirlpool and take in the views, as well as venture into the sauna or steam room, or just lounge in one of the many chill out areas on sofas, beds, and loungers. A great place to spend time after a walk!
Resort
Mayrhofen has it all. Plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars, something for everyone. And so many shops, ranging from small souvenir shops, supermarkets, and designer stores. It’s a hub for walking, cycling and skiing, as well as those more ‘out there’ sports such as paragliding, hand gliding, canyoning and rafting….I just stuck to the walking!
Guided walk
Included in our trip, we opted for a guided walk to the Zillergrund Reservoir, this was approximate 10km long, but an easy grading, with a professional guide to help us along and provide us with interesting facts about the valleys, flora and fauna (and we even saw some marmots!) Getting there involved an hours trip on a public bus (great views to take in the whole way, bus and toll an additional cost) and we were greeted with stunning views of the dam and mountains. At the end of the reservoir is ‘Little Tibet’ a small rustic hut serving meals, cakes and drinks – talk about lunch with a view! This was honestly one of the best walks I’ve done as far as scenery is concerned, and was suitable for all, young and old.
City of Innsbruck
A little over an hours drive from Mayrhofen is the city of Innsbruck. We spent an afternoon here strolling around the old city, as well as going to the ‘Top of Innsbruck’, 2300 metres above the city by funicular and 2 cable cars. There’s also an obligatory tower you can climb up (City Tower), a Golden Roof to admire, and an abundance of shops to peruse.
Family friendly?
This resort offers families a different holiday to the usual summer Med break. However, you could do as little or as much as you wanted. The sun still shines (and can actually be very hot) and there are many hotels offering outdoor swimming pools and lakes, for those still wanting to relax (the Neuhaus Zillertal resort was one such hotel). However in addition, you have the mountains at your fingertips, to walk, bike and explore, to ensure you never get bored. I will most definitely be returning with my family in tow, and I urge you to do the same – you won’t regret it!
