Tramp through a forest, visit a zoo, zip through a cave: a manly tour of Innsbruck

I’ve been meaning to complete my summer tour and fill you in on all the things I got around to on my summer stay-cation but seriously, when I wasn’t traveling or visiting, I was totally lazy and then school started – which has been a complete whirlwind – and….well, here’s the last of Innsbruck.

Our visit to Innsbruck was a mixture of business (hubby’s) and pleasure (mine) but he finally got a day to breath, we opted to spend our last day seeing some of the stuff that interest him – definitely not museums, you know, a manly tour! 🙂  Instead, we travelled up into the mountains – Nordkette (North chain/string/range, is a basic translation; but it’s part of the Alps) – and took a stroll through the forest.  Yes, ME in a forest!  I was so not prepared (my poor white, leather loafers!) but it was actually very romantic – a soft cool breeze, a stroll through a green wonderland, fresh crisp mountain air, and every now and again, a glimpse over the countryside.  I also got a glimpse at a happier, unbridled husband and I really like the look of pure relaxation and joy on his face.

Hub’s inspecting a brook we came upon in our wilderness stroll.

View of Innsbruck from ‘Nordkette’.

After about an hour’s downhill walk – don’t let anyone fool you, walking down a mountain is strenuous work on those quads and calves, people! – we emerged at the entrance of Alpenzoo (Alpine Zoo) which houses 150 varieties of about 2000 creatures that live in the mountain regions of Austria and the rest of Europe.  Opened in 1962, it is the highest zoo (750 m/ 2460 f) in Europe and is easily amongst our favorites.  If you have to opportunity to visit, do!

A couple of otters frolicked for the viewers.

Mountain goats disdainfully ignored us valley-dwellers.

Hub’s said he was communing with his spirit-animal but that bear just looked really pissed off, so I maintained my distance – no episodes of “When Animals Attack” for me!

The stars of the zoo – The Lynx – captivated audiences. As my husband gave a play-by-play description, the two babies made many attempts to uproot an adult from his post.

We wandered around this manly playground for hours, enjoying beautiful majestic creatures until closing time.  Running through a surprise summer rainstorm (again, my poor white leather loafers!), we caught the tram down the mountain and headed for an awesome, authentic, traditional, and extremely simple, yet absolutely delicious Tirolean meal at what is now my favorite restaurant in Innsbruck.

The entry to Kristallwelten

Since my youth, I have had and still enjoy, a very strong attraction to shiny things.  Of course, after 6 years of marriage, my husband knows me very well; hence we could not leave the region without stopping at The Svarovski Kristallwelten.  I was very excited and anticipated learning how these beautiful stones are grown/cultivated and designed into the absolutely wonderful pieced adored worldwide.  Yay us for moving to the home – Austria – of Swarovski!  Unfortunately, it was not what I expected and even as I tell you about it, I’m still experiencing pangs of disappointment.  I think this is the first time ever that I did not enjoy a tour!

A display showcasing the use of mechanics to make the Swarovski-bedecked dolls dance.

A single crystal with the Empire State building etched into it’s bottom and illuminated with light; reflected and visable from all angles of the stone. This would look awesome in my foyer!

Examples of Svarovski-embellished ‘outfits’ and center-peices for shows, events, stores.

Another option for a birthday/Christmas present I would love. This piece is actually pretty old, having been used in a film (I forgot which).