Vacations in Vorarlberg - Insider Tips

Schönenbach is an enchanting high plateau with a few mountain huts just like those you see in picture books. If you come between May and September you will be able to admire the cows of the region as they graze peacefully on the lush pastures. There is also a small chapel which is ideal for weddings, my husband and I experienced first hand! After a gentle stroll or a long hike, depending on how you feel, you can pop into Lisi and Bruno’s mountain guesthouse “Egender” and enjoy local specialities like “Käsknöpfle in der Holzgepse”. Then, this is where the gentian comes in, however you don’t pick it you drink it!

Every Sunday and on church holidays after mass at about 9:45 the local women of Bregenzerwald join the procession that goes right past the hotel. The women wear the most beautiful local traditional costumes. This is not something that is done especially for the tourists, it is a time-honoured tradition. The dresses are often embroidered with real gold and silver and are extremely elaborate. Feel free to take a very close look as the local woman are proud of their costumes and are flattered by the interest shown.

Wooden shoes are not only worn by the farmers here. Would you like to impress your friends with a really trendy present? Then buy them a pair of “Fellhölzler”. Don’t forget to buy a pair for yourself, and on kids they look particularly cute. The Devichs family, who produce the shoes in their workshop in Ellenbogen, look forward to your visit.

On the barefoot path in Bizau your feet discover, probably for the first time in ages, what it’s like to feel nature underfoot: moss, moors, stones. in addition you’ll meet dragonflies, beetles and other wild animals. Afterwards you should reward yourself with the best plum-dumplings ever at Antonia’s Restaurant in Schwanen. As you walk through Bizau you will encounter some really unexpected architectural highlights.

In case you didn’t know we are positioned right in the middle of the Bregenzerwald Cheese Trail which includes farms, mountain pastures, dairies, restaurant and shops. A visit to one of the dairies to see how the tasty cheese is made in the region is an absolute must and what ever you do don’t leave without a piece of cheese to take home with you. My favourite shops are the dairy in Bezau and the famous Cheese Shop in Schwarzenberg.

If you do go to Schwarznberg, go on a walk to the Ilgaquelle spring and take an empty bottle with you for the fresh spring water. The Ilga water is renowned for its healing powers.

An imposing valley offering magnificent scenic beauty for walkers and bikers alike. The further you continue into the valley, the happier you will become. If you get too hot then jump into the cooling mountain Mellen stream and then lie down on the sun-warmed rocks. You’ll feel like Johannes Elias from the book “Brother of Sleep”.

The churches in Bregenzerwald are all magnificent. My favourite can be found perched on a small hill in the neighbouring village of Reuthe. Don’t think that the only reason is because the church was renovated by my father the architect Leopold Kaufmann in 1969. No, it’s because it is a wonderful, small Romanesque church endowed with exquisite frescos. Don’t forget to light a candle for your loved ones.

Of course in winter tobogganing should not be missed. There are three toboggan runs to choose from depending on age, courage and preference. 1. The Gschwend run is an easy blue run. 1. Fegg is a black run which means it is quite steep and rather fast. 3. In Sonderdach the run is as black as it gets and my favourite.

If you have followed my advice and visited my top-ten sights, then you’re almost a local and have earned a visit the Bezauer Taube, a typical Bregenzerwald guesthouse oozing tradition and where the locals go to catch up on the latest gossip. To make the visit an experience from start to finish I would recommend that you take the small path next to the stream.