Skiing in Innsbruck

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/Innsbruck_Panorama.jpg

Winter is finally here!

If you like winter sports, then Austria is a great country for you. There are a multitude of regions offering top notch quality ski resorts. One of these ski regions is around the city of Innsbruck. 

While there are many points of interest in the historic city itself too, let's focus today on the winter sports offerings surrounding it. Innsbruck’s Olympia Skiworld is comprised of nine different ski resorts offering avid skiiers and snowboarders plenty of space to indulge themselves. 

All nine resorts can be visited by using a single ski pass. Of course it’s not only experienced skiiers who can enjoy a holiday here, since there is a broad selection of skiing schools offering lessons for people of every experience level. Parents also don’t have to worry about losing sight of their children while skiing, as there are specialised ski schools for children and even ski-kindergartens that can look after children as young as two years old. 

As an example for the ski schools in the area you could look at the “Skischule Schaber” (http://www.skischule-schaber.at).  Located by the village of Obsteig just outside of Innsbruck, this school offers courses for adults and children. Adults can take part in group courses lasting for 2 hours each. For the first day of such a class you would pay 45€. If you decide to take classes on multiple days, then the rate per day becomes cheaper with 5 days costing a total of 125€. If you would rather have private lessons, then that is also possible at the school. Rates for a teacher for 1-2 people are 55€ an hour. For children there is an extra area which is created especially in order to safely teach them how to ski, while also offering fun activities. Snowboarding lessons are also offered at the same rates as ski lessons.

http://ramada-ibk.comdesign.net/media/umgebung/OEBB-Schibus_kl.jpg

Making skiing in Innsbruck even more comfortable is the so called Ski Bus (www.innsbruck-pauschalen.com/en/service/free-skibus.html). This bus connects several hotels in Innsbruck to the ski resorts and is available to be used free of charge with a guest card provided to you by the place of accommodation you are staying at. 

If you feel like taking a break from regular skiing and want to enjoy the winter landscapes with others, then you can always take part in a ski tour. There are many different routes to choose from with varying starting altitudes and lengths of the tour. Usually you should expect such a tour to last around three hours, but of course there are shorter paths for beginners and longer ones for those who really seek to challenge themselves.

Other activities you can do in the area include taking Bobsleigh rides down the Olympic track or if you are feeling especially adventurous, you can trade in the Bobsleigh and try out the more bizarre Wok Race created by TV host Stefan Raab.

Certainly also for the more adventurous individuals are the numerous ice climbing possibilities in the area:

Ice skating

Curling

Winter hike

Cross country

Night sports

Indoors

Horse drawn sleigh rides

Toboggan/rodeln

References:

 http://www.innsbruck.info/en/experience/winter-sports.html

http://www.ultimate-ski.com/ski-resorts/austria/tirol/innsbruck.aspx

A Day in Linz

by Rafika Nurulhuda

Hey PPIers!

Are you wondering what to plan for your next traveling destination?

If you haven’t yet already, it is recommended that you visit Linz for a few hours and then continue your trip to Salzburg to stay a night there and then adding Innsbruck to your travel list to stay another night there. Voila! You are almost halfway to exploring the whole Austria!

Autumn may not be as bright and warm as summer but when the sun does shine, Linz offers you the beautiful turquoise Danube and a heart-gripping view from above the Pöstlingberg  and in just a few hours, you are able to put that big check mark on your list of the main sites in Linz.

So the city, the old city, and the main sites are close to one another and are just 10 to 15 minutes walk from the main train station. Once you pass a small park, you will already enter the city. From there, you can try the public transportation or simply walk :)

What I did was simply follow the path in the city which led me to the old city and the city centre. It is very simple and no worries of getting a little bit lost, because you can always check Google Map or any other map apps in your smartphone by using the free wifi provided in the city area.

So what arre the main sites that I visited in Linz in just a few hours?

If you keep walking, you will be at Linzer Landstrasse, and on the left area, you will see Mariendom or what they called the Neuer Dom. 

From there, you continue following the path and in a few minutes also on the left side of the road, you will see a somewhat steep road to Schlossmuseum Linz.

After that, you keep following the previous street and then you will enter the Altstadt or Old City. Not far from the old city, you will come to the city centre of Linz or Hauptplatz. 

In Hauptplatz, there is a tram station where you can buy a ticket for Erlebniswelt Pöstlingberg. The ticket costs EUR 6 (includes the return ticket) and the journey takes around 20 to 30 minutes.

The tram is an old wagon uniquely designed so everyone can differentiate it from the others. Hop in, enjoy the view, and it might be a little scary at first going up the hill, it reminds me of getting on a rollercoaster, but it is worth the visit.

You will definitely love the beautiful view of Linz from above.

After going back down, I got off at a station right before the station at the city centre to see the museum Ars Electronica. So, if you plan to stay a few hours longer in Linz or stay a night, this museum is a famous museum that you should visit (do not forget to check the latest train if you do not plan to stay in Linz).

From there, I continued my journey back by crossing the bridge and all the way back to the centre and train station—but wait! You must try the famous Linzer Torte before you leave, which you will pass by in any cake stores.

Make sure you enjoy your visit, keep your tummy happy, and leave Linz with a smile!

Have a fun trip!

More information on the tickets to the public transportation, fun facts of Linz, and other sites: http://www.linz.at/english/tourism/1007.asp

What Can You Do in Autumn?

Hey PPIers di Vienna,

Bagi newcomers di Wina, walaupun musim panas sudah lewat, masih banyak yang dapat dilakukan pada saat memasuki musim gugur. Salah satunya adalah jalan-jalan di Vienna Woods atau Wienerwald. 

Selain menelusuri hutan-hutan di Wina dan mengumpulkan daun-daun yang berubah warna itu, hal menyenangkan lain adalah jalan-jalan ke Kahlenberg dan melihat pemandangan kota Wina from bird's eye view. Dengan cuaca yang belum begitu dingin dan masih ada sinar matahari, suasana di Kahlenberg akan sangat menyegarkan karena dikelilingi oleh hutan. 

http://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/68053290.jpg

Selain itu, pemandangan kota Wina dari ketinggian 484 meter itu sangat menakjubkan. 

Jika ingin mencoba hiking trail-nya, dapat dilihat dari website berikut ini:

http://www.wien.info/en/sightseeing/green-vienna/Kahlenberg

Atau bisa juga dengan bis 38A dari Heiligenstadt (U4).

Ayo, sebelum cuaca semakin dingin dan semakin mendekati musim winter, karena pemandangan indah kota Wina tidak dapat dinikmati jika sudah berkabut seperti di foto ini :)

Hanging in the Longest Hanging Bridge in Austria (+links how to go there by bus)

by Rafika Nurulhuda

Tyrol is surely one of the most favourite destinations in winter season. But there are other various interesting sites and natures that you could enjoy during summer or autumn season.

Visit Innsbruck, the capital city of Tyrol, dan explore this wonderful city that is squeezed between two mountains (Nordkette and Patscherkoffel) and run by the river Inns. It might not be as big as Vienna but being able to see the gigantic mountains right from where you stay, Innsbruck could be a dream city of many people.

When you do come to Innsbruck, take some time to visit a new tourist site in Reutte, Tirol: Highline179. It is the longest hanging bridge from World Records that is just launched for public in 2014.

Ticket price: EUR 8 (including zurück)

Highline179 is the where you will experience the 400 meter Tibet-style hanging bridge and it is designed to connect between the Ehrenberg ruins and Fort Claudia and with the height of around 100 meters, it will make you feel like you are flying--or hanging in the air!

To get up there, one must "berg-wandern" around 15 minutes (there is no lift so be prepared!)

 For those of you who are afraid of heights, walk slowly, keep holding on, don't look down, no doubt you will (for a few seconds) forget that you are high up because you will be amazed by the beautiful nature view from above, and in just a few minutes, you arrive!

source: Stenly Viany

Special thanks for the Indonesian students in Innsbruck for the tour! :)

How to go to Highline179:

By Bus: 

from Hauptbahnhof Innsbruck, take the Postbus "Innsbruck-Nassareith-Reutte" (make sure to check the bus schedules because they come very rarely)

Buy the ticket to Reutte which is EUR 15,60. Get off at Nassareith and wait for another bus that goes to Reutte (bus ticket still valid). Get off in "Reutte Abzw Ehrenberger Klause". 

Make sure to check the latest bus!

Bus schedules:

Hauptbahnhof Innsbruck-Nassareith (bus 4176)

http://www.postbus.at/de/Fahrplanauskunft/Fahrplandownload/index.jsp?search=true&land=TIROL&fahrplanabfrage=&startat=40

Nassereith-Reutte

http://www.postbus.at/de/Fahrplanauskunft/Fahrplandownload/index.jsp?search=true&land=TIROL&fahrplanabfrage=4250

By car:

http://www.highline179.com/en/getting-here/

Summer in Klagenfurt

by Rafika Nurulhuda

Dear PPIers,

How is your summer holiday? Have you visited Klagenfurt yet?



Wörthersee View from Pyramidenkogel

The full name of this city is actually Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, even though it is commonly referred to as simply Klagenfurt. With an area of 120,1 km² and population of only around 97,000, Klagenfurt is the capital city of the southern region of Austria called Kärnten or Carinthia. Carinthia, I suppose, is one of the main destinations for the summer vacation in Austria. This is not only due to its famous alpine lake Wörthersee, but also because of various other activities that you can enjoy doing in nature.

The hotel prices might be somewhat expensive but Klagenfurt is a fun place to refresh your mind during summer and there are two students who are willing to offer you a space in their wohnung :D (*poke mbak Ika*)

Besides finding information in the internet (visitklagenfurt.at, klagenfurt.at/tourismus, strandbad-klagenfurt.at, http://www.kaernten-top10.at/en, http://www.woerthersee.com/en), here are some tips from me if you plan to visit Klagenfurt for several days:

1. Swim at Strandbad Klagenfurt Wörthersee:

Don't say you have been to Klagenfurt if you have not been to Strandbad. It can be said to be the main site tourists go to in summer.

From children to elderly, hundreds of people come here to swim, enjoy the sun or just relax and sleep under a tree :p You do have to pay an entrance fee, but the price decreases as the day passes.



Klagenfurt-Sport.at

Price list Strandbad:https://www.stw.at/fileadmin/user_upload/pdf/Strandbad/Preisblatt_Strandbad.pdf

Near the Strandbad are a camping site, a mini golf course and a bike rental store:
- Camping site: http://www.camping-woerthersee.at/en_en_xhtml-14-prices.php
-Minigolf: EUR 5,9 (first round, EUR 4 to continue on a second round) http://www.adventureminigolf.at/#Info-

-Rental Bike: 1 hour: EUR 5, 1 day: EUR 12-15 (dont forget to bring your ID or passport). The bike rental store is located at the entrance to the camping site.

2. Bike around Wörthersee:

There is a bike path to go around the lake which  is around 20 km. I myself have never succeeded to bike around it because I get tired and decide to go back, hehe. I have only managed to reach Portschach.

Bike path around the lake

There is minigolf in Krumpendorf with two different courses on offer (18 holes for €3,50 or 12 holes for €3,00) if you want to rest for a while.

3. Bike around the City:

Besides biking around the lake, there are also bike paths around the city. There are maps and signs that show the paths at almost every corner in the street.

Bike path around the city

The signs for bike paths and directions

Bike road next to Glanfurt river

Or you could also jog if you want!

4. Wörthersee view from Pyramidenkogel:

Pyramidenkogel is a tower built of wood and steel said the highest wooden Observation Tower in the world (100 metres) located in a mountain south of the Wörthersee.

Pyramidenkogel Tower

http://www.pyramidenkogel.info/eintrittspreise/

You can buy a CombiTicket in the Postbus going to the Pyramidenkogel which costs EUR 16. It includes the bus directly to, and also back from, Pyramidenkogel, entrance  to the tower with usage of the lift included (usual price for adults is EUR 11 and student EUR 8), and one boat trip back to Klagenfurt/Strandbad from Reifnitz. (The extra cost if you want to slide down from the Tower is EUR 4.)

View of Wörthersee

The area around the Pyramidenkogel is also great for hiking and mountain biking. There are several marked hiking paths you can choose from and since you are walking through wooded areas you wont be affected by strong sun too much.

From Pyramidenkogel, I hiked down towards the Reifnitz boat station and it took me around 2 hours to finish the 5,4 km. Don't be afraid to get lost because you will-no I mean, there will be signs in the forest and it is very easy to follow. Also, don't forget to check the boat schedule from Reifnitz.

5. Sommerrodelnbahn:

In English, it is called Summer Toboggan Run. To reach it in Kaernten may be a bit far and time consuming, especially if you rely on Kaernten Linien Bus. But if you have a car, you can visit a smaller lake called Klopeiner See and during your trip there, you can stop by for awhile to try the ride in the area called Ebendorf. 

It is somewhat similar to the rollercoaster in an amusement park but the difference is that the track leads you around the forest, thus it feels more adventurous. Plus, there is a break that you can use to make it slower (unlike the scary rides in the amusement park). For  adults, it costs EUR 7 and for children, it costs EUR 5,50.

6. Stand Up Paddling:

This is another activity you could do in Strandbad. Beside the slides , there is a booth to register for stand up paddling. You could also bring your child with you to sit in the front. You don't need to bring a vest for your child because they will provide you one. There is a map near the booth to show you where you could paddle in the lake and how long it would take to go to the location. 

You can rest for a while and dip yourself in the lake. Trust me, it's worth the try.

Price:

EUR 8 for 30 minutes

EUR 12 for 1 hour

EUR 18 for 2 hours

Tips: bring a water proof camera if you have one or bring your pocket camera or handphone and put it in a small bag (but make sure you don't fall!). Also don't forget to bring your watch to check when to get back.

If you plan to visit Klagenfurt with your children, you also don't want miss out on Minimundus and Reptil Zoo. Minimundus is a miniature park near the Strandbad that displays 100 miniatures from around the world. 

More information: http://www.minimundus.at/en/ and www.reptilienzoo.at/en/

So, before summer is gone, you have to see the beautiful Klagenfurt!

P.S. if you have any questions regarding Klagenfurt (busses, schedules, etc), you can email me at rafika089@gmail.com.

A Day in Graz

by Rafika Nurulhuda

Hallo PPI-ers! Hope you're having fun in your vacation this summer.

A day in Graz to see the main sightseeings? Cukup kok. Enggak perlu nginap dan save budget (hehe).

Graz (read: Gratz and also formerly spelled as Gratz) adalah kota kedua terbesar di Austria setelah Vienna, dengan area 127.56 km² dan populasi 309,323 pada tahun 2015  (Wikipedia).

Kebetulan sekali saya masih memiliki kartu ÖBB Vorteil Card (Jugend) dan sebelum expire Desember tahun ini dan sebelum saya beranjak 26 Desember tahun ini (yang mau kasih kado boleh banget loh), saya beli Sommerkarte (EUR 69) untuk jalan-jalan keliling Austria. Dengan Sommerkarte ini, saya dapat menggunakan ÖBB (Trains, IC (Intercity) buses, regional buses...) selama summer season (berlaku dari awal Juli hingga pertengahan September). Lumayan banget kan, saya jadi bisa lebih menghemat traveling (tapi kalau sering dipakai ya, hehe).

Soo, bagi kalian yang punya ÖBB Vorteil Card, next summer be sure to get this ticket if you plan to travel around Austria! :) 

Karena saya belum pernah ke Graz dan Graz hanya 2 jam dari Klagenfurt dengan ICB (Intercity Bus), saya sempatkan waktu untuk berkunjung ke Graz dengan Sommerkarte ini.

Dalam waktu sehari saja, saya dapat mengunjungi beberapa tempat utama di Graz.

1. Schloss Eggenberg (Eggenberg Palace):

Saat tiba di Hauptbahnhof Graz, saya naik Strassenbahn 1 ke arah Eggenberg/UKH. Ketika saya ingin beli tiket 24 jam dengan harga sekitar EUR 5, kebetulan ada orang yang berbaik hati menaruh tiketnya yang masih berlaku di atas ticket machine, jadi saya ambil, hehe. (Btw, this is quite common in Graz.)

Dengan Strassebahn 1, saya turun di halte Schloss Eggenberg, dan entrance-nya tidak jauh dari halte. Tiket untuk student hanya sekitar 2 EUR.

Palace dengan style baroque and gothic ini memiliki 31 kamar di setiap lantai dan 365 jendela. Pada tahun 1625, Prince Hans Ulrich von Eggenberg meminta seorang architect bernama Giovanni Pietro de Pomis untuk membuat palace tersebut sebagai representasi status dan posisi dia sebagai governor untuk Inner Austria pada saat itu. Bangunan tersebut selesai dibangun sekitar tahun 1635. 

Saat menikmati pemandangan dan mengambil beberapa foto, saya dan teman saya mendengar suara teriakkan yang sedikit aneh, seperti suara hewan di film kartun "Up". Ternyata, suara itu datang dari seekor peacock. Peacock tersebut sedang memamerkan bulu-bulunya yang begitu memukau perhatian para pendatang. Kemudian dia berputar-putar seperti sedang fashion show.

Ternyata terdapat lebih dari satu peacock di taman Eggenberg itu. Ada seorang ibu yang ingin mengambil foto peacock sambil berteriak menyerupai suara hewan itu, agar peacock itu memamerkan perhiasannya yang indah. Tapi sepertinya peacock yang satu ini kurang semangat. Mungkin kata peacock itu, "Ibu, saya kan hanya ingin menarik perhatian pujaan hatiku... bukan ibu..."

2. Kunsthaus Graz (Arts Museum):

Kunsthaus design is by far the most extraordinary building I saw in Graz. You can easily spot it from above. The walls of the building are actually screens that can be used for light shows in the night time.

Kunsthaus ini adalah salah satu proyek kota Graz untuk menjadi Culture City of Europe pada tahun 2003. Dikenal dengan sebutan "the friendly alien", bangunan ini didesain oleh arsitek dari Inggris, Colin Fournier dan Peter Cook.

Kunsthaus. I call it 'the sleeping Godzilla'

Tidak jauh dari Kuntshaus, terdapat juga architectural landmark Graz , yaitu....

3. Island in the Mur/ Murinsel:

Mau istirahat dan minum kopi di tengah sungai? You can do it here! They call it Island (or other people call it 'boat') in the River Mur. I sipped a coffee in this beautiful seashell-like construction designed by an American Artist Vito Acconci. Ide proyek Murinsel ini dibuat bersamaan dengan Kuntshaus untuk memperingati Graz sebagai the Culture City of Europe pada tahun 2003.

Selain cafe, di dalam Murinsel terdapat tempat bermain anak-anak dan panggung. Sayangnya, kami tidak sampai malam, tapi seperti inilah Murinsel pada malam hari, cantik ya!

http://www.graztourismus.at/website/var/tmp/image-thumbnails/0/819/thumb__boximage/murinsel-nacht-4.jpeg

4. Hauptplatz and Townhall:

Tidak jauh dari Murinsel, kami berjalan menuju pusat kota yang juga tempat Townhall Graz. Beginilah suasana pusat kota Graz...

Townhall Graz

Next destination is.... 

5. Schlossberg (Castle Mountain):

Menurut Wikipedia, Schlossberg "is a tree-clad hill, and the site of a fortress, in the centre of the city of Graz, Austria. The hill is now a public park and enjoys extensive views of the city. It is the site of several entertainment venues, cafes and restaurants... "

Di bawah hill Schlossberg terdapat terowonngan yang dibuat untuk perlindungan pada saat perang dunia kedua. Schlossberg ini dihancurkan oleh Napoleon pada Treaty of Schönbrunn pada tahun 1809, yang tersisa hanya Uhrturm (Clock Tower) dan glockenturm (Bell Tower).

So there are four options to go there.

 You can go up those zig-zag stairs (which is the most tiring and time consuming)

You can use the Schlossberg lift (the price list is here: http://www.holding-graz.at/freizeit/schlossberg/schlossbergtarife.html

You can use the Schlossberg Cable Funicular Railway (which is free if you have the 24 hour ticket)

... or you could use Doraemon's Baling-Baling Bambu (which is only in your fantasy).

Saya punya tiket 24 jam tapi saya malah milih naik tangga.... Saya harus istirahat tiap beberapa menit. Namun ketika teman saya bilang bahwa grandparents dia naik tangga ketimbang naik funicular, saya langsung malu dan memaksakan diri untuk lanjut jalan, haha.

Ayoo, Kunsthaus dimana ya?

6. Clock Tower:

Dalam bahasa Jermannya "Uhrturm" (built around 13th century), Clock Tower ini landmark dari kota Graz. Fortress Schlosssberg dihancurkan oleh Napoleon atas kemangangannya dari Habsburgs pada tahun 1809. Clock Tower inilah salah satu yang diselamatkan oleh masyarakat Graz dan dibangun ulang pada abad 16.

Coba perhatikan, katanya ada yang aneh dari jam tersebut. Ada yang bisa tahu?

Tips: pada waktu itu, saya ambil foto clock tower itu pada pukul 13.40...

Soo, those are the main sites that you can visit in Graz in just a day. Of course, there are some other sites such as Opera House and the University of Graz. And if you have any suggestions of sites in Graz, please say so. Hope you enjoy reading it, if you have any questions, don't ask me :P

Tips: Don't forget to check the bus schedule to make sure you don't miss the last bus!

For more information about other sites in Graz, please go to this link here, as they give better information than I do!: http://www.graztourismus.at/en/see-and-do/sightseeing/sights

Ciao! Have a great summer!