Traditional Tirol

Tiroleans still maintain many aspects of their old way of life: traditional dress, customs and homes as well as good fare and hospitality. The alpine climate and landscape led to each valley developing a separate way of life, each with their own accent, vocabulary, customs and dress. Farmhouses have a woodpanelled Stuberl, main living room with ‘Kachelofen’ stove and religious corner; decorated marriage wardrobes and a built-in barn for the animals. Much prestige is attached to the best display of geraniums on the wood balconies.

The village of Niederau lies in Wildschönau, the ‘Wild & Beautiful’ valley, just a few minutes’ drive from the main valley but often cut off in winter - with its own individual character amidst dramatic mountains and green pastures that entice the walker for gentle strolls. An evening of traditional Tirolean music and dance is included from June to September and the village band normally plays at Hotel Sonnschein from mid-June to mid-September. In contrast communication in the Ziller Valley was made easier by steam trains and Kitzbühel is a historic town on a main pass route. Innsbruck was once the imperial capital of Emperor Maximilian and was later home to the Winter Olympics.