Tirol

Mountainous Tirol — in Austria's western panhandle — is a winter sports mecca known for its alpine panoramas. In the region's capital, Innsbruck, the Golden Roof glitters, and a mountain peak is in every view. Just up the valley, neighboring Hall is also charming, with fewer crowds. Farther west lies sleepy little Reutte, just over the border from the best of the Bavarian castles, and in the shadow of its own dramatically set (and evocatively ruined) castle. And just to the south are the dramatic Dolomites, in the now-Italian region of South Tirol.