Tyrol Austria, or Tirol as it is spelled in German, is one of the top Austrian tourism regions, and for very good reason. The Alps here present some of the best alpine views in all of Europe, if not the world. When it comes to outdoor recreation, Tyrol Austria is hard to beat. Tyrol skiing is just one of the favorite activities that visitors to the Tyrolean Alps enjoy, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. July and August are actually the peak travel months for Tyrol Austria, and there are plenty of fun things to do come summertime as well.

The state of Tyrol Austria is found in the western part of the country, and it is divided into the larger North Tyrol and the smaller East Tyrol. It borders Germany to its north and Italy to its south. North Tyrol is the main part of the state, and it is where the beautiful city of Innsbruck can be found. East Tyrol, interestingly enough, does not actually border North Tyrol as part of the state had been ceded to Italy after World War I, which was devastating to many South Tyrol people. Prior to World War I, South Tyrol was the state's wealthiest region. Part of the reason for its success was its wine-producing prowess. To this day, the Italian region that was once South Tyrol still sees tension between its Italian and German speaking residents, the German-speaking ones feeling more Austrian than anything.

As mentioned, the Tyrolean Alps will take your breath away, and they are largely responsible for bringing the tourists in. The tallest mountain in Austria, Mt. Grossglockner, can be found in Tyrol and it is part of the high-rising Hohe Tauern range. Taking a drive through this mountainous area is a pure delight, and as a result, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road is one of the country's top tourist attractions. Cutting through Tyrol Austria are a series of rivers and valleys that help to define the region's beauty. Pristine alpine lakes are in good abundance too, and fishing in both the rivers and lakes is a prime summertime activity. For some of the best Tyrol Austria fishing, head to the town of Kossen, which is northeast of Innsbruck. It's actually closer to Salzburg, making it a good day trip from there as well. You can purchase a fishing license in Kossen and head to the area lakes or see what the Weissenbach and Kolhback rivers have going on. The trout fishing is excellent.

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In addition to fishing, hiking and mountain climbing are some of the things that you can do in Tyrol Austria. The Tyrolean Alps are the tops when it comes to Austria hiking and mountaineering, and for those who are interested, you can even climb an icy glacier in the summer! Numerous hiking trails can be found in Tyrol for those who want to keep their trekking to a more subdued level, though advanced hiking is possible should you want a more grueling experience. Golf, bicycling, and whitewater rafting are other summertime activities that help to make Tyrol Austria such a stunning travel destination.

As for Tyrol skiing, you will be hard-pressed to find a better experience elsewhere. Many European skiers prefer the Tyrolean Alps to those found in Switzerland, for example, and there are slopes here for all levels of skiers. Innsbruck is the top winter vacation destination in Tyrol Austria, and there are scores of great Innsbruck hotels where you can cozy up to a nice fire after a full day of mashing your way through powder. Seefeld is one of the top Innsbruck ski areas, and at nearby Kitzbuhel, you'll find another top area hangout. At Kitzbuhel, you can take a downhill run that goes for 50 miles! Tyrol skiing is definitely the real deal.

Whenever you choose to visit Tyrol Austria, you are in for a good time. The region has so much to explore that you could easily spend all of your Austrian vacation time here. Numerous tour operators in Tyrol can help you arrange some fun-filled excursions regardless of the season, and you will also find that the bulk of Tyrol hotels can also help you in this department. Even if you arrive here with no plans, finding ways to fill your time will be easy.