Side Events

Chocolate brings happiness, so they say. You can put this theory to the test at Fenkart’s World of Chocolate while making your own chocolatey creations and trying out some new delicacies.

How does a steam locomotive actually operate? And how far can it go? You can find out all this and much, much more at Rhein-Schauen.

Two architectural worlds combine at Museum Bezau – a typical Bregenzerwald farmhouse from the 18th century, a listed building, and a modern addition built mostly using local handworkers. 

Feel that grass beneath your feet, and breathe in the freshest mountain air. Countless edible wild herbs grow in our meadows, from dandelions to yarrow. But how to distinguish the beneficial herbs from the weeds? Luckily, there are various hiking excursions available where you can learn exactly that.

Give your tired feet some fresh air and experience the joy of walking barefoot through meadows and forests. This is not only therapy for your otherwise confined feet, it’s also medicine for the soul and your entire physical body.

Doing something as a group can be not only a nice experience, but a delicious one too. At Sabine + Xaver’s Gourmet Manufactory that is certainly the case – here you can try out their whole range of cookies and cheesy snacks. Or even whack on an apron yourself and get your hand doughy in one of their bespoke tart workshops. 

The Bregenzerwald wouldn’t be what it is today without the famous Wälderbähnle. The original steam engine still services a stretch of the line – a cosy journey through time, whatever your age.

Recreation from exciting workshops is best achieved in the great outdoors – simple and good are the two words that characterise this accompanying programme. Herbert Edlinger’s pleasure walks focus on regional agriculture, nature and its products as well as local cheese and the production of specialities. 

The Sennerei Hinteregg was established in 1938 and has always been an insider tip where delicious cheese specialities are concerned. Florian Lang is the alpine dairyman who’s today responsible for transforming pasture milk sourced from 11 farms into Vorarlberg alpine cheese. Guided tours of the dairy reveal to visitors how fresh pasture milk is turned into cheese.

The Barock­baumeister Museum is dedicated to the impressive history of the Au guild, which established itself in Au and Schoppernau as early as the 17th century. 

For those who simply can’t get enough of it, head to the Alpenkäse Bregenzerwald Sennerei on a journey of discovery. There you can learn how cheese is still produced in the time-honoured way.

Award-winning Vorarlberg chef and restaurateur Mike P. Pansi has created an innovative pop-up restaurant concept in Hohenems: Pansi’s Kochmeisterei. His Chef’s Table, which seats four to ten people, is the place where participants may experience a new interpretation of the culinary culture to be found in Austria’s alpine region and Vorarlberg.

A natural, pure and characterful beer, visitors can now get step-by-step insights into the brewing process. Of course, such a tour also includes tasting sessions of everything from pale ale to wheet beer. 

A different type of natural museum. The inatura – Erlebnis Naturschau is not something for simply looking at – it has been developed so that it can be explored, felt and discovered. It is a highlight for fans of science and nature and, compared with classic museums, it represents a refreshingly relaxed change.

If in doubt, the viability of a team can be ultimately tested by means of the communal building of a boat on the water. Combining skill and teamwork, the floating boards can either advance into a successful project – or the whole team comes a cropper.