Side Events

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. 

For a few weeks, a small festival with a large fan community attracts international stars and an international audience to Schwarzenberg and Hohenems. Established in 1976, the famous Schubert Festival grew to such an extent that it now hosts over 90 events a year.

Creative minds and technical skills are required here. The task is to build a soapbox that can be raced from pre-made kits. There are no limits to creativity here. The next two hours will see participants fastening, measuring, building, glueing, painting and carrying out several test runs.

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.

At Waldschule Bodensee, event participants can come to face-to-face with proper adventure. Deep within the forest near Bregenz lies the Waldhaus, which can play host to the most nature-based and grounded meetings possible. Between conversations or work tasks, take a step into the greenery for deep breaths of fresh air, a “forest workout”, a gentle stroll, or customised activities. There are basically no limits to the possibilities here

A very special natural monument takes you right down to the depths of the Cave Schneckenloch in Bizau. The biggest cave in Vorarlberg requires a certain degree of stamina and sure-footedness, yet once the visitors get back to terra firma they are usually lost for words, overcome by images of subterranean halls, stalactites and natural tunnels, some of which you have to crawl through.

There are many ways to drink beer. But when does the opportunity to brew your own beer ever crop up? Brewing assistant and beer sommelier Johannes shares in-house beer brewing know-how with beer enthusiasts at Verner’s Brewing Day.

The Austria Guides have developed guided and themed tours of the city that present a wide variety of places, people and cultures and prove that it is the mix that makes Dornbirn the exciting city that it is.

The name is intentional – the long-established Mohren brewery in Dornbirn has over time developed into an experience world with museum, guided tours, a creative brewery, tastings and attractive workshop rooms right at its heart. Interested visitors may enjoy making their own beer in a single day that takes in all the processes from malt crushing to mashing, purifying and cooking.

Making clocks, pepper mills and lamps from wood – all of that and much more is possible at the workshops that the Bizau-based Bär company organises in the Bregenzerwald. The idea is right on trend because the more digital the world becomes, the greater the desire is to make something from scratch with your own hands. 

The ice-skating rink in Bludenz is one option that turns up when an alternative to the classic day of skiing is being sought. There is also a spectacular ice run there where visitors can test their skills on a Vutschko (bobsleigh) at speeds of up to 100 kph.

The art of archery is underestimated – this sport is a far cry from our childhood games of cowboy and Indians. It demands a high degree of precision and concentration, discipline and inner tranquillity. All these are things which would be useful in daily life, if only we had gotten round to practising them.

The crunch of the snow, the crisp air, the panoramic views… a snowshoe hike brings you into the heart of wintery nature, to enjoy alpine landscapes with a sense of true calmness.

For some, dashing through the woods at a speed of 130km an hour is just a speed kick at an altitude of 160 metres. For others, it is the craving for their own wings that you get for the duration of the flight at least. 

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.