Side Events

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.

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. 

How can gin be so subtle? How can kummel liqueur be so sophisticated? And what inspires these combinations of flavours? Participants on a guided tour at MAAN – makers of fine spirits in Alberschwende – will discover the love, patience and quality that goes into every bottle. 

Five hours of exploring boundaries: that’s an impressive mountain experience with team-building aspects. There is a challenge for everyone and more can be achieved together than by yourself. 

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.

Hochjoch Totale – that is the name of the sunrise special on the Alpila ridge with a ski run covering 1,700 metres. At this time of day, the piste is as virginal as the day itself, watching the sun rise above the ridge is breathtakingly beautiful, and breakfast awaits you in the chapel restaurant at the end of the run. 

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.

The name says it all: fun is the name of the game at Funworld Hard. There’s something for everyone here – whether it’s 10-pin bowling on one of the 10 state-of-the-art Brunswick bowling alleys or exciting laser tagging. 

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.

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.

Once upon a time, you had to travel to the far north to take a dog-pulled sleigh ride, to experience up close the life of a musher in the wilderness. These days, however, a lovely team of dogs awaits guests in the Kleinwalsertal and in the Brandnertal.

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.

Die Destillerie möchte die Destillerie erklären. Obwohl so gut wie jeder hin und wieder ein Schnäpschen trinkt, gibt’s viele Unklarheiten über die Herstellung. Bei einer Verkostung erklären die Spezialistinnen und Spezialisten, woran man gerade nippt und wie es entsteht. 

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. 

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.