Study Abroad in Bregenz

Man oh man. I spent a lot of time here back in 2000. This was home to me for a summer when I participated in a study abroad. I know, not the first destination for people who come to Austria-but it should be! It is the quintessential Austrian town. No tourists. Great food. Lovely lake. Good spot for daytrips. One of my favorite places. Period.

At first I didn't think anything could beat Bregenz in the summer. The warm breezes coming off the lake, the outside ice cream vendors, dining alfresco in the old town, sunning on the rocks like little reptiles...But then I went back in the winter and it had a completely new charm for me. The winter markets, the live nativity scene, the warm wine from the street vendors, the snow on the lake...Now I just have to make it back for fall and spring!

Quick Tips:

I highly reccommend a daytrip to the Pfander. Basically, it is a big mountain in the middle of town. You can ride a cable up to it, and once you get up there the vew is awesome. On good clear days you can see Germany, Austria, Switerland, Lichtenstein, and even France far off in the distance.

I also suggest a daytrip through the Bregenzerwald-the Bregenz forest. Take yourself a picnic lunch and make a day of it. It's beautiful.

The Volks museum has some wonderdul Roman Empire artifacts, along with some other neat things. It only costs about to get into it and you could spend a couple of hours wandering around.

If you're there in the summer, check out the music festival. It is world famous and features an enourmous floating stage on the lake. When I was there the first time the theme was "Ein Maskenball" and the stage consisted of a 300 foot skeleton.

A daytrip to the lovely German island of Lindau (about 10 minutes) away can not be missed. It is a great little tourist island and you can shop and eat to your heart's content.

Take a boat ride to the island of Mainau, where flowers abound. No one lives on the island, but there is a palace and lots of gardens to wander around in.

Best Way To Get Around:

Getting AROUND: Basically, the only way to get around Bregenz is to walk. If you're coming to or from the train station with your luggage, then I suggest calling a taxi. Other than that, walk. The town is so tiny that you'll probably be wherever you want to be in five minutes anyway.

Getting TO: Bregenz is on the main train route from Zurich to Munich and from Zurich to Vienna. (Or Zurich to Innsbruck or Salzburg) Basically, you have to go through it at some time if you are going anywhere near Zurich. Be ready to hop off the train, though. It only stops in Bregenz for about a second.

We tend to keep going back to the same places when it comes to accommodations. This is, in my opinion, the best place to stay in Bregenz. The location is great, located near the center and across the street from the lake. There are many good restaurants and shops close by, as well as bars that stay open late. THe train station is about a ten minute walk but we take a taxi due to the amount of luggage we always have. (The drivers don't seem to have a problem ith this.)

The owner is very friendly and speaks some English. She has lent me a hairdryer in my time of need. She has a small library where you can leave and take books for your trip. She will also point you in the right direction if there is something you need, but she doesn't hover.

We always get a nice (large) ensuite room for three. The living area is big and has a small sofa and a mini-bar. The beds are nice and comfy with warm duvets which are good in the winter. The bathroom has a large tub and a bidet if that makes a difference to you.

The breakfast is typical of most Austrian hotels and you can plan on finding bread, cereal, fruit, and eggs. The dining area is small but tastefully decorated.

The hotel itself is small and tidy and on the quiet side, so don't stay here if you're expecting to be entertained. The furnishings tend to be on the personal side, which is nice if you're traveling around a lot. The rates are some of the best in town, around 30 euros per person per night, depending on the season. Check out their website for short breaks and deals.

Website: http://www.hotel-bodensee.at/

This is the best place in town to go to if you want to sample the local cuisine. The food is very heavy on meats, creams, and sauces, so don't go there unless you have an empty stomach-it will fill you up quickly. There decor is Austrian hunting lodge and the tables are large and wooden. On crowded nights you might share with someone you don;t know.

I have had most of the things on the menu at one time or another. I especially like the wienerschniztel and the little boiled potatoes that come with it. I also like the spaetzle with goat cheese, although some people in my group did not. It is pretty strong and has a strong scent to it. They also do good broth-y soups and some excellent desserts, my favorite being the mohr imd which is a little chocolate cake filled with warm chocolate sauce.

The restaurant can accompany a large group if you let them know in advance. They have a beer garden as well. It can get rowdy in the evenings, but you should feel fine to take the family. The servers are all friendly and inviting and most speak English to some extent. They do have an English menu.

The first time I visited the Pfander, I had no idea what to expect. It was my first day in Austria and I had never seen the Alps. It was so crowded in the cable car, and I'm so short, that I couldn't see anything on the ride up. When we got to the top, I was shuffled out with everyone else. I took about five steps and then looked up, and that's when the panorama of the scene unfolded. Snow topped mountains, the pristine lake, the bright blue sky, and low green valleys spread before my eyes. It was the most breathtaking site I had ever seen. I really felt as if I were standing on top of the world.