Whitewater Rafting

Innsbruck is a gateway to alpine sports, and whitewater rafting combines adrenaline and adventure. It is open to all ages 10+ and requires only the ability to swim (there is always a chance that one unintentionally exits the raft). Experience a wet adventure of large waves and foaming water on the Inn while enjoying the alpine scenery. We will leave directly after the morning sessions and have a quick bag lunch on the bus that takes us to the rafting company. Bring your swimsuit and a sense of adventure.

Ambras Castle

This medieval palace with its romantic gardens is a short bus ride away, on a hill overlooking Innsbruck.  Archduke Ferdinand II personally and systematically collected suits of armor from famous people of his time, as well as jousting armor and other weaponry. The palace also houses a collection of rarities and wonders, as originally displayed during the time of the archduke. Guided tours will walk you through the history, the collection, and the beautiful rooms of this impressive historical site.

Hafelekar and Victor Franz Hess Museum

The Hafelekar is a peak at 2334 meters elevation, directly north of Innsbruck. It can be reached conveniently via funicular and hanging cable car directly from the conference center. At the top one can not only enjoy beautiful vistas of Innsbruck and the surrounding mountains, but it is also the location of a research station from 1931 to measure cosmic radiation, which has been turned to a museum. The original instruments are still on location, and a guided tour of the museum will uncover its history. After the tour, one can hike along the high alpine trails at one’s leisure.

Accompanied hikes

The forests around Innsbruck include a multitude of trails and huts. Join a group of other hiking enthusiasts from the conference on a hike through the forest, with a possible stop at a hut for some refreshments. A moderate fitness level is required, as an elevation gain of a few hundred meters is expected.

Guided walking tour of Innsbruck

Experience the history of old-town Innsbruck with a guided walking tour of the city. Stops will be made at the most important historical sites, (including entering the Imperial palace or the Court Church). The tour will last 1.5 – 2 hours, and will leave plenty of time to explore Innsbruck on your own afterwards.

Self-guided exploration

Innsbruck and its immediate surroundings have much to offer, and most of it is quite easy to do on your own. Ambras Castle and Hafelekar can be easily visited even if you did not get a spot on one of the tours. If you want to hike on you own, apps such as OutdoorActive, Komoot, or similar will show you the numerous trails that you can hike on around Hungerburg, Seegrube, or Hafelekar. You can also visit the Alpine Zoo, a unique zoo on the mountainside with animals from the alpine region. It is also accessible by funicular directly from the conference center. The Volkskunstmuseum (Museum of Folk Art) exhibits a large collection of local traditional craftsmanship, traditional fashions, as well as original farmhouse living rooms that have been rebuilt inside the museum.  Or simply enjoy the shops and restaurants in the old town of Innsbruck.