Just fifteen miles south of Innsbruck, in the Stubai valley is the alpine resort village of Neustift. This region of the Austrian Tirol is known by nature enthusiasts and hikers for its wonderful walking trails that can be reached by cable cars up to the alpine meadows. It is also well known for guaranteed skiing from October through June on the largest glacier skiing area in Austria. This is an area of Austria where the Tirolean traditional clothing is not just reserved for special occasions. I often see men in loden jackets with horn buttons and women in long skirts and aprons.
My husband and I are not hikers or skiers so you might wonder why we would visit Neustift. We have returned to this beautiful area because it is the location of the Spa Hotel Jagdhof that is owned by the Pfurtscheller family. Picture us lounging in the sun on the lawn or in the sunroom of the great spa that looks out onto the pool or taking a ride in the lovely countryside.
We have also spent two truly memorable Christmases at the Jagdhof. Christina Pfurtscheller and her lovely family have always made us feel like we are family. No matter what time of the year, this is our favorite hotel in this area. The hotel is decorated in a traditional style that make you feel cozy and warm no matter the season.
There are several beautiful dining rooms in the hotel. You will be given a reserved table for your stay so that your waiter gets to know you personally and any special wishes that you might have. Each evening there is live music in the dining room.
Before diner we always enjoy having an apéritif in the bar where there is live music before and after dinner. When you order a cocktail, you are always given a little appetizer that is beautifully presented. During your stay, you may be treated to a special event on the dance floor as we were on our last visit.
The food and wine at the Jagdhof is wonderful. Each evening a five course dinner is offered with several choices for each course.
There is a good wine list where there is a wonderful selection to choose from. The wine comes from their 20,000 bottle cellar.
The evening always ends with wonderful desserts and a great cheese selection.
What is wonderful about staying in Neustift is its close proximity to Innsbruck and Ingles. On our way to tour Innsbruck, we were stopped for about five minutes so that a procession could pass down the street.
Innsbruck is a wonderful town to walk around in…we did it on an early Sunday morning when the city was not filled with tourists which was nice.
Two of the most famous sights in Innsbruck are the Little Golden Roof and the St. Anne Colume.
After an easy stroll through to old town (alstadt), we drove up to the small town of Ingles. This was one of the first towns we stayed in when we first toured Austria. It has some lovely historical buildings that are lovingly cared for.
Leaving the Jagdhof is always difficult because it feels like you are saying goodbye to your family that you may not see again. Nature seemed to sense my reluctance to leave as I wouldn’t be returning for Christmas this year and gave us an early present of snow.
What a lovely way to leave Neustift and the Jagdhof. Hopefully we will get a chance to return in the future…if not, I have wonderful memories.
Back Road Journal 
Just lovely Karen! Your photos are awesome as always! I passed up on the opportunity to go to Innsbruck many years ago. You’ve just made me want to go! Thanks for sharing!
Hi May, I’m glad that you enjoyed the photos…thank you for your compliment. I do hope you get a chance to visit this area in the future. I know you would enjoy it.
How absolutely marvelous! I often put on my Tirolean clothes and wear them to folk festivals here in the Emerald City. I LOVE Tirolean folk music. You made me want to get up and dance. What beautiful people, food and architecture. My Great Grandparents immigrated from Austria to America and we have kept the culture very much alive in our family. OH THANK YOU for sharing and warming the heart of the Tin Man. I am so very happy that you had a wonderful visit.
Thank you Emil, for your lovely compliment. I’m glad that you enjoyed the post on this beautiful part of Austria. We just keep returning to this area…it pulls at your heartstrings.
What a beautiful part of the world. I can understand why you would want to keep coming back here. That cellar is amazing. I love the look of the live entertainment. I can see my son playing in a band like that xx
Hi Charlie, The Tirol region of Austria is some of the most beautiful in the world as far as I’m concerned. The little group performed terrific music which is such a lovely part of dining experience. Thank you for your comment.
I really enjoyed reading this and seeing your wonderful photos Karen. I stayed in this area a few times as a child and now I feel I should go back again, it’s so lovely.
Hi Kay, I think if you get the opportunity to go back to this area, you would really enjoy it as it is so lovely. I’m glad you enjoyed the post…thank you!
Good Morning (here), Karen–funny, I was just thinking about you and up pops a post on my reader.
Great timing. And of course, the pictures are marvelous! Just gorgeous–glad you got a bit of snow for a sendoff.
I was showing dear hubby the photos from your last post. I’m hoping to prompt him to board a plane–I’m always telling him how much he’d love it over there–everything so neat as a pin. So you keep snapping, dear! I may just get my wish to go back there again sometime.
Hi Sue, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. You should see all the beautiful photos that I didn’t include. I don’t want to make the posts too long and bore my readers. I hope that you do get to go back there again…you would have such a wonderful time. Thank you as always for you lovely compliment.
Oh my goodness, you are making me so homesick for the Alps! I spent quite a bit of time in the area you are posting about. It is certainly a bit of heaven on earth and your pictures magnificently portray the beauty and charm!
Thank you Chris, for your nice compliment. I’m glad that you enjoyed the post. I do have to agree that this area really is a little bit of heaven…it is gorgeous! I hope you get a chance to visit the Alps again.
Hi, Karen. I found you on the Rhode Island post, and think your blog is lovely. We’re recovering from the hurricane’s damage and still have no power. A tree fell down, blocking the front door. My first thought was, “how will the little Trick or Treaters get here tonight?
Hi Ronnie, Thank you for stopping by for a visit and your nice compliment. Sorry to hear that you had damage from the hurricane…hopefully your power will return soon.
Only problem I have with our holiday is I cannot taste the food. 😉 Another fabulous stop Karen.
🙂 Mandy
Hi Mandy, I really wish I could do something about the taste factor for those that are following our journey. Just know that all the food has been as good as it looks. I’m glad that you enjoyed this stop in our journey. Thank you Mandy…I appreciate you taking the time to visit as I know that you have so much to do with the repair of your home.
It would be a miracle if this region doesn’t get a tourism boost just from your wonderful posts. This place positively beckons. And the flowers at the hotel! Gorgeous window treatment. Thanks so much for sharing, Karen.
Hi Victoria, Thank you for your nice compliment. The Tirol region of Austria is one of the loveliest regions that I know of…I love visiting it. The morning after the snow, all the flowers were being pulled. I’m glad I had a chance to get my photos before the six inches of snow that fell. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Beautiful photos that really capture the essence of your visit. Did you buy one of those traditional dresses to wear at home while your cooking in the kitchen? Of course you would need to get a matching traditional outfit for the hubby as well of course… Have a great day. BAM
Thank you Bam, for your nice compliment. I have to smile at your question…I’m been tempted to by clothing from this area many times. You can’t imagine some of the beautiful outfits that I’ve seen in the stores.
So, so beautiful! I’m most amazed by all the flowers in the windows. Why don’t we do that in America?
Hi Rachel, Thank you for stopping by for a visit and your nice comment. I really don’t know why we don’t see buildings covered with beautiful flower boxes like you see all over Austria and Germany. I know that weather is a factor but there are many areas of our country where they could be grown successfully. They certainly are beautiful.
Omigosh, the desserts! I hope you had one of each. For sure I would have. I’d say you’ve been very spoiled on this adventure.
Hi Linda, Would you believe that was just one of eight photos that I took of different trays of desserts from that evening. I have to agree with you about being spoiled on this trip…wonderful hotels, great food and beautiful scenery.
You gorgeous shots are making me want to head for the Alps. Looks like the weather is now being kind to you.
Thank you Larry, for your nice compliment. The Alps are absolutely stunning…it will be hard to leave them behind. The weather really has improved from the start of our trip. I’ll take sun and snow over rain any day.
I’m not sure I’d fancy the music, but the food and rooms in that hotel looked amazing 😉
Hi Mad Dog, I think you would have been pleasantly surprise by the music…not what you think. There is a wonderful musician who plays mostly American music in the bar in the evening that we always enjoy as well.
Sadly I don’t think i would have liked that either 🙂
The good news is that there are 11 pubs, 4 discos and 9 apres ski bars in Neustift. There is bound to be something to your liking. LOL.
I’m sure I would and sorry, I didn’t mean to sound negative, I just like to have live music free dinners, plus accordions and other peoples’ cover songs are not my thing. It does look like a lovely village and I bet the beer is good, not to mention the food 😉
Don’t worry…we all have different preferences.
Wonderful as always, makes me nostalgic! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Sibella, for your nice compliment. I’m glad that you enjoyed the post.
oh wow! WOW! What a wonderful place to visit. I love the pool and the scenery and the food! I love everything! Thanks for sharing
Thank you Jessica, for you enthusiastic comment. I’m glad that your enjoyed the post. The Jagdhof is one of our very favorite hotels from all of our journeys to Europe. We think everything about it is perfect…just what you would expect in the Tirol region of Austria.
Thank you for sharing your journey. Love the pictures.
Thank you Southern, for your nice comment. I’m glad that you enjoyed the photos from this part of our journey.
What a Beautiful, Amazing Place – loving your photos – thanks for sharing!
Hi Adventurer, I’m glad that you are enjoying following along on our adventure. This part of the Tirol region of Austria is beautiful. Thank you for your nice compliment.
I want to go on vacation with you. You go to the greatest looking places. 🙂
Hi Boleyn, I do agree with you that we do go to some wonderful places when we travel. I’m glad you are enjoying following along on our journey.
I love how they embrace their culture so openly my friend 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Hi Uru, You are absolutely right. It is so nice to see areas where the people are so proud of their heritage and traditions. Thank you for your comment.
Absolutely gorgeous! Must take a trip out there soon! Thanks for posting, you are becoming one of my travel inspirations! 🙂
Thank you Carla, for your lovely compliment. One nice thing is that you don’t have to fly across the Atlantic. If I lived in Europe, I would just keep my bags packed.
I wish….work kind of gets in the way! But yes, we are fortunate with all the low cost airlines we have here!
Ah yes…that four letter word called work. It does get in the way of traveling doesn’t it.
Such a beautiful part of the world, everything so picturesque. Your photos, Karen, are stunning. How ever do you decide in which direction to point the camera? And that hotel is a grand place to call home, even if temporarily. Small wonder why you return there. Thanks, again, for sharing a bit more of your trip with us.
Isn’t this a lovely area of the world, John. I’m glad that you enjoyed the photos…you should see all the wonderful ones that never make it to my posts. Thank goodness for DSL cameras…I just keep shooting. The Jagdhof is so wonderful and one of the reasons is because of the lovely family that makes you fee like family. Thank you for following along on our trip you your nice comment.
Thank you, thank you for the tour, glad you were not going too fast thus enabled me to keep up. The Alps are so majestic.
Hi Norma, Thank you for your nice compliment. It makes me feel good that you are following along on our trip and enjoying each post along the way. The Alps are absolutely incredible.
Normally I ‘process’ my rather copious mail in order of delivery: am afraid have been justifiably on the lookout for your sends and hastened to open 🙂 ! Loved the walk around Innsbruck and remembered a particular ‘slow’ but fine Saturday afternoon, when our driver suggested we go to the Stubai Valley . . . a beautiful nature experience. Like the gemütlichkeit of your hotel there: normally I do not like to eat in hotel dining rooms but the photos show up my silly attitude here !! That final photo is out of this world . . . and the clouds show the cold temperatures are near . . .
Thank you Eha, for your lovely compliment. It is so nice when I know that my readers enjoy my posts…especially when I know that someone like yourself is so familiar with where I am visiting. I wish you could see all the photos of the food that I enjoyed at the Jagdhof but I didn’t want to make the post too long. I’m sure that you would enjoy eating in any of the hotel dining rooms that I have stayed at on this trip. Believe me, being a foodie definitely influences where I eat and if I have a meal anywhere in my journeys that I don’t think is praise worthy it won’t show up in any of my posts.
Everything seems like a fairy tale! You must have enjoyed the traditional songs and entertainment very much. You even got a little snow – perfect 🙂
Hi Meg, Our stay at the Jagdhof was perfect as always…it is one of our favorite hotels. The snow on our last day was like icing on a cake…literally and figuratively. Thank you for following along on our journey and your nice comment.
That sort of history and tradition is just so wonderful.
Hi Carolyn, I think it is wonderful that so many traditions are still being carried on. I hope you are enjoying your vacation…thanks for taking the time to stop by.
you are making me sooo jealous! I just love those areas and the fall must be just amazing there. do you think it may snow soon?
Hi Barbara, I think fall is a wonderful time to visit. It is not as crowded as it would be in the summer. It snowed six inches on our last day at the Jagdhof.
I think it’s fantastic that you get the same table every night! We were going to go to Innsbruck next year but we’ve changed our route 🙂
Hi Tandy, I do like that you have the same table each night. You get to know the servers and the other couples that are dining at the tables nearby.
It’s right out of a fairytale!
Hi Ladyfi, I do have to agree with you…storybook beautiful.
I’m having such a lovely time tagging along in the backseat as you drive me from one great scenic location to the next! And you’ve been feeding me extremely well! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a wine cellar with 20,0000 bottles in it! Great photos – I really feel as if I’m right there. Thanks so much.
Thank you John, for your comment. It is nice to know that you are enjoying being a backseat follower of our journey. The good thing is that even though we are eating very well…there will be no weight gain on your part.
How beautiful and you always know the best places to stay and eat, Karen. I was in Innsbruck but such a long time ago…your images make me want to return, soon!
What a lovely meal too. My husband and I love to enjoy a cocktail in the bar as well…it makes the meal feel so special. In England we ate at a Manor House where they served you a cocktail at a table in the bar as part of their process, then when the first course was ready, they escorted you to your dining table in a different room. It’s so civilized.
Thank you Eva, for your nice comment. You know me…I’m always looking for delicious food when we travel. We have been to several places in Europe that have you choose your menu items while having cocktails and I have to agree with what you said…”so civilized”.
Oh my, look at that beautiful wine cellar! I could wander through for hours looking at all of the varieties. I hope you tried the cake with the strawberries..lol It looks amazing. Safe travels to you.
Thank you Mary, for your nice comment and wishes. I tried several of the desserts and they were all delicious. Isn’t the wine cellar terrific…they have a large table there for wine tastings
Wow…gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Everything. The food looks amazing. And I’m pretty sure I gasped when I saw the photo of St. Anne Colume…the buildings, the mountains, the snow! Oh my gosh, officially jealous!
Hi Caroline, Thank you for your lovely compliment. I’m glad that you enjoyed the post. It took several tries to get the photo of the St. Anne Column. Between all the people standing in front for a photo and the sun going in and out of the clouds…it was a challenge.
How nice that you got your own personal snow storm. LOL! What a beautiful hotel, and extra special that your “family” always takes such special care of you. We always treasure those special moments when we return to our familiar places in Italy, and see our friends again. Special times, for sure!
Hi Susan, Not everyone is happy to see snow in October but it sure did add to the beauty of the mountains when the sun came up. It is very nice to return to a hotel where they remember you…as you say it is special. In Europe there are so many family run hotels and I think that makes a big difference. Thank you for your comment.
The Jagdhof hotel looks lovely I can imagine that spending Christmas there was special. All your images are lovely but I especially love the last one of the snowy mountain.
Hi B, I’m glad you enjoyed the photo of the snowy mountain. There is nothing prettier than freshly fallen snow on a sunny morning. We have really enjoyed the Christmases we have spent at the Jagdhof in the past. The hotel is decorated so beautifully, Santa arrives in a sleigh to deliver packages to the children, a special Christmas Eve dinner…I could go on and on.
Sound truly magical.
It was everything you could wish for a perfect Christmas experience.
Awesome post, thanks for sharing your marvelous sights. I could almost smell the food and fresh air, so rich!
Thank you Mater, for stopping by for a visit and your nice compliment. I’m glad that you enjoyed the post. It is nice to be able to share our travels to such a beautiful spot in the world.
It looks so picture perfect! And how did you choose a dessert? They all look amazingly tempting! 🙂
Hi Lorraine, Picture perfect is right…I love spending time in this part of the world. That was just a little bit of the desserts for the evening. Naturally, I had to try more than one and they were delicious.
What a beautiful place. I enjoyed reading this post. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Velva
Hi Velva, I’m glad that you enjoyed the post on the Tirol region of Austria…it really is beautiful. Thank you for your comment.
It’s amazing to see the charm of those villages (though Innsbruck I’d certainly heard of before.) When travelling & weary a trip to the day spa is a definite yes and as for the charming lounge and restaurant it’s easy to see why you’d feel cozy there!
I was equally fascinated by the little golden roof, it almost looked like asian architecture, Balinese or Thai Ruth those little accents on the tiers, so lovely!
Hi Alli, There are so many charming spots to visit in the Tirol. Even though Innsbruck is a large city, the old section is fun to explore. The embellishments on the little golden roof do give it a different look than what you would expect from being built in 15th century Austria. A little relaxing in the spa and a glass of wine in the lounge was nice after a day of sightseeing. Thank you for your comment.
Karen, thank your for sharing your photos. I can see why you like to visit this area, it is so beautiful.
Hi Dawn, I’m glad that you enjoyed the photos of this region of Austria…it really is beautiful. Thank you for your visit and comment.
What a lovely time you’re having. That’s quite a wine cellar in the beautiful hotel! I really enjoy hearing how you get to know the families that own and run many of the hotels you frequent. i am sure that proprietors enjoy that you take such a personal interest and make a point of returning. The photos are lovely all the way through the beautiful town. I’m sure you’re soaking up every minute of the lovely landscape before you return home! Beautiful vacation!
Hi Debra, We are having a wonderful time. I think what makes so many of the hotels in this part of Europe so special is that they are owned by families…many for generations. They take personal pride in their hotels and want your stay to be special. The Jagdhof sends my husband and I a birthday card each year. It is the little caring things that make you want to return. I’m glad that you are enjoying following along on our journey…thank you!
I wonder who waters all those flowers – just gorgeous. How on earth do you choose from those cakes? What a beautiful place.
Hi Suzanne, It truly is a beautiful part of Austria and the abundant flowers is one of the reasons why. I was curious as well about the flowers…there is drip irrigation in all the flower boxes. It was not easy deciding on dessert…so many choices.
Everything looks so cute or beautiful or unusual, depending on the photo, that if it wasn’t your blog I would never believe it’s true 😉 The hotel looks comfortable, luxurious and carefully chosen, as all the places you stay in. And the wine cellar… I have heard that Austrian wine is excellent (I have had a chance to taste just one, rather cheap bottle which was good, but I wish I could sample more!).
Hi Sissi, Thank you for your lovely compliment. The Austrian wine I have tried has all been excellent. When I’m home, I can only find one Austrian white wine, Gruner Vertliner which I do buy and like.
So beautiful! Yet another place I would live to visit! The snowy mountains are breathtaking!
Hi Bree, Thank you for stopping by to visit and your nice comment. The mountains were so beautiful with the sun shining on the freshly fallen snow. Living in France, you will definitely have to visit one day I’m sure.
I was blown away by the gorgeous architecture in Austria, as your photos clearly demonstrate. Thank you for the little “escape” to this beautiful country 🙂
Hi Pumpkin, Isn’t Austria just lovely. I’m glad that you enjoyed the photos of this wonderful part of the Tirol region.
What stunning photos – excellent job. Did you buy yourself one of those Tirolean hats?
Hi Diane, Thank you for your nice compliment. I’m glad that you enjoyed the post and photos. No…I didn’t purchase a hat as I’m not a big souvenir shopper.
I was just in the area earlier this year–but my photos were nowhere near as fabulous as yours!
Hi Cucina, Thank you for your lovely compliment. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. Isn’t the Tirol region of Austria wonderful.
I shall add this place to my travel book. It sounds like October/November is a great time to visit.
Hi Mary, I love traveling in the fall because it is less crowded. Late summer would be lovely as well because of all the activities to enjoy on the water.
Karen, I agree wholeheartedly, it is pretty hard to escape the charm of “Tirol”. What a wonderful, enjoyable post!
Hi Andrea, I’m glad that you enjoyed the post about the Tirol region. The charm of this area keeps drawing us back. Thank you for your nice compliment.
I’ve always wanted to visit Austria, Karen, as part of my ancestral heritage comes from that country Your photos are beautiful and so enticing.
.Thank you for all your kind words of support for the Hurricane Sandy victims. I have been voluteering at a temporary shelter in Brooklyn the past few days that houses people that lost their homes. It is wonderful to see how many people are helping and donating goods that are needed!
Hi Pat, Thank you for you comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos of the Tirol region of Austria. Hopefully you will get a chance to visit someday…I know you will enjoy seeing such a beautiful part of the world.
These little mountain towns are just so beautiful. And would you look at that wine cellar! This looks like another wonderful hotel. This is such a spectacular vacation Karen.
Hi Kristy, We do love the mountain towns…they are so charming and are surrounded by so much beauty. I think you chose a good word to describe both this area and our trip. It truly has been wonderful.
Karen, you have really captured the beauty of the Tirolean – your photos are truly stunning – love the mountains too – never been to Innsbruck, but it’s a very popular ski resort for us skiing Swedes, but all the alps down there is so beautiful in the summer too and you’re able to ski the whole year around. Your photos make me want to go there too.
Thank you Viveka, for your lovely compliment. You are right about the area being very popular for skiing most of the year. This region is really beautiful and is always a joy to visit.
That part of our world is … so clean and tidy too. Amazing!!!
I totally agree.
My husband has friends in Tirol.. will have to bump them up on the visit list. Hoping if we don’t actually live there anymore we might tour and vacation more!
It is a true holiday. Music, vistas, the food…. the filet of beef and puree. Another one to re-create at home. Your files must be overflowing. Actually are you feeling anxious to get back to your own stove? I usually am inspired and want to cook after a trip AND I so appreciated during a trip being served plates of deliciousness, I’m sad to see it end.
Hi Wendy, I do hope you get a chance to visit your husband’s friends who live in the Tirol. I have eaten so many delicious meals that hopefully I will be able to recreate at home. My biggest challenge is finding a lot of the ingredients in our small New England town. It is hard to give up all the creative dishes that I enjoyed in the restaurants so I’m like you…sad to see it end.
Internet. Or substituting.
My favorite our friends brought was one of those big slabs of smoked, air dried bacon. It was so good despite my concern for fat and sodium!
I’ve never tried buying cooking ingredients over the internet…I really have to give that a try. The bacon sounds like it was delicious.
Karen! Your pictures are beautiful and the descriptions are just amazing. I want to go to all of these places now!!!
Thank you Kaprise, for your nice compliment. I’m glad that you enjoyed the post and photos.
fantastic! I just want to start singing “the hills are alive with the sound of music!” No actually i want to eat all that delicious food first! What a trip so far I can’t wait to see where we go next!
Hi Carol, This is one of our favorite places to visit in Austria. If you think you want to start singing…just wait to see where we are heading next.