Bregenz is a place of peace and harmony, one where you can find peace, solitude and a breath of the freshest air. That calm is only disturbed once a year, when the annual Bregenz Festival, Festspiele, lands, with its legendary floating lake stage. Outside of that brilliant event, you’ll have time to ponder the beauty of the lake, ride in cable cars soaring along the mountainside and explore the surprisingly avant-garde architecture of the region.
Float On
The summer music festival is the reason most people have heard of Bregenz. Visit during July 20 to August 21 every year and witness a transformation from a quiet retreat into a bustling town. The floating stage is even better in reality than it sounds (it made a cameo appearance in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace), with some remarkable designs adding to its majesty. There can be fewer better settings in the world to take in classical music or opera.
The festival first begun in 1946, and the lake stage, known as the Seebühne, was first built in 1955. Over the years, the sets have become ever more breathtaking and elaborate, the perfect backdrop for the likes of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra or Prague Philharmonic Choir.
Buildings of the future
The Vorarlberg region is known for its modern architecture, but the Kunsthaus in Bregenz might just be the highlight of what would make for an enthralling progressive buildings tour. Peter Zumthor, a Swiss architect, is responsible for the lamp-like cube of steel and glass that houses an art gallery. It seems to change subtly during the day, thanks to the reflections of both Lake Constance and the sky. Inside you’ll find an everchanging array of contemporary art in perfect fitting with the thoroughly modern surroundings.
Up and down the town
Bregenz has two sides of town to explore – the Upper and Lower. The Upper is higher up the slopes and is the older of the two. Here you’ll find the Martinsturm Chapel, dating back to the 14th century – the dome is one of Europe’s largest - plus a 17th century townhall and historic walls dating back to medieval times.
The Lower town has its share of show-stoppers too, mostly from the Victorian era or its collection of striking modern buildings. One of these is the Vorarlberg Museum, studded with thousands of bottle bases that take on the appearance of flowers.
On a clear day, take the Pfänder cable car up to the mountain that looms over the town. Here, on the wooded slopes, you’ll have the best possible view of Lake Constance, while there’s also a game park that contains ibex, wild boar, deer and more. Back down to earth, sample traditional fare at the Goldener Hirschen restaurant. Succulent Wiener Schnitzel, beef with horseradish, baked camembert and cheese noodles are all local staples done superbly.
Picture-postcard pretty, and with a winning mix of the old and new, Bregenz car hire opens up Austria and its neighbours for a memorable Alpine trip.
