Tyrol

“The Green Heart of the Alps” – that’s the romantic name given to Tyrol, the historic region of Europe, the land of valleys and emerald coniferous forests, soaring peaks, high mountain roads and passes, ski slopes and alpine meadows.

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Video: Tyrol

Contents

Highlights

The main area of Tyrol is located in Austria, on a narrow strip of alpine mountain range that borders Germany and Switzerland. A small part of it angles into the lands that make up Italy and is called South Tyrol.

Tyrol is one of Austria’s 9 federal states and is divided into 8 districts: Landeck, Reutte, Imst, Innsbruck, Schwaz, Kufstein, Kitzbühel and East Tyrol. The latter is separated from the other districts and can only be accessed via Salzburg or South Tyrol by crossing mountain passes.

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This historic region includes the valleys of the upper and lower Inn River with the valleys of the rivers flowing into it, as well as part of the floodplain of the Lech River. Practically, the topography of Tyrol is mountain ranges separated from each other by plateaus or narrow gorges. A good third of this land is covered with forests. Spruces, firs, larches, pines and cedars grow here. As in ancient times, Tyrol is a native and cozy home for wild animals – deer, roe deer, chamois, stone goats, marmots and many other inhabitants.

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Tyrol is considered the cradle of Alpine skiing. Here, at the beginning of the last century, enthusiasts perfected the classic Scandinavian skiing technique designed for flat terrain, adapting it to the steep alpine slopes. The first downhill ski lessons were taught by the legendary Hans Schneider, the founder of modern downhill skiing technique and once considered the best skier in the world.

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Extreme skiing began in 1907 near the village of St. Anton, which later became a first-class resort. And Tyrol itself quite naturally and deservedly gained fame as Austria’s most famous ski center.

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Although Tyrol is most often associated with winter sports, you can have a great time here at any time of the year. Magnificent views, old towns where everything breathes peace and tranquility, the possibility to do any kind of outdoor activity from hiking to hang-gliding, friendly people, excellent food and impeccable service are additional reasons to visit this wonderful corner of the planet.

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History of Tyrol

The first traces of human settlement in Tyrol are found in the Tischofer Cave in the Kaiser Mountains. The oldest finds date back to the early Paleolithic period.

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In the 4th century BC, the Celts settled here – during this period agriculture flourished in the Tyrol, alpine passes were crossed and defenses surrounded by ramparts were built.

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In 15 B.C. the Tyrolean lands became part of the Roman Empire, but for some time the Celts retained autonomy with the rule of their own elite.

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In the second century A.D. Tyrol began to be raided by the Germans, and eventually, by the 6th century, most of it came under Bavarian rule, becoming part of the Duchy of Bavaria. The Bavarians established new settlements here and mixed with the indigenous inhabitants. Since then, the cultural traditions of the Bavarians and Tyrolese have become so intertwined that only ethnographers can pinpoint the difference between Bavarian and Tyrolean folklore.

By the 10th century, Tyrol, which generally managed to retain its territorial designation and national identity, was ruled by local ecclesiastical feudal lords who had received extensive powers from the Germanic throne. But they were gradually supplanted by the secular feudal upper classes, and from the early 13th century the Counts of Tyrol, who became allies of the powerful Habsburg rulers of Austria, established power over most of Tyrol.

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In 1363 Margareta Moultasch, daughter of the Tyrolean ruler Henry II, widowed and having lost an heir, handed over the lands under her control to the Habsburgs. Since then, despite constant Bavarian claims, sometimes temporarily successful, Tyrol is an integral part of Austria.

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The southern region of Tyrol was lost by Austria in 1919, ceding it to Italy, according to the Treaty of Saint-Germain, a peace treaty signed after World War I between the Entente countries and Austria, which became a republic.

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Traditions and holidays

Most of the traditions of the Tyrolean calendar originate from pre-Christian cults, which only managed to coexist with Christian rituals over time. This applies in particular to the “fasching” (carnival), a festival with traditional plots, robes and characters that have been established over the centuries. A special role here is played by elaborately carved masks and original folk costumes, as well as dances and theatrical competitions. The festival begins with a solemn carnival procession, which is opened by the “sweepers”. They clear the way for the following participants: “shellers”, “rollers” and “mayas” in charming masks and ornate headdresses. The festival is held in February, just before Lent, every four or five years.

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The main processions are held in Imsta – “Schleicherlaufen”, Aksams – “Wampellerreiten”, Taura – “Mullerlaufen”, Nesserait – “Schellerlaufen”.

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The old spirits of Tyrol also appear at other times of the year: in spring, at the “calling” of the grass, when boys with bells go through the fields to awaken the earth after a long winter, or during Christmas, when the spirits in their scary masks and furry robes visit homes to banish evil.

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In June, on the feast of the body of the Lord, solemn processions are held. On this day the Tyrolean riflemen march in their embroidered leather pants and red-green jackets, with bird feathers on their felt hats. The action looks very picturesque, although some of the peace-loving vacationers are alarmed by the exorbitant pride of the marching Tyrolese and the glitter of their weapons. For the locals, however, these arrows are a remembrance of the right granted to them centuries ago to defend their country.

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Back in 1511, Emperor Maximilian I obliged the inhabitants to defend their country against attacks from outside, and in return they received a guarantee that would forever exempt them from military service outside their own country and on the side of another state. Maximilian issued them the corresponding “letter of guarantee” with the seal of the “Landlibell”, which all subsequent rulers reaffirmed by oath. As a result, the Tyrolese began to create in each community a company of fit men, selecting from their ranks a commander and officers who provided military training.

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Over the centuries, they had to engage in combat quite often, as neighbors proved troublesome, especially the Bavarians. At the beginning of the 19th century, when the Napoleonic campaigns resulted in Tyrol being ceded to Bavaria, the Tyrolese, led by Andreas Hofer, revolted. They were angered, above all, by the Bavarian rulers’ attempt to abolish the Landlibell in order to force them to enter the war against Austria on the side of the French.

It is worth noting that both the luminous Emperor Maximilian and the simple innkeeper Andreas Hofer are the most revered persons in Tyrol.

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Tyrol is also famous for its yodel. Here you can still hear these authentic shepherd songs in the open air. The best place to sing is considered to be where there is a mountain echo. Music festivals where the yodel is sung are held everywhere, including the Tyrolean capital Innsbruck (July-August).

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The yodel is not limited to the musical creativity of the Tyrolese. For example, the Tyrolean hymns sung at Christmas and Epiphany are recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Heritage Site.

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Tyrolean cuisine

Potatoes and sauerkraut, the impressive size of scrambled eggs, and the occasional piece of smoked meat once formed the basis of rural Tyrolean cuisine. The main part of any meal is still flour products in a thousand variations. Large round dumplings, the size of a man’s fist, are made of wheat and potato flour with smoked lard or cheese; minced meat or scallions are also used as fillings. Miniature dumplings with blueberries and blueberries are no less popular.

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The demands of mass tourism have made the menus of Tyrolean restaurants and cafes international. Today, hunt schnitzel, Romani schnitzel, Wiener schnitzel and deep-fried potatoes as a side dish are staples of many menus. However, excellent pork roast or Tyrolean-style liver can still be found almost everywhere, but kidneys in a sour sauce, veal head or soup from trebuchets according to ancient recipes will have to be found.

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Tourists are happy to treat themselves to cold dishes served for the second breakfast or afternoon snack – salad with sausage, soft cheese, vinegar and vegetable oil or flavorful sandwiches with raw smoked goodies. They are accompanied by light, light beer or dry wine: Lower Austrian, Styrian, South Tyrolean.

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Tyrolean fruit vodkas are popular. They are made from apples, pears, plums, apricots, and especially exquisite – from elderberries or rowanberries. In a good restaurant there is always a strong drink “home-made.”

Active recreation

Tyrol is located in the zone of influence of the Alpine climate: the winter is long and snowy with a light frost to the delight of skiers. The average temperature is about 4 degrees below zero. In summer it is usually a little more than +20 ° C, but you should be prepared for the fact that at this time mild warm weather can be replaced by heat or an unexpected thunderstorm followed by a sharp change in temperature values.

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In the fall, the weather is warm and stable. The mountains during this period are strikingly beautiful, acquiring multicolored decoration. Forests are painted in dark red colors, valleys with numerous vineyards – in yellow and orange, and mountain peaks are covered with snow. All this natural splendor is flooded with a very special light that makes colors brighter and visibility sharper. This is the ideal time for traveling to the mountains, biking and hang-gliding.

Skiing

During the winter season, skiing, snowboarding, snowbiking (the current trend: skiing with a saddle and bicycle handlebars) is possible almost everywhere in Tyrol. In settlements that are not located directly in the ski area, there are usually centers from which buses take everyone to certain routes.

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Around 1,200 cable cars and elevators contribute to the development of more and more ski areas. The largest of these is located between the Brixental and Elmauer Tal valleys.

Deservedly popular is the grandiose ski complex “Olympic Ski World of Innsbruck”, created for the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics. It includes six ski resorts – Igls, Mutters, Tulfes, Axamer, Litzum, and Stubauer-Gletscher. These ski centers are within a 15-60 minute drive from the center of Innsbruck. They are connected by free bus routes, the starting point of which are the main hotels in the city. There are artificial snow making facilities almost everywhere.

Most skiers arriving at resorts in Tyrol purchase a single season pass, which includes transfers and elevator services.

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Prices vary depending on the category of resorts, but it is not difficult to orient yourself.

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A two-day pass will cost approximately:

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  • for adults – 120 €;
  • for teenagers – 100 €;
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  • for children – 55 €.
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A weekly pass will cost:

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  • for adults – 280 €;
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  • for teenagers – 225 €;
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  • for children – 127 €.
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There are elite passes – this includes transfer and a day of skiing at high category resorts, including Kitzbühel, Lech, St. Anton. Their cost is higher (the price depends on the distance to the luxury facilities).

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The legendary St. Anton, located in the Arlberg Mountains, is considered by many to be the world’s best skiing destination. There are about 300 kilometers of ski runs. The resort is located at an altitude of 1304 meters, the ski season lasts from December to April.

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The flip side of the coin is that St. Anton is out of reach for most skiing enthusiasts. Prices for accommodation and food here are exorbitant, in addition, during the season there is a rush: even the world’s elite are crowded, so most tourists who want to join the iconic resort, prefer to settle in its vicinity. St. Anton is easily accessible by car and train. The railroad runs through the center of the resort, and the train station is almost right next to the piste.

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There are ski rental shops and ski schools everywhere in Tyrol, some with children’s corners. Prices for a six-day course vary depending on the time spent: 2 hours a day from 140 €, 4 hours a day from 175 €.

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The trails are marked according to the difficulty level of the route and labeled: blue – easy, red – medium difficulty, black – difficult.

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Most Tyrolean ski areas are staffed by lifeguards called “white angels.”

There are tracks for flatland skiing in almost every locality. The pistes are, for the most part, free of charge. In January, Tyrol holds a folk cross-country ski race in which everyone is welcome to participate.

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The distance is 33 km long from Kitzbühel to Kessen, and 60 km from Kitzbühel to St. Johann.

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Mountaineering and mountain tourism

For mountain hiking enthusiasts, there are trails of varying degrees of difficulty in Tyrol. The trails are marked identically to ski trails (by colors).

To climb and high mountain tours should be decided only if you have enough stamina and have the appropriate equipment – above all, mountain boots and waterproof jackets. It is also necessary to take with you a decent supply of food and water.

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For serious climbing and hiking at the service of tourists – experienced professional guides, aware of the intricacies of the various routes. The price of their services depends on the length and complexity of the route and can range from a few hundred euros (per person) to more than a thousand.

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Innsbruck has an Alpine School, where you can not only get detailed information about mountain climbing, but also take courses of varying degrees of difficulty. As a rule, the training starts on indoor pitches and is followed by forays into the mountains. A basic course will cost about 50 €.

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For easy hiking, passes are sold directly at the hotels. In addition, there are funiculars everywhere, which can take you to the altitude you are interested in.

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Cycling

Those wishing to travel by bicycle must be physically fit, as no route in Tyrol is without mountain sections. An exception is the 150 km cycling route along the Inna Valley from Landeck to Kufstein, which is mostly on asphalt paths where motorized vehicles are almost non-existent.

Every bookstore in Tyrol offers literature detailing cycling routes. Many sports stores rent out regular and mountain bikes.

Paragliding and hang gliding

Air sports are becoming more and more popular in Tyrol, so there are many clubs in the little to no wide valleys that provide launching and landing sites for those who want them, as well as organizing the corresponding courses.

Rafting

Special sports schools offer tourists to hike down mountain streams in large inflatable boats. An experienced pilot guides a group of up to ten people through the turbulent mountain river after a brief briefing.

Rafting is organized on the rivers Inn (through the Imsta Gorge, respectively from Imsta to Heiming), Lech and Etztaler Ache.

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Difficult and ultra-difficult sections of rocky rivers for canoeing are on the Inn, Lech, Isar and their tributaries.

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Harmony of nature and art

Tyrol, located in the center of Europe and the Alps, has long been culturally influenced by Germany, Switzerland, Italy and the neighboring regions of Austria. This is reflected not only in the customs and traditions of the Tyrolese, but also in their art and admirable architecture.

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Innsbruck, the administrative center of Tyrol, harmoniously combines the appeal of a ski resort with the sophistication of one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

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About 5 kilometers from where Innsbruck is located today, 800 years ago a stone bridge was built – the first on the Inn River. Next to it, a large city gradually grew up. Its name is derived from the name of the river Inn and the word “brücke”, which translates as “bridge.”

Innsbruck’s inhabitants are perhaps more connected to nature than representatives of most major cities in the world. Indeed, where else can you soar up to an altitude of 2,000 meters in a car on your lunch break and ski down the mountain slope that is part of the city limits?

A tour of Innsbruck is a walk through history: from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. The main historical street of the city – Maria Theresienstraße – is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. It owes its splendor to the majestic Baroque palaces built here, which were built for the most prominent dynasties of Tyrol.

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The emblem of the city is the Golden Roof, an elaborately decorated loggia attached to an ancient castle that served as the first residence of the Habsburgs. The extension was created on the orders of Emperor Maximilian I: from here he liked to watch the tournaments held in the castle square. Slender columns and pillars, frescoes and slabs with reliefs – masterpieces of the stonemasons’ art – adorn the loggia covered with 3,000 gilded metal roofing sheets. The building itself houses the Olympic Museum.

Among Innsbruck’s other most famous sights:

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  • the city tower, a symbol of the freedom of the Tyrolese people;
  • St. James Church, whose main treasure is the image of St. Mary by Lucas Cranassus the Elder;
  • Hofburg Palace;
  • Hofgarten – a luxurious park with the Tyrolean Pavilion of Art, an alpinarium and a “palm garden”;
  • Hofkirche, or “Church of the Black Men”, built in 1553-1563 by order of Emperor Ferdinand I as a burial place and memorial for his legendary grandfather Emperor Maximilian. Twenty-eight bronze figures taller than human height – the “black men” – are placed on either side of the tomb. The emperor himself, however, is not buried here, but in the church the great Tyrolean Andreas Hofe and his most loyal associates found rest.

The ancient castle at Ambras, near Innsbruck, is worth seeing. Erected in the XIV-XV centuries, it is considered a masterpiece of the Austrian Renaissance. There is a unique collection of weapons, and in the portrait gallery you can admire works by Titian, Van Dyck, Rubens, and Cranach.

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A 15-minute drive from Innsbruck is Igls, a balneological ski resort where Baroque and Gothic architectural creations delight the eye.

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10 km from Innsbruck, near the resort of Tulfes, is Hall, a beautiful town rich in historical monuments. In the Middle Ages it was the largest Tyrolean town. Its town hall is recognized as the most beautiful in Tyrol. The Mint Tower, where Emperor Maximilian’s wedding was celebrated, is also worth a visit.

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Imst, in the Inn valley, is known as a city of art. The oldest evidence of the birth of the Christian faith in Tyrol has been preserved here. In its surroundings you can admire the magnificent scenery: the Otztaler Gorge and the clear lakes.

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The Kufstein region in the north of Tyrol is famous for its crystal clear waters, forests and pastures, and there are also mysterious caves. In one of them, Tishofer, traces of people who lived in the Stone Age have been discovered. The town of Kufstein itself was founded in the XII century and is located at the foot of the fortress, which rises above the steep cliff of the Inn River. Its medieval center and the famous old Kirchgasse street are definitely worth exploring.

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East Tyrol is a mountainous region where nature reigns supreme. Apart from the region’s main town of Lienz, there are no big cities here, but it offers excellent conditions for skiing, hiking and cycling.

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Lienz, located in the mountains, is the only city in the region founded by the ancient Romans. Among its sights are the 13th-century Brukk Castle (now home to the Museum of Creativity and Traditions of East Tyrol), St. Andrew’s Church, the town hall, the Franciscan church and monastery, and the Dominican monastery.

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Accommodation

In every corner of Tyrol, tourists have a wide choice of hotels and guesthouses of different categories. Rooms should be booked in advance, especially during the high winter season and in areas that traditionally see the largest influx of guests.

The most expensive resorts in Tyrol are the most expensive.

The most expensive resorts are those adjacent to the Alberg mountain: St. Anton, Lech, St. Christoph, Zürs and Stuben. A day’s stay in local hotels will cost at least 1000 €. It is incomparably cheaper to rent a modest one-bedroom apartment – it will cost about 1500 € per week. Renting a two-bedroom apartment of about 100 m² costs twice as much.

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In other areas of Tyrol, prices are more democratic. A two-bedroom apartment in a cozy chalet in the spirit of a peasant cottage, nicely located near the forest, ski elevator, restaurant, will cost an average of 700 € per week.

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Mountaineers on hikes are offered many so-called shelters and huts, which are run by sections of the mountaineering club or belong to private owners. Living conditions are different, so athletes are always advised to take a light cotton sleeping bag. At the height of the season, it is better to reserve places.

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Fans of mountain tourism and just relaxing in nature can stay in campgrounds. There are more than eighty of them in Tyrol, and most of them are quite respectable. The average price is 35-45 € per day.

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How to get to Tyrol

Tourists rush to Tyrol by airplanes, trains, buses, rented and private cars.

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If the purpose of your trip is directly to Tyrol, it is better to use air transportation. Innsbruck Airport is a great starting point for tours to any corner of Tyrol. It takes 10 minutes from the airport to the center of Innsbruck itself, and 20 minutes from the airport is the main train station, from where you can go anywhere in Tyrol by train or bus.

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If you are a Schengen visa holder and intend to tour the Alpine countries, and Tyrol is only part of your trip, rent a car in one of the cities of Austria, Germany, Switzerland or Italy.

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Applying to rental firms with a worldwide reputation, you can not worry: here you will be provided with exactly the type and class of car that best suits the season and your chosen route of travel, taking into account the fact that one way or another, you will have to overcome mountain passes of varying degrees of difficulty. The cost of renting a not luxurious, but decent and reliable car for three days – about 100 €, for a week – 170 €.

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If you decide to save money and are tempted by a discount option offered by one-day firms, read the contract carefully and be prepared for unexpected financial losses.

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