Things to do in Altstaetten

Zoom down majestic mountains at the Damüls Ski Area in western Austria. Peaks and fields of shiny snow stretch into the distance, punctuated by lines of spiky pine trees and iced with incredible amounts of snow. The village of Damüls boasts that it is the “snowiest village in the world.” Statistics indicate that it has Europe’s highest average annual snowfall, around 30 feet (9 meters) every winter.

Stroll through corridors of thick, bushy trees and learn about the monarchy of this proud nation at Vaduz Castle. Stand beneath vast ramparts and imagine the great battles that have taken place here. Sit back on the grass and gaze toward the jagged outline of the distant Alps.

Whether it’s misty or clear, you may find no more beautiful place in Germany than the Lake Constance Promenade. Hugging the edge of the lake outside Friedrichshafen, one of the lake’s biggest towns and home to its only airport, the walkway provides panoramic views of the water augmented by the presence of an observation tower. Spend the day hopping between terraces and sipping a drink while watching the water sparkle.

The Abbey of St. Gall is the emblematic landmark of the historic city of St. Gallen. Marvel at the beauty of its baroque cathedral, see displays of antique documents in the library and wander as monks did in the Middle Ages. The earliest mention of the Abbey of St. Gall is from the 8th century. It flourished as a monastery until secularizing in 1805. In 1983 the entire complex was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List of protected monuments.

The Abbey Library of St. Gall (Stiftsbibliothek St. Gallen) is one of the world’s prettiest and oldest public lending libraries. It holds about 170,000 literary and liturgical works, many written by monks throughout the medieval period. Visit the Abbey Library of St. Gall to peruse its enormous collection, marvel at its luxuriant baroque rococo interior and admire ceiling frescoes.