Bond Biking And Blobbing In Slden Austria

Austria’s second most popular travel destination is well known for skiing and winter pursuits, but Sölden is now firmly establishing itself as a holiday hotspot for other activities throughout the year.

As ski resorts across Europe prepare for another snowy winter season, one destination has just experienced a bumper summer thanks to a number of initiatives that have made it an essential summer holiday hotspot for thrill seekers and culture lovers. The mountains and valleys of Sölden in Tyrol boast several unique attractions that offer something for every type of traveller.

007 ELEMENTS is embedded into the mountains of Sölden

Exploring ice Q and 007 ELEMENTS

Arguably the best-known element of Sölden is, well, 007 ELEMENTS – the world’s first permanent James Bond-inspired cinematic installation.

007 ELEMENTS in Austria features several interactive galleries

007 ELEMENTS was completed soon after the film was released. The purpose-built structure is carved into the mountain itself, and as such, it is temperature-controlled to maintain the integrity of the compact ice and stone it sits on. Fans keen on visiting are in for an unforgettable experience – just be sure to pack your winter coat!

Props from Spectre are spread across the venue, which also covers many of the other instalments in the series.

Hitting the trails with Bike Republic Sölden

When heading up the mountains for ice Q and 007 ELEMENTS, either by cable car or hike, it’s impossible to miss the vast network of cycle trails across the area. These are part of the incredible Bike Republic Sölden trails that were launched in 2015. These routes are built with cyclists of all levels in mind and are ecologically designed to make the most of the natural scenery without causing any permanent damage to the area.

The Ötztal Alps have been a favourite for skiers and winter sports enthusiasts for decades now, but since it opened, Bike Republic Sölden has drawn in cyclists looking for something different than the usual trails and challenges. There are dozens of lanes to enjoy, from adrenaline-fuelled downhill sprints to more leisurely scenic paths.

Sustainability has been at the forefront of the development of Bike Republic Sölden, and construction is ongoing. The concept is very much about creating a nation for cyclists, with many of the routes being named in the local dialect. Visitors are called ‘citizens’ and are even given their own ‘passport’ for their stay, which is part of the overall experience. Completing specific routes will result in a stamp or a visa – just like the real thing!

Bike Republic Sölden offers trails of varying difficulty

Bike Republic Sölden is one of the biggest dedicated cycle networks in the world. The Langeggbahn (summer mountain lifts) is the best way to head to the top, with some trails offering a surf-style descent with banked turns and loose gravel. To get the best overview, download the interactive 3D map of the network.

Wet and wild adventures at AREA 47

For the ultimate summer experience, AREA 47 is a water-based theme park that offers all manner of activities from rafting to blobbing. For the uninitiated, blobbing involves leaping onto a giant inflatable platform (the ‘blob’) and launching a fellow participant into the air before splashing into a vast pool. You then slide yourself along to the end of the blob and wait for someone to return the favour.

There are various ways of travelling to Sölden. The international train terminal at Ötztal-Bahnhof offers comfortable journeys from all corners of Europe, and there are several shuttle services to the main hotels, including the five-star Das Central. The hotel was the base for many of the cast and crew while filming Spectre and offers convenient access to 007 ELEMENTS and ice Q.

There are several airports that serve the area, with Innsbruck and Munich within easy reach by car.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

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