There’s certainly a lot to discover in Vorarlberg, here in the far west of Austria. With towering 3000-metre mountain ranges just a stone’s throw from the leisurely Lake Constance, it’s a perfect invitation to exciting group trips and work outings. 

Where should this journey take you, and which destinations are a must for groups to explore?  Six holiday regions make up Vorarlberg, each with their own distinctive characteristics. Let’s start our journey of discovery at Lake Constance, in the Bodensee-Vorarlberg region and a great spot for a stroll through several small cities. Here a knowledgeable tour guide can help make the most of architectural or city tours, or a look behind the scenes at the Bregenz Festival. The museums are also well worth a visit, including the modern Kunsthaus Bregenz and, just next door, the vorarlberg museum.

A stone’s throw but a world away is the pastoral Bregenzerwald region with its 23 villages for groups to explore. It’s evident from the outset that the Bregenzerwalders are fond of building and making stuff – an effortless fusion of old and new wooden architecture can be seen everywhere. The popular Werkraum in Andelsbuch shows off the ingenuity of local handworkers, with ever-changing exhibitions. Meanwhile, the Juppenwerkstatt showcases textile artistry, notably the elegant traditional “Juppe” clothes worn by Bregenzerwalders. Just as celebrated for their craft are the area’s alpine cheesemakers - tastings of the region’s famous cheeses are available everywhere, such as at the various stops on the Bregenzerwald Cheese Trail and at the Käsekeller in Lingenau. 

Cheese is also produced at the Great Walser Valley Biosphere Park, a UNESCO site, where visitors to the biosphärenpark.haus can watch the cheese production process. The central point of this Alpenregion Vorarlberg region is the southernmost city, Bludenz, a leisurely and inviting “alpine city”. Beer fans will enjoy tastings at the city’s Fohrenburg brewery – a favourite for group trips. The picturesque valleys in the area are all well worth a visit too, including Brandnertal – launchpad for cable-car trips up to the idyllic Lünersee – and Klostertal with various panoramic mountain views.

Mountain splendour is truly ever-present here, no more so than in the Montafon region – a favourite spot of the writer Ernest Hemingway, who enjoyed two winters here. It is surrounded by high peaks, including Piz Buin which at 3312 m is the highest point in Vorarlberg. There’s a particularly good view of it from the Bielerhöhe pass, leading to the idyllic Silvretta High Alpine Road. Montafon is also home to a culinary delight: “Sura Kees”, a spicy lean cheese made only here. Group visitors can find out all about this and more at the Käsehaus in Schruns. Excursions into the surrounding nature are also ideal group trips, with innumerable options for hiking, mountain biking and e-biking. 

Snow-covered slopes enjoyed by ski fans turn into flowering meadows in summer. This includes those of Lech Zürs am Arlberg, one of the most famous ski resorts in the alps, and indeed the cradle of alpine skiing. The breath-taking nature here inspired the renowned American artist James Turrell: his “Skyspace Lech” walk-in art installation can be found in the hills just above Lech. The hotels here, including many with 5 stars, offer groups the finest hospitality. Meanwhile, for food lovers no wish is left unfulfilled, with a great many award-winning restaurants to explore. 

A trip into Kleinwalsertal requires actually momentarily leaving Vorarlberg and heading through Germany, the only way in and out of this special valley enveloped by mountains. The rolling pastures, quaint mountain huts, and stunning backdrops make the trip more than worth it. The history of the valley itself is just as interesting, settled centuries ago by Walser people from the Swiss alps. Guided tours give many fascinating insights into the effect this had on the area, where guides are even happy to teach a few unique phrases from the Walser dialect. On the way back, a stop-off at the impressive Breitachklamm gorge is highly recommended!