Only a few kilometres from Lake Constance stretches the picturesque Bregenzerwald in the federal state of Vorarlberg. Almost as many cows as people are distributed among the 23 pretty villages of our eastern neighbour. Those who come here are welcomed with great nature, warm hospitality and regional culinary delights. In summer, 1,500 km of signposted hiking trails and 460 km of mountain bike trails invite you to explore the pre-Alpine hills, forests, river valleys and lakes. In winter, extensive snowshoe hiking, a ride on a husky sled or, for those who like even more action, a fast-paced paragliding tandem flight are worthwhile. All year round, the Geniesserhotel Gams in Bezau offers a cosy atmosphere to spend time as a couple with your favourite person.

The Bregenzerwald region in Austria's second smallest province, Vorarlberg, scores with rolling hills, romantic river valleys and imposing peaks. A special feature of the Bregenzerwald are the small picturesque villages - 23 in number. The many wooden shingle facades catch the eye. Handicrafts and architecture are very important in the Bregenzerwald. The small village of Krumbach became particularly famous a few years ago: here architects from seven different countries designed seven bus stops, including well-known names such as the Japanese Sou Fujimoto, whose bus stop resembles a futuristic bamboo forest. Since the old bus shelters had to be renewed, the idea came up to launch an international tender. For the BUS:STOP Krumbach project, seven architects from Russia, Spain, Belgium, Norway, Japan, China and Chile were finally found to embellish the village with cool bus shelters.

Want more culture? You can get it at the Juppe workshop in Riefensberg. Juppe is the name given to the elegant costume of the Bregenzerwald woman. A black dress with up to 500 pleats, a bodice embroidered with gold and silver, a matching blouse, a belt, jewellery and a hat. In 2003, the workshop was opened and an old craft was brought back to life. Many Bregenzerwald women order a Juppe here or have their old one freshened up. But beware: you can't just walk into the shop and buy a Juppe. The delivery time is about one and a half years and the production is time-consuming. The 480 cm long fabric band is glued according to an old recipe, then made shiny in the smoothing machine and "pleated" in 500 pleats in the folding machine. After folding, the fabric first has to hang out in the wardrobe for six months before the seamstress finally embroiders it with bodices. No wonder that the simplest yoke already costs 3,000 euros.

You can also see the traditional costume and its production in the local history museum in Schwarzenberg. Schwarzenberg is not only worth a visit because of the museum. The only village in the Bregenzerwald that is a listed building boasts many picturesque, dreamy houses. And if you're feeling peckish, you can enjoy the delicious Käsknöpfle (cheese dumplings), Schlutzkrapfen (doughnuts) or fluffy Kaiserschmarrn (pancakes) at the Gasthof Adler in the middle of the village.

If you're in the mood for something even sweeter: In the hip Café Deli, which belongs to the Hotel Bären in Mellau, delicious cakes, ice cream and tasty coffee tempt you to take a long break.

Or you can stop by "Frau Kaufmann" on Fridays: Behind the label is Karin Kaufmann from Bregenz, who has built up a small gourmet empire over the past few years and serves what is said to be the best curd strudel in the entire Bregenzerwald.

If you are on holiday here in winter, take an extensive snowshoe hike. This is great from the Baumgarten mountain station above Bezau or also from the Diedamskopf mountain station. Another highlight in the wintery Bregenzerwald is a husky sleigh ride! This adventure is offered by Marc, a Belgian and trained baker who always dreamed of working with dogs so that one day he could organise husky sled rides. He sold his bakery 15 years ago and finally fulfilled his dream. Today he owns 14 dogs - his sled rides are booked so often that he could go on tour with his huskies almost twice a day. So better book in advance!

Instead of admiring the mountain panorama "only" from the ground, you can also marvel at it from the air. The Bregenzerwald Flying School offers tandem paragliding flights when the wind conditions are good and the weather is right. The flight from the already mentioned Diedamskopf at 2090 metres is particularly beautiful. As a rule, the flying adventures are only possible in the winter months, as the wind conditions often do not allow it in the other months.

Of course, you can also strap on your skis in the Bregenzerwald and whizz down the many slopes. In the Damüls-Mellau-Faschina ski area alone, 109 kilometres of pistes await you. The best thing to do is to get the 3-Valley Ski Pass, which is valid for 15 ski areas as well as for the ski buses in the Bregenzerwald.

In summer, mountains are ideal for all kinds of hikes of various levels of difficulty. Thanks to the mountain railways, most of which also operate in summer, you can save yourself a few metres of altitude and beads of sweat. A highlight in the Bregenzerwald is the sunset on the Diedamskopf. In good weather, you can enjoy a panoramic view from the summit cross - from the Lechtal to the Swiss Alps to Lake Constance. Not quite as alpine as the summit happiness on the Diedamskopf, but at least as beautiful, is the Baumgarten Panorama Trail. It starts at the mountain station of the Bezau cable car at 1,645 metres above sea level and can be completed in about 1.5 hours on a hiking circuit.

Five years ago, the Körbersee was rightly voted "Austria's most beautiful place" in a TV programme - the epitome of a picturesque mountain lake. This is situated at over 1,600 metres above sea level and is framed by the spectacular peaks of the Alps. Since it is easily accessible - you can reach the lake from the car park at the Hochtannberg Pass - this natural gem has long ceased to be an insider's tip, but is well worth a visit at any time.

After a long hike, tired limbs look forward to relaxation and recuperation. In summer, the Oberköhler Moorbad is a great place to do this. The swimming pond with its surrounding biotope zone is an idyllic place to relax, but also ideal for a barbecue at the public barbecue area.

The question of suitable accommodation remains: Do as I do and book two or even better three nights with your loved one at the "Gams zu Zweit" connoisseur and cuddle hotel. A must for lovers and romantics! Not only because of the extraordinary architecture and the special design, but above all because of the offer for "time for two". Here, friendship, culinary delights and simply switching off are given top priority. There is also a lot of wellness: Dive into the infinity pool on the hotel roof with a wonderful view of Bezau and the nearby mountains, sweat in the herbal sauna or in the brine steam bath and in the evening enjoy a romantic 6-course gourmet menu, before later making yourself really comfortable in your own cosy suite in the four-poster bed in front of the open fireplace under the starry sky. Relaxation tip: Book the Wolke 7 for two. Your body will be scrubbed, lathered and then kneaded. A soothing cleansing ritual in the oriental style.
If you like it more rustic and want to fall asleep to the chirping of crickets and wake up to the cheerful twittering of birds, the adventure tree house in Sulzberg makes it possible.  Nothing is missing on 50 square metres. Kitchen, bathroom, rain shower, sofa and a wonderfully cosy bunk are spread over three floors.

To make your stay in the Bregenzerwald last a little longer, we recommend the Bregenzerwälder Käsehaus in Andelsbuch. In addition to show cheeses and the opportunity to stop for a bite to eat, the cheese house offers all kinds of practical and culinary souvenirs. Have a piece of Bregenzerwälder mountain cheese wrapped up and remember the wonderful time in the Bregenzerwald at home with every bite.