It's It's known locally as "the pearl of the Tirol" and has a nature/ culture equilibrium similar to that of its larger siblings, Innsbruck and Salzburg. This year, Kufstein is on our radar as an off-the-beaten track Austrian city we want to get to know.

If this meandering valley town is a pearl, consider the encircling Kaiser Mountains its meaty oyster, offering a slew of outdoor activities coupled with a wholesome dining scene. From the mountains themselves, dotted with hikers in summer and traversed by skiers in winter, to the medieval city centre which is scored by the sparkling River Inn, Kufstein has retained a nostalgic charm, making it an attractive getaway for urbanites looking to escape the daily grind.

It's a place where those with enough get-up-and-go can feast on an endless buffet of mountain-top vistas; where natural beauty is distilled into meditative freshwater spas, food is laced with hillside herbs, and the largest free-standing organ in the world ricochets off the surrounding peaks at midday, everyday.

To really probe Kufstein's crannies, including the gorgeous satellite villages dotted across the surrounding valley, we suggest hiring a car. Otherwise, zip across altitudes by cable car or go on foot.