Caroline in the Alps

If you haven’t yet learned this about me already, I will say it again. My favorite hostels are almost always the smaller, family-run establishments. Ozzie Pozzie and Banana Benders in Australia immediately come to mind. So when I began planning my visit to Innsbruck I knew I wanted to stay at Doug’s Mountain Getaway, which the reviews on Hostelworld said “I might never want to leave.” I was sold.

But I’m a city girl at heart, even if I “roughed it” in the Outback, so I had my doubts about being able to handle the Alps. After taking the two-hour train from Munich to Innsbruck and a (hungover) scenic tram ride to Fulpmes, I was in awe. I had never seen such big mountains.

I’m used to the gentle slopes of the Appalachians. I still don’t possess the words to describe how beautiful it was. I found the house marked “Doug’s” and was greeted by Jamie, BFF to “The Doug” and Sue, Doug’s lovely mother.

The lodge is like a house, complete with sauna (!!!), pool table, bar, darts, Mario Kart room (I lost three of four times), kitchen and tv room. There was already a tight knit group of Aussies there, so I had my doubts about being able to become a part of the group. Then again, they had only known each other for about 24 hours, but that’s what Doug’s does to you. It forces you to join the group.

I could ramble on about how much I loved my double room, free WiFi, free breakfast and OH YES the sauna, but what makes this place so fantastic is the activities. Doug’s is in the heart of a ski town, far enough from Innsbruck to not be worth going back and forth. Jamie planned things to do every day like paragliding (only €95!), an 8 hour to hike to a glacier (no, I’m not that outdoorsy) and fondue night.

Sure, you can do your own thing if you want, but where’s the fun in that? The nights spent watching Project X, drinking €1.50 beers and playing Looping Louie (ask when you get there!) will be some of the most treasured from my trip. So take a break from the debauchery of Munich in favor of fresh mountain air. You (and your liver) will be glad you did.

My complimentary stay at Doug’s Mountain Getaway was arranged in partnership with Hostelworld, but all opinions are my own. Even when my hostelmates asked “Is this going on your blog?”