ÖTZTAL IN TIROL Hollywood meets the Austrian Tirol

Where would James Bond parachute into in the Austrian Tirol? Ötztal, of course! You can see exactly why the Bond producers chose to film the world’s most famous spy in this spectacular corner of Europe – and then join in a blockbuster of adventures yourself.

The spectacular natural and manmade sides of the Ötztal valley come together at the new 007 ELEMENTS. This James Bond-themed interactive museum in Sölden sits 3,050m high, inside the Gaislachkogl mountain. The nine galleries have a heavy focus on Spectre, which had scenes shot around here, but also installations and footage from the other Bond films. In this A-list region you can even dine in a restaurant that doubled as a villain’s lair in Spectre.

Beyond Bond there are 1,600km of hiking trails to embark on, connected by an impressive array of 10 summer mountain lifts, as well as huts. Options range from geocaching or treasure hunting trails for families, through to the epic Ötztal Trek. This famed long-distance hiking route surges off for 400km, with six route options and 22 stages.

Mountain bikers can explore myriad trails across the hills as well as at Bike Republic. This multi-terrain park boasts natural single trails, Enduro tracks and a pump track. Then there is the thrill of whitewater rafting with Area 47, where beginners are catered for. You can also try caving, cliff diving and wakeboarding.

It doesn’t end there. How about climbing beside the gushing waters at the Stuiben waterfall, watching the sunset at the Piburger lake, or soaking in a spa session with views of the peaks at Aqua Dome? You could also visit the Ötzi Village to follow in the famous iceman’s footsteps and learn about our Neolithic ancestors. Over at Widiversum adventure land, families are challenged with riddles and puzzles.

Throughout summer, festivals and events like summer cycle marathons, trail runs and glacier hikes are very tempting in Ötztal. Whatever you do at the end of the day, delicious Tirolean cuisine awaits. Not even super disciplined Bond could resist the temptation of Tiroler Gröstl – a bacon, onion and potato fry-up, enjoyed, of course, with a breathtaking mountain backdrop fit for a blockbuster movie.

The views from Olpererhütte moutain hut; dinner at Kristallhütte; leisurely mountain cycling

Your advice on making the most of a trip to South Africa

Hippo encounters are guaranteed in isimangaliso Wetland Park, Kwazulu-natal

Grape expectations

Western Cape “Take the tram from Franschhoek to tour the Western Cape’s wine estates. Boschendal had some of the best food I have ever eaten.” Gill Bond

Escape the crowds

Western Cape ”If heading to Hermanus to see the whales, stop off at Betty’s Bay for its penguins – it’s less crowded than the better-known Boulders Beach.” Joy Fowler

Delve into the past

Kwazulu-natal “Whether you are interested in military history or not, the battlefield tours from Fugitives’ Drift Lodge to Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift are an unmissable part of a trip around Kwazulu-natal. They are moving, engaging and memorable.” Richard Kitzinger

Hit the heights

Lesotho “Take a couple of days to visit Lesotho via the Sani Pass – the Try the wild swing in Oribi Gorge, says reader Caroline Jenner – step off at the top of Lehr’s Falls plummet down at 120kph. scenery en route is jaw-dropping, particularly the 27-corner zig-zag 4WD climb up the mountain pass through the clouds to the border, not forgetting to stop off at the highest pub in Africa (at 2,874m).” Ewan Savoury

A rail big adventure

“Johannesburg–cape Town To see the real South Africa, jump on the Shosholoza Meyl train in Jo’burg and rattle your way past golden hills, unpronounceable towns and moon-like expanses as

South Africa is vast, so when planning a visit you’ll need to weigh up what you can and can’t squeeze in. From wine tours to shark dives, here are your tips for making the most of your trip

Road not taken

Western/eastern Cape “Tsitsikamma National Park is often overlooked in favour of Knysna or nearby Plettenberg Bay, yet it has so much: beautiful forests; fine coastal trails such as the one at Storms River; a truly terrifying bungee at Bloukrans Bridge; Birds of Eden sanctuary and the big cats of Tenikwa Wildlife Centre. Plettenberg is a short drive away, while stays at Hog Hollow Country Lodge afford fantastic views.” Tamsin Sealy

you cross the Great Karoo en route to the Winelands and Cape Town.” Joe Olding

It’s not all whales…

Western Cape “There’s a great walk in Hermanus along the cliffs, with just pretty fynbos and cheeky dassies (rock hyrax) for company.” Tommy Brundin

Close encounters

Western Cape “Try the cage diving at Shark Alley off Gansbaai – the great whites are amazing.” Sharon Spencer

Delightful detour

Western Cape “Head to Cape Agulhas – it is well worth the detour off the Garden Route drive, and I enjoyed it more than the Cape of Good Hope. The food in nearby Struisbaai, a cool, artsy small town, is also lovely.” Jenna Maghie

Hungry hippos

Kwazulu-natal ”River cruises on the isimangaliso wetlands guarantee hippos, and on a one-day safari in the game park we saw cheetahs, rhinos and elephants – all at close range.” Dawn Taylor

Get your barbecue fix

“Make sure you taste a meal cooked on a braai when travelling in South Africa. It’s basically the local version of a barbecue, typically involving lots of meat (lamb, steak, boerewors sausage), though vegetarians can expect corn on the cob and butternut squash. It’s also the finale of most game drives, days rounded off with the scent of woodsmoke and charred meat in the air.” Jenny Aitken, Tucan Travel

In association with

A cave with a view

Kwazulu-natal “The Drakensberg escarpment is simply breathtaking. Hiking tours are simple to organise, with stays in mountain huts, campsites or the caves that line the escarpment all easily booked with the national park. Waking up in a cave here, watching the sun shade the mountains a deep pink, is magical.” Caroline Mccann

154 wanderlust.co.uk March 2019