Bregenz

Bregenz is a compact city with big appeal nestled between Lake Constance and the Alps. Each summer, the world-famous Bregenz Festival unfolds on an opera stage floating on the lake—dramatic backdrops and star-studded performances make it a cultural highlight. For modern art fans, the Peter Zumthor–designed Kunsthaus Bregenz presents ever-changing exhibitions in a sleek building that’s a work of art itself. Step back in time in the upper town, where the onion-domed Martinsturm offers sweeping views and medieval frescoes. A cable car ride up Pfänder Mountain takes you to panoramic trails and an alpine wildlife park—look out for vistas over Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and the Alps.