Abstract

The author made a content-rich trip through Austria and the northern part of Italy by participating in the scientific conference 15th International Passive House Conference 2011, which was held (May 26 - 30, 2011) in Innsbruck. In order to get to know those parts of Austria that are not on the main roads (from Slovenia to Germany, for example), the author decided to drive from the Slovenia-Austria border to Innsbruck by car (with the possibility of taking breaks where he wants) the southern part of Austria and the northern part of Italy in order to better get to know the alpine part of these countries, smaller urban settlements in their natural environment and experience the atmosphere of the most important road that connects the southern part of Europe with its northern part. Arriving from Slovenia to the Austrian town of Villach (in the south of Austria), the Author continued his drive to Innsbruck through the colorful Gail Valley, which stretches in an East-West direction, passing through smaller towns - Sankt Stefan im Gailtal (St. Stefan in the Gail Valley), Hermagor -Pressegger See and Kötschach-Mauthen. Considering the time of the trip (May), the experience of the Gail valley, squeezed between the high peaks of the Alps (which were covered with snow), was particularly rich. From Austria, the journey to Innsbruck continued via the Italian cities of Bruneck, Bolzano and Merano.