Would appreciate help with planning a first trip to Tyrol, Austria.

Base: one village in the valley unless it makes sense to use two locations.
Travelers: two active seniors (60+)
Length: three to five days after visiting Innsbruck
Time: Summer or early fall
Transport: public transportation
Interests: walking, bird watching, bike riding, local food and wine, photography. Waterfalls, caves, hot springs would be a plus. No hardcore hiking or cycling.
Appreciate feedback on must do activities and must do locations

I like the Stubai valley very much. Spent a couple of weeks there in the last 30 years for hiking and skiing plus some occasional sightseeing. The valley is not that large - no need for two bases. Fulpmes is most convenient IMO. You can do leisure walks from every top station of the gondolas/cable cars - except on the glacier, but do an excursion to the top there, it is amazing. From the top of Mieders-Serles gondola walk to the convent and back - nice. From Schlick gondola (Fulpmes) top station walk back down to the middle station on the southern (sunny) sunny side of the mountain, not through the skiing area. You may want to have a look in the various Baroque churches - Neustift e.g. There are waterfalls towards the inner valley, one or two bus stops before the glacier cable car (terminal) bus stop is a big one. As for food - nothing different from elsewhere in Tyrol (you're coming from Innsbruck, right?). Hearty Austrian food, try Kaiserschmarrn, the cheese and sausages/salami. If you travel by public transportation make sure to ride the tram from Innsbruck to Fulpmes - scenic. You will pass some charming mountain villages, too.

Ingo - good to see you here!

You've just made my December Austria wish list even longer!

I did a day trip to the Stubai glacier from Innsbruck, and enjoyed it very much. I also spent a couple of days in Pertisau on the Achensee, riding the mountain railway up, but I don't think it would make a good base.

Mel - good to see you, too!

Be forewarned - the valley floor is not exactly sunny in December

Oh no!

Also considering the Oztal, or perhaps both.

Sorry for hijacking your thread sembach!

I second Ingo: December is really not the best season. Neither for Stubaital, nor for Oetztal, Pitztal, Kaunertal or Schnalstal (all in the same area).

I know, I hear this a lot, but we've yet to be disappointed in our 'not in the right season' travels.

Mel - better Stubai than Oetztal. The latter is too much focused on skiing. I felt that the villages in Stubai valley have a life aside from (downhill) skiing, not really so in Oetztal. Just my subjective impression. Also, the Oetztal is a very long valley - which you will notice especially if you stay in Sölden or higher up - far from any larger town, from Stubai you can always do a quick excursion to Innsbruck or the surrounding villages/towns.

Thanks for the feedback! Anybody else want to comment?

Count me as another fan of the Stubaital (for summer walking, I've never been in the ski season).
I did a trip report with links to some photos, a few years ago