Atter See
Lake Attersee, 60 km from Salzburg, is not only the largest in Austria (with an area of 46 sq. km), but also a famous diving center in the country. For divers in its crystal clear waters, 26 species of fish pose at once. Check ANDYEDUCATION.COM to learn more about the country of Austria.
There are 8 resorts on the lake: Attersee, Nussdorf, Schörling, Steinbach, Seewalchen, Unterach, Weyregg and the largest one is Vöcklabruck. A series of Attersee resorts is a collection of cozy authentic Austrian towns. Vöcklabruck can be a bit busier (by Austrian standards, of course), while the rest of the resorts are all right: neat, smiling and welcoming.
The water in the lake is so pure that it is considered drinkable.
How to get to Attersee
Attersee and Scherling are connected by a railway line to the Salzburg-Linz main line. High-speed trains stop in Vöcklabruck, where you need to change to a regional train going to Attersee or Scherling.
Entertainment and attractions
These places are associated with the activities of the famous Austrian artist Gustav Klimt and composer Gustav Mahler. Tourists will be offered to walk along thematic routes and listen to stories about their life and work during excursions.
Cultural events include the Steinbach Philharmonic Week, the festival “Summer of Culture in Unterach”, concerts at Kammer Castle.
Sports: water slides, water skiing, surfing, yachting schools and sailboat rentals, motorboat cruises, canyoning, climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding, golf, tennis, squash, bowling, hiking trails.
Bad Gastein
Bad Gastein is a very pretentious and expensive resort in the Gasteinertal region, located in a valley at an altitude of 1600 m, with an aristocratic clientele and a reputation as “mountain Monte Carlo”. Its main feature is the ability to combine skiing with healing in thermal springs.
The resort picturesquely stretched out in the form of a horseshoe along the foot of the mountains, located on three levels. Here, architectural ensembles of the late 19th century. are combined with the latest buildings and organically fit into the mountain landscape. One of the symbols of Bad Gastein is the waterfall, which is located in the very center of the resort. Another institution that made Bad Gastein famous throughout Austria is the oldest mountain casino.
The ski season here lasts from December to March. There are not many easy slopes, so this area is recommended for advanced skiers, as well as those wishing to improve their health at the thermal springs (plus radon baths, treatment in salt galleries, spa and beauty treatments).
How to get there
Flight to Salzburg, the distance from the airport to the city center is 96 km. You can get there by train. Departure – every hour, travel time – 1 hour 30 minutes.
Trails of Bad Gastein
The resort has three ski areas: Stubnerkogel-Schlossalm, Graukogel and Sportgastein. From the upper part of the city, from the railway station, the high-speed cable car to the Stubnerkogel mountain (1090-2230 m) starts. Soft “blue” slopes there often turn into steep “red” slopes, so skiing is recommended only for confident skiers.
All trails in the area are accessible to advanced boarders. The transition to the Schlossalm mountain zone (2050 m) is carried out through the Skizentrum Angertal (1175 m) – a great place for children to ski and learn.
The Graukogel region lies in the shadow of a valley, so the snow is of good quality even during the thaw. Two very decent tracks are laid along the forest clearings – “black” and “red” (with options). Skiing in this place is not for beginners, and most of the lifts are outdated.
Sportgastein (1585-2650 m) is the highest and snowiest place in the valley with an unpleasant reputation as an avalanche area (especially after heavy snowfalls). The best way to get here is by bus (7 km). Trails, “black” and “red”, are well suited for virgin skiing and downhill skiing.
Entertainment and attractions of Bad Gastein
Mountain trails, health-improving complex “Felsenbad” with outdoor and indoor pools with thermal water, sauna, and treatment programs. Bowling, casino, 30 restaurants, 16 bars and discos, “fan center” on the Stubnerkogel mountain (with children’s playroom and cinema), amusement park in the Congress Center (disco, computer games, attractions).
Bad Ischl
Bad Ischl is the cultural and geographical center of the Salzkammergut region, 50 km east of Salzburg, on the banks of two rivers: Traun and Ischl. It became popular after the literally fruitful stay here of the ruling Habsburg family – Archduke Charles and Princess Sophia, who solved the problem of childlessness in Bad Ischl. They subsequently had three sons. Composers Johann Strauss and Ilmar Kalman, Romy Schneider, Helmut Kohl, Karl Lagerfeld, Nikita “Kuzkina’s mother” Khrushchev and many other notorious personalities have been here.
Bad Ischl is a great place for hiking and cycling: there are many flat paths in the vicinity of the resort.
How to get there
Bad Ischl can be reached by train from nearby Salzburg, as well as Linz or Graz. Another way is to arrive by car – from the same Salzburg or Vienna.
Cuisine and restaurants
You can have a quick bite at the pretty restaurant Burgerstub’n, and eat more thoroughly at the large cafe and restaurant Zauner. The Attwenger wine house serves everything that winemaking Austria is so famous for. Another nice place with dishes for any stomach size and wallet thickness is Cafe Sissy.
Treatment in Bad Ischl
Bad Ischl is the largest balneological resort. Treatment here is based on the use of salt, sulfur and mineral springs, as well as mineral mud. All treatments are taken at the Kaisertherme, a modern medical center.
The resort specializes in the treatment of diseases of the respiratory tract, musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular system, diseases of the urinary tract and digestion. At the sanatoriums there are specialized departments for children, where chronic bronchitis, asthma and age-related diseases are treated.
Contraindications: chronic diseases in the acute stage, acute infectious and inflammatory diseases, oncological diseases, acute cardiovascular insufficiency, some skin diseases.
Types of therapy – inhalations with salt, medicines and sulfur, washing the nasopharynx with hydrogen sulfide, hyperbaric chambers, climatic chambers, carbon dioxide and oxygen baths, acupressure, salt and hydrogen sulfide baths, mud applications, salt underwater therapy, salt underwater massage, therapeutic exercises, electrotherapy, respiratory gymnastics, massage, physiotherapy, ergometry, drinking course with Glauber’s salt, sauna, mineral water treatment.
Entertainment and attractions in Bad Ischl
It is worth visiting the summer residence of Kaiser Franz Joseph, the city museum, the parish church of St. Nicholas, the composer Lehar’s villa, the tea house of Empress Elisabeth, the city museum, the Hanel-Panser Museum, and the Zauner confectionery. You can ride a cable car up to an altitude of 1400 m to the alpine pasture Katrin, from where you can enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the surroundings. Experienced climbers can try to conquer the Dachstein peak here (3000 m).
The resort offers numerous restaurants, pastry shops and coffee shops, antique shops and boutiques. Around the resort there are 76 beautiful lakes of various sizes. In almost every one you can swim, and in some the water is even drinkable.
Leisure
Operetta festival in July-August, holidays of folk, classical, jazz music, jousting tournaments, concerts. 25 tennis courts and halls, golf course, equestrian and ski sports, fishing, hiking trails, cycling, riding arena, golf park, outdoor ice rink.
