A Journey to Austria
Impressions of travelling through Austria in Summer 2021.
The Emperors Retreat: Architecture of Bad Ischl
Bad Ischl in Upper Austria used to be the favorite retreat for the ruling family of the Austrian Empire. The Habsburg family liked it so much that they bought property here and many other wealthy families followed suit. Hence, at the end of the 19th century, many beautiful and spacious villas were built in different styles, such as classicist, art deco, and traditional. Furthermore, there is a plethora of exciting churches and administrative buildings in Bad Ischl worth visiting.
Discovering Bad Aussee
Bad Aussee is one of these unique spots on our planet you won’t forget having been there once. It will lurk you back eventually with its beauty and its remoteness. The lake is situated in the Styrian part of the so-called “Salzkammergut”, a region in Austria historically linked to the mining and trade of salt. Bad Aussee is a retreat town with a beautiful lake close by and distinguishable by a certain kind of Alpine architecture called Bad Aussee style. It is not too touristy and a perfect spot to spend one day or a more extended vacation.
Waters of Austria
A little-known fact about Austria is that it is one of the places in the world that is very rich in natural water sources. Water is used as drinking water and for agriculture, but also as an enormous source of power. Also, the water streams in the Alps are gorgeous, and there are numerous impressive waterfalls to be discovered.
The High Alps
The Alps are an extensive mountain range situated in the heart of Europe. They reach peaks up to 4.800 meters in height and cover a wide range of different climate zones. Traveling the Alps is taking in pure nature.
Discovering Bad Gastein
During the 19th century, Bad Gastein in Austria became a fashionable resort in the Alps, visited by European monarchs and the rich and wealthy. In this period, many impressive hotels were built in the principal styles of the era – classicism and Art Deco. In the decades after WWII, Bad Gastein lost its appeal to other places, and the remote town became forgotten more and more. Lately, efforts have been made to preserve and maintain the cultural heritage in Bad Gastein. The shine of the days gone by is coming back again slowly but surely.
Michael Hoffman Photography 