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.
Slovenia is a little country in the midst of Europe. Situated below Austria and on top of the Balkan peninsula, it is a gateway between Central Europa and Southeastern Europe. The little country is very mountainous and covered in thick forests. Nature roams (almost) freely here, and the culture is rich and with a lot of history.
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.
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.
Since the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, we all had the unique chance to discover our little countries anew. Personally, I traveled a lot before but mostly abroad, so I didn’t have many opportunities to travel around Austria. This changed substantially in the past year and a half, so I discovered many architectural and natural places in Austria I didn’t know before.
Depending on the season, traveling the Alps can be a very different experience. In summer the hills seem more green and alive than in any other other time of the year. The temperatures up in the hills tend to be more temperate than in the city, and it is a joy to wander around and discover nature high in the skies.
Michael Hoffman Photography 