Albeit situated close to the Alps, the city of Ljubljana has the charm of a mediterranean town. The city consists of specious squares and lovely little alleyways with a lot of history. There is much to discover in the capital of Slovenia.
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.
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.
Michael Hoffman Photography 