Jul 13

The Start of Something Spectacular

This twittering thing has been interesting. On the one hand, I love writing concise messages. On the other hand, I feel like I want, and need, to say more.

Take today’s tweet for example. I mentioned that our Heart of Austria tour begins tonight, but what I really wanted to say was, “Yes! We’ve arrived at the doorstep of something truly spectacular.”

This week’s tour begins in the small market village of Bad Goisern. Bad Goisern doesn’t really see a lot of international travelers, other than Germans, which makes it a great, undiscovered stepping stone into the hills and mountains of the Salzkammergut.

The Salzkammergut’s history goes back to Neolithic days, as evidenced by various artifacts discovered throughout the years, but the first written record of Goisern as a settlement dates back to the 14th century. A document from 1325 mentions Bad Goisern as the village of “Gebisharn”.

Bad Goisern became an official spa town in 1931, hence the word “Bad” or “bath” in front of the actual name, but today it’s known as a place where people and nature coexist in harmony. To prove this point, UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, recognized the region around Bad Goisern for its distinct natural and cultural treasures. In addition, 76 different lakes throughout the region make this ground zero for people that love the mountains and water.

Tonight we’ll enjoy a warm welcome and a delicious dinner. Tomorrow we’ll step into the hills and go looking for a fairy tale.

NB: The guided Heart of Austria tour may have departed already, but there’s still time to organize your own self-guided version. This has been a popular tour this summer and for good reason. Please contact us for more details.

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