The Gastein Valley, where I may go next weekend (at least I really want to get out, although I have been incredibly busy lately), is distinguished primarily by its healthy height. 1000 m above sea level. Not lower and not higher. If you take it lower, the air is already much dirtier. And higher – a great chance to suffer from altitude sickness. 1000 – for the Alps, this figure is sacred. Slightly intoxicating, invigorating, champagne air. It is even sometimes called “dry champagne” (it seems that Gogol picked up this definition for the first time).
The small town of Bad Gastein is just that very sacramental 1000. Here, in Bad Gastein, you don’t even have to go in for sports to constantly feel in good shape. In addition to this, the fact that the groundwater here is saturated with radon makes itself felt, and this gas is a sure help for the human immune system. Diseases here are almost all removed as if by hand …
Baths in Bad Gastein appeared three hundred years ago. Then these were wooden baths, and in the 17th century, the aristocracy from all over Europe regularly traveled here for medical treatment. However, those magnificent villas and hotels, which the resort is full of today, arose in Bad Gastein relatively recently – about a hundred years ago …
Bad Gastein is a very pleasant place, it has some kind of, let’s say, festive charisma, something in it is Italian, sunny, oddly enough. Tall noble Baroque houses on an impressive mountain slope imperceptibly resemble either Cannes or Monte Carlo. Rather, of course, the latter – not without reason Bad Gastein is sometimes called the Austrian Monte Carlo. (By the way, we couldn’t do without a casino here, there is where to indulge in Dostoevsky’s passion.)
Today, the baths are majestic pools with running warm mineral water. Thanks to these pools, the whole city on quiet days is shrouded in a veil of misty steam, which gives it some kind of otherworldly, mystical halo …
Now let’s talk about hotels. There are options. And the main one, deserving, in my opinion, the very first and close attention, is Hoteldorf Gruener Baum. This is such a mini-village in the Ketschachtal valley, consisting of wonderful two-story wooden cottages, each with several rooms.
I stayed last year at the Family Apartments, very spacious and cozy at the same time. On the site of Gruener Baum, by the way, there used to be nothing but a hunting residence of the imperial family. Archduke Johann (brother of the Austrian Emperor Joseph II) often came here. Another feature of this hotel is that Gruener Baum is located on the territory of the nature reserve. Where vehicles are prohibited. A centuries-old forest grows nearby.
You will spend the evening, most likely, in the living room by the fireplace. Then don’t forget to order some herbal tincture. This is a very special experience…
Gruener Baum’s Koesslerhaus Spa. Bath with alpine hay extract – recommended for general toning. And if you seriously need to strengthen yourself, I advise you to settle here for a week and take some serious course. Wraps with extracts of mountain herbs, various massages, special saunas… You’ll figure it out!
As an alternative to Gruener Baum, I can offer you a hotel Alpine Spa Hotel Haus Hirt. Modern minimalism. Super views of the mountains from the windows (however, Gruener Baum also has views!) and also a good spa center …
Now about the joys of the gastronomic plan. Restaurant Das Schloss in der Gastein located in an extremely old castle near the village of Bad Hofgastein. Traditional alpine cuisine and a very special historical atmosphere. And the second is the restaurant. Mayers. This is generally one of the most delicious restaurants in Austria. It is in the Zell am See valley, 50 km from the Gastein valley, but you shouldn’t neglect the trip (at least once!) because the road itself deserves attention, it’s a very beautiful path.
Chef Andreas Meyers, conjurer in the local cuisine, has two Michelin pantacles. Especially famous are his lamb with eggplant and artichokes. And, of course, fried salmon with cherry tomatoes and rosemary potatoes.
Finally, two more words about landscapes. If you move from Bad Gastein to the east, along the Grossglockner road (this road is closed in winter), you will discover dizzying landscapes – alpine meadows crowned with flowers, winding streams, pine groves. At the very top, as a desired goal, an observation deck will loom for you, from which – you will never forget it! – the entire Grossglockner mountain will sparkle for you in the dazzling diamond radiance of its unearthly glaciers. This note, on which it is really not a pity to end.
