Mountain Austria - a series of articles on Austria's most beautiful places.

Today we will take a breathtaking look at the Austrian highlands, where deep lakes lie among mountain meadows, the sun gleams in all hues as it reflects in the azure waters, the wind carries the scent of wild flowers, and in the distance, bells chime from cows peacefully strolling across the Alpine slopes.

The unspoilt world of Salzkammergut

The breathtaking beauty of the landscape - azure lakes and the gentle greenery of the forests on a background of mountain peaks - is what you first discover when you arrive in this resort region of Austria. One of the most popular lakes in the area is the Wolfgangsee with an area of 13 km2. The lake takes its name from St. Wolfgang, who, according to the legend, built the first church there at the end of the 10th century. The coastal slopes of the Wolfgangsee are home to a number of cosy towns with plenty to offer - the famous Gothic cathedral with its 15th-century altar, the Dolls' Museum and the famous romantic hotel Im Weissen RoessI in St. Wolfgang, Mount Zwelferhorn in St. Gilgen and one of the most beautiful mountain ranges of the Eastern Alps, Postalm near Strobl.

The former salt mines and bizarre ice palaces in the fairytale cave world of the Dachstein mountains leave an unforgettable impression on visitors. The spa towns offer all conditions for a relaxing holiday: swimming, hiking tours through Alpine meadows and steamboat trips. In the fish restaurants you can try dishes made from fish caught in the lake just before your visit.

It is worth mentioning that any visitor of this region can buy the Salzkammergut Card, showing it will give you a 25% discount on a large number of services - train tickets and boat tickets on the lakes of the region, entrance tickets to many museums, trips to caves and nature reserves.

In the very west of the country, on the border with Germany and Switzerland, lies the small Austrian province of Vorarlberg, which covers an area of just 2,601 square metres and a population of 344,000. Framed on all sides by mountain ranges, the region has traditionally had a bit of an isolated way of life from the rest of the country. Even today, Vienna has far less local influence than Munich or Zurich. Its inhabitants have a centuries-old tradition and are known as true conservatives in a good sense of the word. Green hills and low mountains are used as pasture and one sees fantastically colourful wooden houses with carved eaves everywhere. Agrotourism is very well-developed here, with walking and horseback riding tours and walks. Everyone who comes here can feel the harmony and peace, forget the hustle and bustle and enjoy the pastoral landscapes of this remote area.

The Lake Constance region, 63km long and up to 15km wide, is particularly fascinating. Its shores also extend to Switzerland and Germany. Austria has only 38 square km. To feel all the splendor of the lake is worth a lift to the top of Mount Pfender, near Bregenz - a quiet and a little sleepy resort, situated in the romantic surroundings of the shores of Lake Constance. There is no mass tourism and no loud companies here. It is a place where the soul rests.

A natural wonder of Styria

There is another lake in Styria, near the town of Tragös, which can undoubtedly be called a natural wonder: the Grüner See. During the winter, it is only 1-2 metres deep and the entire area around it is used as a cosy and harmonious park. In spring, the temperature rises, the snow and ice on the mountain tops begin to melt, and the water rushes down and engulfs the nearby meadows and parks. In summer the lake is 12 metres deep. Divers used to be permitted to dive here, and during the season, nature lovers would come here to observe the fantastic underwater world with green glades, trees, paths, bridges, benches and gazebos to rest on the lake bed. From July the lake gradually recedes and returns to its original size by winter, and the park comes into the possession of hikers.

The sunny beauty of Carinthia

It is known as the southernmost region of Austria, and is famous for its numerous lakes with warm, crystal-clear waters and well-maintained beaches. The bathing season lasts all summer and the water gets as warm as 28 degrees Celsius.

The Wörthersee, the largest lake in the area, is situated close to the Slovenian and Italian borders. The picturesque beaches and natural surroundings evoke a feeling of harmony with nature. The metropolis Klagenfurt on the eastern shore is quiet and cosy, with romantic restaurants on the waterfront terraces. On the outskirts of Klagenfurt, the Minimündus, there is a very interesting miniature park that reproduces famous buildings from all over the world: the majestic Parthenon in ancient Greece, the Taj Mahal - a poem in stone about the love of an Indian padishah for his wife, the Mayan pyramid from Mexico and many others.

The dragon fountain - the symbol of Klagenfurt

The western part of the lake is home to well-known beaches with a lively tourist scene. The Meiernigg beach, for example, is very popular. In 1899 the famous Austrian composer Gustav Mahler bought land here and built a residency. Many of his famous symphonies were composed here. The local museum now features pieces from Mahler's works and the composer's personal possessions.

Austria is a home to incredible beauty. Everyone who has been here at least once can say for sure that this beauty will be in their heart forever.

• RU:  Горная Австрия