Serene Waters: Lake Wolfgang

Austria is a country that sets great store by tradition, and as a result boasts an incredible number of historic sights and monuments and a tangible sense of former pomp. In many places, the spirit of the former Habsburg monarchs still feels close enough to touch – like in the Salzkammergut region close to Salzburg. Emperor Franz Joseph I was a fan of this idyllic lake region, and every summer would move his household here to a summer residence to take a break from the exertion of ruling. In those days, summer holidays were a new fashion, but one that was emulated by the bourgeoisie who startedeyeing the countryside with new interest. A coveted destination was the Salzkammergut and spa resort of Bad Ischl, only 20 kilometres from Lake Wolfgang and the towns of Strobl, St Gilgen and St Wolfgang.