Bad Gastein – Nature weekend escapes from Vienna by train

Where: Bad Gastein in Salzburg

How to get there: from Wien HBF to Bad Gastein Bahnhof (4h46min)

OK, it’s official – this chunk of Austria, Bad Gastein, is one of the country’s best looking spots. It may be famous for its thermal spas and grand villas, but it’s also a region of picture-perfect nature (we’re serious, you’ll be photographing the F*** out of this place). Situated in the high valley of the Hohe Tauern, you’ll be surrounded by towering mountains and the very beautiful (yet also somewhat noisy) Gastein waterfalls.

There’s plenty of hiking trails for you to check out in the area, and for those of you who are not afraid of heights, you should definitely walk across the suspension bridge on the Stubnerkogel. We’ve also heard that the nature surrounding Bad Gastein is a popular spot for ‘Forest Bathing’ (also known as Nature Therapy) where you can really become one with yourself while being immersed by nature.