Top Reasons to Go to Salzkammergut

Fairy-tale landscape: The lakes and mountains resemble the pictures in a children's book.

Bad Ischl: This town, where the rich and famous have long come for the healing waters, was Emperor Franz Josef's summer retreat in the 19th century.

Cradle of culture: Vienna and Salzburg may get all the credit, but the composers who made those cities cultural capitals also came to this part of Austria to hear the music in the air.

Sports abound: Everyone knows about the region's great ski resorts, but there is an endless array of summer sports as well.