Mondsee

A lake called Mondsee can be found in the Salzkammergut region of Upper Austria, close to the bigger Attersee. The Northern Limestone Alps in the south and the Sandstone region of the northern Alps are separated by its southwesterly shore, as are the states of Upper Austria and Salzburg. An amazing sight is the Drachenwand, which is located on the lake's southern shore. One of the last lakes to be privately owned in Austria is Mondsee. Owner Nicolette Wächter declared it was for sale in August 2008.

Mondsee is a reasonably big lake with calm blue waters, measuring 11 kilometers long. For swimmers, it's a good thing that this lake is also one of the hottest in the area, with summertime water temperatures of a very comfortable (by Austrian standards) 27 degrees Celsius.

The lake is situated next to the Drachenwand, a massive limestone mountain that is partly covered in a dense forest. In addition to BASE jumpers, Drachenwand draws hikers and climbers. The small chapel where Captain Von Trapp and Maria were married in The Sound of Music is located in the coastal village of Mondsee. The town is vibrant and reminiscent of something out of a fairy tale.

Location: Salzkammergut, Austria