Zell Am See

Zell am see must be the most picturesque place ever.  If you swim out into the lake and look in any direction there are steep mountains.  The lower ones covered in pine forest or rich pasture, the higher ones steep and rocky with large areas of snow on the northern faces.  To the south is the Kitzsteinhorn glacier - high up at 3000 metres.

The view north from the southern end of the lake, taking in Zell am see.  The race swim is in the water directly in front.

The view south across the lake.

The rocky peaks north.

And the lake is clear and deep.  Temperature about 23, warmed by the sun and cooled by the streams running into it from the mountains.  Great swimming.

We rode around the lake yesterday with the kids.  Bike path all the way if you include a few narrow paths on the eastern side of the lake.  And heaps of restaurants and coffee shops.

There's cafes all around the lake.