Bad Aussee sits at Austria's geographic center and is the best overnight base in the inner Salzkammergut for travelers serious about exploring the lake district. Three distinct lakes are within 20 minutes: the Altausseer See, the Grundlsee, and the Toplitzsee. The town has a salt spa heritage going back to medieval mining operations and maintains the quiet elegance of an Austrian Kur town, a spa town built around natural mineral waters, without the imperial crowds of Bad Ischl. The late May narcissus festival (Narzissenfest) is regionally significant. About 1.5 hours from Salzburg by car.