21-day Worldschooling
Austria Health & Wellness Retreat
Experience the renowned Healing Caves
Connect with other worldschooling families
Restore between sessions with
thermal waters
Relax while kids enjoy the supervised Kids Club
WORLDSCHOOLING HEALING CAVES RETREAT
A family wellness retreat built around one of the Austrian Alps’ most extraordinary healing experiences
Deep inside the mountains of Gastein lies the Gastein Healing Gallery, a unique therapeutic environment known for its naturally warm temperatures, high humidity, and radon-rich air. This three-week retreat gives families the time and support to experience the Healing Gallery as it is intended: alongside restorative thermal waters, fresh Alpine air, and space to truly slow down.
The Healing Gallery recommends a course of 8–12 sessions over 2–3 weeks, with each guest beginning with a medical examination before entering the mountain. While parents take time for Healing Gallery sessions, recovery, thermal spa visits, and other wellness experiences, children can enjoy a thoughtfully designed supervised Kids Club.
Most wellness retreats require parents to choose between caring for themselves and traveling with their family. This retreat is designed differently. You can prioritize your own wellbeing without leaving your children behind, while sharing three unforgettable weeks in the Austrian Alps with a community of like-minded worldschooling families.
Destination
Salzbugerland, Austria
Accommodation
Family Friendly Hotel
Dates
May 4- 25, 2027
Theme
Wellness for the Whole Family
Worldschooling trips are a perfect opportunity to spend time with like-minded families, make deep connections and learn from each other
Why Gastein?
The Gastein Valley has been known for generations as a destination for rest, thermal bathing, and restorative stays in the Austrian Alps. What makes this valley especially unusual is the combination of its natural thermal waters, Alpine environment, and the Gastein Healing Gallery hidden deep inside the Radhausberg mountain.
The Healing Gallery is the experience that truly sets Gastein apart. Inside the mountain is a naturally occurring therapeutic climate created by three specific conditions:
- Radon content of approximately 44 kBq/m³ air
- Temperatures between 37–41.5°C (98.6–106.7°F)
- Humidity between 75–100%
According to the Gastein Healing Gallery, this combination creates a globally unique healing climate that has been used therapeutically since 1952.
Gastein's wellness culture extends beyond the mountain. Naturally warm thermal waters, historic spa traditions, peaceful Alpine surroundings, and fresh mountain air have made extended wellness stays part of life here for generations.
That combination is also why spending several weeks in Gastein makes sense. The Healing Gallery recommends 8–12 sessions over a period of 2–3 weeks, giving guests time not only for their individual Healing Gallery program, but also for relaxation, thermal bathing, gentle time outdoors, and unhurried days in the mountains.
It isn't simply a place to visit for a spa day. Gastein is a destination where the landscape, thermal traditions, and extraordinary environment inside the mountain come together in a way found nowhere else.
What Makes the Healing Gallery Unique
A Unique Therapeutic Climate
Deep inside the Radhausberg mountain, the Gastein Healing Gallery combines naturally occurring radon with temperatures of 37–41.5°C (98.6–106.7°F) and humidity of 75–100%. This combination is a globally unique healing climate.
A Tradition Since 1952
The therapeutic climate inside the mountain has been used since 1952. Today, the Gastein Healing Gallery operates as a medical therapy centre, with each participant’s treatment guided individually by its medical professionals.
The Therapy Experience
Guests travel approximately 2.5 kilometres into the mountain by train before resting at designated therapy stations in the warm, humid environment. After returning from the mountain, the Healing Gallery recommends approximately 30 minutes of relaxation.
A Multi-Session Experience
The Healing Gallery generally recommends 8–12 sessions over 2–3 weeks, although the appropriate program is determined individually. Our three-week retreat gives guests the time to experience their recommended sessions without rushing their stay.
If You Choose to Participate
Healing Gallery therapy is optional and is provided independently by the Gastein Healing Gallery and its medical professionals. It is not provided by Worldschooling Journeys and is not included in the retreat price.
Each participant completes a medical examination before treatment, and the Healing Gallery’s physician determines whether therapy is appropriate and recommends the individual treatment program. Worldschooling Journeys does not make medical claims or guarantee treatment outcomes. Please consult your personal physician before participating in any medical treatment.
Nature's Healing Elements
The Healing Gallery may be Gastein's most unusual wellness experience, but the valley's tradition of restorative stays extends far beyond the mountain. Thermal waters, natural springs, Alpine air, and the dramatic landscape have shaped Gastein's identity as a wellness destination for generations. Together, they create an environment where time outdoors, thermal bathing, rest, and slower days come naturally.
Healing Mountain Air
Step outside into the fresh air of the Austrian Alps, surrounded by mountains, forests, and wide-open landscapes. Whether walking through the valley or simply slowing down on a quiet afternoon, the Alpine setting becomes part of the experience.
Healing Thermal Waters
Naturally warm thermal water rises from deep within the mountains and supplies Gastein's renowned thermal spas. Bathing in these waters has been part of the valley's wellness tradition for centuries and remains one of the defining experiences of a stay here.
Healing Waterfall
Flowing through the heart of Bad Gastein, the Gastein Waterfall is one of the valley's most striking natural landmarks. Its powerful cascade, cool mist, and surrounding mountain setting create a refreshing place to walk, pause, and experience the landscape up close.
Healing Springs
Gastein's natural springs are deeply connected to the valley's history as a spa destination. For generations, visitors have traveled here to experience its thermal waters, and today those springs remain at the heart of the region's bathing and wellness culture.
Thermal Wellness Traditions
Wellness doesn't always require another excursion. Many of the spaces you'll use to slow down and recharge are right where we're staying, making it easy to fit a swim, sauna, steam, or quiet rest into an ordinary retreat day. Beyond our accommodations, Gastein's famous thermal spas offer even more ways to experience the valley's long-standing bathing and sauna traditions.
Pools & Whirpool
Enjoy the indoor swimming pool, warm whirlpool, and dedicated children's pool without leaving where we're staying. Whether it's a quiet soak between sessions or an easy afternoon in the water, these wellness spaces are available right at our home base.
Sauna & Steam
Our accommodations also include a full wellness area with a traditional Finnish sauna, gentler bio sauna, steam bath, relaxation room, and aroma showers. It's an easy way to build moments of warmth and rest into your stay without having to plan a separate spa day.
Felsentherme Spa
For a deeper dive into Gastein's thermal culture, spend time at nearby Felsentherme, where thermal bathing, mountain views, sauna experiences, and traditional Aufguss rituals come together in one of Bad Gastein's best-known spa settings.
Alpentherme Spa
An optional visit to Alpentherme expands the experience even further with thermal pools and an extensive Sauna World. Guests can explore a wide variety of saunas and experience special and show Aufguss ceremonies led by sauna masters.
Wellness for Every Generation
For Adults:
For Kids:
Your Home in the Alps
Our Austrian Wellness Retreat is based in the heart of Bad Gastein, surrounded by mountains and close to the Healing Gallery, thermal spas, waterfall, and many of the experiences that make the Gastein Valley such a unique wellness destination.
For a three-week stay, having so much available right where we're staying makes a huge difference. Parents can easily fit a swim, sauna, workout, or quiet moment of relaxation into the day, while children have dedicated spaces to play, swim, and spend time with new friends.
During your stay, you'll have access to:
- Supervised Kids Club for children age 3+
- Children's playground
- Indoor play areas
- Game room with table tennis, billiards, air hockey, table football, and darts
- Bowling alley
- Indoor swimming pool
- Children's pool with slide
- Large whirlpool
- Finnish sauna
- Bio sauna
- Steam bath
- Aroma showers
- Relaxation area
- Foot baths
- Fitness center
- Sunbathing and outdoor relaxation areas
- Complimentary bathrobes, slippers, and towels
- Gastein Card with discounts and benefits throughout the valley
- Free Wi-Fi
- Onsite restaurant and bar
Our accommodations also include apartment-style spaces with kitchen facilities, giving families the comfort and flexibility to settle in and make themselves at home during the three-week retreat.
With wellness facilities, children's activities, dining, and plenty of space to unwind all in one place, your home base is designed to make both family time and personal wellness time easy to enjoy.
Optional Adventures Between Healing Gallery Days
Three weeks in Gastein leaves plenty of room for adventure. Between Healing Gallery sessions and slower wellness days, families can choose from mountain activities, cultural experiences, spectacular natural landmarks, and some of our favorite adventures from our other Austrian retreats.
Everything in this section is completely optional, allowing each family to build their days around their own interests, energy levels, and Healing Gallery schedule. Activities are subject to seasonal opening dates, weather, and individual age or participation requirements.
Adventure & Adrenaline
Paragliding
See the Austrian Alps from an entirely different perspective on an optional tandem paragliding flight. Launch from high in the mountains and glide above the Gastein Valley with sweeping views of peaks, forests, and villages below.
Mountain Carts
Ride the mountain lift up and make the journey back down on three-wheeled mountain carts. Winding tracks, mountain scenery, and plenty of speed make this one of the most memorable family adventures in the region.
Whitewater Rafting
Take on the river with an experienced guide as you paddle through rapids surrounded by dramatic Alpine scenery. It's an exciting way for adventurous families to experience Gastein's mountain waters up close.
High Ropes & Ziplining
Climb, balance, and soar through forest adventure courses filled with suspended bridges, obstacles, climbing challenges, and ziplines designed for different ages and ability levels.
Mountain Biking
Explore the valley on two wheels, from relaxed family cycling routes to more adventurous mountain trails. E-bikes make it possible to cover even more ground while taking in the surrounding Alpine landscape.
Archery
Try traditional archery surrounded by forests and mountains. Follow outdoor courses through the landscape while learning technique, testing your aim, and enjoying a fun challenge together.
Sightseeing & Exploration
Werfen Ice Caves
Venture into the extraordinary ice caves at Werfen, where enormous frozen chambers, dramatic ice formations, and an underground world hidden inside the mountain make for an unforgettable day trip.
Liechtensteinklamm Gorge
Walk through one of the longest and deepest gorges in the Alps, where pathways weave between towering rock walls beside rushing water before reaching a spectacular waterfall.
Mountain Huts
Experience traditional Alpine life at cozy mountain huts surrounded by forests, meadows, and panoramic views. Relax over Austrian food on a sunny terrace while children explore the playgrounds around them.
Burg Klammstein Castle
Step inside Burg Klammstein Castle to discover centuries of Alpine history. Stone walls, historic rooms, and stories of medieval life make this an easy cultural adventure for the whole family.
Gastein Waterfall
Walk through Bad Gastein to see its famous waterfall tumbling dramatically through the center of town. Historic buildings, mountain scenery, rushing water, and refreshing mist make it one of the valley's most iconic sights.
Cultural Celebrations & Experiences
Depending on what's happening during our stay, families may have opportunities to experience local Austrian traditions through music, community celebrations, regional food, crafts, and other cultural events.
Farmhouse Donuts
Visit a traditional Alpine farm for freshly made Austrian donuts filled with chocolate or jam. Kids can enjoy the playground, meet goats and donkeys, and spend time with the farm's bunnies while adults relax in the countryside.
Panning for Gold
Try your hand at a tradition connected to Gastein's mining history. Learn how prospectors searched for gold, swirl your pan through mountain water, and see whether you can uncover a tiny treasure of your own.
Pricing & Availability
*Note: Our pricing is based on a 21-night stay and does not include food. The prices shown are rough estimates meant to give you a general idea of cost, and final pricing may vary depending on availability and when you book. These are base rates, so upgraded rooms will cost more, and extending your stay will increase your total. The examples reflect common family setups, but every family is different, so your pricing may vary slightly.
1 adult 1 kid
1 Studio Aparment
$3,604*
1 adult 2 kids
1 Bedroom Apartment
$4,930*
1 adult 3 kids
1 Bedroom Apartment
$5,780*
1 adult 4 kids
2 Bedroom Suites
$8,450*
2 adults 1 kid
1 Bedroom Apartment
$4,930*
2 adults 2 kids
1 Bedroom Apartment
$5,780*
2 adults 3 kids
2 Bedroom Suites
$8,450*
2 adults 4 kids
2 Bedroom Suites
$9,300*
From €96.20 per session
Healing Cave Therapy is not included in the retreat price. Following a medical examination, the Healing Gallery doctor will recommend an individualized treatment plan. Most guests require 7–10 sessions. Session rates decrease with additional visits, with 10 sessions totaling €911.70 based on 2026 standard pricing. Final pricing may vary depending on the prescribed treatment plan and any additional therapies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please click the "Book Now" button right below this section. Here you will be taken to our checkout page to pay the deposit. The deposit reserves your spot.
You can find our contact information at the bottom of this page if you need help.
Every single travel experience is educational. On this trip we will not be sitting in classrooms, or looking at textbooks. We will be exploring, immersing, learning from doing. We will be sharing all the knowledge about the area that we have collected over the years. We will be encouraging kids and adults to break out of their shell and step a little out of their comfort zone and remember what it's like to be a wild child. This might not be in your local school's curicullum but it will be transformational in another way.
We hope that you will leave inspired, full of wonder and with your soul well rested.
Your retreat price includes 21 nights of hotel accommodation. Meals and certain activities are not included, so we recommend budgeting separately for the following:
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are not included in the retreat price.
- Healing Cave sessions: These are paid separately to the Healing Gallery. Each guest receives a medical examination, after which the doctor determines the appropriate number of sessions. Most guests typically require 7–10 sessions.
- Alpentherme: Entrance to the thermal spa is not included.
- Felsentherme: Entrance to the thermal spa is not included.
Yes, all the families will be added to a WhatsApp group to get to know each other before the trip and discuss the itinerary. We will also use WhatsApp to communicate during the trip.
Most families get along really well if they actually participate in the group and are open to new friends.
During our past trips, introverts have enjoyed sporadic company of other introverts, while their kids were able to be social and extroverts had fun with the whole group. No matter what you will have the perfect experience for you. The more you put into it the more you will get out of it. Be yourself, be authentic, and make time to connect with others. You'll be so happy you did!
Find out what others said about our groups: POST
The deposit is non-refundable after December 25, 2026.
Final payments are due 100 days before the retreat date.
Final payment is due by January 24, 2027
Refund Policy for Remaining Balance (After Non-Refundable Deposit)
More than 100 days before retreat start date: 100% refundable
61–100 days before: 50% refundable
46–60 days before: 25% refundable
45 days or less before: Non-refundable
If the final payment is not received within two weeks of the due date, your spots will be released and the deposit will remain non-refundable.
For bookings made after the final payment deadline, the full balance will be due immediately once the quote is shared. Please note that the deposit alone does not secure the spots in this case. Spots can only be confirmed once the final payment has been received.
Read this post about our mission and vision: POST
Join Us Now
Please click the button below. You will be taken to our checkout page to pay the deposit. The deposit reserves your spot.
Medical & Wellness Disclaimer
This retreat is a wellness and travel experience, not a medical treatment program. Worldschooling Journeys does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or healthcare services, and we make no guarantees or promises regarding the prevention, treatment, cure, or improvement of any medical condition.
Any medical examinations, consultations, therapies, or treatments offered during the retreat are provided independently by licensed medical or healthcare professionals and facilities. Worldschooling Journeys does not determine or recommend which medical treatments, procedures, or therapies are appropriate for any participant.
The Gasteiner Healing Caves and any related therapies are subject to an individual medical assessment. The treating physician or healthcare provider determines whether a participant is suitable for treatment, which treatments may be appropriate, and the number of sessions recommended. Participation in any medical treatment is voluntary and is undertaken at the participant's own discretion and responsibility.
Information about wellness activities, thermal waters, the Healing Caves, and other experiences on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice or as a representation that any particular experience will produce a specific health benefit or outcome.
Participants are responsible for consulting their own physician or qualified healthcare provider before traveling or participating in any activity or treatment, particularly if they have a medical condition, take medication, are pregnant, or have any other health-related concerns.
By booking and participating in the retreat, participants acknowledge that they are responsible for their own health and wellbeing and agree to follow the instructions and medical advice of the healthcare professionals providing any medical services during the retreat.
Worldschooling Journeys does not guarantee any particular medical, therapeutic, or wellness outcome.
The cave environment is enclosed and may not be suitable for individuals who experience claustrophobia, anxiety in confined or enclosed spaces, or discomfort in underground environments. Participants are responsible for considering their own comfort and suitability before choosing to participate. Worldschooling Journeys cannot guarantee an alternative experience or accommodation for participants who choose not to enter the caves.
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