Neuschwanstein castle

The Black Forest

Secluded pine-laden woodlands located in southwestern Germany, the Black Forest is famous for being the origin of cuckoo clocks. The area gets its name from the dark shadows of the fir and pine trees that grow very thick there. The black forest offers first rate hiking, camping, and some skiing. Travelers on a budget can find great deals on lodging and accommodations in the towns that surround the Black Forest.

The Frisian Islands

These islands actually span along the coastlines of three countries: Germany, Denmark, and The Netherlands. Sylt is the largest and most populated of the islands and is a known destination for Europe’s jet-set as well as nudists. Amrum is also a hot tourist spot but less crowded. The pristine beaches, panoramic views, and relative seclusion continue to draw in visitors looking to escape the bustle of more traditional destinations.

Oktoberfest

Munich makes that claim that it is the home of beer and if 6 million visitors is any indication, that claim seems to be valid. Oktoberfest is known worldwide as a celebration of Bavarian beer and lasts several weeks long, from mid-September to early October. The 200 year old festival includes events such as parades, beer tents, music features, feasts of authentic German cuisine, and exhibits.

Munich Oktoberfest

City of Berlin

Berlin is Germany’s largest city and is the country’s capital. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall almost two decades ago, the city has grown and evolved into a modern, bustling metropolis that prides itself on looking to the future while preserving the past. There are landmarks to remind visitors of the strains that history has put on the city, but much of Berlin now has an unmistakable American feel to it. Berlin should be on every German visitor’s list to visit.

Neuschwanstein Castle

Located near the Austrian border, Neuschwanstein Castle has the title of the most photographed building in Germany. It is also the most famous of all of the German castles and was the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle located in Disneyland. Neuschwanstein Castle was built in the 19th century by King Ludwig II. Photography of the interior of the castle is strictly prohibited, as it is copyright-protected.

Lake Constance

Lake Constance lies between Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and is fed by the Rhine River, one of the longest in Europe. It is a freshwater lake that is relied upon for water consumption by nearby cities and towns. Recreation draws many tourists from across Europe and beyond each year.

Europa Park, Germany, Roller Coaster

Europa Park: Located in Rust, in the southern part of Germany, between Offenburg and Freiburg, the Europa Park is one of the leading amusement parks of the world. Now into its 35th year, it provides entertainment for both kids and adults alike. Enjoy the beauty of thousand of twinkling fairy lights along with the decorated fir tress. Sniff the chilly air carefully and you will find the aroma of mulled wine and freshly baked gingerbread wafting into your nostrils. Do not miss `Adventure Land’ where you can find extremely old trees lining the shore of a big lake and also the banks of the River Elz.

Kids will love to take a stroll in the company of fairies and dwarves in `Fairy Tale Alley,’ and `Dwarf City,’ respectively. Visitors can also know about the history and culture of many different lands like England, France, Greece and much more by visiting their respective pavilions… all within Europa Park… where the fun starts but, never ends.

Phantasialand: Located in the mid western part of Germany in Brühl, 20 km south of   Cologne, Phantasialand beckons kids and their parents for enjoying a never-ending fantasy story. Established in the year 1967, this park provides new attractions every year without fail. Those who have visited this park in 1972 will recall the theme about old Berlin of the 20s and 30s. Parents accompanying their kids also have an opportunity to view the famous Brandenburg Gate, replicated here at half the original size. However, the best way to see the park is via the `Phantasialand Jet,’ that offers travelers a view of the entire ground from a height of 10 meters above the ground.

Heide Park: If you have the nerve to ride on a gigantic roller coaster, this is the exact spot for you. Located in north Germany between Hannover and Hamburg, the Hiede Park, covering an area of 850,000 square meters, is arguably the largest amusement park in North Germany. There are approximately 50 attractions for visitors, inclusive of a wildlife park, where one can view around 200 animals. Obviously, you shall be attracted to the other attractions only if you do not dare to ride the world’s biggest wood roller coaster.

Heide Park, Colossos, Soltau, Germany

Legoland: Situated in south Germany between Augsburg and Ulm, Legoland is a virtual toy land created with Lego bricks. Around 50 millions such bricks have been utilized to make models like the head of Albert Einstien. Apart from this, one can also find Lego replicas of world famous buildings, reproduced in exact detail. You are encouraged to try your hand in building some models too.

Movie buffs are encouraged to check out `Movie Park Germany,’ which is situated at Bottrop-Kirchhellen between Dortmund and Dusseldorf. Lovers of animals and nature should visit `Freizeitland Geiselwind.’ Those with nerves of steel will love visiting `Hanaspark,’ which offers treats like paragliding and roller coaster rides.

Changes in these parameters can cause the affected site to be removed from this list. A simple example is the Dresden Elbe Valley that was deleted from the list due to the building of a 4-lane bridge in the center of the cultural landscape.

According to UNESCO, this structure tampered with the valley’s inscribed outstanding universal value. However, there is no need to panic, since there are many other world heritage sites in Germany.

Lubeck old town is on UNESCO World Heritage List

Boasting of masterpieces from the Staufian, Ottonian, Carolingian, and late Classical period, the Aachen Cathedral is a prime example of one such site. While on the subject of cathedrals, it would be wise to add the Speyer Cathedral to your list too. Construction of this cathedral, dedicated to St. Mary, the patron saint of Speyer, begun in the year 1030.

It is regarded as one of the finest Romanesque monuments.

Then there is the Wurzburg Residenz, the construction of which lasted from 1720 to 1744. Do not miss the spectacular frescoes, painted by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo along with assistance from his son, Domenico. Though you might have viewed different churches in Germany, there is a huge difference with the Pilgrimage Church of Wies. Those who love the Bavarian Rococo style of architecture should not miss this masterpiece by Dominikus Zimmermann, constructed between the years 1745-1754.

When you visit Bruhl, you should spend some time checking out the Castles of Augustuburg and Falkenlust, which are arguably amongst the earliest examples of Rococo architecture in eighteenth century Germany. Lovers of the Romanesque style of architecture should pay a visit to the St. Mary’s Cathedral in Hildesheim and check out the works of art it features. While in Hildenshiem, you should also check out the Church of St. Michael, whose architecture is of the early Romanesque style.

Cologne Cathedral, UNESCO World Heritage Site

There are many more sites in addition to the ones mentioned above and they are mentioned below:

• Roman Monuments, Cathedral and Liebfrauen Church in Trier
• Frontiers of the Roman Empire
• Hanseatic City of Lubeck
• Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin
• Abbey and Altenmunster of Lorch
• Mines of Rammelsberg
• The historic towns of Golsar and Bamberg
• The Maulbronn Monsatery complex
• The Collegiate Church, castle and old town of Quedlinburg
• Messel pit fossil site
• Volklingen Ironworks
• The Bauhaus & its sites in Dessau and Weimar
• Cologne Cathedral
• Martin Luther Memorials in Wittenburg and Eisleben
• Classical Weimar
• Museum Island
• Wartburg Castle
• Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Worlitz
• Monastic Island of Reichenau
• Zollverin Coal Mine Industrial Complex
• Upper Middle Rhine Valley
• Historic Centers of Straslund and Wismar
• Town Hall and Roland on the Marketplace of Bremen
• Muskauer Park / Park Muzakowski
• Old town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof
• Berlin Modernism Housing Estates
• The Wadden Sea

Bavarian Alps landscape in Germany

The laws of Mother Nature prevail in the Bavarian Forest National Park, which, being the first founded national park of Germany is also its most visited one. Tourists will be interested by the fact that this park is the largest contagious zone of protected forests of central Europe. If you are interested in experiencing nature as it is intended to, then pay a visit to this park, which shares its northern borders with the Bohemian Forest of the Czech Republic. There are lots to do in the Bavarian National Forest Park and you should share the happiness along with the other members of your family. Accommodation is no problem with a number of hotels and holiday flats available.

Situated in the southeastern corner of Germany, Berchtesgaden National Park offers you a view of paradise on earth. Look around and you can see the locale dominated by the Watzman, which is the second highest mountain of Germany. There are lots of things to do for tourists in this park. If they so want, they can cycle along a number of well-marked trails. Take some time and check out the locality. You will be amazed to see how people of this region preserve their culture and harmonize with nature. You will also be amazed to see the traditional dresses of the locals.

Saxon Switzerland landscape

One of the most popular of national parks in Germany is the Jasmund National Park. Famous for its chalk cliffs as well as its lakes, this park is visited by millions of tourists throughout the year. Tourists can perform various activities over here, which will keep them busy throughout the day. Some of the most popular of them being cycling, horse riding, cruising, and hiking. This is one of the best place to visit during a summer day along with your family members.

The other national parks of Germany are listed below:

• Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park
• Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park
• Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park
• Vorpommern Lagoon Area National Park
• Müritz National Park
• Lower Oder Valley National Park
• Harz National Park
• Kellerwald-Edersee National Park (a part of Kellerwald)
• Hainich National Park
• Eifel National Park
• Saxon Switzerland National Park

Berlin: city of a new era

Today Berlin is a creative, dynamic place to visit with museums, theatres, many bars, cubs and restaurants. A city which was at the grim heart of 20th century European history, the Berlin of today has a tendency not to take itself too seriously.

Berlin city view

Transport: how to get there and around

To reach Berlin by air, you will probably have to make a connection through Amsterdam or Frankfurt. Not many direct flights arrive in the city. The Train service in Germany is extremely efficient, you can get to Berlin from other European countries this way. The bus is also an option.

The city itself has an underground system to help you get around, it is also cycle and pedestrian friendly. The East part of the city is served by a tram.

Weather

Berlin winter is between November and March and can be cold below zero. Throughout the rest of the year, rain is often a possibility.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Berlin.

Attractions & Events

*February brings the worlds second largest Film Festival to Berlin known as the Berlinale.

*10 days of festival fun with concerts and operas takes place in April for Festage.

*Popular gay festival day, Christopher Street Day is in June.

*Jazz lovers can enjoy JazzFest in August.

*As Christmas approaches the city opens markets throughout the city in November.

Munich: Sophisticated capital of Bavaria

Munich creates images of ledehosen and beer, but this is a very incomplete picture. The city is sophisticated and has many cultural attractions including art galleries and museums.

Munich Marienplatz square

Transport: how to get there and around

European flights are served by the Franz-Josef-Strauss Flughafen in Munich. From further a field you need to make a connection with Frankfurt airport. The train also serves many European cities.

The city is served by buses and underground trains, which make is easy to get around. Munich is also a cycle friendly city.

Weather

You can catch some Munich sunshine during months April – May and also September – October. The coldest time of year is between November and March.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Munich.

Attractions & Events

*January brings the beginning of Fasching, six weeks of street celebrations.

*The end of Lent is marked by Starkbierzeit, with strong brews consumed.

*The Munich Film Festival is held in June.

*Strangely, in September, you can enjoy the world best beer festival Oktoberfest.

Frankfurt: with a heart for art

Frankfurt is not as formal and business like as you might imagine. The city loves art and has many attractions at its museums. And its spectacular skyline is a work of art in itself. What’s more, Frankfurt is Germany’s most cosmopolitan city which adds to its pizzazz.

Frankfurt Old traditional buildings

Transport: how to get there and around

Frankfurt can easily be reached from all over Europe and beyond with it’s major airport and train station. The bus is also an option as Frankfurt links with many major cities.

Like most other German cities, Frankfurt has excellent public transport, you are spoilt for choice, which is fortunate as walking is not really an option in the city.

However there are plenty of bicycle lanes for the cyclist.

Weather

Winter here is very cold and often has storms. For the best months come to Frankfurt between June and August.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Frankfurt.

Attractions & Events

*There are parades held before Lent, the Fastnacht parades take place in February.

*The International Music Trade Fair is held in March.

*You can enjoy Frankfurts famous apple wine all summer with many events being held throughout the city.

*Art and music lovers can enjoy the July riverside with the Museumsuferfest exhibitions.

Travel across the world has become much easier and this has seen the price on short breaks throughout much of Europe. Last minute holidays to some of the world’s greatest cities, such as Berlin and Munich are available for unbelievable prices if you are thinking of enjoy a weekend away.

Munich is home to many castles, landmarks, and churches will keep the fine arts lover, history buff, and anyone else busy for days, even weeks, trying to see them all.

Munich Town hall in Marienplatz

Considered to be the “must-see” destination for visitors to Munich, the Nymphenburg Palace was built in the 17th century as a gift from Ferdinand Maria to his wife, Henriette. His heir, Maximilian Emanuel, expanded to the palace by adding symmetrical buildings that span from the central structure. The Nymphenburg Palace also features a large landscaped park with meticulously manicured lawns, trees, shrubs, and fountains. The associated pavilions include Amalienburg, a hall that is secular in shape and lined with mirrors; Badenburg, which houses the first modern heated pool; Pagodenburg, which was built with a mixture of French and Oriental designs; and Magdaleneklause, which was constructed to resemble ruins and built to honor Mary Magdalen.

The astounding BMW Museum features the history and technological advances of BMW. Motor sports fans will enjoy the history of BMW’s role in sports racing and its array of various prototypes on display. The BMW Museum is currently temporarily closed to the public for renovation, but will reopen in early 2007.

Historic churches of note that are often visited in Munich include Alter Peter or the Church of Saint Peter, the Cathedral Church of our Lady, Theatinerkirche, and Asamkirche.

Munich is the home of the world-famous Oktoberfest festival and houses the Beer and Oktoberfest museum, which is open year round. The museum gives visitors a lesson in the history of beer and Oktoberfest and is housed in one of Munich’s oldest historical buildings.

The Oktoberfest festival celebrates Bavarian Beer and lasts for several weeks each year starting in September and ending in October. The tradition is nearly 200 years old and is probably Munich’s largest attraction each year. Festival events include the Oktoberfest Costume and Rifleman’s Parade, open-air music, beer tents, and distinct German cuisine feasts. Oktoberfest draws over six million visitors each year, with rates of attendance increasing with each passing year.

Munich is a very modern and cosmopolitan city and is an imperative hub to the high-fashion and glamour industry. Famous, world-renowned artists, designers, clothiers, actors, and models flock to the city to set trends, be seen, and make themselves known to the world.

Munich Olympic Park with Stadium

It is also a very active community for the family and outdoors enthusiasts. The Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany, towering over 2,900 meters above sea level.  The Munich Zoo is a popular attraction and houses over 460 species of domestic and exotic animals. It has the distinction of being the first “geo zoo” in the world. Finally, the Isar River is a well-loved target for rafting fans for its natural beauty.

The many skyscrapers help, but they do not solely create a modern look and feel to the city. Frankfurt was severely bombed in World War II, with around 5,500 residents killed. Post-war reconstruction took place in a modern, simplified style. A few landmark buildings were recreated historically; however, these were still simplified compared to the originals. Despite the modern look to Frankfurt, a number of touristic sights are scattered throughout, including the medieval city, which is the largest in Germany. Much like the rest of the country, this area has been reconstructed but still provides a picturesque setting.

The River Main runs through the city and a walk along its bank provides a pleasant route.  Slightly away from this, the Roemer can be found. This is the city hall, located on the Römerberg. Made up of nine houses, acquired by the council from a wealthy merchant in 1405, and partially destroyed in World War II, this provides one of the most historical looking settings in Frankfurt. A short walk from this leads to St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral, which was originally constructed in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Historical buildings are not as prominent in Frankfurt as the modern skyscrapers. The tallest of these is the 259 meter high Commerzbank Tower, which is formerly Europe’s tallest building. Behind this in height is the Messeturm, which stands at 257 meters. However, neither of these towers is open to the public. The Maintower, which is 200 meters tall, has an observation deck at the top for the public.

If you are looking for a historical city with old buildings, Frankfurt may not be the best choice for a touristic visit. However, this multicultural, modern place does have a lot to offer in terms of sightseeing. Europe doesn’t offer many opportunities to see so many skyscrapers in such a small space. Frankfurt presents the chance to see a business city, which attracts immigrants from all over the world, providing culture, style, and impressively tall buildings.

Hamburg Dockside district

Hamburg hosts several large events annually. Hafengeburtstag celebrates the anniversary of Hamburg becoming a free port. Hafengeburtstag takes place in early May and is a large draw for Germans across the country. Alstervergügen, an international festival that takes place in August, presents fireworks displays, sailing, and watercraft events. The single largest fair in north Germany is Hamburger Dom, which takes place three times a year; from March to April, July to August, and November to December. The festival allows Germans to enjoy their fair weather with rides such as roller coasters and Ferris wheels and other attractions.

Hamburg is a popular destination for its stage productions, particularly large musicals and plays. Ballets, variety shows, cabarets, concerts, and circus-like performances are also plentiful in Hamburg, cementing the city as a strong player in the stage arts worldwide.

Hamburg Port is a large tourist attraction as well as being the economic backbone of the city. There are tours available all year long. A site that no visitor to the city will want to miss is the Elbe Tunnel, which runs underneath the river all the way across. Museums, shops, and cafés line the harbor, making it a fantastic spot to spend the day or even multiple days.

Families will enjoy Carl Hagenbeck’s Tierport; one of Europe’s most respected and respected zoos. It houses over 2,000 animals and has a variety of elephant, dolphin, and other wildlife exhibits and shows.

Hamburg City Center

Visitors to Hamburg interested in more risqué affairs will possibly be drawn to the city’s red light district of St. Pauli. The city has made advances to capitalize on the notoriety of the area and it is now a viable and mostly respectable place for legitimate night life. The area is well-policed and is considered exceptionally safe. St. Pauli now boasts upscale bars, taverns, nightclubs, and restaurants in addition to the seedier offerings for which it has become famous. Reeperbahn is the name of a famous street here. The name is derived from the term “rope street,” which it was called because it used to be a major manufacturer of strong hemp rope.

Hamburg is a shopper’s paradise, with upscale malls and shopping arcades almost everywhere. Mudsberger Centre is a very popular point for shopping as well as another located Rathausmarkt and Jungferstieg. Credit cards are not always as accepted in Germany as in other countries, such as the United States, so it is probably best to plan ahead. It is little surprise that Hamburg offers shops and distributors of fine items, as it is called home by more millionaires than any other city in Germany.

It was the scene in 1207 of the Sängerkrieg, a contest of minnesingers in which Heinrich von Ofterdingen, Wolfram von Eschenbach, and Walther von der Vogelweide, among others, took part and which Richard Wagner used (with some poetic license) as the setting for a famous scene in the opera Tannhäuser.

St. Elizabeth of Hungary lived in Wartburg until 1227. In 1521, Martin Luther was brought to the castle for his protection by the elector of Saxony, and there he completed his translation of the New Testament. In 1817 the first general assembly of the Burschenschaften, the nationalist German student organizations, met at Wartburg castle.

The Romanesque Palace or Great Hall is the oldest part of the castle and architecturally is the most impressive of the buildings. Besides the chapel, it contains the Sängersaal or Hall of the Minstrels and the Festsaal or the Feast or Festival Hall.The Knights’ House on the western side of the drawbridge is half-timbered, and dates back to the 15th century.

The castle has two towers. The South Tower was originally erected in 1318 and it is the only tower preserved of the medieval castle. The castle keep was finished in 1859, incorporating the foundations of its medieval predecessor.
The Rüstkammer, (the armory of the Wartburg castle, used to contain a magnificent collection of about 800 pieces of armors.

In 1999 UNESCO added Wartburg Castle to the World Heritage List.
(photo: Robert Scarth, Ingo2802)

Berlin it is well-known for its high standards, its various cafes and restaurants, its sundry places of culture like palaces and museums and its rich history.

There are many sites that you can admire in Berlin. Here is a list of places that you should definitely see during your Berlin vacation:

Brandenburg Gate is the emblem of Berlin. It was engineered between 1788-1791. It separated Berlin in two (Western Berlin and Eastern Berlin). On December 22th, 1989 when the Berlin Fall had fallen, the Brandenburg Gate was once again opened.

The German parliament (Reichstag), set up between 1884-1894 was destroyed by bombings at the end of The Second World War. It has been restored in a creative way (today, the structure has an enormous glass roof). Norman Foster is the architect responsible for this assignment.

Friedrichstadtpalast Palace is the place where you can watch interesting shows. Some of the 153 city museums that would present curiosity are: Museum of History, Egyptian Museum, Alte und Neue National Gallery (where you can look up to the pieces of remarkable painters such as Picasso or Dali), the Pergamon Museum (with attractions like Zeus’ Altar of Pergamon or the Roman Gate from Milet).

Television Tower (1965-1969) is the tallest building in Berlin, reaching 368 m. At the height of 250 m you can serve lunch and admire the entire city panorama in a restaurant that revolves around its axis in approximately 30 minutes.

Gedächniskirche Church (1891-1895) is an Neo-Roman style Evangelical church that was almost totally ruined at the end of the Second World War. The recent part was erected between 1959-1961 by the architect Egon Eiermann.

Close to the Brandenburg Gate was constructed a monument in the memory of the Jews killed in the war. The monument consists of 2711 impressive concrete blocks stretched on a surface of 19000 square meters.

Nikolaiviertel is a tiny district situated in the city’s historic center. Its narrow streets are notorious and have a lot of restaurants, shops, bars and cafes. In the center of Nikolaiviertel lies the oldest Berlin church, Nikolaikirche

Charlottenburg Palace (1695-1699) is the most beautiful palace in Berlin. It was erected as a summer residence by Friedrich III for his wife, Sophie Charlotte.

The Berlin Zoo is the most important and greatest zoo in the world. It has over 1400 distinct species and a total of 19000 animals. There you can admire one of the most pleasing] and largest aquariums in the world.

Berlin Hauptbahnhof is one of the avant-garde and recent projects accomplished in Berlin. It is the biggest railway station in Europe and it was inaugurated on the occasion of World Football Championship in Germany 2006.

The Berlin Wall was a hallmark of the Cold War, splitting the Western Berlin from the German Democratic Republic. In November 1989 the wall fell, stopping the communist influence and permitting Germany to take an important step toward its reunification.

Berlin is one of the most delightful capitals in Europe and is definitely a place to see as soon as possible. You won’t feel sorry.

Author: TudorBran – Visit http://beautifulberlin.blogspot.com and discover all the important information about Berlin. Booking a room at one of the Berlin hotels has never been easier.

Bavaria’s capital Munich is well known as the gateway to the Alps – here you are barely an hour’s train ride away from the highest mountain in Germany – the Zugspitze – and before you reach these stunning Alpine scenes, there are beautiful forests and lakes, including the fine spa town of Tegernesee. Thus already, we find stunning alpine landscapes, crystal clear lakes, lush forests, relaxing spa resorts and historic towns.

Nuremberg, Church of Our Lady

Further north, we can pick out Nuremberg as offering a city steeped in medieval history, being the birthplace of Renaissance artist and engraver Albrecht Durer and a fine example of medieval City-state architecture.

Another great city is Regensburg belongs which is one of an exclusive group now nominated by UNESCO as Mankind’s World Heritage. Regensburg’s Old Town is a gem, with almost a thousand listed buildings are banded together in a small area. A walk through the narrow streets here, is a walk through history spanning thousands of years, ranging from Roman times, the imperial German emperors and kings and onwards to a the medieval splendour of the Stone Bridge.

Regensburg, Cathedral

More charm and delight is on offer at Füussen. Set in the fabulous surroundings of the Allgäu Alps and nearby to King Ludwig’s fairytale castles Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. This is an ideal place for a romantic getaway. Fussen has 700 years of history, and has typical Bavarian charm of quaint cobbled streets and a pretty medieval centre framed in the distance by the ever-present Alps.

Füssen old town

But modern amenities also prevail, of course. For the sports enthusiast, the holiday resort of Oberstaufen offers perfect conditions for golf. Three 18-hole courses offer lessons for beginners and plenty of sport for professional expert golfers. Here again in the Allgau Alps, a guest card gives free cable-car rides, use of the adventure swimming pool Aquaria, entrance to museums and much else besides.

In spring, summer and autumn, 300 kilometres of hiking paths, and there is a wide range of activities from paragliding to surfing on the nearby Alpsee, from tennis to mountain biking and from canoeing to horse riding.

Again for outdoor enthusiasts, Ruhpolding is superb for anyone who loves nature and is looking for active recreation. Here in Upper Bavaria’s mountains, Ruhpolding has stunning scenic beauty and plenty of Bavarian hospitality. During the summer months in Ruhpolding, the crystal clear alpine lakes provide a cool, refreshing place to take a dip and the miles of cycling trails and walking paths offer plenty of opportunities to explore the surrounding vistas.

You can take the Traun stream through the broad valley all the way up to the peaks of the Bavarian Alps, and also enjoy a cable-car ride to the summit of the Rauschberg. Or it is possible to take the chair-lift up the Unternberg. In either case, the trip is repaid with superb vistas, and the possibility to join mountain nature trails where friendly mountain inns dotted along these routes allow for plenty of refreshment courtesy of Bavarian specialities.

With spectacular scenery, a great infrastructure for outdoor leisure pursuits, medieval towns and villages, vineyards and farms and a proud history, Bavaria is really much more than its famous beer and lederhosen!

Munich, Town hall building in Marienplatz

With cheap flights from the UK and other European cities, Bavaria is accessible for short weekend trips and longer stay, multi-centre holidays. It is region which really repays a second look for the holidaymaker looking for plenty of outdoor leisure and sporting activity as well as cultural exploration.
Author: Jimi St.Pierre writes for several Travel Companies in the UK, including Travelwhere Ltd and Country Connect, the latter being a publisher of a daily news feed to the UK travel industry. Country Connect has a UK Tourist Office Directory, cheap flights and airport parking at http://www.countryconnect.co.uk