On a clear day it is possible to see the Alps from Munich, the third largest city in Germany after Berlin and Hamburg, which, although
it is filled with theatres, museums, art galleries, high end shopping areas and a dynamic night life, still has the rustic feel of a village. Nothing could be more appropriate for what is often called the country's secret capital, but is the capital of one of the oldest states in Europe, the south eastern state of Bavaria, nestling amongst Germany's magnificent alpine scenery, fairytale castles, ancient monasteries, and its natural paradise of unspoilt forests, rivers and 1,600 lakes.
With four distinct seasons each with their charms, and almost always deep 'Bavarian Blue' skies, Bavaria is beautiful at any time of the year, making it into one of the main destinations for holidays in Germany, and during the winter from end November through to February, often into April on the higher slopes, when the hills and mountains are covered in snow it becomes a wonderland.
The scene is one of natural beauty as since 1984 the conservation of nature, and protection of the environment, have been priorities in Bavaria and part of their constitution, so although the German Alpine Association ensure the Alps are accessible it is the preservation of the alpine environment which takes precedence.
During the warm weather months friendly traditional
towns and villages attract holiday makers and day-trippers from inside Germany itself as well as the rest of the world, to everything from water sports, mountain climbing, walking, horse drawn carriage holidays, festivals, sight seeing or just relaxation, enjoying life, nature and the crystal clear air. However with the arrival of winter the area is taken over by snowboarders, alpine and cross country skiers, ice-climbers, snowshoe hikers, ice skaters, as well as sledge tours, tobogganing and curling. And of course 'apres ski', which is more gemuetlich, cosy in feeling and fact, than loud and boisterous. While for anyone wanting to stay somewhere a bit different from a conventional hotel there are always the popular, and genuine, hay lofts and igloos.
Nevertheless winter in Bavaria it is not all about
winter sports, because the snow also highlights and makes a stunning backdrop to attractions such as the Bavarian Forest National Park with its wildlife, marked winter walking paths, and cross country ski trails, and the dream castle of King Ludwig II, inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella castles at Disney theme parks, Neuschwanstein, which like many of Bavaria's favourite spots, even including some outdoor heated swimming pools, remains open the whole year, snow or no snow.A blanket of white adds an extra dimension to the tourist routes, like the Alpine Route from Lindau on Lake Constance to
Berchtesgaden on Koenigsee which takes in 25 castles, abbeys and palaces as well as mountains and ski resorts, although heavy falls do occasionally close some of the roads, and also to the Romantic Road between Wuerzburg and Fuessen as it passes through medieval walled towns, mile after mile of beautiful scenery and World Heritage Sites. Winter or summer Bavaria is famous for its beer, and the ever popular Beer Route visits some of the 650 breweries in Bavaria's most picturesque villages and towns one of which is Bamberg. Like Rome it was built on seven hills and with its 1000 year history, an area of canals that lives up to its description of Little Venice and one of Europe's largest intact old town centres, even without snow it is a gem amongst German towns.
With thousands of monasteries, abbeys and churches, Bavaria is a centre of winter pilgrimages, to
sometimes complex and ornate structures situated in remote areas and built by local craftsmen. Wieskirche on the Romantic Road, with its Rococo style church, Pilgrimage Church of the Scourged Saviour is one favourite, as is Altoetting, between Munich, Passau and Lake Chiemsee, for over 1,250 years Bavaria's spiritual centre and where every year the Black Madonna receives over a million visitors. Or the perfectly preserved medieval city of Regensburg, with its Rococo Church of our Dear Lady, 'Zu unserer lieben Frau', and medieval St. Peter's Cathedral, while of course the Bavarian village of Oberammergau is one of Germany's best known places of pilgrimage.
There is great variety amongst Bavaria's many cities with each, large or small, having their own individual charm, traditions and history in addition to the various shopping districts and choice of nightlife .
Nuremberg has a medieval centre, castle, and 30 different museums, Coburg, stunning architecture, a wealth of art, culture and links ranging from Queen Victoria to Martin Luther, while Augsburg has a 2,000 year history but is modern and dynamic, its 'old town' criss-crossed with canals and within the city the world's oldest existing social housing complex, a historic walled commune known as 'The Fuggerei'.
In the winter as in all the seasons Bavaria is a wonderful
mixture of the traditional and high tech, breathtaking landscapes and up-to-the-minute cities, health resorts and sport. Together with the hard to resist temptations of traditional German food and regional specialties, from local fish, game, vegetables and cheeses to Schmarrn mit karmellisierten Aepfeln, Bavaria's 'I don't want to think how many calories it has' dessert or snack, and all combined with the typical Bavarian joie de vivre, a love of life. And it takes on an extra dimension when covered by those layers of winter snow.
Munich and the Bavarian Alps courtesy TZ - Yellow-billed Chough flying over a corner of the Zugspitz, photographer Michael Fiegle, - Lynx in Bayerischer Wald National Park, Photographer Klaus F. - Panorama of Nuernberg Castle, photographer Janericloebe, - Wendelstein church in Oberbayern photographer Simon Koopmann, - Panoramic view over the Lechfall, Lech Weir, in Fuessen, Bavaria, photographer Carschten - all courtesy de.Wikipedia
Amazon.com: Munich & The Bavarian Alps (Eyewitness Travel Guides): Summer or winter Bavaria is one of the most beautiful regions of Germany, filled not only with scenery and tradition but also culture and nightlife. Instantly recognisable from the Disneyesque fairytale castles, Lederhosen, and Oktoberfest, this book shows it all.
Germany (Eyewitness Travel Guides): The Eyewitness Travel Guide for Germany is absolutely the best travel book available for anyone who wants to visit the country, either from the comfort of their armchair or in person. It has stunning illustrations together with easy to read descriptions, and is my personal favorite.
