Basics

Where Tradition and Modernity Go Hand in Hand: Authentic Vacation Experiences in Upper Bavaria

Pretty villages with white and blue maypoles next to striking onion-domed church towers, verdant green meadows and lush mountain pastures, imposing rock crags and almost 300 lakes: All these give the landscape its particular charm. Those who vacation in Germany’s premiere destination are immersed in an intact storybook world, where cultural highlights add a noteworthy touch. Along the way, guests encounter authentic tradition and deeply-rooted customs, which mix with the spirit of innovation in Munich—the lively Isar metropolis—and come to life amid laptops, dirndls and lederhosen.

Munich’s Oktoberfest—the world’s largest folk festival—and the countless beer gardens have long been synonymous with the Bavarian lifestyle far and wide. At the same time, traditional snacks like Weißwurst, pretzels, and Obazda maintain a firm presence on menus next to refined culinary delicacies.

Those who would like to wander through the museums should plan to spend several days in Munich. Definitely worth a visit are the Deutsches Museum—the world’s largest technology and science museum—and the Alte and Neue Pinakothek, with their significant collections. A special attraction for art aficionados is the Franz Marc Museum in Kochel am See. The works of the great Expressionist and his contemporaries will be exhibited in an additional 700 square meters. In contrast, world-class concerts are the attraction at the Pilgrimage Church of Wies. Built by Dominikus Zimmermann in the eighteenth-century in Steingaden in the Pfaffenwinkel, it has since come to be known as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Herrenchiemsee amidst the “Bavarian sea” and Linderhof in the Ammergau Alps are the stuff of dreams: These two castles, erected by the fairytale king Ludwig II, offer a glimpse into fantasy worlds. 

But Chiemsee is not the only Bavarian lake with an international reputation. Tegernsee, Königssee, Starnberger See, and Ammersee are also resonant names that stand for a relaxed vacation between mountains and water. A steamboat ride can give guests new perspectives. Classics like hiking and biking are still especially popular as ways for vacationers to enjoy nature on the best marked road and path networks.

In winter, on the other hand, Upper Bavaria presents itself as Germany’s number-one winter sports paradise. On the Zugspitze—at 2962 meters, the highest mountain in the country—skiing is possible until early May. Garmisch-Partenkirchen will be the scene of the 2011 Alpine World Skiing Championships. In addition, there are many more kilometers of trails from Berchtesgadener Land over the Wendelstein Alpine region to Tölzer Land. 

Practically endless cross-country trails meander through Upper Bavaria. In the biathlon stadium in Ruhpolding, vacationers even have the singular opportunity to take the target in their sights. Those who would like to relax through gentler winter sports off the slopes can discover the landscape on snowshoes or experience the idylls on cleared winter hiking paths. Of special interest for families are the numerous sledding runs. Or how about switching it up with ice-skating?
But what would a day in the fresh air be without spa treatments? From Ayurveda to Thalasso and singing bowl massage, the hotels of Upper Bavaria have the entire spectrum covered. Those who like it simpler and more rustic can lodge in comfortable bed-and-breakfasts or quaint vacation homes.

Event Highlights in Upper Bavaria
Numerous events make their mark in Upper Bavaria. The classics include:
-the New Year’s Ski Jump in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (December/January), meeting point for the world’s elite
-the Biathlon World Cup in Ruhpolding (January), with stars of Nordic ski sports and an enjoyable side program of activities
-the Tegernsee Valley Montgolfiade (January), where hot-air balloons light up the skies
-the King Ludwig Race in the Ammergau Alps (February), Germany’s biggest public cross country ski race
-the Berchtesgaden Bike Marathon (June), where last year 1600 participants made their start

Preview 2010
-the Passion Play in Oberammergau, where once every ten years half the village takes to the stage to enact the suffering of Christ, in a tradition going back to 1633, when the plague raged and villagers offered their supplications
-the 200th Munich Oktoberfest, where anniversary-year crowds will break attendance records
-the Ecumenical Church Days in Munich, where international pilgrims will come together from May 12 to 16

Preview 2011
-the Alpine Skiing World Championships in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, where the world’s elite will meet at the foot of the Zugspitze
-the Neuburg Castle Festival (every two years in June and July; next in 2011), where the royal grandeur of the old residential city comes back to life

Further Information: Upper Bavaria Tourism Bureau, Radolfzeller Straße 15, 81243 Munich, Phone: 089/82921813, Fax: 089/82921828, presse@oberbayern.de, www.oberbayern.de