Bavaria |
Bavaria in south-east Germany is one of the country's top tourist destinations alongside Berlin and the Rhine Valley, famous for its beer, Bratwurst sausages, Lederhosen (leather trousers) and some of the most beautiful countryside in Central Europe.
The region extends from the North German Plain down into the Alps, and has a lot in common with neighbouring Austria.
Sparkling glacial lakes, mountains with chiselled peaks, and thick fir tree forests make up the region's Alpine landscape.
The region's many castles include Coburg, Neuburg an der Donau, Trausnitz, Burghausen, Nürnberg's Imperial Castle and the outstanding 19th century Neuschwanstein Castle, which is the most photographed building in Germany and one of the most popular tourist destinations.
Other places to visit include the walled city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber; beautiful Regensburg, whose large medieval centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the historical city of Nürnberg and nearby Playmobil park for kids; and Bodenmais, known for its glass shops and, in summer, a 600 metre-long Bob-sleigh track.
Hiking, or 'wandern' in German, is a major pastime in the summer months. You can spend days following marked hiking trails and spotting wildlife in the dense Bavarian Forest or mountain biking along scenic roads. Then by winter, the ski resorts are alive with winter sports enthusiasts, with several pretty ski resorts in southern Bavaria.
If you can time your holiday right, you can also enjoy some of the region's finest beer at the annual two-week Oktoberfest. This famous 200-year-old beer festival takes place from late September to early October each year in the region's capital, Munich, and draws some six million visitors to the city each year.