Follow along on our photo tour filled with travel tips as we discover the most Southern part of Germany.

During our summer visit to Germany we wanted to make a trip south to the Bavarian Alps. Nick and I are fortunate to be able to live in Germany, near my parents in Northern Bavaria, for three months. We found a great last minute deal from the Deutsche Bahn (the german train system) that included a two night stay including breakfast and dinner in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

This beautiful town is located just one hour south of Munich and is easily accessible by car, train or bus. It is one of Germany’s premier tourist ski towns and offers tremendous hiking, skiing and biking opportunities. According to wikitravel, Garmisch-Partenkirchen boasts some of the best skiing in Germany. Located at the base of the country’s tallest mountain, the Zugspitze, year round glacial snow is guaranteed.

The famous composer Richard Strauss was born in Munich, but lived in his beloved Garmisch for more than 40 years. Every year in June the city hosts a Richard Strauss festival week with a special program. To learn more visit: www.richard-strauss-festival.de.

Garmisch is considered the more fashionable section of town, while Partenkirchen’s cobblestone streets retain a traditional Bavarian feel.

The Partnach River

Downtown Partenkirchen

Sebastianskapelle in Garmisch

The town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a Kurort (spa town), it’s a resort for preventative medicine, recovery, or cure. The town offers wonderful shopping opportunities, a Kurpark with free concerts almost every night, a casino & wave pool (one free entry each with a Kur Pass) and numerous bars and restaurants. Impressive historic facades, lovingly painted houses, awe-inspiring churches and charming inhabitants give this town an open atmosphere and make it a wonderful vacation destination.

Silke started her hotel work career in the beautiful alpine town of Oberammergau and went to this hotel management school in downtown Garmisch.

The hotel where she once worked, Romantik Hotel Boeld, is situated directly on the beautiful river Ammer and at the foot of Mount Kofel. All of the rooms and suites are still furnished in a fashionable way and some of them even have balconies overlooking the beautiful Bavarian Alps.

It was a wonderful treat being able to spend a day walking in the past and enjoying the natural beauty of this Bavarian village. Oberammergau is best known for its Passion Play that is performed once every ten years in the Passion Play Theater. To learn more about the Passionstheater in Oberammergau visit www.passionstheater.de. Oberammergau is also known for its many talented wood carvers.

Wood Carvers Shop In Oberammergau

Saint Peter and Paul Church in Oberammergau

Main street in Oberammergau

After our visit to Oberammergau in the Bavarian Alps we walked in the footsteps of King Ludwig II and visited one of his world-famous castles, Castle Linderhof. King Ludwig II of Bavaria (1845 – 1886) was the son of Bavarian King Maximilian II. He ascended to the throne at the young age of 18 and led an extraordinary life. His passionate building activities earned him the name ‘Fairy-tale King’.

Further information about Linderhof Palace can be found at www.linderhof.de.

Linderhof was finished in 1878 and was the only castle Ludwig II completed and actually lived in. The main features of the beautifully landscaped park are the St. Anna Chapel, the “Königshäuschen” (King’s Cottage), the ancient Royal Lime Tree with a platform where the king sometimes took breakfast, the Moorish Kiosk with the Peacock Throne, the Moroccan House, Hunding’s Hut and the Hermitage of Gurnemanz.

To round out our second day of discovery in the Bavarian Alps of Southern Germany we went on an afternoon bus excursion to Kochel am See (Kochel on the lake) and Walchensee. These two lovely towns and its surroundings invite many visitors to interesting excursions and activities!

Walchensee or Lake Walchen is one of the deepest and largest alpine lakes in Germany, with a maximum depth of 192.3 metres and an area of 16.4 square kilometres. The lake is 75 kilometers south of Munich in the middle of the Bavarian Alps. From visiting a Viking village, to fishing, swimming, sunbathing, boating, hiking, shopping, visiting museums and even riding a mountain trolley. You can find it all in beautiful Kochel am See.

Before heading back to our temporary home in Geldersheim, Germany, we had to make one more stop. A morning walk through town to the “Stadion Olympiaschanze Garmisch-Partenkirchen” and the amazing hike through the Partnachklamm. The river Partnach flows through this gorge which makes for a natural wonder world. After 700 meters the footpath chiseled into the rock ends and you can continue your walk to one of the surrounding huts.

Nick is resting next to the Partnach river

We decided to hike up to Das Graseck, a mountain hideaway, lifestyle hotel and spa. Its superb location amid unspoiled nature above Garmisch-Partenkirchen complete with stunning views of the Upper Bavarian Alps are what make this hideaway so very unique.

Fresh air, beautiful views and a ride back into into the valley via a little tram made this an unforgettable morning in the Bavarian Alps of Southern Germany.

We thoroughly enjoyed our three day trip with the Deutsche Bahn to the Southern part of Germany and have our next train trip booked already. This time we’ll head to the Nordsee to visit a little town called Emden.

See more pictures of Germany in our Photo Gallery…

Have you been to Southern Germany and the Bavarian Alps? Leave us a comment below.