Munich and Bavaria Adventure Guide

Book excerpt: Bavaria is by far the most popular destination in Germany for both international and domestic tourists. This is no real surprise since it includes such a wide range of attractions, from historical sights to natural beauty, high culture, relaxation in world-class spas, and hiking, cycling, mountain climbing, and skiing. Castles, palaces, monasteries, churches, and historical towns abound. Its rivers offer great opportunities for watersports as well as easy cycling and hiking routes. The Alps are famous for winter sports while forested mountain ranges are scattered through Bavaria. Munich is the central attraction, with an astonishing range of excellent museums, pleasant beer gardens and beer halls, as well as numerous restaurants ranging from international fast-food chains to haute cuisine. There are classical music concerts and the original Oktoberfest is held here. Nuremberg, with its Nazi history, is also in Bavaria, as are the idyllic Alpine villages of Berchtesgaden and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, not to mention the Romantic Road, with Dinkelsbühl, Augsburg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber. We visit all the best castles (including Neuschwanstein, home of Mad King Ludwig), the museums, churches and historic sites. Cruises, concerts, town and country walks, kayaking, cycling – it's all detailed here.