Say Bavaria, think Oktoberfest. You’d be right. But switch your beer goggles for sober shades and you’ll discover one of Europe’s most beautiful regions. Whether you want to hike through the majestic Bavarian Alps or eat your way through one weisswurst at a time, this destination is rich in culture and experiences.
From the serene Lake Chiemsee (pictured) and the Danube River to the Bavarian Alps, waterfalls and parks, Bavaria was made for nature lovers. The region has the largest continuous forest area in Central Europe, the Bavarian Forest. As a protected natural reserve, it’s a paradise for hikers and wildlife enthusiasts looking to explore ancient woodlands. In the warmer months, meander through wildflower meadows, taking in the fresh air and colourful spectacle.
Love Christmas? If you’re not visiting in November or December, fear not. Make a stop at Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a quaint town that oozes Christmas cheer 365 days a year. There’s not one, but two Christmas decoration stores and the world’s only Christmas village museum. Discover the history of the Christmas tree, how decorations were first made of paper, cotton wool and candles as lights. The museum also explores nativity scenes and advent calendars with objects over 100 years old.
The most famous castle of the region is Neuschwanstein (pictured). It’s a mouthful but you’ll notice it looks familiar. Neuschwanstein Castle inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle. Perched on a hill overlooking the village of Hohenschwangau, Neuschwanstein is the stuff fairytales are made of and a must-visit in Bavaria. Linderhof Palace, Nymphenburg Palace and Herrenchiemsee New Palace are also beautiful with sweeping grounds and fountains.
There’s a joke that people in Bavaria don’t eat vegetables. Bavarian food is heavy on meat, potatoes, pretzels and more meat. Though to be fair, the rest of traditional German food isn’t much of a departure from these staples. Specialties of the region include leberknödelsuppe (a liver dumpling soup), weisswurst also known as white sausage consisting of minced veal and pork, and pretzels dipped in obatzda – a Bavarian beer cheese spread.
Scenic routes aplenty. Drive through rolling hills dotted by vineyards and orchards through fairytale-like villages. Navigating through winding roads, you’ll catch glimpses of the Bavarian Alps, mediaeval castles and crystal clear lakes. Starting in Wurzburg (pictured), the Romantic Road in particular winds through the heart of the area’s architectural treasures.
Picture half-timbered houses known as “fachwerk” in German, churches, mediaeval remains and cobblestone streets. Bavaria is filled with charming villages and towns frozen in time – perfect for a pitstop for meals in between activities. Explore Augsburg, one of Germany's oldest cities, and its Renaissance architecture or UNESCO World Heritage site Bamberg (pictured) and its well-preserved mediaeval city centre.
One of the bigger cities in Bavaria, Nuremberg is steeped in history. To this day, the city’s skyline is dominated by the Nuremberg fortress built all the way back in the 12th century. There’s also the Documentation Center. Now a museum, it was former Nazi party rallying grounds and where the highest officials of the Nazi party were convicted for atrocities of World War II during the Nuremberg Trials.
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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/why-you-should-visit-bavaria/image-gallery/49ccf45fb9c3d90a72fbaa0f0d1e9cad