Bavaria enjoys perhaps Germany's finest scenery; rich in history, old-world traditions, with a unique identity and striking beauty. A land of fairy tales, Bavaria is a wonderful place to visit at any time of the year however, we think that winter is extra special. Feel invigorated by the pure mountain air; enjoy long periods of fine weather with clear visibility allowing for spectacular views of snow-capped mountain peaks, fairy-tale castles and stunning winter scenery. The surrounding countryside is blessed with a number of lakes varying in size, a paradise for walkers. You walk through gentle forest roads and paths magically transformed by fresh layers of snow.
Your base is in the delightful and cosy, 700-year-old town of Füssen, just north of the Austrian border. Its attractive location on the edge of the Alps never fails to captivate visitors. Formed by imposing peaks and an idyllic lakeland area, this was the inspiration for Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. At an altitude of 800 metres, it is amongst the highest towns in Bavaria.
This is the Königswinkel, home to Bavaria’s most charming attractions such as the stunning and beautifully located palace castles of Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau, and Linderhof, 'places of paradise', as King Ludwig II used to call them. The introverted king built the castles in order to withdraw from public life. Today, ironically, hordes of tourists come in their masses to view his private refuge; luckily, we visit in the quieter winter months, avoiding the crowds. The first departure will allow us to see the New Year in this winter wonderland.
Many of the escape scenes in the 1963 film “The Great Escape” were filmed in and around Füssen and you will see some of these.
And at the end of a pleasant day’s walking in this winter paradise, you can relax in the welcoming, family run spa and wellness hotel, and admire the surrounding alpine scenery.
As with all winter activities snow cannot be guaranteed. However, the walks are equally spectacular with or without snow.