Retrace the steps of extravagant 19th-century King Ludwig II by boarding an historic train in picturesque Prien, which parallels Lake Chiemsee. After disembarking, cruise to the island home of the King's Herrenchiemsee Palace. Fountains and statues adorn the palace garden. Inside is a Mirror Gallery reminiscent of Versailles and a museum dedicated to the monarch. Fraueninsel, a smaller island in Lake Chiemsee, shelters a convent founded in the 8th century.
Historic castles and monasteries, palaces and fortresses are all part of the region's magic and romance.
Linderhof, another of the King's ornate castles, features a Moorish kiosk and Venus Grotto where Ludwig II once sailed, serenaded by musicians and singers of Wagnerian operas. The most famous German palace of all, Neuschwanstein, is in nearby Füssen, and its musical theater transports visitors into the King's world through a multimedia experience. Lodge overnight in Schwangau-Horn's chalet-style Hotel Rübezahl. It overlooks both Neuschwanstein castle and surrounding Alpine meadows. Wherever you roam, you'll find a clean and comfortable place to spend the night. Travelers' choices include romantic hotels, old castles, former monasteries, and cozy country inns.
On the Road
While the Autobahn network leads quickly from point to point, Bavaria's scenic roads are enjoyable for those with a bit more time to spend. The Romantic Road winds from northern Bavaria through southern Germany, straight to Neuschwanstein Castle. It travels past the ancient city of Augsburg, home to Church in the Meadow, an outstanding Baroque edifice. Here you can turn onto the 208-mile-long German Alpine Road, which stretches from Lindau at Lake Constance to Berchtesgaden in Bavaria. Or detour to Oberammergau, home of the Passion Plays since 1634.
The road also leads to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany's winter sports capital and year-round spa destination. This resort town sits below 9,722-foot Zugspitze, Germany's tallest mountain.
Continue your driving tour, pausing at picturesque resort towns and villages that hug the shores of Lake Tegernsee in Upper Bavaria. Relax and restore your spirits at the Bad Tölz health resort. Or continue on to Tegernsee, whose church contains an 11th-century Romanesque crypt; the Bad Wiessee spa resort; and the charming hamlet of Rottach-Egern.
The Black Forest Region
Across the Rhine from France, the Black Forest's natural beauty crystalline lakes, pine-carpeted woodlands, open valleys, and rolling farmland awaits. A well-planned network of hiking trails covers thousands of acres with unforgettable vistas. And in region's traditional festivals and music events, intricate clocks and wood-carvings, scrumptious ham and swoon-inducing chocolate cake, the romance of the Black Forest is revealed.
Freiburg, with its medieval cathedral, is a good point of entry. One of the world's best-known spas, Baden-Baden, is within this region. Its attractions include a modern, luxurious bathing complex where 3rd-century Roman Emperor Caracalla once took the waters, large sauna area, sophisticated casino, opera house, race track, spacious parks, exclusive boutiques, and the pleasures of Baden-Alsatian cuisine. A few miles from the town center, this wine-growing welcomes arrivals to hillside vineyards and cozy wine pubs. Venture to nearby Stuttgart to tour the Porsche and Mercedes-Benz factories.
Those who appreciate fine jewelry are advised to detour to Pforzheim's Schmuckmuseum, which contains a dazzling collection. Several of its priceless pieces date to 3000 B.C.
