traveldk.com

Founded by Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian in 1330, the abbey now houses a boarding school. The domed structure of the abbey church was reconstructed in Bavarian Rococo style after a fire. Ettal monastery produces famous herbal liqueurs – dry (green in colour), sweet (amber), and bitter (brown).

Created on the occasion of Prince Regent Luitpold’s 90th birthday, the park was expanded in 1950 by a hill built out of rubble, the Luitpoldhügel, which commands a fine view of the city. On clear days, you can see all the way to the Alps.

This media-sponsored marathon is held in Oct.

Painters Wassily Kandinsky (1866–1944) and Gabriele Münter (1877–1962) and writer Ödön von Horváth (1901–38) worked and lived in this picturesque town. Follow in the footsteps of the Blue Rider art group – the Münter-Haus and Schlossmuseum, in particular, are highly recommended. There is a beautiful walking path around the idyllic Staffelsee.

At 32 sq km (12 sq miles), the Murnauer Moos is the largest continuous fenland in Bavaria. It is home to several thousand animal species and more than 900 plant species, many of which are threatened with extinction and have been placed under protection in this conservation area. Signposted paths through the fen provide beautiful hiking opportunities in all seasons.

This historic spa town is world-renowned for its passion plays – lay theatre performed by locals. Most of Oberammergau’s population participates in mounting the event once a decade. This picturesque town is also noted for its façade frescoes. Fran Seraph Zwinck (1748–92), Germany’s most famous façade frescoe painter, was born here.

One of the most impressive gorges in the Bavarian Alps, the Partnachklamm is some 700 m (2,300 ft) long; the rock face along its sides reaches a height of nearly 100 m (330 ft). A short walk from the Olympic ski-jump stadium in Garmisch will take you to the entrance to the gorge.

The long stretch of the Isarauen serves as the city’s other green lung. South of the Wittelsbacher Bridge is the rose garden. In addition to many rose species, it features a large collection of exotic trees and shrubs, as well as a small teaching garden with poisonous plants.

Located in the Graswangtal on a beautiful tributary of the River Ammer, Schloss Linderhof lies 10 km (6 miles) outside Ettal (see Linderhof Castle).

Enclosed by a wall, this 2-km- (1-mile-) wide park extends west from the palace 1.5 km (1 mile). Picturesque pavilions and follies are scattered throughout the park, which has been declared a nature reserve to protect the 300-year-old trees.