The region covering the western foothills of the Alps, surrounded by the towering peaks of the enchanting mountain backdrop, is on the Austrian border in the south of Germany. It stretches to the south of Germany's second-longest river, the Danube. The river dominates the landscape with its deep valleys and many famous lakes. With a variety of castles, palaces, museums, abbeys, quaint brewery restaurants and typical houses adorned with Lüftl art, the foothills of the Bavarian Alps are a quintessentially German region, whose beauty is only surpassed by the traditional hospitality of the local people.

Monastic life on Lake Ammersee
Set in a picturesque location right beside Lake Ammersee near Munich is the famous Andechs Abbey. The wonderful food and beer from the abbey brewery, which even visiting heads of state have enjoyed, are not the only good reasons to stop off in Andechs. Originally the ancestral seat of the Counts of Andechs, the castle is now home to Benedictine monks. With its rococo-style abbey church, the "Holy Mountain" is one of the foremost pilgrimage sites in southern Germany. Just a few years ago, the abbey and church celebrated their 550th anniversary, an event that many people saw as an opportunity to visit Lake Ammersee and see the newly restored pilgrimage church. A real insider's tip for a relaxing break: spend a few days with the monks.

Passion in Oberammergau
When strolling through Oberammergau, you'll be struck in particular by the magnificent Lüftl art on the buildings in the town. This illusionistic method of facade painting is typical of Upper Bavaria. One of the town's gems is the Oberammergau Passion Play Theatre, which seats 5,000. Renowned for its impressive size, it is also a popular visitor attraction. The Oberammergau Passion Plays performed here are known far and wide and have been performed for more than 360 years. Wood carving has been practised in Oberammergau for more than 500 years. At Pilatus House, you can watch the artists while they work. Just a stone's throw from Oberammergau are famous destinations such as Ettal Abbey, Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen
The winter sports resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen once hosted the Winter Olympics. The Olympic Ice Stadium was built in 1934 specifically for the event. In addition to sporting events, it now also hosts a number of cultural highlights. For some breathtakingly beautiful countryside, head for the natural monument that is Partnachklamm mountain gorge. Raging waters, deep ravines and an iron bridge dating from 1914, which stretches across the Wildbach river at a height of 68 metres, make this a spectacular natural feature and a popular excursion destination. More than 2,000 years old, the historic Ludwigstrasse in Partenkirchen with its cosy bars and small shops is the ideal place to spend a few hours shopping and strolling.

Zugspitze
Forming the border between Germany and Austria, the Zugspitze is Germany's highest mountain at exactly 2,962 metres and a magnificent winter sports resort. From skiing to ultra-modern action sports such as snowboarding in fresh powder snow - Germany's highest skiing area and its only glacial ski slopes are on the Zugspitze plateau around 350 metres below the summit. To get there, take the Bavarian Zugspitze railway which offers spectacular panoramic views. Enjoy a long walk on and around the Zugspitze, hiking through famous gorges such as the Höllental (hell valley). The Zugspitze offers a range of options both for professional sportsmen or keen walkers, and the ascent will be worth it for the fantastic views at the top.

Baroque paintings
For lovers of the fine arts, a visit to the State Gallery for Flemish Baroque Painting is not to be missed. This offshoot of the Bavarian State Portrait Collection at Neuburg Palace on the Danube opened in 2005 and features works by famous masters such as Peter Paul Rubens and Anthonis van Dyck. Visit this former royal residence and enjoy all the pleasures of around 120 paintings.

Amber nectar brewed according to tradition
The tradition of brewing in the western foothills of the Alps stretches back to the twelfth century. In summer and autumn, you can sample the variety of beers on offer at one of the many colourful beer festivals or in the beer gardens, which are popular with visitors and locals alike. The absolute highlight is the internationally renowned Munich Beer Festival. At the biggest German public festival, you can enjoy chicken, pretzels and a beer fresh from the barrel accompanied by traditional brass music. For dessert, you can enjoy some "Tölzer Prügel". Named after the tree trunks used for building rafts, these are sticks of melt-in-yourmouth praline.

Big-city style and rural charm, Alpine character and Mediterranean verve, art treasures and the Oktoberfest, traditional customs and high technology, beer gardens and haute cuisine, operas and in bars - these are all ingredients of the special "Munich mix" that makes Bavaria's state capital so endlessly fascinating, and so popular with visitors from all over the world.

Nature, art and culture form a special bond in Murnau. Situated at the foothills of the Bavarian Alps, only 42 miles south of Munich on the way to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, this charming town overlooks Lake Staffelsee and the Nature Reserve "Murnauer Moos". The seven islands on the lake can be viewed from the passenger ship "MS Seehausen". The spectacular landscape attracted world famous painters like Kandinsky, today remembered in two important local museums. Murnau is famous for being the home of Expressionist painting.