Germany

Bavaria - Germany's most southerly province - was a self-contained state ruled by the Wittelsbach monarchy for 600 years until 1871. Even today it still feels separate from the rest of Germany. People here are open, friendly, relaxed and enjoy the good things in life. So many generations of Kings and Queens have left a fabulous legacy of fairytale castles like Schloss Neuschwanstein, and opulent Royal spa towns like Bad Reichenhall. Even local walking paths are named for kings who used to ride along them!

Walking in Germany

In addition to culture and history, Bavaria is home to some of Europe's most captivating landscapes which are perfect for walking holidays. Germany's Berchtesgaden mountains in particular are reputed to have been sculpted by angels. Some of the country's highest peaks are found here, soaring high above shimmering azure lakes, surrounded by the fractured limestone summits of the Bavarian Alps that glow warm pink at dusk. Below the tree line in the lush valleys the views are so near perfection it is uncanny: gingerbread farmhouses, tiny onion domed village churches and crystal clear streams and rivers. As you stroll along on your walking holiday in Germany, you'll see farmers still use scythes to harvest crops in their patchwork fields here, and local residents dutifully stack their tall winter woodpiles under the glorious summer sunshine.