Munich! We are starting our visit to the city at the 1972 Olympic Park. We have come full circle in the last 8 weeks on our Tour of the Alps: Anger and Almbach – Germany – Alps 1This is where it happened: Remember the swimmer who won seven gold medals here, each setting world-record times?Interesting glass roofs were ahead of their time in 1972.The clouds made the tower look a bit surreal – like it was a spaceship landing.The day cleared up nicely for a picnic lunch enjoying the Olympic Park.BMW Welt is in the same area and was fun to visit as well as tour the BMW museum.There is lots of BMW to turn your head here – classics to Mini’s to Rolls Royce to cars of the future.Elvis’s US Army tour had him serving in Germany in 1958, where he bought this little sports car for his R&R . Rediscovered in 2008, it was meticulously restored and has been featured here for the last 10 years. You can sing “Return to Sender” while it sparkles in the lights.BMW Isetta from 1958, could have been a more practical option. The front is the door and it seats two.The advertising for the car all had people stretching thru the sun roofs. Oh what fun!In the center of Munich is Marienplatz with the eye catching Neues Rathaus (City Hall).The Rathaus-Glockenspiel is a large mechanical clock. There are lots of people in the square but the clock only performs twice a day.Munich was pretty much completely rebuilt after WWII in the traditional style.The Ägyptische Museum (Egyptian) is an amazing collection, organized to give us greater appreciation of the type of art being showcased.No trip to Munich in October is possibly complete without a stop at a beer garden. After a wander through the English Gardens, we thought we should enjoy this fabulous ambiance from the Seeshaus with some Bavarian Paulaner! Prost –
The fairy tale Neuschwanstein Castle is near the neighboring town of Fussen.Bavarian King Ludwig II put his heart and soul as well as much money into this gorgeous unfinished castle on this amazing site.We are seeing it from Mary’s bridge, mid morning just as the sun is rising over the mountain.We will enjoy viewing it from many angles as we walk to the front door.It looks a bit different from the front with the red brick wall.We met some tourists from Singapore doing the Alpine tour – it was fun to chat with them.The view from Neuschwanstein Castle looks down on his childhood home, nestled nicely on another hill overlooking the lake with the Austrian Alps as a backdrop.It is also a stately looking castle. Fussen area had many happy memories for Ludwig II. A related fact is that his cousin was Elizabeth, who grew up nearby, married Franz Joseph – a Hapsburg King – to become Empress ‘Sisi’ of Austria. Schloss Linderhof is where King Ludwig II actually lived. The family hunting lodge was on this location but he had another vision.His idol was the French Sun-King Louis XIV and he sought to recreate his favorite parts of Versailles here.A bit over the top in a wonderful Baroque way. We enjoyed an English tour of the inside to see the wonderful elaborate Rococo rooms. We couldn’t take photos but you can see some here.We could appreciate some of the gardens – can you imagine strolling in 1876?Very regal.
We rent electric city bikes to ride around the Ammergau Alps Nature Park. This is Kofel Peak, which we can see the other side from our dining room window in Unterammergau.Whetstones for grinding mills were quarried and crafted in Unterammergau from this limestone. We are enjoying an especially nice day.The path leads us to what were royal hunting grounds and Bavarian King Ludwig II ‘s Linderhof Palace.Of course we needed to stop for coffee to contemplate the beauty of the gardens.The village of Graswang on the Linder river, a tributary to the Ammer – looks like a peaceful place to stop……Nice – A picnic bench to have our lunch.The route is not all paved but is level and easy to bike.Our next destination is Ettal, and the Benidictine Monastery.What a location for a beer garden! The monks at Ettal Abbey, established in 1330, have been brewing beer since 1609.
Oberammergau is known for their painted buildings and this one tells the story of Hansel and Gretel.Remember? The German Grimm Brother’s fairy tale where the abandoned siblings escape by pushing the wicked witch into the oven.Across the street is the Little Red Riding Hood house. “Where are you going little girl?” asks the hungry wolf.Is this the sickly grandmother or the wolf posing as her? “My what a deep voice you have…”Other buildings in Oberammergau tell of history like this one of life in 1775. Others have religious themes as the Passion Play is performed here every 10 years.This is across from our apartment in Unterammergau. It is the last Sunday in October and all are ready for a pilgrimage to a nearby chapel.Horses are the main focus this festival, who are blessed by Saint Leonhard, the patron saint of horses.The horses have braided mains and tails as well as ribbons and flowers. Blue and white are the colors of Bavaria.Of course there are marching bands – all are in traditional outfits with wonderful hats.The main square of Unterammergau is the final gathering point for all the bands to join together for a concert.This is one of four friendly llamas that live across from our apartment in Unterammergau.
Berchtesgaden is Germany’s only Alpine National Park.We wandered along the shores of Lake Königssee.A perfect day to enjoy the calm waters and watch the boats cruise by.They played the bugle to hear the echos off the walls – that was the only interruption to the solitude.A great place to take a break and soak your feet.There was always the luge option…Or the BBQ option back at the apartment! We are enjoying all of the amenities 😉
Our first view of the Alps! We flew into Munich and drove a few hours south to Anger, Germany.Our first home – Staufen-Chalet Hochreit. We have the deluxe one bedroom apartment with a personal infrared sauna.The view from our window at sunrise.The view as we leave in the morning, looking towards the south.Who wouldn’t want this scenery on your commute?Almbach Gorge is nearby and our first day calls for a leisurely 7-kilometer hike with a 1,000 foot climb.Water is a beautiful color. The trail is fun with lots of bridges and catwalks.At bridge #19 is the high Sulzer waterfall and where we took a trail up, above the canyon.We climbed the trail to the Mesnerwirt Chapel, near Ettenberg, and ate our picnic lunch enjoying the view! Alltrails linkA final moment of enjoyment of this alpine view before heading down to our car.
