Beer, pretzels, men in lederhosen and women in dirndls, and the backdrop of the majestic Alpine mountains.  This along with fairy-tale castles and Oktoberfest is what comes to mind when we think of Germany’s most iconic region, Bavaria.

Travel influencer couple Dave Bouskill and Deb Corbeil of The Planet D’s are known for taking their followers on vicarious adventures to exotic locales around the world. They have shared some of their favorite places about this beguiling destination which they described as having the ‘perfect combination of culture, scenery, food and adventure’. This balance makes Bavaria one of the best places to visit in Germany, and a destination offering luxury in all aspects.

Located in Germany’s south, it is the country’s largest state and is among Europe’s oldest states. Established in 600 AD, Bavaria was an independent kingdom between 1806 and 1918, ruled by six kings before becoming a Free State in 1918. Elements of Bavaria’s elaborate history remain in its modern culture, from King Ludwig II’s (1864-1886) castles to its high-end hotels.

WHERE TO STAY: BAVARIA

The Schloss Elmau

Bavaria is spoilt for choice with luxury hotels to choose from. Part of The Leading Hotels of the World, the Schloss Elmau has two hotels beside each other, the Schloss Elmau Retreat and the Schloss Elmau Hideaway. Both are ensconced within the Bavarian Alps near the ski town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, cloistered from the other towns and villages in Bavaria.

The Schloss Elmau Retreat has 47 ultra-modern rooms of red, yellow, and orange inspired by Italian and Asian design. The Schloss Elmau Hideaway is larger with 115 rooms and suites, similar to the Retreat’s Asian-influenced design.

The variety of activities at the Schloss Elmau set it apart from other German hotels, if not world hotels. The Retreat’s Jivamukti Yoga Center, a yoga pavilion with 360˚ valley views, offers various classes and retreats, and the Hideaway’s grand concert hall is perfect for relaxing evenings of jazz and classical music. The Schloss Elmau also hosts seven gourmet restaurants, three libraries and one of the world’s largest hotel bookstores with varying book genres for all ages. Between the Retreat and Hideaway is six adult and family spas, including a Hammam for adults and a 25-metre heated indoor lap pool for families. Esteemed guests such as Barack Obama and Angela Merkel are more telling of its five-star status and ability to provide unrivalled Alpine escapes.

The Charles Hotel Munich, Rocco Forte Hotels

The Charles Hotel Munich is part of the Rocco Forte Hotels and another of the Leading Hotels of the World. Built in 2007, it stands in Lenbachgärten, near Königsplatz and the dynamic Maximilianstrasse. Its natural-hued interior designed by Olga Polizzi is inspired by the Old Botanical Garden opposite the hotel and contains original paintings by 19th Century artist Franz von Lenbach.

The Charles’ 136 rooms and 24 suites ooze charm, especially the Monforte Royal Suite, its largest suite at 200m2. Its amenities include a separate steam room, and guests can book their Presidential Two-Bedroom Suite for a three-bedroom suite stay. Luxury ventures outside the hotel with their helicopter trip, a journey in a private Rocco Forte helicopter from Munich’s rooftops to the foot of the Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany, for a gourmet picnic. Bringing upscale experiences from its services to its design, The Charles Hotel Munich is one for the bucket list.

The Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinksi Munich

The Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinksi Munich is a hotel with a royal history, built by King Ludwig II’s father, Maximilian II, in 1858. Situated on Maximilianstrasse, guests often express that its location is ideal for discovering more of Munich. Its design combines neoclassical with modern elements, present in its 368 rooms and suites. The royal theme is echoed in the 190m2 Ludwig Suite, red-coloured and castle-like with chandeliers and candle wall sconces.

This historical appearance contrasts with state-of-the-art amenities, such as a jacuzzi and sauna. Car enthusiasts will enjoy the hotel’s BMW i8 test driving experience. Guests can ride around Munich’s nearby lakes, visit castles and stop for refreshments accompanied by the crisp air of the Bavarian Alps. The Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich is perfect for a classy urban retreat.

Glamping in Bavaria

Bavaria puts an additional spin on luxury accommodation, offering top-level glamping. Literally. At the adventure mountain park of Waldseilgarten Höllschlucht in Pfronten, thrill seekers can spend the night in a private one-two-person tent suspended over a cliff face. With smaller cliff faces between 100-300 metres high and larger ones between 1000-2000 metres, Pfronten’s mountain views are irreplaceable, and the stars appear close enough to grab. One will surely have an exhilarating stay, as they glimpse Bavaria from a perspective most would think impossible. Guests undergo training in Waldseilgarten’s forest ropes course and climbing techniques to access their floating rooms. The staff also encourage accompanying them in setting up the tent for the full glamping experience. Meals and drinks are provided, making for a spectacular dining experience from the heights.

DINING EXPERIENCES: BAVARIA

Schwarzreiter Restaurant

Bavaria’s fine dining restaurants will excite one’s palette, one being the Michelin-starred Schwarzreiter Restaurant, part of the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich. Michelin-starred Chef Maike Menzel and her team serve traditional Bavarian cuisine with a modern twist. Like the hotel, the eatery’s design harkens back to 1858 with ornate chandeliers and artwork etched in its beige-toned walls. It has two set menus, featuring a Cured Alpine Salmon starter served with lemon gel, buttermilk, coloured radish, and cauliflower. As one of the best restaurants in Munich, let the Schwarzreiter Restaurant be one to visit.

Restaurant Tantris

Another Mecca of fine dining is the Two-Michelin-starred Restaurant Tantris, another of the best restaurants in Munich. Restaurant Tantris specialises in classic French cuisine with an Asian-influenced interior of predominantly orange colours. Multiple award-winning Chef de Cuisine Hans Haas and his team serve each dish with passion, simplicity, and high-quality taste. One shouldn’t miss their seven-course dinner menu, pairing dishes with wine from their award-winning pairing program. One dish served is the Lamb Chops au gratin served with artichokes and beans, paired with a glass of 2007 Brunello di Montalcino or 1970 Château Palmer wine. With first-class food and wine, Restaurant Tantris will leave guests eager to return.

Wine and the great outdoors

For the wine mavens, canoe tours with Waterwalker in Volkach are highly recommended for a ‘special dining experience’, say The Planet D. Guests will find themselves traversing the River Main, passing by the region’s verdant vineyards, and stopping for some wine tasting. The canoe docks on the riverbank for sips of wine, and guests are invited to bring their own food for a picnic before being escorted back to Volkach town.

Bavaria Means Beer!

Of course, Bavaria’s beer cannot go unmentioned. One of the best places to visit in Germany for beer is the Kuchlbauer Brewery in Abensberg. The brewery is one of the world’s oldest, founded in the 1300s. Running successfully for nine generations, the Kuchlbauer family has created six types of wheat beer, including the Kuchlbauer Weisse with hints of apricot and banana. Their Kuchlbauer’s World of Beer tour is great for sampling beloved Bavarian beer traditions, which includes a visit to their famous Kuchlbauer Tower, 500ml of Kuchlbauer’s own beer and a pretzel.

Bavaria Beyond

More of the best places to visit in Germany are away from the busy towns and villages in Bavaria. The AlpspiX Viewing Platform is brilliant for glimpsing the highest mountains in Germany. Located in Garmisch-Partenkirchen on the Osterfelderkopf summit, it stands 1000 metres above ground-level near the Zugspitze. Two jutting 25-metre walkways shaped like a curved ‘X’ make up the platform, offering 360˚ views of dramatic mountain scenery.

King Ludwig II’s Neuschwanstein Castle is among the most captivating 19th Century castles in Bavaria, almost a two-hour drive south from Munich. Perched on a hilltop, it’s one of the castles in Bavaria likened to fairy-tale stories and was Disney’s inspiration for Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella’s castles.

Visitors can travel up by horse and carriage, stopping ten-fifteen minutes from the castle entrance at the drop-off area. The castle is best enjoyed in the morning where there are fewer crowds.

Weltenburg Abbey is a cultural hotspot, located beside the River Danube. Founded in approximately 600 AD, it’s Bavaria’s oldest monastery and is open to the public. One guided tour is in its St. Georg Abbey, a Baroque building festooned with fresco and gold paintwork. Its St. Georg Guesthouse hosts one-of-a-kind stays, as the whole abbey closes for the night around 6 pm to all except the guests.

Bavaria’s top-notch hotels, restaurants, and endless activities have The Planet D agreeing that it’s among the best places to visit in Germany and one of Europe’s most important destinations prospering in the present whilst embracing its history.  If you want to ensure a comfortable stay, book your vacation rental in advance with cozycozy.