Bavaria - Traditionally different - brochure 2017

BAVARIA

YOUR HOLIDAY MAGAZINE 2017

WIN BRE A 3-D „AR AK TO AY I ST OCR THE B A AVA RIA TIC “

THE ORIGIN OF BEER

Discover the world´s largest hop growing region

REFINING TRADITION WITH NEW IDEAS

Modern wine cultivation at Lake Constance

MAGNIFICENT VIEWS Bavaria’s scenic and cultural treasures

EDITORIAL

DEAR READER, Bavaria has always nurtured its traditions and customs. Young hoteliers, brewers, winemakers and craftsmen have moved through generational changes by combining old values with new innovations. And they are happy to let visitors see behind the scenes.

People like Elisabeth Stiglmaier are proud to show who they are and what they have. The hop ambassador and beer sommelier takes her guests on a journey back in time through the Hallertau hop region, talks about its history and traditions, and explains how hops are cultivated in the modern era. The balancing act between conserving old traditions and developing new ideas is also clearly visible in the winery of Teresa Deufel in Lindau, on the shores of Lake Constance. Visitors can sample the wines made here according to the old family recipe. At the same time, the young winemaker explains how she is developing organic vine cultivation on her estate.

Bavaria has its own distinctive traditions. On city tours and countryside excursions you can experience a whole host of typical Bavarian customs - some unchanged for centuries, others given a modern twist.

To see what Bavaria has to offer, read on!

Jens Huwald Managing Director

Dr. Martin Spantig Managing Director

IMPRINT Publisher: BAYERN TOURISMUS Marketing GmbH Arabellastraße 17 81925 Munich, Germany Phone: +49 89/212397-0 tourismus@bayern.info www.bavaria.by

Responsible: Dr. Martin Spantig, Managing Director Jens Huwald, Managing Director

Design: Spektrum 44 GmbH Sandstraße 37-39 80335 Munich, Germany Phone: +49 89/452 274 23 www.spektrum44.de

Editing: editing agency Balon Rita Balon, Manzostraße 15 80997 Munich, Germany Phone: +49 89/89220620 rita.balon@web.de

Printing: typwes Werbeagentur GmbH Leonhard-Strell-Straße 11 85540 Haar / Gronsdorf Phone: +49 8841 678 042 www.typwes.com

Coverpicture: Neuschwanstein Castle, © Bavaria Tourism, Peter von Felbert

Bavaria’s local population has been contributing to the diversity of its cultural and natural landscapes since time immemorial.

As once King Ludwig II did, visitors of Neuschwanstein Castle enjoy the magical view on the Bavarian alps.

CONTENTS

Coburg Würzburg

Bamberg

FRANCONIA Nuremberg

EASTERN BAVARIA Regensburg Hallertau

Passau

Augsburg

Lindau

ALLGÄU/ BAVARIASWABIA

Munich

Altötting

UPPER BAVARIA

Ruhpolding Chiemgau Inzell Oberaudorf Ammergauer Alps Alpenwelt Karwendel CONTENTS NATURE & ACTIVITY 04 Elisabeth Stiglmaier: Finding the roots of green gold 06 Grand cinematic landscape in Chiemgau 07 Ruhpolding: Golfing paradise 08 The wonders of nature in Inzell and the Ammergauer Alps 09 Oberaudorf: Superb views of the foothills of the Alps 10 Walking and hiking in the Alpenwelt Karwendel 11 Tranquility itself: Chill out in the Birgsauer Hof CITIES, CULTURE & CUISINE 12 Teresa Deufel: The winemaker of Lake Constance 14 Pilgrimage to Altötting and journeys through Passau 15 Sparkling and refreshing: Draft beer from wooden barrels 16 Franconia: Home of beer 17 Culinary tour through Bamberg and Nuremberg 18 Travel in time to find Santa Claus 19 Luther: A visionary during the Reformation/ Competition 3

©Bavaria Tourism, by Jens Schwarz

NATURE & ACTIVITY

FINDING THE ROOTS OF “GREEN GOLD” Elisabeth Stiglmaier, hop farmer and beer sommelier, knows all about the history and tradition of green gold, the cultural landscape of the Hallertau and modern-day hop cultivation.

Hallertau cultural landscape – Every year in autumn, the spicy aroma of fresh hops is palpable in the air. In the Hallertau, the largest continuous area of hop cultivation in the world, the harvest is well under way. The cultural landscape of the Hallertau lies in the heart of Bavaria – between the cities of Munich, Regensburg, Ingolstadt, Nuremberg and Landshut.

Covering 17,000 hectares, this hilly region has remained unchanged for centuries and is noted

for its multitude of hop fields. The green gold has been grown here since the eighth century.

Many farms still grow hops in the Hallertau region today.

A group of people has gathered in front of one of these farms: They are holding hop cones in their hands, pressing them together, smelling them and listening to the words of Elisabeth Stiglmaier. The hop ambassador and beer sommelier is taking her guests on a journey back in time

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through the Hallertau hop region, its history and traditions, and explaining how hops are cultivated in the modern era.

© PhotoSG – Fotolia

©Bavaria Tourism, by Jens Schwarz

NATURE & ACTIVITY

bassador and has devoted her life to the green gold ever since. Her extensive further training, including as a beer sommelier, brings fresh impetus to the way Elisabeth Stiglmaier guides visitors through the hop experience. Uniquely in the Hallertau, this lively hop farmer also gives tours in English. As a result, guests from all over the world come to enjoy the hop experience offered by the Stiglmaier family.

A trip back in time Smell, feel, taste – according to Elisabeth Stiglmaier, it’s important to use all your senses to appreciate and understand the hops and the resulting beer. The group moves through the landscape of the Hallertau and learns to identify the different hop varieties of the region. The hop pickers’ meal is a particular highlight. This feast dates back to a time when the hop cones were still harvested by hand. In accordance with this ancient custom, Elisabeth Stiglmaier puts on a traditional peasant’s dress. As a hop picker, she shows her guests first hand just how arduous but enjoyable the work in the hop fields could be. Following the example of her predecessors and their helpers, the guests are treated to the hop pickers’ meal. The table is laden with hearty noodle soup, fresh roast pork, potato salad (“hop pickers’ salad”) and cold beer from the Hallertau.

When Elisabeth Stiglmaier came from Landshut to the Hallertau, it was love at first sight.

A qualified paediatric nurse, she arrived at her husband’s fledgling farm, trained as a hop am-

TIP Tips from Elisabeth Stiglmaier Hundertwasser Turm This is the landmark tower of a well-known brewery in Abendsberg. The famous artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser designed this 35-metre high architectural masterpiece in 1999.

Round shapes, bright colours: The tower combines architectural skill with the art of brewing – a Hallertau tradition dating back centuries, and one that is set to last well into the future.

Weltenburg Abbey on the Danube Befreiungshalle Kehlheim (Neoclassical monument) German Hop Museum in Wolnzach

INFORMATION For more information please visit www.bavaria.by/traditionally-different

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NATURE & ACTIVITY

© Chiemgau Tourismus e.V.

GRAND CINEMATIC SCENERY Get active or relax in the great outdoors – the best of both worlds in Chiemgau.

More than 50 lakes, including Lake Chiemsee, the Chiemgau Alps, and traditional Bavarian culture await visitors to the region between Munich and Salzburg.

Chiemgau – The journey alone is worth it, and there are plenty of ways to travel through Chiemgau: One route leads round Lake Chiemsee and follows the trail of the so-called “Fairytale King”, Ludwig II. Other routes take you up to ancient mountain pastures and peaks with magnificent views. The Hochfelln mountain is noted for its unique panoramic vistas: In the distance the peaks of the Central Alps, at its feet Lake Chiemsee, and all around the endless expanse of the foothills of the Alps. Visitors can either ascend the 1,670 m summit in the comfort of the cable car, or hike it in just under 4 hours.

Keen walkers should definitely try the excellent trails in Reit im Winkl. Mountain huts, traditionally tended by Alpine herdsmen through the summer, offer a warm welcome and a delicious array of snacks. Every walking trail boasts magnificent cinematic scenery and the SalzAlpenSteig route is no exception. Covering a total of 230 kilometres in 18 stages, it leads through the historic salt mining district that runs from Lake Chiemsee to Austria.

The speed skating mecca of Inzell and the biathlon centre of Ruhpolding are worth a visit at any time of the year. In the summer months they make a good starting point for extended mountain hikes.

Paradise for cyclists Simply pedal off and enjoy the countryside: The region of Lake Chiemsee-Chiemgau is the perfect setting for relaxed cycling tours. The cycle trails are not too steep but offer plenty of variety.

A Farm Safari and an Ice Age Circuit are just two of twenty wellsignposted experience tours through the region. The 55-kilometre cycle track all around Lake Chiemsee is a particular highlight.

It’s well worth dismounting at the various jetties. Passenger ferries make regular crossings to the islands of Fraueninsel and Herreninsel, home to the impressive complex of the Royal Palace of Herrenchiemsee. Here visitors can see where Ludwig II, Bavaria’s eccentric “Fairytale King”, turned his dreams to reality.

TIP You’ll work up a thirst The Chiemgau region boasts 3,300 years of brewing experience. A tour of one of the many private breweries will reveal (almost) all the secrets of beer brewing along with the chance to taste traditional and new varieties of beer. www.heimatbrauer.de

INFORMATION Chiemgau Tourismus e.V. www.chiemsee-chiemgau.info

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GOLF AT THE FOOT

© Ruhpolding Tourismus GmbH

© Ruhpolding Tourismus GmbH

OF THE CHIEMGAU ALPS

Nestling in the fantastic mountain panorama of the Ruhpolding valley is one of Bavaria’s most beautiful golf courses.

Ruhpolding – “The golf course offers a fair sporting challenge but nothing too difficult. Our greatest asset is the wonderful 360-degree mountain panorama”, says Herbert Fritzenwenger of the 18-hole championship course of GC Ruhpolding. Herbert is not only the Club President but also a former biathlete. In fact, the whole list of members reads like a “Who’s Who” of winter sports: Biathletes, cross-country skiers, bobsledders, downhill skiers, ski jumpers and speed skaters, including numerous Olympic and world champions. Herbert understands why so many elite athletes play golf: “It’s all about performing well under pressure. Every round of golf offers a challenge, while also being the perfect way to switch off from everyday life.”

Golf for beginners For all those who are still green to the green, golf taster sessions are held every Friday afternoon, or there’s always the Ruhpolding mini golf complex, where you can choose between mini golf, jet golf, table tennis, boccia, table football and billiards - all with wonderful views of the surrounding mountains.

Nature is Ruhpolding’s most important asset • The golf course, open spaces, former pastures and fields of crops all provide valuable habitat for the local fauna and flora.

• Around 150 apple trees can be found on the golf course, and their fruit is pressed for juice.

• The head greenkeeper manages numerous bee colonies, whose honey is sold in the Pro shop.

Switching off is not difficult in this superb location. The gently sloping fairways are nestled in the magnificent mountain panorama of the Chiemgau Alps, protected from harsh winds and fog.

The mild climate also offers perfect golfing weather. Golfers know that a true round of golf actually consists of 19, not 18, holes. In the Golf Club Ruhpolding, the 19th hole is called the “Golfstüberl”, a cosy haven to sit with your fellow golfers and ponder your round over a glass of Bavarian beer fresh out the tap.

TIP Chiemgau Karte | Ruhpolding & Inzell The card offers free entry to up to 30 attractions in Ruhpolding, Inzell and the surrounding area. These include museums, water parks and spas, mountain railways and brewery tours.

INFORMATION Tourist Info Ruhpolding www.ruhpolding.com

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NATURE & ACTIVITY

HOME TO

MOUNTAIN FOREST ADVENTURES AND SALT ROUTES

© Ammergauer Alpen GmbH, by Anton Brey

over the low-lying trail with its soft moss, bark and gravel.

Walkers on the SalzAlpenSteig trail find themselves tracing the history of salt. The prime location of Inzell in the southeastern tip of Upper Bavaria right on the border with Austria marks a fascinating stretch of the official 320km premium route. Divided into several stages, the longdistance walking trail runs through mystical moorland, thick mountain forest and sites steeped in history where salt - once known as “white gold” - has been mined for thousands of years.

Ammergauer Alps – Upper Bavaria’s first Nature Park makes its debut this year. “Covering 288 square kilometres, the Ammergauer Alps are the largest nature reserve in Bavaria,” says Markus Gerum.

Beaver, ibex, golden eagle and black grouse - the nature guide knows them all. A passionate birdwatcher, Gerum accompanies tourists on golden eagle tours and bat walks.

The widest variety of species in the Ammergauer Alps can be seen in the moorland areas of the Ammertal valley. More than a dozen orchid varieties flourish here, along with the yellow-flowering leafy lousewort, a rare relic from the ice age, which grows here in greater profusion than anywhere else in Central Europe.

In order to preserve this natural wealth, the farmers do

© Inzell im Chiemgau, www.inzell.de

Inzell – A place full of trails with stories to tell. The mountain forests offer a wealth of exciting adventures. On the adventure trail that runs beside a babbling mountain stream to Lake Frillensee, nature lovers of all ages can feel, smell and listen to the forest. Brave adventurers can hold their heads to the humming stone, dip their toes in the icy waters of the Frillensee stream or measure their long-jumping skills against the wild beasts that live here.

Those looking for even more of a challenge can take off their shoes and move barefoot

GOLDEN EAGLES AND RARE ORCHIDS

TIP The “Chiemgau Karte | Ruhpolding & Inzell” includes many free services such as mountain railways, bicycle hire and entry into swimming pools and the indoor ice rink.

INFORMATION Inzeller Touristik GmbH www.inzell.de

not use fertiliser on their hay meadows and only mow them once a year. Guided tours of the Schaukäserei Ettal (cheese dairy) and tastings of regional products bring traditional farming methods to life. Beer has been brewed in the Ettal Benedictine abbey brewery for over 400 years. Meanwhile, in the distillery, one of the monks still uses old, carefully guarded recipes to create the abbey’s fine liqueurs. All these delicacies can be tasted in a single sitting: The Schaukäserei Ettal serves fresh local snacks, along with the light and quaffable monastery beer and the famous hay liqueur.

TIP Guided natural history tours and nature walks in English are available for individual guests and tour groups.

INFORMATION Ammergauer Alpen GmbH www.ammergauer-alpen.com

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both pictures © Tourist-Information Oberaudorf / Yvonne Tremml

SUPERB VIEWS OF THE FOOTHILLS OF THE ALPS

Between the Wilder Kaiser and the Mangfall mountains, hikers in Oberaudorf find themselves surrounded by beautiful panoramas with every metre they climb.

morning sun for more than 150 years and gleams just as beautifully in the last rays of the evening sun. In its time it has withstood gales, thunderstorms and blizzards, but once you reach the summit you find it is a place of calm reflection - as well as offering shelter from any sudden changes in the weather.

Oberaudorf – The scenery around this popular holiday destination on the edge of the Bavarian Alps is dominated by two contrasting landscapes: The lofty peaks of Brünnstein, Wildbarren and Kranzhorn look across to the craggy rock formations of the Wilder Kaiser region. Surrounded by this spectacular mountain backdrop, hikers walk along well-signposted trails through colourful mountain meadows stretching off into the distance.

Excursions to marvel at The waterfalls at Tatzelwurm fall 95 metres over two rocky crags – gurgling, roaring, foaming and spraying. Sometimes a shimmering rainbow appears in the spray-filled air. Down below, in contrast, it is dark and deafeningly loud. Legend has it that people who fall into the ravine are devoured by the dragon-like monster called the “Tatzelwurm”.

Reaching to the sky The mountain Brünnstein can be seen from afar. It rises up as a rocky bastion in the midst of fresh, green hills covered in trees and grassland. Lacing up your hiking boots and setting out towards the local mountain of Oberaudorf, a relatively easy day’s walking will take you through exceptionally lovely scenery.

Only the final push to the summit via a simple fixed-rope climb requires surefootedness and a head for heights. Once there, the over 1,600 m peak with its tiny chapel offers superb views across to the Wilder Kaiser region and the high glacier mountains on the horizon. The chapel on the Brünnstein has been lit up by the

More wonders can be found on the Grafenloch cavern trail. The most spectacular is the medieval “cave castle”, built into the vertical wall. The ruins of Auerburg on the Schlossberg mountain also bear witness to medieval life and work in Oberaudorf.

Stretching even further back in time to the ice age, visitors can walk to the natural monument of Grauer Stein.

INFORMATION Tourist-Information Oberaudorf www.oberaudorf.de

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In the Alpenwelt Karwendel, active guests can walk to natural spectacles at a level that suits their pace.

Alpenwelt Karwendel – 750 kilometres of pure Wanderlust: From gentle walks to serious hikes and mountaineering tours, there is something for every level of activity in the Alpenwelt Karwendel. In each case, the Alpine landscape of Upper Bavaria provides an ever-present backdrop.

© Bayern Tourismus - Peter von Felbert

MEADOWS AND SUMMITS

ways to reach the Kranzberg, at 1,391 m: either on foot or with the chairlift up to around 1,200 m. From there a path winds up to the summit. Once you reach the top, you can relax on loungers and marvel at the cinematic panorama and the views down to the valley below. The fantastic views from Simetsberg near Wallgau have to be earned by a four-hour climb. But hikers will find it well worth the effort. Ancient mountain huts line the route, providing the perfect place to stop for a welcome snack.

Walking pleasure You don’t have to climb too high to discover the natural treasures hidden in Bavaria’s southern region. In Krün, the Isar Nature & Adventure Trail runs through the wide valley of the Isar, one of the last wild rivers in Bavaria. Unspoiled nature awaits walkers on the Three Lakes Trail, the path up to the glacier formations near Mittenwald and the “Magdalena Neuner Panoramic Trail”, named as such by the residents of Wallgau in honour of the double olympic gold winning biathlete, and local resident, of the same name. The “Buckelwiesen”, the geotope with the greatest diversity of species in Bavaria, is an ideal walking region for families, as is the Leutasch Gorge.

Royal routes and demanding climbing tours Summiteers can follow in the footsteps of King Ludwig II in the Alpenwelt Karwendel. The climb up to the former hunting lodge of the Bavarian king at 1,613 m can be accessed from everywhere in the Alpenwelt Karwendel. Stay overnight in the “Soiernhaus” and take your pick from half a dozen peaks. The Karwendelbahn railway takes visitors up to the summit of the Karwendel, at 2,244 m.

Germany’s highest nature information centre, which protrudes like a giant telescope over the edge of the cliff, is the starting point for a gentle circular walk or a number of challenging mountain hikes. Experienced mountaineers can revel in the Mittenwalder Klettersteig.

This high altitude route takes those with a head for heights over seven two thousand metre peaks, via a rope trail and rock walls.

Cinematic panorama and romantic mountain huts Walking at moderate altitude doesn’t require an exceptional degree of fitness but you do need proper footwear. There are two

INFORMATION Alpenwelt Karwendel Mittenwald Krün Wallgau Tourismus GmbH www.alpenwelt-karwendel.de/en

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© Alpenwelt Karwendel, by Wolfgang Ehn

NATURE & ACTIVITY

NATURE & ACTIVITY

LEISURE

IN THE ALLGÄU Hotel Birgsauer Hof – Arrive and breathe in the fresh air. Deep in the Stillachtal valley, surrounded by the peaks of the Allgäu mountains, is the Hotel Birgsauer Hof. Cars are banned in this wild and romantic side valley of Oberstdorf, creating a heavenly sense of peace and quiet. Perfect for rest and relaxation. Many walking trails, meadows and woods lie directly outside the hotel door - a paradise for gourmets, walkers and nature lovers.

Martina Berktold-Thaumiller is the heart and soul of this traditional hotel, which dates back over 115 years. Together with her family, she creates a harmonious fusion of tradition and modern comfort. The close relationship with nature is tangible wherever you go. The hotel has always had its own water source. And just last year the rooms were lovingly redecorated using natural materials. In the pool, guests swim in briny mountain spring water and relax in the generous spa. The restaurant only serves fresh, regional products, some of which are produced and butchered on site.

© Birgsau Alpengasthof GmbH, by Pro Vision Media

For generations, the family has embraced a traditional way of life, and invites guests to share in their customs, honed over centuries. “One highlight is the annual ‘Alpabtrieb’ in September, when the cattle are brought back to the barn,” explains the hotelier, adding, with a smile: “The best tradition in our hotel is that of hospitality.”

INFORMATION Birgsauer Alpengasthof GmbH | D-87561 Oberstdorf www.birgsauer-hof.de/en

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CITIES, CULTURE & CUISINE

THE WINEMAKER OF LAKE CONSTANCE For Teresa Deufel, winemaking is in her blood. Together with her family, she has managed to successfully reintroduce Lindau’s local “lake wine”. Today, the vineyard by Lake Constance is a meeting point for connoisseurs.

Vineyard Teresa Deufel – A 200-year-old blue and white farmhouse with the vineyards stretching up the hills behind and Lake Constance shimmering in the distance – the winery of Teresa Deufel in Lindau could hardly hope for a better location. A large tree in the courtyard provides a meeting point for participants of wine tastings, occupants of the holiday homes and visitors to the “Rädlewirtschaft”, as the small winery bars are known around Lake Constance.

In this relaxed atmosphere they sit and enjoy regional delicacies and the house wines.

Continuing her father’s life work When Teresa Deufel’s father and uncle cofounded the winery in 1975, wine growing in Lindau had been dormant for many years. The new rail connections to Italy meant that people preferred to buy the more “sophisticated” southern wines. Old copperplate engravings show

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Blending tradition with innovation Teresa Deufel still makes the sparkling wine called “Der Summer” using her family’s traditional recipe. It has now become a well-known and popular brand in Lindau. At the same time, she is also ploughing her own furrow. While her predecessors produced as much wine as they could, her focus is on quality. The young winemaker refuses to use weedkiller. Instead, she sows flowers that attract bees and other beneficial insects. “This makes our vine slopes look rather wilder”, she comments. With her “back to the roots” approach, she works in a traditional way with wooden barrels and lets the wines ferment naturally, with no additives.

Organic viticulture requires a lot of hard work.

Guests on wine tasting tours soon realise this when Teresa Deufel shows them what she has to do in the vineyards. She thins the vines to avoid rot, removes leaves to allow light and air to get to the berries, and harvests the selected grapes by hand. It’s quite the eye-opener for many visitors, but quality takes time and effort.

that the town on the shores of Lake Constance was well versed in wine making between the 13th and 19th centuries. Teresa Deufel’s father and uncle therefore set out to bring the local viticulture back to life. The former fruit farmers worked hard to become proficient winemakers and managed to successfully reintroduce the local Lindau “lake wine”.

Becoming a winemaker was not always Teresa Deufel’s dream. She only joined the family business following the death of her father.

She is determined to prove to her critics that even a “girl” can run the business successfully.

“Though my father isn’t there to support me, as would be the case in most family businesses,” states Teresa Deufel, who has assumed the mantle with confidence.

TIP Tips from Teresa Deufel Wine tasting: Spring is the ideal time, because most of the wines have been freshly bottled.

Winery holidays: In the autumn, guests can witness the grape harvest and see the presses in operation.

Excursions: A cycling tour round Lake Constance takes you through vineyards, past apple orchards and through the hop growing district. A detour into the Allgäu allows you to visit a variety of traditional craft workshops.

INFORMATION For more information please visit www.bavaria.by/traditionally-different

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CITIES, CULTURE & CUISINE

FROM MILLINERS TO CHOCOLATIERS © Verkehrsbüro Altötting, by H. Heine

Passau – Baroque City, Cathedral City, DREI_FLÜSSE_STADT (City of Three Rivers) – few cities have as many soubriquets as Passau. The St. Stephen’s cathedral, which boasts the world’s largest cathedral organ, rises up majestically in the heart of the baroque old town. Close by, a unique natural spectacle is another draw: The confluence of the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz. Traditional crafts and customs are also omnipresent in Passau.

Spatz Hutdesign offers a wonderful range of hand-crafted hats.

And the old skills of instrument making have been preserved: Master violin maker Oskar Kappelmeyer makes and repairs stringed instruments. In the studios, galleries and workshops, artists, sculptors, glass blowers, ceramicists and wood carvers can be seen plying their crafts. Centuries-old handicrafts and innovative business ideas come together in the work of goldsmiths Beate Suhr and Wilfried Klein, who make items of jewellery that draw on local city motifs.

ON FOOT INTO THE HEART OF BAVARIA Altötting – “From every house there is a path that leads to Altötting” is an old Bavarian saying. Following two spectacular healing miracles in the year 1489, every year several thousand pilgrims make their way on foot to the Bavarian national shrine, some 90 km east of Munich. Ringing their bells, they eventually come to the baroque Kapellplatz with its Chapel of Mercy. Opposite the miraculous image of the “Black Madonna of Altötting”, the hearts of Bavarian rulers rest in artfully designed urns, including that of the famous “Fairytale King”, Ludwig II.

Passau is also famous for its culinary specialities, such as Passau Stiftswein, the fish speciality Donau-Waller and the dessert known as “Passauer Schlosserbuam”. Confectioner and chocolatier Walter Simon has created a completely new taste sensation: his “Goldhauben” pralines.

TIP

Today the fascination of this site has moved beyond the traditional pilgrimage and is attracting growing numbers of people.

A modern form of the pilgrim’s journey has been devised using bicycles and motorbikes. For holiday makers travelling by car, a five-day tour of the two religious centres in Upper Bavaria is a popular option. The circular route links Oberammergau, famous for its Passion Plays, with Altötting, the Bavarian national shrine. The royal palaces of King Ludwig II are well worth stopping at along the way.

Summer cultural delights The relaxed atmosphere in Passau, the DREI_FLÜSSE_STADT (City of Three Rivers), spills over into the summer cultural programme. Many events on water and on land enchant locals and visitors alike. More information at tourism.passau.de

DATES © Stadt Passau

03 – 05/06/2017 Whitsun weekend sees the arrival of many walking pilgrim groups 09 – 18/06/2017 Traditional Altötting fair and procession (folk festival)

INFORMATION Altötting Pilgrimage and Tourist Office www.altoetting.de

INFORMATION Tourist-Information Passau www.tourism.passau.de

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BAVARIAN BREWING TRADITION Bavarian beer is more than just a drink. It’s a unique combination of nature, craftsmanship, tradition and hospitality.

Bavarian Brewers’ Association – Brewing has a particularly long tradition in Bavaria and has left its mark on the regional culture. Back in the early Middle Ages, monks began producing the everyday Bavarian drink for consumption in the monasteries and by the pilgrims. Bavaria developed its own distinctive technique for the art of brewing as a direct result of the Bavarian purity law passed in Ingolstadt in 1516, which imposed strict restrictions on the ingredients water, malt and hops.

both pictures © Bayerischer Brauerbund e.V.

Today, the Bavarian brewing industry has 623 breweries, representing almost half of all brewing facilities in Germany. The close link between brewing and Bavarian culture and tradition is demonstrated by the fact that the “Bavarian brewing tradition in line with the purity law” has been declared to be part of the intangible cultural heritage of Bavaria by the Bavarian State Ministry.

Renaissance of the wooden barrel The Bavarian brewers are justifiably proud of their vibrant beer and brewing traditions. Brewing beer is a craft and a skill - but no longer a feat of physical strength. A few decades ago, however, brewers still needed pure muscle power alongside their knowhow and finesse. In order to ensure that no bacteria could invade and spoil the beer, the master brewer had to check the interior of the barrels for cracks and leaks before they were filled with the freshly brewed beer. Then a real assembly line was set in motion: Up to 200 barrels a day were sealed with scorching hot tar in a process known as ‘pichen’ (pitching).

Since the 1970s, the brewers have mainly used stainless steel barrels. They are easier to clean and lighter in weight. Although Bavaria’s breweries are deeply rooted in tradition, none of them miss the labour of pitching - but they do miss the drink that follo-

wed. The unique flavour of beer from a freshly pitched barrel was a special treat for the brewers and their staff. Today the wooden barrel is experiencing a real renaissance. Many breweries have even reinstated “pitching day”, and invite guests to come and watch. Those who accept the invitation can try a Bavarian beer straight from the freshly pitched wooden barrel and savour its very special, pure flavour.

INFORMATION Bayerischer Brauerbund e.V. www.bayerisches-bier.de

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© Bayern Tourismus – Gert Krautbauer

FRANCONIA HOME OF BEER Craft beer, ancient brewery inns, cities with beer traditions and convivial beer festivals - when it comes to hops and malt Franconia has a lot to offer.

© FrankenTourismus/FRS/Hub

Franconia – Franken, or Franconia, claims to be the “home of beer”. With around 300 breweries, the region has the greatest density of brewing operations in the world. In many private breweries the beer is still brewed in the traditional way. The wide selection of Franconian beers can be enjoyed by beer lovers in summer in the “beer cellars” or all the year round in the brewery inns.

In these inns, which are steeped in tradition, visitors sit together in cosy surroundings, tasting regional specialities such as “Schäufele” (a variety of pork knuckle), washed down with the local beer.

Where Franconia’s barley juice is the star Franconia is famous for its beer, but also for its high quality aromatic hops. The centre of the Franconian hop-growing district is Spalt, in the Franconian lake district, south of Nuremberg. The world of hops and brewing is brought to life in the interactive presentations of the HopfenBierGut Museum in Spalt.

um (Bavarian Brewery and Bakery Museum), which also tells the story of bread from grain to bakery. In Bayreuth, Maisel’s Beer Experience World, together with the “Liebesbier” restaurant, gives an insight into the way the traditional art of brewing is combined with modern technology in Franconian beer culture. With the UNESCO world heritage site of the Margravial Opera House plus the Richard Wagner Festival, Bayreuth is well known in musical circles for its rich and varied offerings.

Franconian Switzerland, a region between Bamberg, Bayreuth and Nuremberg, offers a fantastic variety of beers - while the Levi Strauss Museum in Buttenheim tells the history of jeans in the house where Strauss himself was born.

Eleven breweries are based in the UNESCO world heritage town of Bamberg. Bamberger Rauchbier, or smoked beer, is a legendary brew, which is still tapped from traditional oak barrels in the historic “Schlenkerla” brewery inn.

TIP Traditional beer festivals

In Nuremberg, the beer tradition is closely linked to the historic rock corridors, which serve as cool storage places for the fine specialities made from hops and malt.

Erlangen: Bergkirchweih 01 – 12/06/2017 The oldest beer festival in Bavaria Forchheim: Annafest 21 – 31/07/2017 The celebration takes place in over 20 beer cellars Kulmbach: Bierwoche 29/07- 06/08/2017 Featuring a specially brewed festival beer

The significance of the “liquid gold” in Franconia is depicted through the vibrant displays in the Brauerei- und Bäckereimuse-

INFORMATION FrankenTourismus www.franken-bierland.de, www.frankentourismus.com

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CITIES, CULTURE & CUISINE

WORLD HERITAGE AND BEER CULTURE

WHERE FINE SPIRITS COME TOGETHER

© Kronprinz Bamberg

Nuremberg – Beer, bratwurst and gingerbread – Nuremberg is famous for its traditional culinary experiences. However, the second largest city in Bavaria also has a reputation as the centre of the German whisky scene, and for good reason: Nuremberg is home to Germany’s largest and oldest Whisky Club. Once a month, the 60 or so members of the “Most Venerable Order of the Highland Circle” get together for tastings. The whisky is not just enjoyed in liquid form: The Metzgerei Steiner butcher’s shop combines malt whisky with savoury ham in the so-called “Grand Malt”. And in Nuremberg’s confectionary enterprise, “Il Massimo”, high quality whiskies are added to truffle pralines.

Whisky made in Nuremberg Along with a multitude of shops and bars that specialise in fine Scottish whiskies, master brewer Reinhard Engel also produces excellent single malt whiskies in the heart of Nuremberg’s old town. In his home brewery, Altstadthof, not only does he brew traditional Nuremberg red beer, but he also distills 100 percent organic single malt whisky. The “Ayrer’s PX 56” was declared the best German whisky in 2015.

TIP Brewery Trail: The price of € 22.50 per person includes a tote bag, detailed brochures, five vouchers for speciality beers and beer-related accessories.

family-run breweries, two malt houses with global operations, and the oldest brewing machinery factory in the world are just three examples of the vibrancy of the beer industry in Bamberg. Innovative ideas and new concepts mean that the range of experiences on offer in the beer town of Bamberg continues to develop and expand. These include the new visitors’ centre in the Weyermann malt house, housed in a massive industrial plant dating back to the 19th century, and Bamberg’s first craft beer brewery, “Kronprinz”, whose trendsetting approach is reflected in its five different craft beers.

© Hausbrauerei Altstadthof

Bamberg – Beer and the UNESCO world heritage site are as much a part of life in Bamberg as the Altes Rathaus in the river and the local cuisine in the winding lanes of the old town, which are pervaded from time to time by the spicy aroma of roasted malt from the malt houses and breweries.

The art of brewing in Bamberg can be traced back a thousand years to the Benedictine monks of St. Michael’s monastery.

Today, fans of the golden barley juice come from all over the world to this town, north of Nuremberg, because the traditional craft brewing methods have continued here through the centuries. Eleven

INFORMATION Bamberg Information www.bamberg.info

INFORMATION Nuremberg Convention and Tourist Office tourismus.nuernberg.de

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CITIES, CULTURE & CUISINE

© Käthe Wohlfahrt GmbH & Co. OHG

TRAVEL IN TIME TO FIND SANTA CLAUS

The “Christmas Village” of Käthe Wohlfahrt in the old town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a glittering dream world all the year round.

Käthe Wohlfahrt – Children often ask wide-eyed whether Santa Claus lives here. In the “Christmas Village” of Käthe Wohlfahrt in the town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber at the Romantic Road, the festive atmosphere is present all through the year. Even adults are captivated by the unique shop in the heart of the romantic old town. In the market place stands a white six-metre, beautifully decorated revolving Christmas tree. The narrow lanes reveal a host of surprises, including a five-metre tall Christmas pyramid, a giant nutcracker and a sparkling “bauble cellar”. All the items are lovingly made by hand. The artists and artisans in the family business that dates back more than fifty years, still create the festive decorations in the traditional style as well as introducing more modern accents.

German tradition of decorating the Christmas tree. The resulting illustration in the London Illustrated News of 1848 meant that this new custom soon spread throughout the land, cementing the popularity of Christmas decorations in the UK. To find out exactly where the Christmas decorations come from, you need to go up to the next floor of the historical Christmas Museum. Here visitors learn about precious tree decorations made from glass, cardboard and cotton wool, which were favoured by Victoria and Albert, the differences between the gift bringers St. Nicolas, Father Christmas and Santa Claus, the origin and development of the Advent calendar and much more besides.

TIP

Many of the Christmas decorations we know and love today have their origins in Germany, including Advent calendars, Christmas tree stands and Christmas pyramids. Loveliest of all, however, are the glass baubles. When Prince Albert married Queen Victoria, he introduced the royal family in Windsor Castle to the familiar

Panels in the Christmas Museum provide information about the items on display in both German and English. Group tours are also offered in English.

Register at www.christmasmuseum.com

INFORMATION The Christmas Village, Käthe Wohlfahrt GmbH & Co. OHG www.wohlfahrt.com

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CITIES, CULTURE & CUISINE

© Stadtmarketing Coburg, Dr. Otmar Fugmann

WIN A 3-DAY BREAK TO THE “ARISTOCRATIC BAVARIA” YOUR PRICE 2 nights bed and breakfast for 2 people in the 4* hotel Schloss Leitheim 2 x Sanotherm treatments in the hotel spa Hire car for 3 days from/to Munich Enter by 30/09/17 at www.bavaria.by/3-day-break

A VISIONARY DURING THE REFORMATION the 2017 Bavarian Exhibition on the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Entitled “Knights, Peasants, Lutherans”, visitors to the exhibition between 9 May and 5 November 2017 will be given an in-depth insight into life on the land, in the city, in the monasteries and in the knights’ castles during the period in and around the year 1500. The focus is not just on the reformer himself, but also on the impact he had on people during the eventful years of the Reformation. Since Luther spent many years in the fortress of Veste Coburg, the Franconian town has become a partner of the 2017 Bavarian Exhibition. Events, readings and private viewings on the subject are also taking place in many other locations across the state.

Schloss Leitheim Nestling in an idyllic landscape with views over the floodplains of the Old Danube, the magnificent Schloss Leitheim - a Rococo style building from the 18th century - lies just 1.5 hours north of Munich. The winner can look forward to a stay in the 4* hotel Schloss Leitheim. The stylish rooms leave nothing to be desired in terms of comfort, offering luxurious facilities in a sophisticated ambience. The venue also hosts a series of concerts known as the “Leitheimer Schlosskonzerte”. See: www.schloss-leitheim.de

© Schloss Leitheim

© Kunstsammlungen der Veste Coburg

Coburg – Forgiveness of sins without indulgences: With propositions of this nature, Luther provoked endless discussion, and shook people’s faith in attitudes that had been held for centuries all over the world. Even in Bavaria with its strong Catholic traditions. His life and work, particularly in southern Germany, is therefore an appropriate centrepiece for

Aristocratic Bavaria - Take a trip back in time... .. to the world of the Bavarian nobility. Discover aristocratic properties and traditions that still exude a special magic today: hidden gems of courtly summer retreats, the superlative products of royal purveyors to the court, palaces and castles for fabulous parties or relaxing holidays. Be inspired: www.bavaria.by/aristocratic-bavaria

INFORMATION More information about the 2017 Bavarian Exhibition in Franconia can be found at: www.franken-luther.de or www.hdbg.de

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