Blue skies, green meadows and majestic mountains: just a few words capture perfectly the true essence of the Bavarian Alps. However, there is so much more to this region in the south of Bavaria. Here’s a top ten list of things to do and see. Some a little more unexpected together with some old favourites.

1. Visit Neuschwanstein Castle
It’s kitsch, it’s over the top, it’s absolutely stunning and it’s a definite must-see! Walking up the steep hill to “Schloss Neuschwanstein” is breathtaking, but the site of this fairytale castle looking down on the village of Füssen will leave you lost for words for more than one reason. King Ludwig II asked his architects to build an idealised version of a medieval knight’s castle and this is “castle romanticism” at its best.
Originally intended as his own private retreat, the castle was opened to the public only a few weeks after Ludwig’s death in 1886. Each year some 1 million people are drawn to the palace by its unique and inimitable allure. There are tourist traps worth visiting and Neuschwanstein Castle is definitely one of them. More... 

2. On top of the world: the Zugspitze
This is a highlight in the truest sense of the word since the Zugspitze is Germany’s highest mountain at some 9,717 ft ASL. It is possible to walk up but there is an easier option: mountain railways and cable cars make for a much more leisurely ascent to the summit. From here, the surrounding views of some 400 Alpine peaks are simply breathtaking. Visit the top of Germany or the nearby Alpspitze with its totally awe-inspiring AlpspiX viewing platform that promises visitors spectacular views over the southern Bavarian Alps.
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3. The lady of the lakes: Lake Chiemsee
Delightful Lake Chiemsee covers 30 square miles and has two inhabited islands, the Fraueninsel (Women’s Island) and the Herreninsel (Men’s Island). The Herreninsel is home to Bavaria’s largest castle, built by King Ludwig II in imitation of Versailles, a homage that’s echoed in magnificent views through parkland to the castle and its fountains. From 14 May to 16 October 2011 the castle will be hosting the “Twilight of the Gods. King Ludwig II and his Time” exhibition for which an unfinished suite of rooms will be opened to the public for the very first time, 125 years after the king’s death. In wintertime, the "Christkindlmarkt" on the small Women’s Island is the main attraction of the Chiemsee area. More...

4. Gateway to the Bavarian Alps: Munich and its cathedral to cars
Ingolstadt has Audi, Stuttgart has Porsche and Mercedes, Munich has BMW, a car brand so powerful that it has a magnificent, all-purpose BMW World (Welt) cathedral next to its existing BMW museum and car factory. Only the local Deutsches Museum and the Neue Pinakothek in Munich’s Museum District, have proven more popular. More...

5. Meet the monks
Ettal Abbey, a beautiful baroque edifice, is one of the most significant Benedictine abbeys in the Bavarian Alps, dating back to 1330. Stepping through the gate, visitors are firstly confronted with the impressive facade of the original Gothic church before joining a tour to be introduced to the abbey, the church and the monks’ working quarters. The abbey that was established way back in the 17th century is famed not only for its beer but also for its fabulous schnapps!  More...
Equally interesting is the abbey Ottobeuren with its magnificent Basilica. An enthusiastic audience attends the organ concerts here every Saturday afternoon. More...

6. Hikers’ heaven
Exploring the region on one of the many hiking trails is an absolute must. The trails come in different levels of difficulty to suit everyone from the leisurely rambler to the more ambitious climber.
While the Zugspitz region features 1,200 km of hiking trails, the Allgäu in the western part of the Bavarian Alps boasts an impressive 7,000 km. Trails are divided according to their altitude level: valley walks, mid-altitude trails and summit hikes.
Travelling further south-east, the Chiemgau and its marvellous Lake Chiemsee invite visitors to the “Chiemgau Hiking Autumn” featuring guided hikes plus the opportunity to try some of the local seasonal game and fish. 

7. Music in the Air
There are several festivals, events, regular music performances that one can enjoy. Hear great music through to the early hours at the Lange Nacht der Musik (Long Night of Music) on May 28 in Munich or listen to organ music every Saturday at 4.00 pm at Ottobeuren’s Abbey. Classical music lovers should visit one of the internationally renowed concerts held in the Abbey between end of May till middle of July. If you are more into the history of instruments, visit Mittenwald in the Zugspitz Region, famous since the 17th century for crafting stringed instruments such as violins.

8. Where Bad means good – spa towns in Bavaria
Sebastian Kneipp was a 19th century parish priest from a historic town close to Ottobeuren whose influence – he was a founder of hydrotherapy - lives on in the therapies practiced in his name in this region of the Bavarian Alps. The Unterallgäu area between Memmingen and Kempten is dotted with spa resorts dedicated to his hydrotherapy, resorts such as Bad Grönenbach that even offers a signposted Kneipp cycle-and-hiking-path. More...

9. Learn how to make cheese
The Bavarian Alps are a land of plenty and its people rightly proud of their culinary specialities. In the Allgäu, where it is claimed that the grass produces particularly happy cows, visitors can enjoy a foray into the local food culture and learn how to make cheese.
Apart from the fact that a cheese making session is really good fun with participants sporting silly hats and big aprons, you also learn a lot. Take the recipe away with you and try it at home!
It would be a crime not to mention the region’s most famous dish, the “Kässpätzle (cheese “Spätzle”, a special kind of pasta). Very filling indeed! If you’re worried about the calorie intake, simply head out for a hike the following day, see above. More...

10. Value for Money
Bavaria is not only a paradise for outdoor activities, nature experiences and skiing, it also provides its visitors with competitive holiday offers and excellent value for money. To make your holiday money stretch further, several Bavarian Alps destinations such as Inzell, Ruhpolding and Oberstdorf are featuring special visitor attraction cards offering the opportunity to enjoy some spectacular mountain scenery and a range of add-on attractions and services at no extra charge. Low cost airlines, affordable public transport, great value for money accommodation, food and beverage – Bavaria is well worth a visit!