Eastern foothills of the Alps - a wealth of lakes in an idyllic Alpine setting

The region covering the eastern foothill of the Alps enchants visitors with its dramatic mountain backdrop. Typical south German houses with ornately carved balconies line the streets running along the Alpine panorama and into a region characterised by rich customs and traditions, numerous rivers and impressive lakeland scenery. South of the River Danube along the Austrian border, you'll find a variety of natural attractions and art treasures that will leave a lasting impression.

The German Versailles
Built by King Ludwig II between 1878 and 1886, Herrenchiemsee Palace was modelled on Versailles. The construction of this magnificent building, the king's last major project, was designed to honour the French Bourbon kings. Situated on an island on Lake Chiemsee, it is currently open to the public. One of the particular highlights inside the palace is the hall of mirrors, which is decorated with 17 large mirrors facing 17 large arched windows. The hall fills the whole western side of the palace. Also modelled on Versailles is the magnificent baroque park with its Latona Fountain and other large fountain displays.

Historical impressions
By far the longest castle in Europe at 1,043 metres long, the medieval Burghausen Castle is strategically located on a mountain ridge overlooking the town of the same name. It is well worth visiting, but not just for its spectacular views. It also provides the setting for a number of concerts, exhibitions and historical events such as the annual castle festival. Other attractions in Burghausen include the beautiful Salzach river, which you can still travel along in traditional salt barges, and the historical old quarter. A visit to Europe's oldest hammer forge still in operation offers an insight into how armoury was produced in days gone by.

In the footsteps of the pilgrims
One of the most famous pilgrimage sites in Europe, Altötting has a variety of attractions- first and foremost, the monumental Panorama of Jerusalem and Crucifixion of Christ paintings. The baroque Kapellplatz square is at the heart of the town's religious life. With its large lawns and numerous ecclesiastical buildings including the Chapel of the Miraculous Image, Gothic collegiate parish church with its twin towers, Jesuit baroque style St. Magdalene's Church, "congregation hall" at St. Mary's Men's Congregation, collegiate provost church, prestigious secular buildings and the Madonna fountain, there's plenty to see and do here.

A wealth of lakeland scenery
Enjoy a typical Bavarian holiday on Lake Tegernsee or Lake Chiemsee with walking tours and a variety of other leisure activities, water sports, quaint inns and cosy hotels. Surrounded to a large extent by Berchtesgaden national park, Lake Königssee was formed by ice floes during the last Ice Age. Take a boat trip on the lake to hear the famous echo when the ship's captain blows his trumpet.

Impressive history in Berchtesgaden
On the border of Berchtesgaden national park is the town of the same name whose visitor attractions include the salt mine. In addition to providing information about the local salt mining history, a trip on the salt mine railway dressed in genuine miner's clothing is an unforgettable experience for the whole family. With its royal villa, numerous historical buildings and Royal Palace, Berchtesgaden is full of historical charm. Another popular attraction is Obersalzberg with its impressive documentation of German history. From here, you can take a fascinating coach tour or travel along Kehlsteinstrasse to take the lift up to The Eagle's Nest with its amazing views of the surrounding countryside.

A healthy holiday paradise
The spa town of Bad Reichenhall is renowned for its salt and saline springs. With its temperate Alpine climate, rich salt deposits and extensive saline springs, the town has a wealth of natural remedies at its disposal. However, being so close to the Alps, Bad Reichenhall is not just a haven for health and fitness. Visitors can also travel up to Mount Predigtstuhl all year round on the world's oldest original cable car. This is also the ideal way to reach the Predigtstuhl hotel, which is unique within Germany because of its location at an altitude of 1,583 metres. The panoramic views from the hotel's terrace are second to none.

Hearty meals - sweet treats
The region is renowned for its weisswurst (veal sausages) and pretzels. These hearty specialities are supposed to be eaten before noon. Should you still be hungry after that, you can treat yourself to a genuine Upper Bavarian pork roast with dumplings and a refreshing beer. With a variety of smaller breweries around the region, you'll certainly be spoilt for choice. To aid digestion, you can round off your meal with a genuine Chiemsee abbey liqueur, distilled according to traditional monastic traditions. For those with a sweet tooth, there's homemade marzipan produced on Fraueninsel, the second-largest island on Lake Chiemsee.