Summer in The Bavarian Alps {Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany}
One of our favorite places to visit since moving to Germany is Garmisch-Partenkirchen located in the Bavarian Alps. There are so many wonderful things to explore! We have been blessed to visit several times and I wanted to share some photos with all of you from our experiences over the last year and a half. As you can imagine, this beautiful place looks vastly different during the winter and summer seasons. I intend to give you a glimpse into both seasons through photos below.
First, a little history on the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area:
At one time, Garmisch and Partenkirchen were two separate towns for many centuries. However, in 1935 the two towns were forced by Adolf Hitler to join as one in anticipation of the 1936 Winter Olympics. Although the two towns have been joined since 1935, they are both distinctly different. Garmisch has a more “modern” feel to it where as the Partenkirchen side is much more reminiscent of the period {namely cobblestone streets}.
Summer in The Alps
When most of us picture the “summer” months we are not thinking cold. Although the summers in the Bavarian Alps are warmer than the winters – let me tell you – this NC girl was FREEZING even in the summers. There is always a briskness about the air and it even had the nerve to hail a few times! No matter what, this is one of the most breathtaking places we have ever traveled.
FIRST UP….The ZUGSPITZE! The Zugspitze is considered to be the “Top of Germany” as it is the highest altitude in the country. We are so glad we were able to go up there on a day that was somewhat clear to see the amazing views up top!
SECOND UP….Lake Eibsee! Lake Eibsee is a beautiful glacier lake located at the bottom of the Zugspitze. This crystal clear lake has been the haven for our children on our several weeks of vacationing in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
LASTLY…Camping in the Bavarian Alps! The summer of 2011, right before my husband’s 5th deployment, our family went camping in the German Alps with three other very special families. It was our first camping experience together as a family – EVER. We had such a wonderful time! Remember the “hail” I told you about in the intro above? Well yes, this was the place we experienced it…in our tent…while camping! YIKES. But thankfully we bought some amazing gear and were prepared for temps -20 below freezing! Needless to say, we are looking forward to going camping again as a family.
I hope you enjoyed exploring with us around summertime in the Bavarian Alps! While we highlighted some of our favorite memories there are so many more things that are worth looking into. Hopefully you will get to come explore Germany one day for yourself! Be on the lookout for the “winter” edition of the Bavarian Alps coming in my Exploring Germany series!
My Exploring Germany series is a part of the iHomeschool Network Hopscotch.
Be sure to visit all the other wonderful bloggers participating in this event
{by clicking the image below}!
This is so neat to read. My grandmother in law lives in Nuremburg. I was showing my husband and he said “yeah, my Mom broke her leg walking up the Zugspitze” LOL Fond memory…probably not, but hey. Thanks for sharing!
Michelle, that is so awesome (not the broken leg…but the connection). I am so happy that you can have a good experience reading this series 🙂 Have a wonderful week!
This makes me miss Germany so much. Snorkeling made me laugh because I always went up to the lake in February when it was glacial! Do they still run a summer bobsledding ride in GAP? We had fun on that one summer too, and hiking the gorge. Looks like you had fun:).
Yes, Carri, they do still have the sommerrodelbahn. It is okay, but we prefer the one in Pottenstein and Hirschau – much higher, faster, and scarier 🙂 Yes, we had fun here both summer’s 2011 and 2012!
I’ve never been to Germany, but this makes me want to visit! I am Italian and have been to Italy and especially love Sicily, visited Messina and the surrounding area while in highschool. So glad for the opportunity! Have you visited Italy?
Hi Felice! That is wonderful you were able to visit Italy. No, we have not been yet. We would like to see Rome before we leave, but are not sure we’ll fit it in. We will go there eventually – but maybe not before we leave this June 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, dear friend!
Hi, Carlie! I found you via the iHomeschool Network bloghop. Bavaria is one of my favorite places on earth – I’ve been smitten with the region ever since a trip I took there during high school. Looking forward to your whole series, and to taking a peek at other sections of your blog.
Welcome! So nice to meet you 🙂 I, too, am in love with living in Bavaria. It reminds me a lot of home – Washington state – with the added richness of deep cultural convictions and history 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and I am looking forward to getting to know you!
Hello, and WELCOME! I am so happy to meet you 🙂 Yes, I agree, Bavaria is so beautiful. It reminds me a lot of home (WA state) and that is very comforting to me 🙂 Have a great week!