Oktoberfest in Munich: Bavarian Hops and Alpine Tops

Stop by King Ludwig II's smallest palace on your way to Neuschwanstein and explore its delightful gardens.

Another of the eccentric (some say mad) King Ludwig II's creations is Linderhof Palace, which with its fantastic grotto and Moorish pavilion testifies to the king's vision. The smallest of his three palaces that he built, it is the only one that he lived to see completed. The palace is in between Munich and Neuschwanstein, meaning many tours stop there along the way.

Enjoy a stunning view of the castle while suspended over a mountainous gorge.

You definitely won't want to miss taking in the best views and photographs of Neuschwanstein from Marienbrücke (Mary's Bridge) over the dramatic Pöllat Gorge. The minibus terminal is very close at just 5 min walk away, while it's a steepish 10-15min climb on a wide and well-groomed path to get there from behind the castle. As noted above, Mary's Bridge can get a little crowded, so you might have to wait for a gap before you can fit on.

Stop by King Ludwig II's smallest palace on your way to Neuschwanstein and explore its delightful gardens.

Another of the eccentric (some say mad) King Ludwig II's creations is Linderhof Palace, which with its fantastic grotto and Moorish pavilion testifies to the king's vision. The smallest of his three palaces that he built, it is the only one that he lived to see completed. The palace is in between Munich and Neuschwanstein, meaning many tours stop there along the way.

Enjoy a stunning view of the castle while suspended over a mountainous gorge.

You definitely won't want to miss taking in the best views and photographs of Neuschwanstein from Marienbrücke (Mary's Bridge) over the dramatic Pöllat Gorge. The minibus terminal is very close at just 5 min walk away, while it's a steepish 10-15min climb on a wide and well-groomed path to get there from behind the castle. As noted above, Mary's Bridge can get a little crowded, so you might have to wait for a gap before you can fit on.

Explore King Ludwig II's own version of Versaille on the island of Herreninsel.

The Herrenchiemsee Palace is yet another of King Ludwig II's megalomaniacal building projects (such as Neuschwanstein Castle). This monument to regal absolutism, which is far more magnificently furnished than the palace of Versailles on which it was modeled, was begun in 1878. The State Bedroom is the most expensive single room built in the 19th century, helping to explain how Ludwig brought Bavaria to the brink of bankruptcy and why his ministers sought to have him declared unfit to rule. Inside the palace, there's a museum documenting Ludwig II's life.

Journey by boat to a splendid little island within the lake where you'll find a 1200-year old convent.

The 15.5-hectare (38-acre) Frauneninsel (the 'women's island' as opposed to Herreninsel, the 'men's island'), is home to 300 permanent residents and an active Benedictine convent called Frauenwörth, which was founded in the 800's AD. A number of pubs and cafés serve what are said to be among the best Bavarian dishes around, and the island's fishermen offer freshly smoked Chiemsee whitefish and other delicacies in their gardens.

Explore King Ludwig II's own version of Versaille on the island of Herreninsel.

The Herrenchiemsee Palace is yet another of King Ludwig II's megalomaniacal building projects (such as Neuschwanstein Castle). This monument to regal absolutism, which is far more magnificently furnished than the palace of Versailles on which it was modeled, was begun in 1878. The State Bedroom is the most expensive single room built in the 19th century, helping to explain how Ludwig brought Bavaria to the brink of bankruptcy and why his ministers sought to have him declared unfit to rule. Inside the palace, there's a museum documenting Ludwig II's life.

Journey by boat to a splendid little island within the lake where you'll find a 1200-year old convent.

The 15.5-hectare (38-acre) Frauneninsel (the 'women's island' as opposed to Herreninsel, the 'men's island'), is home to 300 permanent residents and an active Benedictine convent called Frauenwörth, which was founded in the 800's AD. A number of pubs and cafés serve what are said to be among the best Bavarian dishes around, and the island's fishermen offer freshly smoked Chiemsee whitefish and other delicacies in their gardens.

Hike to one of Bavaria's most picturesque spots.

If hiking is one of your goals in Garmisch and you're looking for a gentle option after descending from Zugspitze (or you don't wish to ascend the mountain at all), then we can heartily recommend the Eibsee Lake, which is, of course, one of the stops on the Zugspitzbahn. Just follow the signs to the lake (you can't miss it) and then the signs for the gentle 7.5km (4.6mi) hike around the lake shore while soaking up the stunning views. Avail yourself of the Eibsee beer garden after you get back to cool down.

Venture deep within a stunning Alpine gorge.

If you want to avoid the expense of the Zugspitzbahn, then an excellent short or long hiking option is to head south of the train station to the Partnachklamm (Partnach Gorge). The trail to the gorge starts from the Olympic Ski Stadium, which if you need to save time you can get to by city bus no.1 or no.2 directly from the train station rather walking 2km (1.25mi) to Skistadion. From there you follow the signs to the gorge, which is only 30min away (you can also take a horse-drawn carriage from the stadium).

Take a ride on the famous Zugspitzbahn railway and a cable car to the peak of Germany's tallest mountain, the Zugspitze (2,962m or 9,718ft) for some truly breath-taking views.

The Zugspitzbahn railway is the classic and breathtaking way of ascending Germany's highest peak, the Zugspitze (2962m or 9718ft). The line reaches as high as 2650m, making it the third-highest railway line in the world. The station and ticket office for the Zugspitzbahn trains (#3) is right beside the Garmisch-Partenkirchen train station. From here you take the purpose-built train along a cogwheel railway as far as Grainau - don't miss the wonderfully picturesque Pfarrkirche church that comes into view on the left as you near Grainau. In Grainau you'll change to a railcar that operates a rack-and-pinion system. The final 11.5km (7.1mi) gets steeper and steeper until you get just past the Eibsee station where you enter the 975m (3199ft) 'Rosi Tunnel'. You finally emerge at the Zugspitzplatt plateau on the Schneefen glacier below the Zugspitze peak. From there you journey to the summit on the ultramodern Gletscherbahn cable car (no extra ticket needed).

Hike to one of Bavaria's most picturesque spots.

If hiking is one of your goals in Garmisch and you're looking for a gentle option after descending from Zugspitze (or you don't wish to ascend the mountain at all), then we can heartily recommend the Eibsee Lake, which is, of course, one of the stops on the Zugspitzbahn. Just follow the signs to the lake (you can't miss it) and then the signs for the gentle 7.5km (4.6mi) hike around the lake shore while soaking up the stunning views. Avail yourself of the Eibsee beer garden after you get back to cool down.