It is no secret that summer and autumn months are the high seasons to visit Germany, with the infamous Oktoberfest bringing a close to the peak travel dates. Locals may have you fooled by complaining about how dark, dreary, and cold German winters are, but remember that Germany’s is the original Christmas Market that so many European countries take after, with the iconic stalls of German sausages and mulled wine. Tradition is kept alive in these markets in Germany itself, with offerings of Christmassy treats among locals donning traditional outfits with rosy (aka. tipsy) cheeks and frostbitten noses. Dark nights are easily forgotten as soon as the fairy lights of the numerous winter festivals scattered in every city center in the country are switched on after sunset, enveloping the landscape in twinkle and joy. Even individual houses, commercial buildings, stores, and parks are uniformly lit up by the locals of the community in dazzling lights. Germans take their festive season very seriously, indeed.
Why not start with Germany’s capital?
Snowy winters in Germany can be a truly magical time, if you know where to look.
The great outdoors in Germany is diverse and beguiling. The region’s numerous snowcapped mountains create breathtaking and unique scenery that can only be enjoyed in the winter time. One of these snowcapped peaks belongs to Zugspitze, easily accessible through cable cars or cogwheel trains. You can take in the breathtaking views as you ascend up the mountain and park your feet firmly on the summit overlooking magnificent glaciers and the view of the countryside dipped in snow.
If hiking is more your speed, you are in luck. There are many hiking trails strewn across the country and everything takes on a completely new look underneath the freshly fallen snow. The Saxon Switzerland National Park is a must-see during the winter and a relatively easy hike during the day. Partnach Gorge or Partnachklamn is a truly magical hiking destination. Just a short 20 minute walk from the entrance, the scenic route is suitable for adults and children alike. The trails transform into a wonderland of icicles and snow formations beyond imagination. Walking along a path carved out of the rock, lit only by torches, the frozen rivers give hikers an eerie feeling or awe for nature's creations unrivaled by any manmade sculpture. The 80-meter waterfall that freezes mid-fall every winter is a marvel with thousands of little icicles forming a massive white curtain. Dress warm and cozy and enjoy this once in a lifetime experience that will make you so breathless you might even forget to feel the cold.
For more information on day trips and hiking tours, visit: http://www.germany.travel/
Germany is a winter sports nation with so many spectacular ski-runs that you won't be able to visit them all in one trip. Take your pick of outdoor activities, from ice skating on frozen lakes, to snowboarding and skiing down the slopes overlooking massive white peaks juxtaposed against the bright blue sky. Horse sleigh tours through pine forests and sledding are also fun activities for the whole family or a romantic getaway. The thrilling 500 km cross country ski slopes of Harz Mountains are perfect for the more athletic tourists, while Allgäu, Sauerland, and Garmisch-Partenkirchen offer slopes of varied difficulties. The frozen lakes, such as Lake Tegernsee, offer a unique opportunity to try toboggan, mushing, snowshoeing, and snow-tubing and to have an incredible new experience to write home about.
Book a cozy resort for your après-ski relaxation here.
If you are considering visiting Germany this winter, quit dilly-dallying, put on some thermals, and jump right into the snow! You might be surprised by all the beauty and fun you can find in these real-life winter wonderlands.
Book your tickets now at: https://th.wego.com/flights
