Adventures in Bavaria (Germany)



As part of our annual little birthday trip, we spent a few nice days in Bavaria this year, down at the Chiemsee. For one day, we explored Salzburg in Austria (only one hour away), but the rest of the time we explored Bavaria and its gorgious nature around the Chiemsee area.

Nature Highlights:

  • The Mountain "Hochfelln": This was my personal highlight as I did not expect much from it. I thought it wouldn't be more than a fast roundtrip with the cable car and maybe some nice lunch in between. However, the views from up top and the surrounding nature was just gorgious and so different. There were two complete different parts: Up on the top, there were amazing views and even some snow. Half way down, where we ate lunch at the "Bründling Alm" (alpine tavern), it was completely different with lots of green hills and meadows. 
  • The Swamp/ Moor "Nickelheimer Filze": This was another unexpected highlight. Beautiful landscape for a short hike.
  • The Gorge "Gießenbachklamm": This was a little strenghous, climbing up all the way to the top walkway (about 200 steps, 60 meter above the river)... But after walking alongside the ravine of the gorge for about 600 meter, the landscape changed and became this beautiful field of meadows and a river. We ate lunch at the "Schopper Alm", another alpine tavern.
  • The Islands of Chiemsee: There are two islands on the Chiemsee lake, the "Herreninsel" with its castle (a homage to the French castle Versaille) and the much smaller but very beautiful "Fraueninsel"with its cloister, lots of craft shops and cafés.
  • The Farmhouse Museum Amerang: An open-air museum with lots of beautiful farm houses and craft buildings from 500 year ago. Again, very unexpected and quite nice.
  • Our own Air B&B Farmhouse: This was another highlight. We had a nice view over the mountains on the one side, and a gorgious view over the lake from the other side. It also had a small pond and lots of farm animals. There were even peacocks that came visiting us on the balcony :)

 

Bavarian Food Highlights:

Alpine food (mountain food)

We experienced authentic alpine food at the alpine taverns "Bründling Alm" (on the mountain "Hochfelln") and "Schopper Alm" (at the gorge "Gießenbachklamm").
  • "Bayrische Brotzeit" (Bavarian breadboard snack time, typical mountain/ alpine food): It's considered a "light" snack and commonly consists of a breadboard with a fresh bavarian "Brezn" (pretzle) or farmer's bread served with some cheese, "Obazda" (a cheese spread made out of camembert cheese with paprika seasoning and caraway seeds ), smoked sausage, onion, chives , radishes, etc. We had such an "Alm Brettle" (alpine breadboard) at the "Bründling Alm" (alpine tavern) at the mountain "Hochfelln".
  • "Griebenschmalz Brot": This may also be considered part of the "Brotzeit" (breadboard snack time). "Griebenschamlz" is lard with fried porkskin pieces in it. It can be used as a spread for bread, with some salt and pepper.
  • Spinach dumplings alongside stuffed ravioli: Dumplings in a wide variety are also famous for Bavaria.
  • "Hüttennudeln": This is a pasta dish, it can come in different versions including a combination of ham, vegetables and cheese. The name "Hütte" (hut) implies that it is served at alpine taverns as these may also be called huts.
  • Salad with "Schwammerl": I was amazed by this simple little salad. "Schwammerl" are mushrooms, these were nicely seasoned and fried. The salad was accompanied by some really tasty Bavarian potato salad.

Fresh Fish and more at the fisherman's hut "Reiter"

  • "Steckerl Fisch" - fresh fish such as trout grilled on a stick
  • "Bayrischer Kartoffelsalat" - Bavarian potato salad, made with broth, vinegar and oil, served alongside fresh salmon trout in beer batter

For the sweet tooth

  • Homemade "Strudel": Marillenstrudel (Apricot strudel), Apfelstrudel (Apple strudel), Topfenstrudel (strudel with softened cream cheese)
  • Rhubarb "Datschi": The word Datschi comes from "detschen" or "datschen" which means "push in", we had a rhubarb datschi, so the rhubarb was pushed in the dough, but plum datschi are common too. We ate one at the "Haus am See", a restaurant right at the lake.
  • "Lindentorte": This was a fancy cake with several thin layers of sponge cake, butter cream, and marzipan. There was also some alcohol in it. It was a house cake, named after the place were we ate it (Hotel Linde).
  • "Apfelringe im Teigmantel" (battered and deep fried apple rings): We did not try them, but we saw them at almost every food place on the island "Fraueninsel".

Food Highlights


Bavarian Brotzeit: Alm Brettle and Griebenschmalz Brot at the alpine tavern "Bründling Alm"

Spinach dumplings alongside stuffed ravioli - at the alpine tavern "Schopper Alm"

"Steckerl" Fish at the fisherman's hut "Reiter"

Fresh salmon trout in beer batter with Bavarian potato salad

Rhubarb Datschi at the "Haus am See"

A small selection of Bavarian beer for the B-day :)
 

The Mountain ("Hochfelln")




Halfway down the mountain - lunchtime at the "Bründling Alm"

The Gorge ("Gießenbach Klamm")

Someone has taken on a new profession :)







The Swamp/ Moor ("Nickelheimer Filze")


 

The Islands ("Herreninsel" / "Fraueninsel")

At the "Herreninsel"

At the "Fraueninsel" - And the famous "Lindentorte" :)

 

Farmhouse Museum Amerang

 

Our Air B&B Farmhouse :)


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