Destinations

The Mer de Glace, at around 7 km long, is the largest glacier in France and has drawn visitors since the 19th century. The historic cog railway from Chamonix to Montenvers reaches the viewing balcony, from where a gondola and stairs lead down to the ice cave. The rapid glacier…

The Partnachklamm near Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a roughly 700 m long, up to 80 m deep gorge through which the Partnach roars. Paths and tunnels hewn into the rock lead the secured trail through the narrow gorge. In winter, icicles and frozen waterfalls turn the gorge into a special backdrop. Highlights…

The cable car from Chamonix to the Aiguille du Midi climbs to 3,842 m and is one of the highest and steepest cable cars in the world. At the top, viewing terraces overlook the Mont Blanc summit, along with the glass box Pas dans le Vide over the abyss. The…

The Alpsee lies nestled between Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein castles and is regarded as one of the cleanest lakes in Bavaria. A barely one-hour shore path circles the clear mountain lake before the castle backdrop. In summer, bathing spots and rowing boats beckon, and year-round the proximity to the royal castles….

Chamonix lies at the foot of Mont Blanc, at 4,805 m the highest mountain in the Alps, and is regarded as the cradle and world capital of alpinism. The first Olympic Winter Games were held here in 1924. From the town several mountain railways open up the high-mountain world, above…

The Breitachklamm near Oberstdorf is considered the deepest rock gorge in Central Europe; the Breitach has cut up to 150 m deep into the rock here. Secured paths lead along the roaring water through the narrow gorge. In winter, impressive ice formations form, and the gorge is passable even then….

The Nebelhorn above Oberstdorf, at 2,224 m, is one of the best-known viewpoint mountains of the Allgäu; from the summit the view reaches over more than 400 peaks. The Nebelhorn cable car leads up comfortably, from where the exposed Nordwandsteig and high trails start. In winter the Nebelhorn is a…

Neuschwanstein Castle above Schwangau is the most famous castle in Germany and one of the most visited in Europe. King Ludwig II had it built from 1869 as an idealised knight's castle; it is regarded as the model for the fairytale castle in Disney films. Against the backdrop of the…

With its bright emerald-green water, the Soča is regarded as one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe and is an eldorado for kayaking, rafting and fly fishing. Over the Vršič Pass, at around 1,611 m the highest road pass in Slovenia, you reach the valley in 50 hairpins; on…

The Vintgar Gorge north-west of Bled leads over wooden galleries and bridges around 1.6 km through the narrow gorge carved by the Radovna, with emerald-green water. The walkways were built back in 1893. At the end of the gorge the Šum waterfall plunges down, the highest river waterfall in Slovenia….

Lake Bohinj is the largest lake in Slovenia and, unlike nearby Bled, lies in the middle of Triglav National Park and is far more unspoilt. The glacially formed lake is framed by mountains; nearby the Savica waterfall plunges down, and a cable car leads up to the Vogel hiking and…

Lake Bled is one of the most photographed places in the Alps: in its centre lies Slovenia's only natural island with the pilgrimage church of the Assumption, and high above the shore stands Bled Castle. Traditional pletna rowing boats bring visitors to the island, where 99 steps lead up to…