April 2006
Away Days
Top day trips from Munich
It’s a blissful feeling. You wake up on a weekend morning, the sun trickling in through the curtains, and realize you’ve got the whole day to yourself. No chores, no plans—just time to enjoy life. Fantastic. Until, that is, you start thinking about what you’re actually going to do. It would be such a waste to fritter it away on the sofa, and yet another stroll through the English Garden really doesn’t appeal. Save yourself the stress of thinking about it, and have a look at our top ten ideas…
Anyone who enjoys a glass of vino will be intrigued by a visit to the world’s wine-glass mecca—the Riedel factory in Kufstein, Austria. Approximately a one-hour drive, the family-run factory has been producing premium quality wine glasses for 250 years. The company is renowned for their insistance that the shape of a glass influences how the wine tastes. As a result, they’ve produced hundreds of glasses, each of which is specifically designed for a particular wine. Aha, I hear you say. Could this be a clever marketing ploy? Well, at the factory shop, you’ll have the chance to find out for yourself. For € 5, Riedel offers a tasting session, where you’ll be given samples of the same wine, from different glasses. After that, take a tour of the factory, or treat yourself to some cut-price seconds from the shop. And, as empty glasses are no use to anyone, there’s also a rather nice wine shop.
Weissachstrasse 28–32, Kufstein, Tel. +43 (5372) 648 96,
www.riedel.com. Open Mon.–Fri., 9 am–5:30 pm, Sat. 9 am–5 pm
While we’re on booze, you could pay a visit to the delightful little Lantenhammer distillery in Schliersee. Producers of some of the region’s best schnapps—the pungent aromas are enough to get you hooked—and Slyrs, one of Bavaria’s two malt whiskies, the company offers tours round the factory, as well as free tasting sessions on Fridays at 3 pm and Saturdays at 11 am. But, even if you miss it, it’s still worth treating yourself to a bottle or two of the stuff that’s found in the region’s classiest restaurants. On your way home, take a detour to the Tegernseer Brauerei for great beer, food and atmosphere.
Urtlbachstrasse 1a, Schliersee,
Tel. (08026) 924 80,
www.lantenhammer.de.
Open Mon.–Fri., 9 am–12 pm,
2 pm–6 pm, Sat. 9 am–12 pm
If schnapps is too heavy-going, check out the Ayinger brewery. Just half-an-hour’s drive or (and this is probably preferable if you want to make the most of your visit) a 35-minute ride on the S6 from Munich, the brewery offers a variety of beer-filled experiences. Whether you simply want a tour around what proclaims itself to be “Europe’s most technically advanced brewery” or whether you want the full monty—including the chance to taste the beer at every stage of its production, a light and sound show and a meal in the restaurant—the place is well worth a visit. There’s also a popular tour with a
Frühschoppen session on Sundays at 10 am. Reservations are recommended. Prices vary, depending on group size and when you visit, but you’re looking at around € 6 per person for the basic tour and € 15 for the all-inclusive beer experience. Full details, as well as tour times, are available on the Website.
Münchner Strasse 21, Aying,
Tel. (08095) 88 90,
www.ayinger.de
For an intoxicating experience without opening a bottle, check out some of the region’s natural wonders. Just beyond Salzburg, for example, is the largest ice cave in the world. The Eisriesenwelt in Werfen features a 42-kilometer-long cave system, of which one kilometer is open to the public. It might not sound like much, but don’t try and rush it—a walk through the cave will see you cover an altitude difference of 134 meters, so you’ll need a good three to four hours to do it properly. And don’t forget to bring your woollies—the average temperature inside the caverns is 0 ºC in summer.
Eisriesenwelt, Werfen,
Tel. +43 (6468) 52 48,
www.eisriesenwelt.at. Open daily,
May 1–October 26, 9 am–3:30 pm
and until 4:30 pm in July and August
Speaking of watery wonders, did you know that just down the road from Munich is Europe’s highest waterfall, and the fifth highest in the world? At 380 meters high, the Krimmler Falls provide visitors with some fabulous photo opportunities—a one-hour walk up the path at the side passes viewpoints at various stages of the water’s plunge down the mountainside. Over the course of the year, some 170 billion liters of water pass over the falls from an array of glaciers. The volume is at its highest in June and July, when up to 40 times as much water flows as in February. There is a small admission fee of € 1.50 from mid-April to the end of October—at other times, visitors attempt the track at their own risk. The falls are located in Krimml, south of Kufstein. A map of how to get there is available on the Website.
Österreichischer Alpenverein, Oberkrimml 47, Tel. +43 (6564) 72 12,
www.wasserfaelle-krimml.at
If, on the other hand, you prefer making a splash yourself, treat yourself to a day’s white-water rafting. Club Aktiv in Bad Reichenhall will provide the boats, the gear and the instructors to see you over a variety of local white-water stretches. Difficulty levels vary, as do the types of boat available and the length of time you’re on the river. Don’t feel as if you have to turn up in a group—individuals are more than welcome. Whether you choose the soft rafting family special, or a full-day river expedition including picnic lunch, you’re guaranteed a lot of fun, and some amazing scenery.
Frühlingstrasse 61, Bad Reichenhall,
Tel. (08651) 672 38,
www.raftingtours.de
When it comes to adrenalin-fueled sports, there’s no beating ski jumping. Ok, so you might not be able to learn how to fly like an eagle on your day off, but you can still get a taste of what it’s like with a trip to the Bergisel jump in Innsbruck. Not only is it fascinating to climb up to the top of the jump and experience what it must be like to prepare yourself to shoot down the runway with nothing but a lycra body suit for protection, but the jump is also architecturally interesting. It was designed by Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, who was awarded the Austrian Prize for Architecture for the way in which she managed to create a flowing connection between the jump, the café and the viewing platform. And, as if that weren’t exciting enough, you’re also in for a cracking view of the Alps.
Bergisel, Innsbruck,
www.bergisel.info. Open daily, 9:30 am–5 pm, and 8:30 am–5 pm between June 17 and November 2
For high life of a different sort, why not pay a visit to the newly opened casino at Bad Wiessee? Whether you feel like having a flutter yourself, or whether you simply want to marvel at the high stakes being laid by others, it’s all good entertainment for just € 2.50 admission. You’ll need to dress up for the occasion—jacket and tie is obligatory for gents, although these can be hired at the entrance. If the whole experience is just too much, you might want to take a dip in Bad Wiessee’s iodine-sulfur bath (Jodschwefelbad)—the strongest of its kind in Germany and reputedly ideal for lowering blood pressure.
Spielbank Bad Wiessee, Winner 1, Bad Wiessee, Tel. (08022) 983 50,
www.spielbanken-bayern.de. Open daily, 3 pm–3 am, Fri. and Sat. 3 pm–4 am.
Jodschwefelbad Bad Wiessee, Adrian-Stoop-Strasse 37–47,
Tel. (08022) 860 80, for opening times, see
www.bad-wiessee.de/D/Jodschwefel
Or perhaps you’d prefer a stroll round an attractive little town? Wasserburg am Inn is the sort of place you’d visit while on holiday, yet few people make the effort to go from Munich. Just 55 kilometers east of the Bavarian capital, this well-preserved medieval settlement is surrounded almost entirely by the River Inn, giving the impression that it is on an island. Walk round its city walls, admire the original Rococo facades on the buildings, enjoy the unique lighting effects, thanks to the city’s south-facing position, or witness some modern art on the Skulpturenweg (Sculpture Path). It’s a fascinating little place, with some nice bars, restaurants and delightful little shops. The town also holds a variety of traditional festivals—one to be recommended is the annual wine festival, which has been held in the tiny alleyways and squares on the last Saturday in July since 1464.
www.wasserburg.de
And finally… Those looking for a simple stroll through alpine pastures, followed by a rewarding beer, could do worse than head to Ilkahöhe. This meadow, overlooking Lake Starnberg, is not far from Munich and yet it’s the sort of setting that conjurs up images of Heidi or Julie Andrews, skipping through the fields. Especially after a bit of intoxication at the Forsthaus Ilkahöhe. This beer garden and restaurant is located in what was formerly the forester’s house and affords a great view of the countryside. Food is very reasonably priced and focuses on local produce from local hunters. Surprisingly, for a classic beer garden, there’s also an impressive wine list, featuring more than 15 varieties of Riesling.
Forsthaus Ilkahöhe, Tutzing, Tel. (08158) 82 42,
www.ilkahoehe.de
