Latest UpdatesCountries Why Join?IL MagazineFree Daily E-LetterVideoOur ExpertsTestimonialsFAQsTopics Mitchell is a freelance writer and photographer As our boat glided along Germany's Lake Chiemsee I marveled at the stunning meeting of sapphire-colored water When things felt like they couldn't get any prettier I caught a fleeting glimpse of Herrenchiemsee Palace crowning the forested island where it's existed since 1878 I could see a sliver of the palace's Versailles-like architecture nestled between the dense trees that bookended it on either side My husband and I remarked this was precisely what its builder had wanted for his luxurious abode—an exceptional setting with much privacy and limited access for today's visitors to the southern German state of Bavaria Lake Chiemsee is quite accessible and a visit is exceedingly rewarding King Ludwig's palace—which he had modeled after France's Versailles—is the main attraction in this area there's much more to do around Lake Chiemsee which the Germans have nicknamed the "Bavarian Sea" (Bayerisches Meer) I was thrilled to see that the landscape's foliage was coming to life dotted with patches of mint-green grass and flower beds filled with cheerful yellow pansies and multi-colored tulips tiny Krautinsel (so named because of the herbs and vegetables that were once grown there) the lake has also been a protected nature reserve it's home to nearly 300 bird species and a large variety of fish which means "Men's Island," got its name because of the monastery that housed monks there for centuries visitors mostly flock to this island to see King Ludwig's palace but there are other worthwhile historical sights on the island King Ludwig II acquired land on Herreninsel to build his opulent palace-to-be the Herrenchiemsee Palace (Schloss Herrenchiemsee) Ludwig was obsessed with France's Louis XIV and was determined to have a Versailles of his own built on Bavarian soil what was built is extraordinary: Herrenchiemsee's Great Hall of Mirrors (Grosse Spiegelgalerie) is actually a few feet longer than Versailles' world-famous Great Hall of Mirrors it took about 35 chandeliers and upwards of 40 servants to light the hall's 2,200 or so candles The furniture in the ornate rooms is also patterned after Versailles Herrenchiemsee's rooms are even more elaborately decorated than Versailles' interior Since Ludwig wanted his palace to honor the French king he didn't allow any Bavarian design elements to infiltrate the palace take advantage of 19th-century conveniences While I appreciated seeing the palace's lavish rooms and their showy magnificence I also enjoyed the less polished areas of Herrenchiemsee These included Ludwig's massive bathtub (which needed more than 15,000 gallons of water to fill!) as well as a staircase that remained unfinished so that you could still see the builders' 140-year-old architectural notes scribbled on the rugged brick walls Another wing of the palace compound contains a worthwhile museum dedicated to Ludwig himself From Ludwig's christening gown and ceremonial robes to his death mask the museum tells the story of the monarch's life It also details the king's other realized and unrealized castle projects including Neuschwanstein (said to be the inspiration for Walt Disney's castles) Herrenchiemsee Palace was the priciest of his castles Ludwig spent less than a dozen days living there Such fantastical castles helped earn Ludwig the moniker the "Fairy Tale King" or Märchenkönig Ludwig's story didn't have a fairy-tale ending his extravagant building projects drained the government coffers and eventually he was declared insane and dethroned Some historians still wonder if Ludwig was murdered About half a mile from the palace is the Royal Augustinian Monastery (Augustiner Chorherrenstift) you'll find the impressive Imperial Hall with jewel-colored frescoes and furnishings that are considered to be among the finest Baroque decor in Germany a special conference was held and Germany's constitution was drafted Learn more about the best places in the world to retire in our daily postcard e-letter Simply enter your email address below to sign up for our free daily postcards and we'll also send you a FREE report on The World's Top 10 Retirement Havens When you arrive at Prien's train station you'll be about one mile from the boat pier you can get to the pier by riding the Chiemsee Bahn an emerald-green steam train that dates back to 1887 If you happen to visit when this train isn't running you can either take a taxi or walk to the pier We were able to do the pleasant walk in about 30 minutes Visiting the Palace: Tickets to Schloss Herrenchiemsee cost €10 ($10) This also includes the King Ludwig II Museum Note that tickets must be purchased at the Visitor's Center located on the Herreninsel Where to Stay: There are a variety of hotels and self-catering apartments located in both Prien and Bernau Lake Chiemsee is an-ever popular destination for Munich residents you might find that accommodation in both Prien and Bernau is fully reserved When I researched accommodation options two weeks before our planned trip to Chiemsee Instead, I look for accommodation in the pretty city of Rosenheim, which is 18 miles west of Prien or 15 minutes by train. We stayed in a pleasant studio apartment at the Limehome Aparthotel (see: limehome.com) which was located in the heart of Rosenheim's delightful Old Town (Altstadt) we could reach Rosenheim's charming parks and international restaurants (everything from hearty Bavarian cuisine to Vietnamese fare) in a few minutes After you've explored Herrenchiemsee Island you'll want to island-hop to Fraueninsel (Ladies' Island) a small but endearing island that's home to about 300 people The Fraueninsel's most famous attraction is the 10th-century Frauenwörth Abbey (Abtei Frauenwörth) This building's snow-white exterior and onion-domed bell tower are an eye-catching sight as they contrast beautifully with the brilliant blues of Lake Chiemsee Nuns still inhabit Frauenwörth Abbey today and marzipan (a confection made from ground almonds and sugar and often stamped with decorative patterns) You can buy these traditional products inside the abbey's shop 5 Reasons to Move to Germany Best Places to Live in Germany Cost of Living Breakdown for Germany Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025 Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations Every month, we release new books into the wild Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024 Africa Close menu Countries Antarctica Antarctica Close menu Regions Asia Asia Close menu Countries Australia & the Pacific Australia & the Pacific Close menu Countries The Caribbean The Caribbean Close menu Countries Central America Central America Close menu Countries Europe Europe Close menu Countries Middle East Middle East Close menu Countries North America North America Close menu Countries South America South America Close menu Countries From the lakeside beauty of Berchtesgadan to stunning Bavarian castles here are the best day trips from Munich © Cavan Images / Getty Images If the residents of Munich look pleased with their lot Not only is this cosmopolitan city a fantastic place to live it also serves as a great base for exploring the nearby mountains and lakes When you've had your fill of art collections head a little farther afield for new cultural thrills and outdoor adventures Within an hour or so of the Bavarian capital where hiking trails and cable cars scale cloud-shredding peaks and winter snowfall entices skiers you can explore the history-rich cities of Augsburg or Ulm or one of "Mad" King Ludwig’s palaces with glorious Salzburg just a short train ride away Here are ten of the best day trips from Munich This looking-glass lake offers heaven-on-earth mountain views – on warm summer days it’s tempting to just hang out at the lakeside lido beaches The big cultural deal on the lake is the riotously romantic and unashamedly opulent Schloss Herrenchiemsee which Ludwig II ambitiously modeled on Versailles back in 1878 gilded and chandelier-lit Grosse Spiegelgalerie is longer than its Versailles counterpart at 98m (321ft) and elicits a chorus of "wows" from visitors How to get to Chiemsee from Munich: Prien am Chiemsee – the easiest access point – is an hour’s drive southeast of Munich via the A8 Trains depart frequently from Munich’s Hauptbahnhof take the ferry from Prien-Stock to Herreninsel (it’s a 20-minute walk through pretty gardens from there) Founded in 1959, this wildlife park is home to deer A circular trail passes through the enclosures with several residents also sharing the footpath Be sure to bring a few 50 cent coins to chuck into the animal-feed vending machines dotted across the park leave ample time to explore the huge play area about halfway round pirate ships and areas suitable for toddlers as well as picnic tables dotted throughout – don’t be surprised if a peacock struts past as you’re enjoying your lunch How to reach Wildpark Poing from Munich: Public transport options are limited here unless you are happy to walk around 2km (1.2 miles) from the nearest S-Bahn station (Poing) The best things to do with kids in Munich Travel time: 30 minutes/1 hour (train/car) If you fancy a breather from Munich but crave more culture and churches, Augsburg hits the mark History is writ large across one of Germany’s oldest cities founded by the stepchildren of Emperor Augustus (hence the name) some 2000 years ago and made great and glorious by the medieval textile trade A city of spires and pretty gables, Augsburg is real eye candy on the Romantic Road, which meanders from the vineyards of Würzburg to the foothills of the Alps. The city’s Old Town revolves around the Rathausplatz with its fountain honoring the Roman emperor and its 17th-century topped with an almost 4m-tall (13ft) pinecone (the city’s emblem) Note: much of the building is closed for renovation until 2026 Factor in a trip to the alley-woven Fuggerei where the rent remains frozen at 1 Rhenish guilder (€0.88) per year You can also book tickets ahead for the Augsburger Puppenkiste one of the world’s most fabled puppet theaters How to get to Augsburg from Munich: Augsburg is an hour’s drive northwest of Munich via the A8 motorway Part of the fun is getting your tongue in a twist pronouncing the name of this whimsically turreted 19th-century castle, with its beautiful backdrop of forests and the Alps. King Ludwig II loved to give free rein to his fertile imagination and nowhere more so than here in Schloss Neuschwanstein the Schloss even inspired Walt Disney and made an appearance in the 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang With its interior bearing the hallmark of a stage designer (as opposed to an architect) the castle is more exuberant folly than fortress Byzantine-style Thronsaal (Throne Room) and Sängersaal (Minstrels’ Hall) dancing with frescoes from Wagner’s opera Tannhäuser one of the most extensive restoration projects in the castle’s history will be completed Allow time for the short walk to Marienbrücke with knockout views of the castle perched high on its wooded crag How to get to Schloss Neuschwanstein from Munich: Get an early start to visit the castle from Munich in a day The castle is a highly scenic one-and-three-quarter hour drive to the southwest from where it is an eight-minute bus ride to the castle 17 of the best things to do in Germany Tegernsee is a popular day trip for locals and a public sauna overlooking the water here as well as some top spots to eat and drink How to reach Tegernsee from Munich: Hourly trains to Tegernsee depart from the main station but beware of traffic when the weather is fine and serves as a poignant reminder of the atrocities of the Third Reich You’ll need at least a full morning or afternoon to fully absorb the exhibits (note that children may find them too disturbing) Harrowing displays include original photos of the camp The visitors center is a logical starting point, with its tour-booking desk where you can pick up an audio guide. English tours depart at 11am and 1pm daily and tickets should be purchased at least 30 minutes in advance How to get to Dachau from Munich: Dachau is a half-hour (30km/19 mile) drive north of Munich via the A99 Follow the signs to KZ-Gedenkstätte Dachau there are very frequent regional trains (11 minutes) or S-Bahn trains (21 minutes) from Munich Hauptbahnhof Change for bus 726 (direction Saubachsiedlung) to reach the site Propelling you into the Bavarian Alps proper, this double-barreled resort snuggles up close to the Austrian border. Garmisch and Partenkirchen are actually two towns (twinned for the 1936 Winter Olympics) the latter being the most appealing of the two Surrounding this hub, you’ll find mountainscapes that make your heart sing, whether you're schussing down slopes or hiking high in Alpine meadows. First up should be a ride up to Zugspitze Germany’s highest mountain at 2962m (9718ft) above sea level A cable car departs from nearby Eibsee and provides arresting views into four countries (Italy For more action, ramble through the 700m-long (2296ft) Partnachklamm gorge It’s about a 30-minute walk to the entrance from the parking lot at the Olympia Skistadion in Partenkirchen How to get to Garmisch-Partenkirchen from Munich: Garmisch-Partenkirchen is an hour’s drive south of Munich on the A95 You can also hop on one of the hourly trains from the Hauptbahnhof; the journey takes around an hour and a half From Garmisch a cogwheel train chugs to Eibsee and the cable car Discover Germany on these 6 incredible hikes While doable as a day trip, the alpine dream that is Berchtesgaden is better savored on a long-weekend detour from Munich with jewel-colored lakes and rugged limestone mountains a lodge built for Hitler on his 50th birthday the precipitous road to the top and the Alpine views rarely fail to impress If you have more time, you can cross over the border into Austria from here and head up to Salzburg – it’s only half an hour north by car How to get to Berchtesgaden from Munich: Berchtesgaden is roughly a two-hour drive southeast of Munich via the A8 with regional lines departing from Ostbahnhof One of Munich’s top art galleries, the Lenbachhaus has an extensive collection of works from the ground-breaking German expressionist group Der Blaue Reiter (the Blue Rider) formed in the city in 1911 More of their works can be found in a number of museums located in the nearby alpine foothills Franz Marc spent childhood holidays and much of his creative life in and around the attractive village of Kochel am See, and it is here, above the lake, that you’ll find a museum with his name The turn-of-the-century villa with a modern extensive is home to a large number pieces from artists such as Paul Klee and August Macke as well as a diverse selection of drawings Don’t miss the views from the observation room on the second floor How to get to the Franz Marc Museum from Munich: Regional trains from Munich Hauptbahnhof to Kochel depart roughly every hour and take around 60 minutes You can walk to the museum from the station or hop on the 9608 bus – there’s one an hour Under-the-radar Ulm deserves to be better feted not least because this historic juggernaut of a city the birthplace of physicist Albert Einstein has sights you won’t see anywhere else: from the world’s most crooked house (as listed in the Guinness World Records) to the world’s oldest zoomorphic sculpture (aged 30,000 years) where half-timbered houses huddle along the channels of the Blau River If you’re on an Einstein mission, you won’t want to miss the rocket-snail fountain depicting the wild-haired genius, or the memorial marking the spot where he was born in 1879. How to get to Ulm from Munich: Ulm is roughly an hour-and-a-half drive to the west of Munich via the A8 motorway. There are twice hourly trains (1¼ hours). This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page THERE'S a cave in Europe that has its own Christmas market - it has over 90 stalls and visitors can only reach it on a boat Every year, the island of Fraueninsel (also known as Frauenchiemsee), in Bavaria, Germany is transformed into a festive attraction thanks to its Christmas market Fraueninsel is the second-largest island on Lake Chiemsee in Bavaria The tiny, car-free, island is home to a convent of nuns and roughly 300 permanent residents Despite its small size, the Fraueninsel is also the only island in Germany with its very own Christmas market Fraueninsel Christmas Market has been described as one of the "most wonderful" in Bavaria by The Best Places to Visit in Germany "The market was absolutely magical! It definitely makes my Best Christmas Markets in Europe list." The Christmas market spills across the entirety of the island with both decorations and lights hung from trees and lamposts There are over 90 wooden stalls at the market that sell handmade gifts, mulled wine, and local delicacies. The easiest way to reach Fraueninsel Christmas Market is to fly to Munich Lufthansa operates direct flights to Munich from the UK with prices starting from £34 for a one-way ticket in November From Munich, holidaymakers should board the train to Prien am Chiemsee train station Because Prien am Chiemsee is on the mainland, visitors to the market will need to take the shuttle bus (the Winterdampf-Bockerl) to the town's harbour festive holidaymakers will then be able to board a boat to Fraueninsel Tickets for the shuttle bus and the boat crossing can be purchased from Prien am Chiemsee train station costing €14.50 for a full-paying adult and €7.20 for an adult While there aren't any hotels on the island several options can be found on the mainland Fraueninsel Christmas Market isn't the only festive European attraction in an unusual location There's a cave in Europe that has its very own Christmas Market, it has over 50 stalls, a 30-metre miniature village, and a winter wonderland The award-winning Christmas market in Valkenburg in the Netherlands covers every corner of the town For those holidaymakers who don't fancy heading abroad to visit a Christmas market, then you'll be relieved to know that there are some great festive attractions in the UK One of those is The Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham which is said to be the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany Meanwhile, this travel writer thinks their hometown has the best Christmas attraction in the UK Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/ To mark the 100th anniversary of Peter Keetman’s birth Gundlach are presenting the first comprehensive retrospective of the eminent photographer’s work After its first stop at the Museum Folkwang in Essen the exhibition will continue on to the Deichtorhallen Hamburg and the Kunstfoyer in the Versicherungskammer Kulturstiftung Around 360 exhibits present Keetman not only as a young rebel involved with the influential group fotoform but also as one of the most innovative and poetic photographers of the post-war era whose extensive oeuvre combined nature and motion studies Peter Keetman (1916–2005) was a central figure in German post-war modern photography and the exhibition World through a Creative Camera – The Life’s Work of a Photographer is the largest survey of his work to date It is also the first to examine how Keetman’s practice managed to link two prevailing trends of this era: on the one hand experimentation and abstraction; on the other a humanist worldview and a turning toward the fundamental elements of post-war reconstruction Characteristic of Keetman’s work is his continuous and imaginative exploration of the camera’s potential to create rather than just capture images The retrospective not only traces the career of a great photographer but also the protean career of the medium of photography itself as it evolved between free art and commercial work As suggested by the exhibition’s title World through a Creative Camera his works unite the period’s two main aesthetic currents: On one hand there is the modernist intention to form and abstract – on the other hand there is the wish for a humanist relationship to the world as well as a turning towards reconstruction Organized by the Museum Folkwang and the F.C this major retrospective demonstrates how these two tendencies coexist and merge in Keetman’s work Keetman’s photography and biography are linked with one another this exhibition shows his early works following the New Objectivity style During the late 1940s Keetman overcame the old-fashioned aesthetic of his apprenticeship years in Munich and with Stuttgart-based Adolf Lazi a group of young rebels inspired by the experiments of the pre-war avant-garde and experiencing the world individually and subjectively the group aimed to develop a new photographic language Along with Otto Steinert and other fotoform members Keetman stood for photography’s move into a new era the exhibition retraces German photography’s exciting evolution in the late 1940s and 1950s Keetman’s escaping of any formalism is made visible as he was working not in one but photography’s many fields: he portrays Munich’s reconstruction visualizes hidden structures in landscapes and natural phenomena discovers the "great picture" in the smallest details – and finally translates the dynamic of the Germany’s era of "economic miracle" into abstract images Two separate chapters are dedicated to his famous 1953 series at the Wolfsburger Volkswagen factory and his Oscillations – Keetman’s contribution to the history of experimental photography Another subject of the exhibition is the eventful interlocking of Keetman’s free and commissioned photography revealing the many facets of this crucial figure of post-war photography This retrospective originates in a close collaboration with the F.C Other parts of the estate are kept in the Collection of Photographs at the Museum Folkwang The Versicherungskammer Kulturstiftung is a non-profit foundation based in Munich Its purpose is the furtherance of art and culture primarily via our own program of exhibitions and concerts