The Zugspitz

Scott writes
Day 55

This blog is a day late as we went to the mountains but left most of our luggage in Munich (including computers).

The day started early. Our accomodation comes with breakfast so we ate up large. Then it was off to find a train into the alps. After a journey of about 1.5 hours we missed our stop. The German railway workers have been so friendly and helpful, except they have no idea exactly where you should go. This time it was the ticket man's fault. Still, after we got off at the next station in the next town, another man helped us and we caugh a bus to Eibsee. From there we got on a cable car that went straight up the mountain to the top. The Zugspitz is the highest mountain in Germany, at 2,962m. It sits on the border with Austria. You can also catch a cable car up from the Austrian side

The top has great views and large viewing platforms. Being Germany, there is more than one place to buy sausages and beer, even at the very peak. So, while in Rome (or should that be Bavaria...) it was sausages and beer for lunch.

We then took a cable car down to the skifield where the children had a great time sledding on the snow. After that it was a train down the mountain to Garmisch-Partenkirchen then a short bus ride to our hotel, The Grand Hotel Sonnenbichl. It was a short walk from town... but worth every step. It was a large old hotel and we weren't expecting much but it turned out to be 5 star. Enormous rooms, huge pool, sauna (which James and Holly loved) and a balcony with a view of the alps, including ski ramps.

The whole valley had ski lifts going up in all directions, with grassed gaps running down the wooded hills - these gaps being ski runs in winter. The temperature is currently in the high 20's in the valley and it is busy but not frantic. It must be very full in winter.

Dinner was a a beer garden in town. Any self respecting place in Bavaria has a number of beer gardens. Great food, great beer and enough noise so that the children aren't a nuisance to other diners.

Another good day.