Allgaeu - Bavarian Swabia (Allgäu & Bayerisch Schwaben)

Merchant princes, Swan King and water doctor 

The vacation area Allgäu-Bavarian Swabia is one of the most beautiful areas in Germany. The diversity of the Allgäu is fascinating: the rhythm of lush alpine meadows, placid hill countries and steep mountain tops, verdant forests, romatic vales and crystal clear lakes. 

This unique landscape is located between the river Iller in the west, the river Lech in the east, the ridge of the Allgäu Alps in the south and the Rieskessel, a cauldron created by a meteorite impact 15 million years ago. Tourism has been a tradition for more than one hundred years and the range of offers for a recreative and prolific holiday is nearly inexhaustible. A network of well-marked hiking trails leads to castles, palaces, churches and monestaries and offers a choice for every taste.

Hikings on fully developed trails to a cottage are very popular in late summer. Mountain railways and chair lifts ease the toil of climbing. Various types of watersports are also offered.

A variety of lakes allows any favored form of activity in or near the water, be it sailing, water skiing or wind surfing. Beginner"s schools are available. Golfers, riders and tennis fans, skittlers players and minigolfers can pursue their hobbies at any time. Cycling enthusiasts can test their condition on selected tours with varying degrees of difficulty. 
Courses in pottery, weaving, wood carving or peasant painting are available for those who are not into sportive activities. The wintersport offer is diverse as well. No matter if you want to go skiing, snowboarding or cross-country skiing, lots of skiing areas in all sizes with varying degrees of difficulty are available nearby. Ski lodge hosts will provide sustenance in a quaint atmosphere after a successful day on the ski run.

You will certainly find many interesting things here if you are interested in art treasures or monuments. A range of medieval cities such as Dillingen, Donauwörth, Kaufbeuren, Memmingen, Mindelheim and Nördlingen show magnificent evidence of their splendid pasts in their walls and museums. 

Augsburgs"s cityscape for example was formed in the course of its two thousand years of history. During the Renaissance the city was the center of architecture, music and painting. Mozart showed first evidence of his talent in Augsburg, the city is the birthplace of Berthold Brecht and the first Diesel engine was also constructed here. Once Celtic and Roman, the city of Kempten shows the significance and size of the formerly Roman settlement in the "Archeologic Park of Cambodunum". Next to it you can find numerous well preserved buildings such as the St.-Lorenz-Basilica, the former royal residence, the city hall and the St.-Mang"s Cathedral, which are all worth visiting.

The royal castles Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau near Füssen and the basilica at Ottobeuren are very popular destinations with a special kind of fascination. This basilica built by the Baroque architect Johann Michael Fischer has been the site of the Ottobeuren concerts since 1945. There are many possibilities for the health conscious visitor to maintain and/or restore good health. Many tourists visit this region more than once due to the range of offers and its hospitality.