May has always been, in my opinion, the perfect time to plan a weekend getaway. At least, for us, in Germany.

Since a third of the year's public holidays fall in the month of May, one can take advantage of the long weekends and the beautiful weather. And if planned well, one can maximize these holidays and get more out of it. One can take a short break without having to take too many days off from work.

May I then suggest spending a long weekend amidst the natural wonders and beauty of Garmisch-Partenkirchen?




Garmisch-Partenkirchen or GAP sits at the foot of the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain. It is one of the favoured holiday spots in Germany and was the site of the Winter Olympic Games in 1936.

What to do:

If you want to get that last Winter Sport hurrah, this is the place to go. Glacier skiing, snowboarding on the zugspitze is possible until May.

Rafting, kayaking, canoeing can be enjoyed in Loisach or in any of the lakes within the vicinity.

With 5 interconnected mountains, walking, hiking and mountain biking possibilities are endless. There are walking trails in and around the area. For those who are extra cautious, guided tours can be arranged at the Info office in the city center. Partnach Gorge, one of the famous natural landmark, is near enough to include in your hiking plans.

Of course, not all of us are into strenuous activities. For those who simply want to spend their day lazing around and be pampered, Garmisch-Partenkirchen also has something for you. There are health and wellness spas, a casino, pubs, discos and a cluster of shops in the city center on the street that stretches from Garmisch to Partenkirchen.

Excursions to nearby towns would be definitely worth your while, as well. There's Schloss Linderhof, Neuschwanstein Castle (where they patterned Disneyland from) and Hohenschwangau in Fuessen, among others. Bus tours can be booked through Tagesreisen or you can ask your hotel for help.

Where to stay:

Accommodation available: Hotels from 1 to 5 star hotels, pension houses, bed & breakfasts. You can check them out from this online database.

Where it is:It's in the Oberbayern region of Bavaria, near the border of Germany and Austria. Around 40 minutes by car from Munich and 5 hours from Frankfurt.

By the way, GAP was just announced the winner in the Golden City Gate 2005 in the categories City Tourism, Regional Tourism, Hotelier and Business, which took place in ITB Berlin, a well-known international tourism trade fair. GAP's winning entry was the image film "Characters", which showed traditional ways of life and GAP's modern amenities.

I am headed for Garmisch-Partenkirchen soon. What about you?