Daily Archives: July 21, 2009

“Off the Beaten Path” is a FlipKey blog post series highlighting vacation rentals in enchanting yet lesser-known travel destinations throughout the world.  Today, we are kicking off our monthly series with vacation rentals located in the heart of the Bavarian National Forest in Germany.

For an accurate and in-depth account, we spoke directly with one of our very own vacation rental owners whose properties provide welcoming accommodations in the Bavarian Forest.  Margaret Leach, a Brit by blood speaks German fluently and enjoys renting her Bavarian homes to vacationers and travelers alike…

1) What makes the Bavarian Forest a unique and appealing destination?

Location: Bavaria is located right in the centre of Europe, directly on the border of the Czech Republic. Prague and Munich are each about 2 hours from here – and even Austria can be reached for a day trip. All these things add up to a huge amount of history to be discovered.

Pure, unspoiled natural surroundings: The Bavarian Forest National Park is part of the largest range of forested mountains in Central Europe and starts literally a few yards from our house. Our air is certifiably clean as well as our tap water, which comes from local springs– no need for bottled mineral water here.

2) When is the best time to come?

I guess that would depend on what you are looking to get out of your experience. The quietest times are probably November, March and April, but the peace and quiet is attractive in itself. If you are looking to play in the snow, December through February is a great time to visit. May through September is the time to come if you are looking to catch some sun outdoors.

3) What are the biggest attractions in the area?

The proximity to the border of the Czech Republic is a main attraction. You have access to not only a wealth of history but many pretty towns and villages that you normally wouldn’t get to see staying anywhere else. The Bavarian National Park is also a main focal point of the area, which comes at no surprise considering its overwhelming beauty. We are also close to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Regensburg and Cesky Krumlov, offering glimpses of medieval towns that have been preserved through the centuries.

4) What are your favorite aspects of the area?

A combination of three things: The peace and tranquility of a beautiful rural location, the friendliness of the people and the proximity to so many fascinating places to visit – there is nothing quite like popping up to Prague for a day’s shopping!

5) What are some fun activities for a visiting guest?

There is a wide range of activities for guests of all ages. There are medieval and traditional festivals in the summer with markets, music and food. The outdoor activities are endless: summer tobogganing, hiking and cross-country skiing are just a few. There are romantic boat rides down the Danube River in dusk or gondola rides up the Arber Mountain in the morning.

6) What are the benefits of staying in your vacation rentals in Bavaria?

We aim to offer a very high standard of accommodation, with an emphasis on maximum comfort. Our kitchens are well equipped, our seating is comfortable, our bedding is clean and our décor is pleasant. We provide a sauna, Internet access and a lounge with coffee machines and home made cakes. We are more than willing to aid our non-German speaking guests on where to go, how to get there and even offer guided tours of the village. Finally, we try to minimize the impact of our apartments on the environment with maximum recycling, minimum fossil fuel usage, organic food and drink and non-chemical cleaning materials.