Get some headspace this Easter
Text: Marilena Stracke | Photos: Pixabay
Easter is the perfect time for a little getaway. Somewhere you can enjoy spring and recharge before it’s getting busy again. Why not check out some idyllic places across the DACH-region that are less known and, more importantly, not as crowded (yet)?
Need a little break away from the hustle and bustle? The DACH-region has got you covered. With a seemingly endless range of hidden gems located off the beaten track, there’s plenty to discover and explore: from mountain tops and fairy-tale castles to anything the seaside has to offer.
Iseltwald, Bernese Oberland
Iseltwald is a little gem of a Swiss village on the shore of Lake Brienz and it is also a part of Swiss Heritage Sites. It merges the fishing village feeling of the beautiful little bay with some grand mountain scenery. If you’re looking for some headspace and a slower pace, Iseltwald is a great little spot. What keeps it so authentic? Driving into the village is only allowed for locals, or guests staying in one of the four hotels.
Odenwald Forest, Hesse
The Odenwald region is densely forested and not very populated, making it the perfect setting for long nature hikes. Think wide open spaces, forests and gentle hills. The highest mountain and ideal destination for a day trip is called ‘Katzenbuckel’, which translates to ‘cat’s arched back’ – giving an easy clue as to what it looks like, although the mountain is actually an extinct volcano. The area is perfect for long strolls without seeing a single soul. And if you do fancy being amongst some locals, there are a number of quirky little towns scattered in the area, one of them being Auerbach, which dates back to the eighth century.
Eltz Castle, Rhineland-Palatine
At the stunning Eltz Castle you can experience the Middle Ages up-close. It towers on a rock and overlooks the beautiful lush landscape of Rhineland-Palatine. As the castle remained unscathed by wars, it’s as authentic as it gets. Remarkably, the same family who built it over 800 years ago still owns and manages it today, keeping traditions alive.
Hinterer Langbathsee, Upper Austria
The lake Hinterer Langbathsee is a natural treasure of its own kind. Pristine water, hiking trails, natural beaches and the breathtaking mountain scenery around it, make this a beautiful destination for some soul searching. It is still relatively unknown, which means it’s a lot less crowded than the area’s usual sites, such as the lakes Traunsee and Attersee. While the lake’s bigger brother Vorderer Langbathsee can be reached via car, this one is only reachable by foot, but the trails are well-maintained and it’s not very far. The Salzkammergut region is known for its warm hospitality, so there is plenty to do aside from visiting the lakes.
Elbe Sandstone Mountains, Saxony
The Elbe Sandstone Mountains still sees relatively few visitors despite it being one of the most beautiful natural wonders in Germany. The impressive rock formations and lush forests invite to put on hiking boots or rent a bike and unwind. For the best (and most famous) views, visit the Bastei Bridge, which is over 190 metres above the Elbe river. Various feature films, such as Cloud Atlas or Hansel and Gretel, have used the stunning rocks as their backgrounds. If you’re looking for a place to take a deep breath of fresh, crisp air, this is the right location for you.
Obersee, Berchtesgadener Land
The lake Obersee is the little brother of the world-famous Königssee, located at the foot of the imposing eastern wall of Mount Watzmann in the Berchtesgaden National Park. Both lakes were originally connected but are now separated by a moraine wall measuring one kilometre. So, you can start your hike at the Köngissee and make your way south to its enchanting counterpart. Generally, the Bavarian Alps are often referred to as ‘hiking paradise’ and it’s not hard to understand why.
Fischland-Darß-Zingst, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Fischland-Darß-Zingst is one of Germany’s most scenic peninsulas, but it’s still not as big a tourist destination as similar areas, such as Usedom. Endless sandy beaches, steep cliffs and old fisherman traditions await visitors. It’s best known for its untouched Weststrand beach, which is located in the national park Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft, the largest of its kind in the Baltic Sea area.
Apollontempel at lake Hundstalsee, Tyrol
The Apollontempel (Temple of Apollo) is an artwork by the artists Robert Tribus and Hinz Triendl, right by the turquoise mountain lake Hundstalsee. It’s entirely made of rock without using any binding agent and took 20 years to finish. It aims at illustrating the connection between nature and humans, as well as humans and art, and brings all three aspects together.
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