From Munich To The Bavarian Alps This Is Germany's Most Epic Drive

Whether you’re going on a city break, heading down to the city for a day trip or into the great outdoors, renting a Hertz car keeps you in control of your holiday and helps you get the most from your experience. Often the journeys are as memorable as the destinations themselves; stopping off to see natural springs and picturesque towns gives you a greater sense of connection to the country you’re visiting. With Hertz you can have just that: a hassle-free experience with a great range of vehicles to choose from, whether you want to take in the beautiful Alpine vistas through your convertible, tackle winding country roads in or zoom around in a small, fun city car.

Viktualienmarkt

Your journey to Munich wouldn’t be complete without stopping off at the city’s best known food market, running from Monday to Saturday, 8am–8pm. Not just a food market, though there is plenty of fruit, veg, meat, fish and spices on offer, you’ll also find homemade toiletries, fresh flowers and enough tea to stock even the largest collection. Now more than 200 years old, the market has its own square between Frauenstraße and Heiliggeist-Kirche in the Altstadt.

Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 10.00am–6.00pm, Saturday: 10.00am–3pm

Viktualienmarkt, Viktualienmarkt 3, Munich, Germany

Bad Tölz

People have been living around Bad Tölz since the end of the last Ice Age, but the natural springs weren’t discovered until the middle of the 19th century. Since then, tourists have been flocking to the town to cool off in the healing waters and see the spectacular view of the Alps. These days, the iodine-laden water can be taken by the cupful straight from the spring or via full-luxe spa treatments at one of the many hotels in the area.

We recommend planning your stop off on Friday mornings when the farmer’s market spills out of Jungmayr-Fritzplatz to the Isar River, but on all days you’ll see residents going about their business in non-ironic dirndls and lederhosen. In November, the Leonhardiritt equestrian procession, one of the most colourful sights in Alpine Bavaria, can found making its way through town, ending at the 18th-century chapel on Kalvarienberg above the Isar River.

Bad Tölz, Germany

Wirtshaus zum Starnbräu

Though there has been a brewery on this site since 1591, the Starnbräu in its current incarnation opened in 2009, after extensive restoration by the Reichert family. Situated in the middle of a pedestrian zone in the resort town of Bad Tölz, the Wirsthaus is the perfect spot to rest and grab some food enroute to Munich.

The open beechwood grill in the courtyard keeps the homemade sausage, filet steaks, veal chops and fish in good supply and gives visitors a chance to see how Bavarians barbecue.

Stop off on Thursdays and Saturdays from 8pm, when the Wirsthaus is full of music. On Sundays from 11.00am, pub musicians take their turn and in the afternoon, the old wooden floor in the barn is dance central.

Wirtshaus zum Starkbräu – Marktstr. 4, Bad Tölz, Germany, +49 8041 4400030

Opening Hours: Sun – Thurs: 10.30am–11.00pm, Fri – Sat: 10.30am–12.00am,

Walchensee

Drive 75km south of Munich to the middle of the Bavarian Alps to your next stop in Walchensee, one of the largest and deepest lakes in the whole of Germany. The surrounding monasteries, which owned the lake from 740 to 1803, ensured that the lake was stocked full of fish.

In the 21st century, the lake is famed for the wrecks that lie beneath and thermal winds that skip along through the valley. The lakewater is exceptionally clear, which makes diving to explore the various car, boat and aircraft wrecks even more fun. For those that prefer to be above the surface, the thermals created by eastern and northern winds through the valley are fantastic for windsurfing and sailing.

After a long drive, stop off at the Herzogstandbahn, a gondola lift running from Walchensee up the Fahrenberg for a relaxing way to take in the mind-blowing views. After a restorative Kaffee und Kuchen at the Herzogstandhaus, it’s just 30–45 minutes walk to the top of the mountain.

Walchensee, Kochel, Germany

This summer, wherever you’re going #goviahertz. Visit: hertz.co.uk/culture-trip.

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