The Best Kept Secret Of Garmisch Germany

< i>Attracting droves of           spectrum of sensory bliss as you   tourists every year, Europe     skip from one country to the       promises the ancient, the       next, searching for that tiny      diverse, and the completely           unique detail that you will        fascinating. Most travelers           fondly relish for the rest of      scurry past the major sites and       your life.                     cram in as much as possible in                                           order to get through a list of        Garmisch, Germany boasts of many   'must sees.' Unfortunately, much      things – the breathtaking          is overlooked due to lack of time     Bavarian Alps, perfectly-carved    and money while the infinite          wooden houses with flowerboxes     unique treasures sometimes hidden     that spill over with color, the    for the resourceful traveler          delicate edelweiss alpine          remain undiscovered and               blossoms, mouth-watering           unappreciated. Not that visits to     schnitzel, stout German beer, and  the key attractions should be         a myriad of talented local         dissuaded!                            craftsmen. But did you know that                                         at the edge of this quaint,        On the contrary, I'm simply           picture-perfect town lies a        inviting the European travelers       violent display of Mother Nature?  to dig a little deeper into their     Known in German as the             destination country and find the      'Partnachklamm,' it hides behind   gems that will make them smile as     the old Olympic Stadium and        they recall them even decades         attracts hundreds of hikers each   later. Remember and celebrate the     year.                              taste of a fresh German pretzel,                                         the sweet smell of the air in a       So what exactly is the             Tuscan vineyard, or the baby soft     Partnachklamm? In a nutshell,      petals in a colorful field of         it's a struggle to the death – a   Dutch tulips. Savor an entire         knock-down, drag-out brawl         between the Partnach River and a      colder months, the gorge becomes   limestone gorge. The river            an enchanting world of icicles     peacefully runs through the trees     and snow. Check first before       until it hits the 262-foot tall       showing up during the winter,      gorge. From there the river's         though…too much snow and ice will  personality turns to fury as it       force the gorge to close for       slams into the rock walls,            safety reasons. It's also          throwing its temper tantrum for       possible to visit during the day   over 2,300 feet before calming        or the night – daytime offers      down again and continuing to flow     better views while the warming     through the Bavarian countryside.     sunbeams force their way through   Visitors follow a carved-out rock     the foliage.                       path from the entrance to the                                            gorge and up a gradual incline to     After dark, torch-lit tours are    experience firsthand what nature      offered, giving the gorge a        is capable of. Don't forget your      mystical quality. Regardless of    raincoat, though! You may be able     season or time of day, once        to avoid the mist from the            you've made your way through this  tumbling cascades but the spray       hidden natural treasure, continue  from the waterfalls above will        up the mountain for a robust hike  most definitely christen you!         and then relax at the Forsthaus                                          Graseck's restaurant. The food is  There are several ways to             excellent and the views are        experience the Partnachklamm,         breathtaking. While indulging in   each holding its own delight for      their cuisine, ponder how you'll   the visitor. Late spring through      get back down – take the same      summer will provide a green           path through the gorge or a        backdrop on the limestone rocks       restful two-minute ride down in    while the chilly alpine waters        the cable car. Either way, a trip  almost deafen its company. In         to the Partnachklamm is well       worth it!                              About the Author: Vicki Landes is the author and photographer of Europe for the Senses, a Photographic Journal. She has been soaking up Europe for the last six years and has visited 42 countries. Learn more at Europe for the Senses Published At: www.Isnare.com