Bavaria Beckons Senior Tourists

What comes to mind, when senior citizens hear the world Bavaria? Maybe you, too, think of all the pretty girls in dirndls and dashing young men in lederhosen drinking beer from huge mugs and celebrating the Oktoberfest together? Then you are not alone. But there is much much more in Bavaria.

I looked up the major regions of Germany and discovered that Bavaria has the most towns and cities.  The name “Bavaria” means “Men of Baia” and if you want all the nitty gritty on its long history dating back to c. 520, seniors can look up Bavaria on Wikipedia. Historically it’s also known as the Kingdom of Bavaria.

With all those towns and cities to explore and so much to discover in the area, I figured that it would be great place to visit myself.  The Free State of Bavaria, named Germany’s #1 holiday region, is one of the oldest states of Europe and is located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of 27,200 sq miles, it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany. Bavaria is Germany’s second most populous state, with 12.5 million inhabitants, more than any of the three sovereign nations on its borders.

Bavaria’s capital and largest city is Munich,  the third largest city in Germany. With Munich comes the famous celebrations with the famous beer gardens and Oktoberfest. First time senior visitors continually remark about Bavaria’s picture-perfect countryside. Unspoiled natural surroundings, healthy air, a wealth of culture and the proverbially laid-back Bavarian attitude to life are its hallmarks.

Bavaria’s medieval castles and small towns, magnificent palaces and baroque churches, not to mention its urban centers, provide the perfect setting for everything from traditional festivals to high opera. Senior visitors find a harmonious blend of the traditional and the modern in Bavaria. Unlike American cities they have no congestion issues, traffic jams or suburban sprawl. Senior travelers will experience their transit marvel and how they have managed to maintain their Bavarian countryside, beer gardens and castles.

Seniors Enjoy Villages, Castles, Lakes and Mountains

The medieval older towns in Bavaria include Nuremberg, Regensburg and Augsburg, In addition  there are castles like the romantic Neuschwanstein. Seniors will see glittering lakes in the green pinewood like the Konigssee and the Chiemsee, and mountaintops like the snow-capped Zugspitze.

Though Bavaria is only one territory within the German territories, it is clear it is quite different from the others. It is richer, friendlier and its atmosphere is more delightful. Senior visitors will discover that Bavarians are the proudest of all Germans. Locals are loyal to their roots and traditions and many Bavarians see themselves as Bavarians first and foremost, Germans second.

I’ve highlighted the popular destinations and things to do in Bavaria to help plan an itinerary. Enjoy all the fun, the food, the scenery, the culture, the beauty and most of all the friendly people.  jeb