For our final Easter break living in Switzerland, we decided on a road trip to Germany with some unique accommodation. Our first destination was Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain. We parked the car at Garmisch-Partenkirchen and boarded the cogwheel train. This took us through Grainau, Eibsee (pictured right), through the tunnel all the way up to the Zugspitze glacier plateau.
We had our ski equipment with us and stored this overnight in lockers at the cable car station then waited to meet our guide from the Iglu Dorf, because tonight we would be sleeping in an igloo at around 2600 metres above sea level! We were kitted out with a heavy-duty sleeping bag and lead up the mountain to the igloo village. Each year the village has a theme, this year it was Tibet, and throughout the igloo were amazing ice carvings and sculptures. After placing our luggage in our room we were able to take a tour and see each of these carvings, locate the restaurant/bar and the hot tubs. Our beds were a large block of ice with pillows and a layer of sheepskins.
Dinner was flädlesuppe (German pancake soup) followed by cheese fondue. We each received a souvenir thermal Iglu Dorf mug with hot fruit tea for the children and white wine gluhwein for the adults – adjusted recipe because spills of red wine gluhwein weren’t a good look, as they last the whole season in the ice floor!
After a warming meal, we were taken on a hike through the snow, with information on the mountain, glacier, ski station and a final, warm toilet stop at the cable car station. Back at the igloo, those who wanted could brave the hot tub or try the sauna. The changing room was a heated enormous barrel-shaped building where we got into our swimwear and bobble hats, with hair carefully tucked inside so it didn’t get wet. We then raced outside where it was snowing, back into the igloo, which was not significantly warmer, and to the hot tub. The water felt incredibly hot so it took us some time to edge in. Once we were totally cooked we moved quickly to our room added thermals, pyjamas, all the layers we had packed and climbed into our sleeping bags to attempt sleep. It wasn’t a perfectly restful night – I was so far down in my sleeping bag my laboured breathing, because of the altitude, seemed so loud and kept reminding me of Darth Vader, and then my pillow would slip off the edge of the icey block meanwhile my eldest son went into hibernation, didn’t stir all night, which meant I needed to keep checking on him for signs of life!
The following morning breakfast was served in the restaurant at the cable car station. Having packed up our belongings we hiked down, passing Germany’s highest church. We then grabbed our ski things and had a fun morning skiing and snowboarding before heading back down. This time we took the cable car down as far as Eibsee and switched to the train for the final stretch. Next stop, Munich.
We stayed fairly centrally and just in a regular hotel! The first day we went to the Olympic Park – we wandered the old Olympic stadium and went up the Olympic tower for views of the city. There are other activities in the park, mini-golf, boats to rent but we were moving on to the BMW museum, which is just a short walk away. Plenty to see, classic cars, the latest designs, cars to sit in, something of interest even if you’re not a car person.
Another day, another stadium – FC Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena. I had booked the tour for us which takes you around the stadium, into the locker room and the players’ tunnel, where they play music and allow you to make your grand entrance on to the pitch (or very close to it at least!). Picked up a new football from the gift shop and we were good to go.
Onwards, back into Munich and to the huge English Garden. Plenty of space to put the new football to use and since it was Easter Sunday we had our own Easter egg hunt. We also went to check out the popular spot for surfers on the Eisbach river where plenty of spectators watch from Prinzregentstrasse. Another well-known spot is Marienplatz, the main square in Munich, with its famous clock tower, check out the times to make sure you catch the moving figurines.
Last stop on the road trip was Legoland Germany. This was probably the last time Legoland was going to work out for all the family, the boys were 10 and 8 and our daughter 5, so she could enjoy pretty much everything but there were still rides to interest the older ones. And since it was our farewell to Legoland we booked to stay in the Castle. This was cool! Really fun accommodation with so many great little Lego details. Also fun to see was the Lego Allianz Arena after our very recent visit to the real thing. But of course, the most popular ride enjoyed by children and dads alike was the pirate ships with water canyons!
