Walk into a rustic alpine inn along the German-Austrian border and ask the innkeeper whether he or she is German, and you'll most likely get the indignant response, "Of course not! I'm Bavarian." Some older inhabitants of the region still remember when Bavaria was a kingdom with its own prerogatives, even while it was a part of the German Reich (1871-1918).
The huge province of Bavaria includes not only the Alps but also Franconia, Lake Constance, and the capital city of Munich. This section explores the mountainous region along the Austrian border, a world unto itself. The hospitality of this area is famous, and the picture of the plump, rosy-cheeked innkeeper with a constant smile is no myth. Many travelers think of the Alps as a winter vacationland, but you'll find that nearly all the Bavarian resorts and villages boast year-round attractions.
Munich is the major driving gateway, with autobahns leading directly to the Bavarian Alps. If you're beginning your tour in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the west, you should fly into Munich. However, if your destination is Berchtesgaden in the eastern Alps, the nearest airport is Salzburg, Austria.
