Garmisch area

Here are a few family-friendly hints and tips for my fellow mummies (and daddies!) who want to take their young family to the Garmisch area for the day! :-) My hubby, my friend, little Tristan and I had a lovely time there in July 2010.

Mount Wank: http://www.zugspitze.de/en/winter/berg/wank/

There is plenty of free car parking at the cable car station for the Wankbahn, and only €18 per adult for a return ticket on the cable car to the summit of Mount Wank. Plenty of signage for the WankBahn as you approach in the car.

The cable car trip takes approx 20 minutes (but remember not to get off at the first station - that is only the middle stop!) and each cable car takes four people. The three of us, plus Tristan took one car, while our stroller was placed in the cable car behind us (remember to put on the brake).

It gets very chilly at the top of the mountain so do remember jackets! The view though is spectacular, and is great for an hour of wandering and taking fantastic photographs. At the top there is also a restaurant serving warm meals and hot drinks. You also have benches at the top for those wishing to take their own picnic.

Garmisch: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garmisch-Partenkirchen

To get to Eibsee from the WankBahn, you drive through the picturesque town of Garmisch. There is plenty of on-road parking (don’t forget to pay at the parking meters) to explore Garmisch, or you can see the town from the comfort of your car as you drive through.

Eibsee: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eibsee

Car parking at Eibsee is €2.50 for cars, and there is plenty of parking which is only a five-minute walk from the edge of the lake. Again, like at the top of Mount Wank, this is a lovely place to walk around for an hour or so and taking awe-aspiring photos of the lake and of the surrounding mountains, including Zugspitz.

The natural paths around the edge of the lake are reasonably flat but suitable for a decent stroller/pushchair. Plenty of benches for those needing a break or taking a picnic.

There is a restaurant next to the lake called the Eibsee Pavilion, as well as a souvenir shop.

You can also rent a paddle or rowing boat.

Schloss Linderhoff and Ettal Monestery

Day Trip:Schloss Linderhoff and Ettal Monastery

Here are a few family-friendly hints and tips for my fellow mummies (and daddies) who want to take their family to Schloss Linderhof and Ettal Monestary.

My family, plus two friends, went there in December 2010.

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Schloss Linderhof

http://www.schlosslinderhof.de/englisch/tourist/howtoget.htm
Linderhof 12, D-82488

Plenty of car parking is available at the Schloss Linderhof (a few Euros).

The visit of this palace is only via a guided tour (booked at the ticket office near the car park).

No strollers or prams are allowed in the palace (no secure storage for them either. You just park them outside the entrance to the palace) so do remember a baby carrier/sling or walking harness for your toddlers.

Bulky items are not allowed in the palace either (although we were allowed to take in Tristan's changing bag). According to their website, lockers are available near the ticker office.

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A ten minute drive away is....

Ettal Monastery

http://www.kloster-ettal.de/
Kaiser-Ludwig-Platz 1, D-82488

Several car parks are available in the small town of Ettal near to the monastery for a few Euros.

You can visit the monastery for free by entering the main entrance (via steps). Prams/strollers are welcome.

There is also a brewery and distillery on-site too (additional charge).

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Over the road from the Monastery is this delightful German restaurant

Ludwig Der Bayer
http://www.ludwig-der-bayer.de/index_en.php

They had a couple of high-chairs, and a small number of children's meals on their menu.

We enjoyed a lovely meal, including Spatzle (cheesy pasta), venison stew and veal schnitzel.

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A five-minute drive away is...

The Alpine Cheese Factory and Café

http://www.milch-und-kas.de/
Mandlweg 1, D-82488

Perfect stopping place for a warming hot chocolate and a slice of home-made cheesecake, made with fresh (and local) cream cheese. And before you leave, purchase a chunk of locally made Ettaler Klosterkase, which is made by the monks at the monastery. Delicious!

Guided tours of the factory need to be made in advance (details on their website), but you can see the factory production line from windows in the café.

They have their own car park, and the café is stroller friendly (I do not know if the guided tour of the factory will allow strollers).
Viccy

Please visit Viccy at her new blog: http://jellyroseyate.blogspot.de

Winterspielplatz in Munich

DAY TRIP: Winter Spiel Platz (Winter Indoor Playground for Toddlers)

http://www.winterspielplatz-muenchen.de/offnungszeiten/

This is an indoor playarea based at a venue only a 2-minute walk from Sendlingor Tor train station. There is no admission fee either (although you are welcome to make a donation).

It's for toddlers aged 0-3 years (although I would say that the toys were more suited to toddlers that are approx 1+ year).

Tristan, plus his two friends, had lots of fun when we visited in January 2010 on one of their Tuesday afternoon sessions. There were lots big and small toys to play with, including a toy kitchen, a few ride-along cars, tents, big ball pit, and many more.

No shoes allowed - so remember to bring along either sticky-socks (the ones with the non-slip rubber bits on the bottom) or soft-soled slippers for both yourself and your toddlers.

They also have a crate full of second-hand clothing, which (I think) you can rummage through and take what you want for a small donation.

There was also coffee and tea freely available - again for a donation.

To one side of the room, there were several large lunch tables, and plenty of high-chairs, for those eating (no food or drink allowed within the toy area). And the toilet included a kindertoiletten (I forgot to look for a baby change, but I'm sure there is one).

The session did get reasonably busy, and as they only allow 70 children into the session, I advise you to arrive a few minutes before opening to guarantee a place.