This July we’ll be headed to Beervaria, Germany… our mistake. Actually, for seven days we’ll be trotting around Bavaria, the largest and tastiest state in Germany.

Most nights will be spent in the state capital, Munich, enjoying baked pretzels with mustard and the finest beers around. However, Munich also makes a great base for day trips to a variety of nearby destinations.

Here is what we will be checking out during our stay in Bavaria:

Neuschwanstein Castle – This castle may look familiar to you, as it was the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle at the Dinseyland theme park. The first stone was laid in the mid 1800s and the castle was one of the first buildings to use electricity, which the builder of the castle – King Ludwig – introduced to the German public.

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Dachau – Opened in March 1993, Dachau was the first regular concentration camp operated by the Nazi party in Germany and became a model for future concentration camps. The camp was one of the first to be liberated in 1945, but not before many political prisoners, resistance fighters, clergy and politicians were killed.

Salzburg, Austria – The birthplace of Mozart and the backdrop for a few scenes in The Sound of Music, Salzburg is a city famous for its musical heritage. You can head to the area outside of town and catch a tour guide who can show you the setting for the Von Trapp family’s wacky antics in the musical.

And now why we are really going…

The Beer Gardens - Although Oktoberfest is something one should not miss in his lifetime, there is plenty to be gained by sitting down with the locals over a few liters of beer any time of year. Quick tip – stay away from the tourist traps. The majority of first-timers to Munich will end up at the Hofbräuhaus, a huge beer hall with a live polka band and liter-sized beers. This feels like an authentic experience until you realize you’re surrounded by other backpackers and no Münchners! Try the various local beer gardens dotted around the city center, Augustiner for one.

Overall, going somewhere local will give you that bona fide German culture for which you’re (and we’re!) going to Bavaria.

Prost!

Photo Credit: Russell C. on Flickr