Allgäu

Even nature seems elegant and generous at the Sonnenhof. The hotel’s own park covers an area of 20,000 square meters. The rooms and suites blend in stylishly with the setting. The spa, a temple of luxury. If it weren’t for Bad Wörishofen, an upmarket health resort known far beyond Allgäu, there would be almost no reason to leave the hotel grounds.

Let’s start with the food: At Franks, Allgäu specialties such as "Flädle" and "Käs" can be found in a creative culinary setting that is really making a name for itself. As beautiful as it is rare: the natural pool in the lovingly maintained garden. Plus saunas and a steam bath. All in alpine style with stunning views of the mountain scenery.

The MICHELIN Guide hotel is just 15 kilometers from Kempten, the secret capital of Allgäu, in a wonderful panoramic location on a high plateau at just under 1,000 meters altitude. Very exclusive: the 18-hole golf course, hiking trails, and a cross-country skiing trail. The Hanusel Hof is known throughout Allgäu for its slow food and its wines.

Excellent food. And maybe even stay overnight. On the fourth floor of the Sonnenalp Resort is the Silberdistel. In the living room setting with alpine charm you can enjoy opulent menus with up to 7 courses and choose from 450 first-class wines. Be sure to reserve a table by the window. For the spectacular view.

The finest modern art regional cuisine in an over 500-year-old farmhouse with shingle facade. That’s the family-run Obere Mühle in Bad Hindelang. When you eat in the dining room, make sure you don’t get so cozy that you forget you have to go home at some point. An authentic Allgäu experience. Culinary, personal and cultural.

Eat where others work. The Schattbuch is located where you would least expect to find a fine dining restaurant: in an industrial area. In fact, a tech company hosted its employees here. With a Michelin star and 16 GaultMillau points, this canteen has enjoyed a unique career. If that doesn’t make you curious.

Simply relaxing. The freistil. is a pleasant place with its minimalist but warm wooden interior design. The cooking here is regional and seasonal, and therefore so consistent that the MICHELIN Guide awards it a sustainability star. If you want to enjoy a fantastic breakfast, stay at the boutique hotel, which the freistil. belongs to.

In addition to the hotel, the Restaurant is also worth mentioning: Regional dishes meet international influences, everything is homemade, even the bread. The game dishes are particularly highly recommended. The path to perfect seasoning is short. In the hotel’s herb garden you will find everything that makes the Hanusel Hof taste so unique.

Although it is not really an insider tip with 1.4 million visitors a year, it would be a sin not to visit Neuschwanstein Castle during a stay in Allgäu. This Mecca of the Romantic period was built between 1869 and 1892 by Louis II of Bavaria, known as the "fairy tale king". Perched impressively on a rocky hill, it captivates the whole world.

Near Oberstaufen, on the western edge of the high alpine Oberallgäu, the natural Nagelfluh rock shapes the area. It is made up of an infinite number of small and large stones, creating an extraordinary surface. The majestic Buchenegger Waterfalls are located in this area, surrounded by a variety of circular trails.

Every beautiful mountain landscape also has a sensible lake. In the case of Allgäu it’s the Grosser Alpsee. With an area of two and a half square kilometers, it’s the largest natural lake in the region, is fully protected by landscape conservation, and can be easily admired on many hiking trails. The Rothenfels ruins also offer historical views.

The small town of Wangen brings Italian flair to Allgäu with its pastel-colored facades and winding lanes. Surrounded by a graceful hilly landscape, it offers a rich number of artistic sights. Along with wonderful ice cream and other gastronomic delights that are worth taking a break or two for.

Warning, danger of vertigo! If you love an adrenaline rush, you can admire the landscape from around 40 meters up, eye to eye with a few local birds, who watch daredevils from the treetops with a certain amount of skepticism. Just to reassure you: The skywalk is pretty wide. The view extends over the Allgäu mountains to Lake Constance.