Garmisch-Partenkirchen

I keep falling in love with all of these little towns here in Germany that I visit. Each time Mr X and I find ourselves wandering the small cobblestoned streets of yet another beautiful Bavarian city I can't help but daydream about living there. Maybe Mr X and I could find a frescoed little half-timbered house with intricate wooden balconies draped with cheerful flowers nestled in sturdy planters. But of all the quaint towns I have become infatuated with here, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the most picturesque and inviting to me.

Based on the name alone one could guess that once upon a time it was two separate towns. But in 1935 Hitler forced the two to become one in anticipation of the 1936 Winter Olympic Games which were to be held there. Mr X and I aimlessly managed to make our way to the Olympic ski jump site and as I have never actually seen one of these in person I found it to be very impressive. It is currently under construction because they are adding a second, much larger (and impossibly dangerous looking) jump before the upcoming Olympic qualifying ski jump competition to be held around New Year.

Mr X and I stayed in Partenkirchen on this particular trip and I find it unfortunate that the quiet loveliness of this part of town is usually overshadowed by Garmisch. (No offense to Garmisch intended.) Partenkirchen crawls upward from Garmisch to the burgeoning hills of the Alps so Mr X and I went on a leisurely hike to enjoy the verdant scenery.

**Some notes that may be of interest to you: The author of The Neverending Story was born here and the composer Richard Strauss was lucky enough to live here.**