Our trip to Bavaria started after Christmas time to a small town called „Neureichenau“. Mandy and her family visit it every winter for more than 10 years, so it’s a traditionfor them. It was my first time at this place and I was a bit excited. After a drive of seven hours we were in Bavaria nearby our accommodation which is located in more than 1500 meters above the sea level. We lived in a flat together with Mandy’s family at Link’n Hof.
The long walk to the border triangle
The first days we haven’t had much snow so we decided to walk to a mountain called „Dreisessel“ which is nearby the border triangle from Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. The walk to the top of the mountain lasts about 3 hours and the way down maybe 2. It’s definitely worth it, because in more than 2500 meters above the sea level there was more than 1 meter snow and we had an amazing view. Standing above the clouds is a great experience.
This evening we drove to the camping park which is only a few minutes away from our accommodation. There was a special event called „Rauhnacht“ which are special nights in some European customs. The traditions say that the sprit world is opened and all souls of ghosts are free so that demons can do processions and wild hunts. This event was celebrated with people who wear huge masks and chase people around a bonfire. It was very exciting to see that.
Waking up surrounded by snow
The next day we woke up early in the morning and everything around our house was full of snow. That’s one of the most magical feelings for us. In snow we will be children forever so this day we enjoyed the whole time in nature. We were sledging, did a snowball fight and built a huge snowman which was bigger than us.
In the evenings there is a lovely companion with the same families who are visiting this place every year. Mandys parents know them for more than 10 years. We played parlor games and had great conversations.
Silvester at Link’n Hof
We spend Silvester as well in Bavaria and I was excited about this tradition. In the afternoon we started by doing stick bread and wassail which was really fun. The evening was introduced with a delicious barbecue and everyone brought a salad. Most of the evening we talked and in between we had some self-made schnapps. When midnight neared, the owner of the holiday apartments prepared our own fireworks. At 12 pm the pyrotechnics started and it was very impressive to see all these colors in the middle of the snow and nature.
It was a great experience to learn so much about this traditions and also Bavaria and its nature.
Things you must have done in Neureichenau
- walk to the Dreisessel and border triangle
- in winter: visit a „Rauhnacht“ if possible
- do a snowball fight and build a huge snowman