Vital Hotel Sommer Füssen, Map of Activities

Neuschwanstein
King Ludwig the second (so-called Mad Ludwig) created the fairytale like castle Neuschwanstein after the medieval castle-fortresses of the legendary German knights. His ideas were much influenced by the music dramas of his friend Richard Wagner. Don't miss the wall murals depicting scenes from Wagner's operas. From the large tourist Car Park, it takes about 30 uphill minutes to reach the castle by foot. About 200 Meters from the Car Park, in front of hotel Müller you can catch a horse drawn carriage to the castle. There is also a bus that leaves every 20 minutes from the bus stop at hotel Lisl. Castle Open: 9AM-6:00 PM (10AM-4PM Oct.-Mar.) Every Day. Closed Christmas And New Years. Telephone +49-(0)8362 - 93988-0.

Castle Hohenschwangau
Maximilian the Second (King Ludwig's father) built the castle between 1832 and 1836 on the ruins of the much earlier fortress Schwanstein. Castle Hohenschwangau has the neo-gothic look of an English castle. It has several fanciful rooms that no doubt inspired Young Ludwig. The Castle is about a five minute walk from a large tourist car park. Castle Open: 8:30-5:30 PM (9:30AM-4:30 Oct.-Mar.) Every Day. Closed 24 December. Phone: 08362 - 930830.

Säuling Alpine Hut
The surrounding mountains offer many excellent hiking trails with unforgettable views of the Alps. Mountain huts make good hikig goals. They offer lunch and a welcome place to relax after a hearty walk.

Hahnenkamm
The main ski area around Reutte is Hahnenkamm mountain. It offers a cabin, double-chair, and several tow lifts. Experienced skiers and beginners alike find runs just right for them, some over 2400 metes long. The Seilbahn station at the base of the mountain is about 3 km from Reutte.
There is a pleasent restaurant at the top where you can relax and enjoy the sun and view. In the summer you can walk to the alpine flower garden.

Lake Plansee
Lovely Lake Plansee starts just north of Reutte. It is 5 square km in size, 78 meters deep, and has an average water temperature in the month of August of 20 degrees Centigrade (68 degrees Fahrenheit). It offers good sailing, boating, and fishing. You will even find a suba diving school. Between may and October you can take a tour boat around the lake. The are plenty of good hiking and biking ways around the lake.

Castle Ehrenberg
The ruins are located just south of Reutte. The ruins are comprised of four parts: The Ehrenberg Castle (circa 1296), The Ehrenberg "Klause" (Road Block- circa 1317), Fort Claudia (1645) and the Fortress (1741) on top of the next mountain. Hikers can enter the ruins for free. You might wish to do the night, lantern tour of the castle ruins that culminates with "piping hot mulled wine served in the Falcon Tower." The tour costs about 8 Euro. Contact the office of mountain guides Reutte–Höfen. Phone: 0043 5672 65659.

The Hotel lies on the shore of lake Forggensee between the famous Musical Theater (500 meters) and the ancient town of Füssen (1 Km) -- in the middle of the most beautiful landscape in Germany. Enjoy sailing, wind surfing, biking, mountain hiking and golf in the summertime and great cross country &, downhill skiing in the winter. The hotel is only a few minutes away from famous storybook castle Neuschwanstein.
In addition to the activities offered by the surrounding castles, mountains and countryside, the hotel features a total wellness center. Called the Vital Island, the center offers indoor and outdoor swimming pools, exercise machines, various types of massages, soft-packs, quiet rooms, various special saunas

Fuessen
St. Mang, the 1000 year old monastery of the Benedictine Monks shows art and architecture from the Romantic to the Rococo periods. Don't miss the baroque room and St. Anne's chapel with its medieval dance of death paintings. The Castle Hohes Schloss is a short uphill walk from St. Mang. Started in 1291 and finished in 1504, the castle has a late gothic look. The painted facade of the courtyard (1499) is unique and alone worth the walk. Today the castle houses the lower court of Füssen and two art collections.

Musical Theater
Open as of March 2000, the theater's first production was Ludwig II, A Romantic Musical. The new production is Ludwig² - A New Musical from Rolf Rettberg, with Music from Konstantin Wecker and Christopher Franke. It premierd on 11 March 2005.
The theater itself is nicely set on the opposite edge of the Lake Forggensee with a perfect view of castle Neuschwanstein. It is only a short drive or bike ride from Füssen. Ticket prices range from 25 -110 €. Hotline: 0180-513-1132.

Tegelbergbahn Gondola
In addition to the scenic views along the way, the gondola drops you off at the top of the mountain at a good starting point for several hiking trails: European Trail Number 4 leads down to Marienbrücke and Castle Neuschwanstein; Ahornreitweg Trail leads to the mountain restaurant Bleckenau; and the Schutzengelweg Trail takes you through forests back down to the Tegelbergbahn station at the base of the mountain.

Eisenburg Castle Ruins
The area around the town of Eisenberg offers unobstructed panoramic views of the Alps and hiking trails to enjoy them. The Eisenburg castle ruins are well worth the hike. The Eisenberg Castle was built in 1315. Destroyed in the peasants rebellion of 1525 and partially restored in 1535. In 1645 the castle was burnt down by the Tyrolean government to prevent it falling into the hands of the French or Swedes during the 30 years religious war.
Start in the town of Eisenburg or at the parking spaces near the Schloßbergalm restaurant in the tiny village of Zell bei Eisenberg. From here an easy but uphill 20 minute walk takes you to the castle ruins. You can continue to Castle Freyberg. Nearby is the smaller hill Drachenköpfle" (little dragon head) with the dragon's cave. On the way up (or down) hikers traditionally stop for a drink at the Schloßbergalm. This walk can be done all year round. The ruins are being excavated and preserved, and finds are on display in the castle museum in Zell.

Pfronten
Pfronten consists of 13 small villages. You recognize the town by the late baroque St. Nikolaus church in Pfronten-Berg. Its high tower welcomes you from afar. See the beautiful frescos of the hometown artist Josef Anton Keller. The highest castle ruins in Germany is the Falkenstein. Situated on a steep cliff at an altitude of over 1275 m, it overlooks the Pfronten-Meilingen area. Here is where Ludwig II wanted to build another fairytale castle, his last dream.

Pfronten’s offers wonderful nature walks. A fine walk along the woods starts in Pfronten-Dorf. A narrow path takes you about 100 m. high up at a slope along the mountain, through the dark green and cool mountain forest. The path is about 1 kilometre long. The mountain meadow walk starts south of Pfronten-Kappel. "This path takes you to Pfronten-Röfleuten with a 50 m. climb along the mountain slope. After a short distance through the woods you reach the mountain meadows. From here you have a dreamlike view of Pfronten and surroundings. During this walk you will pass the Pfrontener Wiesheustadel, a small hay museum. The path is about 2 kilometres long." The moor walk starts and ends at Pfronten-Ried. The wooden footpath leads directly into the moors. The top of the observation tower offers a nice view of the whole area.

Breitenberg Ski Area
The Breitenberg summit is 1838 meters. Beautiful downhill slopes lie at elevations between 1400 and 1700 meters. Besides hosting the Ladies World Cup for downhill skiing and giant slalom, its slopes provide great skiing for the whole family, including beginners.
In summer you can hike in the mountains or enjoy the many walks in the foothills, through forest, meadows and moor. The ‘Allgäu-Tirol-Wandercard’ enables you to explore the mountain peaks of the region by using the 15 cable and chairlifts that are open in the summer. There are many possibilities for cyclists and mountain bikers as well as hang-gliders. Para-gliding schools are available for the even more adventurous.

Lake Forggensee
12 km long and 3 km wide, the lake is serviced by two tourist ships. During the tour you get outstanding panorama views of Castle Neuschwanstein, Füssen, and the famous Musical Theater. You can board a ship at the Musical Theater, a few hundred meters from Hotel Sommer.

Lake Hopfensee
Lake Hopfensee is an environmentally protected zone and home to numerous water birds including beautiful swans. Rent a row boat to enjoy the birds and the splendid views of the Alps (motor boats are forbidden on the lake). The walk around the lake is splendid anytime of year.
The lake covers 2 sq. kilometers, on the average 10 meters deep and is one of the warmest in Bavaria, 20-25 degrees Celsius (68 - 77 Fahrenheit). The water is great for swimming and fishing.
The town Promenade is famous for its stylish villas and romantic land houses, sunny mediterranean atmosphere, spectacular panoramic view of the Alps, and its friendly elegance. It is known as the Riviera des Allgäus (the Riviera of the Allgaeu region). Take the walk from the promenade up to the ruins of Burg Hopfen for a great view of the lake and surrounding area. Burg Hopfen is one of the oldest medieval castles in Germany.