In the market town of Garmisch-Partenkirchena, southern Germany

 Only a tiny portion of Germany’s largest state, Bavaria, can lay claim to having part of Europe’s Alps. Although the mighty Zugspitze is included in Bavaria’s Alpine share, most of what’s known as the German Alps is really the smaller Swabian Bavarian Prealps. These foothills are alive with romance (just ask Julie Andrews, whose classic love story, The Sound of Music, was filmed here).

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(in southern Germany) The market town of Garmisch-Partenkirchena, lies at the junction of the deep Loisach and Partnach valleys, in the Bavarian Alps at the foot of the Zugspitze, which is the highest mountain in Germany. The town, a union of the two ancient villages of Garmisch and Partenkirchen, was chartered in 1935 and retains much of its rural character. Thanks to its proximity to the Alps, it is one of Germany’s major resort towns. The town is a premier health and winter-sports resort, with ski facilities, an Olympic-sized skating rink, rack and cable railways, and summer mountain-climbing facilities. It has a number of trade schools and national sports-training facilities and a research facility focused on atmospheric ecology. Notable buildings are the medieval Old Church of St. Martin (Alte Kirche), the and the Baroque New Church of St. Martin in Garmisch. Thanks to its proximity to the Alps, it is one of Germany’s major resort towns -- although though Garmisch’s pedestrian zone is lined with expensive and trendy shops while Partenkirchen has more of a traditional Alpine character.

+ The resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is blessed with a fabled setting near the Alps and is a top destination for outdoors types, skiing fans, and day-trippers from Munich. With almost 75 miles (120 kilometers) of downhill runs of all difficulty levels, Zugspitze also has 68 miles of cross-country trails, a terrain park and Germany's first superpipe. To say you "wintered in Garmisch" still has an aristocratic ring, and the area offers some of the best skiing in Bavaria. Although the towns of Garmisch and Partenkirchen were merged in the 1930s, each retains its own distinct character: Garmisch has more of a 21st-century feel, while Partenkirchen has retained its old-world Alpine village vibe.

+ Pictured here is the St. Martin parish church (also known as "Die Alte Kirche" or the Old Church), whose original foundation was laid long before the current structure was built (starting in 1280). It showcases Gothic wall paintings from throughout the centuries, including a seven-meter-high, larger-than-life-size figure of St. Christopher from 1330 and a Passion of the Christ fresco dating to the 1400s. Located in the historic district of Garmisch, it was for a long time the only parish church in the region and a meeting point for believers in the wider area of the Loisachtal and Isartal valleys. Besides the several lavish gothic mural paintings inside, there are stained-glass windows to admire. Also quite impressive is the baroque-style high altar.