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Edelweiss Lodge and Resort, one of five Armed Forces Recreation Center Resorts located worldwide, is ideally situated in the quaint Bavarian town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. Edelweiss supports the readiness and well-being of servicemembers, providing a relaxing and secure environment in a foreign country. The beautiful town is surrounded by the Bavarian Alps, which contributes to the many mountain adventure activities, families and single soldiers can participate in during a stay at Edelweiss. A ski town in the winter and a wonderful outdoor playground year round, it is impossible not to discover something fun and new to share while visiting this cherished destination resort.
Arriving in the Alps
Edelweiss Lodge and Resort is easy to travel to by way of Munich, the capital of Bavaria and major transportation hub. Traveling approximately 1.5 hours south from Munich, guests will arrive in the scenic town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Awaiting guests are vast mountain vistas, alpine lakes and many activities to satisfy your adventurous appetite.
Edelweiss Lodge and Resort is nestled under the Zugspitze, Germany’s tallest peak. Upon arrival, guests need to show their military IDs or passports to gain access to the resort. Eligible servicemembers can sponsor as many rooms as they need for their guests. Once through security, guests quickly forget they are on a military installation; the views are awe-inspiring. That sense of awe continues as guests enter the grand three-story atrium lobby with a natural, stone fireplace and a water feature behind the front desk. Getting situated in your room and stepping onto the balcony for the first time — with a view you will never forget — makes for a wonderful start to a relaxing vacation in the Alps.
Vacation planning
The resort has Vacation Planning Assistants available to help custom design vacations for all budgets and desires. Onsite staff can suggest guided tours, make dinner reservations at the signature show kitchen restaurant, and book paragliding, guided hikes, white-water rafting and other activities. After planning her vacation, guest Nancy Gaillard commented, “The service was excellent all around. Everyone was pleasant and very helpful!”
Don’t let the stress of planning a vacation take the fun out of the whole experience. Edelweiss Resort is here to make your vacation an enjoyable and memorable experience from start to finish.
Feeding your appetite
The resort has several on-site restaurants. Market Station offers a delicious American-style breakfast, along with rotating nightly themed buffets. A fan favorite is the Grill Night, where you can get made-to-order burgers and many other tasty options. On Thursdays at Zuggy’s Base Camp, you can participate in Karaoke Night, where you can show off your talents after enjoying pizza, chicken wings and a famous beer tower. Pullman Place is a show kitchen, combining elegance in a relaxed atmosphere. Here you will find perfectly grilled steaks, savory seafood dishes and one-of-a-kind pastas. The resort offers many venues to satisfy any appetite.
Guided tours
After the snow melts and the flowers begin to bloom, not only does the scenery change, but the exciting tours and activities change, too. During spring and summer, there are many unique tours you can choose through the hotel. Alpine Adventures, located in the lobby of the resort, makes tour arrangements, providing a stress-free and enjoyable experience. Yoshiko Beckman, a visiting spouse, said after her tour to the Highline 179 & Ehrenberg castle ruins, “I just wanted to take the time to commend your entire staff at Alpine Adventures. They provided excellent professional service and tours.”
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is centrally located in Europe and surrounded by many beautiful cities and cultural sites. One tour offered, the Three Country Boat Tour, takes participants to the most charming medieval town of Lindau, Germany, where a boat takes guests on a relaxing cruise into Austria and Switzerland.
Tours provided by the resort give you a chance to visit many historic European cities, such as Lake Staffelsee and Murnau, Germany; Bolzano and Bressanone, Italy; Vipiteno and Reifenstein Castle, Italy; and Berchtesgaden Eagle’s Nest in Austria. There are more than 60 leisure activity programs to fulfill your desire to explore and see something new.
A family favorite any time of the year is the breathtaking Neuschwanstein Castle, constructed for King Ludwig II and the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle. Captain Carolyn Clements reflected on her experience during her vacation to Edelweiss, “Staff was always upbeat and pleasant. We especially enjoyed the Alpine tours to Dachau, Neuschwanstein Castle and Greisbräu Brewery. The guides were very professional. Our favorite trip was Salzburg and the Greisbräu Brewery. Keep up the great work in taking care of our military and their families.”
Seeking adventure and relaxation
Family fun doesn’t just stop with the tours. If you have ever wanted to try something new and exciting, visit the Alpine Adventures shop in the main lobby. Imagine jumping off a mountain during a tandem paragliding flight or standing high up in the forest navigating a high-ropes course. The resort also offers river canyoning and white-water rafting trips on the Otzaller Ache River in Austria. If you are looking for something less adventurous and more inspiring, rent a bike and ride to the raging Partnach Gorge, a sight you do not want to miss while in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
If you are looking for something fun and exciting exclusively for your children (ages 5-12), Edelweiss Resort provides children’s programs to entertain their curiosities. Programs include day and evening activities. These can be booked through the Vacation Planning Center, Alpine Adventures or the online booking form. This is the perfect opportunity for adults to spend some special time together. Enjoy a couple’s massage and fully relax at the Point Wellness Club.
Life is about sharing and making memories with those you love. Edelweiss Lodge and Resort provides a unique environment to feel safe and comfortable while on vacation in a foreign country. This is a special place all servicemembers must experience while living in Europe. Don’t miss this beautiful place, cherished by many; come and experience something new as a family or alone during your leave. Edelweiss Resort is guaranteed to awaken your exploration and need for adventure any time of the year. Come enjoy a sunny vacation in Germany!
For more information, visit EdelweissLodgeandResort.com.
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