Everything at a glance

While "Guten Tag" and "Auf Wiedersehen" are German greetings, in Bavaria we say "Grüß Gott", "Habe die Ehre" or "Servus". A personal greeting by handshake is quite common. At the regulars' table, one knocks on the table to greet everyone.

In Bavaria, beer is one of the so-called "staple foods. However, this does not mean that beer is drunk at all times and everywhere in our country. Consumption is commonly referred to as enjoyment. However, since Bavarian beer usually has a higher original wort (and thus more alcohol by volume) than other beers, caution is advised when consuming it. Don't drink and drive!!

The beer belly is often the evidence of years of beer consumption and extensive pub visits. It is a purely male phenomenon. However, men with such a belly are not dubbed "fat" but "jovial".

This is the name given to either the traditionally Bavarian dress for women or a young woman per se. The Dirndl is mainly worn for cultural and social occasions. However, the usually very skimpy (short) dirndls are generally not intended as a call. Staring at a generous cleavage is rude and undesirable.

In Bavaria, visitors are often expected to follow an appropriate dress code. Accordingly, when visiting churches and monasteries, overly revealing clothing should be avoided. Shorts and miniskirts may be suitable for a visit to a beer garden, but they are frowned upon in church buildings. The same applies to sweatpants and bathing slippers.

Bavarian cuisine is very rich, for the most part very meat-heavy and rather less suitable for the slim line. Some specialties, such as the pretzel, the pork knuckle or the white sausage are world famous, but require a certain "food codex".

In Bavaria there are the following holidays: New Year's Day, Epiphany, Ash Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Labor Day, Ascension Day, Whitsunday, Whitsun Monday, Corpus Christi, Assumption Day, German Unity Day, All Saints' Day, Remembrance Day, Day of Prayer and Repentance, Day of the silence. On all silent holidays, dance floors must remain empty - regardless of any music that may be permitted. Public entertainment events that do not correspond to the seriousness of the respective silent day are not allowed. This applies especially to music in restaurants, clubs or discos.

In Bavaria, you can always find a reason to celebrate. Especially from March to October, there are many small and large village and folk festivals or traditional events. They primarily serve the cultivation of customs, the cozy get-together but also the international understanding. Mostly, people celebrate in big tents and drink beer from the "Mass" (large mugs with a capacity of one liter).

A popular topic in Bavaria is definitely the story of King Ludwig II and his fairytale castles. The legends surrounding his mysterious death usually led to lively conversations. 

The Bavarian loves cultivated conversation and musing about existential and political matters. Arguments are mostly about representing and defending a point of view. However, he does not like too loud conversations or notorious know-it-alls. For the sake of a good mood, this should be avoided.

It is the male counterpart to the Dirndl. Lederhosen are also worn on special occasions and are enjoying growing popularity, even among non-Bavarians. For this reason, the identification of a native only on the basis of the lederhosen has become relatively difficult.

For non-Bavarians, the Bavarian language is often difficult to understand. Often the same words have different meanings due to different stresses. In addition, dialect and pronunciation sometimes differ from village to village. The open-minded Bavarian will usually make an effort to speak understandably if you ask him politely.

Sunday is still considered a day of rest in Bavaria. On this day, most stores are closed and only a few people are at work. However, going to church every Sunday and then going to the regulars' table are unfortunately becoming more and more a thing of the past.

A tradition in which locals (mainly men) meet at the local pub at what is usually the evening hour to chat over a beer. In the countryside, this tradition is still more common, but in the cities, it is almost extinct. To sit at the regulars' table without being asked is absolutely taboo. If you are invited, you almost belong.

It is mostly made of Loden (coarse woolen fabric) and is something like the Bavarian tuxedo. The Traditional Suit is mostly worn by important people on official occasions.

How do you eat a Weisswurst properly? Definitely with a pretzel, sweet mustard and a wheat beer. It doesn't matter if you eat it with cutlery, with your fingers, sizzled or sliced - the main thing is to eat it without ketchup.

"Mia san mia" is a popular Bavarian credo, but it is by no means meant to be arrogant. It basically just says that the Bavarian is the way he is - with all his peculiar characteristics. A "Passt scho" from the mouth of a Bavarian means that everything is fine.

Franconia has a lot to offer for gourmets - which makes the land of delights a wonderful experience for all the senses. A culinary voyage of discovery through "Franconia - Land of Delights" is a warm invitation to enjoy. In every season, nature sets the table for gourmets in its own way. Fresh fish from ponds and streams, sweet temptations from Franconian bakeries, tender asparagus, pasture-raised beef and pasture-raised lamb - there are many reasons why gourmets love Franconia. 

Franconia's culinary art also inspires the strict jurors of the major restaurant guides: more than 50 restaurants in the vacation region have been awarded a "Gault Milleau" toque or one of the coveted "Michelin" stars. The discerning testers were particularly taken with the creativity of the top chefs, who conjure up unforgettable culinary experiences from simple, traditional Franconian ingredients such as asparagus, black salsify or kohlrabi. 

The Franconian passion for regional and seasonal cuisine, the quality as well as the deep connection to the traditional kitchen and inn culture is also the reason why numerous hosts bear seals of quality. 

In Upper Franconia, we not only have the most bakeries, butcheries and breweries in the world. Our farms and artisanal businesses, our inns and breweries also produce a variety of culinary delicacies that is unique in the world.

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Follow in the footsteps of liquid gold and discover the beer country Franconia! 

For connoisseurs, a fresh Franconian "Seidla Bier" that shimmers richly golden in the glass is the promise of the highest culinary delights! The diversity of varieties is almost in the nature of things here - after all, Franconia boasts the highest density of breweries in Europe. 

How Franconians enjoy their beer is a warm invitation to pleasure. Rustic brewery pubs, beer gardens under large chestnut trees and "on the cellar" as well as many festivals around beer are the best opportunities to do so.

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Silvaner, Mueller-Thurgau, Bacchus and Riesling are the stars of white Franconian wine, while Pinot Noir and Domina are popular Franconian red wines. Wine from Franconia - classically in the famous “Bocksbeutel”- celebrates worldwide success. 

In Franconia, wine feels at home: the fertile soils, the mild climate, the forests on the hilltops and the meanders of the Main combine with the passion and tact of the winegrowers. What grows under their care in the vineyard, they refine in the cellar into delicious wines that wonderfully reflect the unadulterated terroir of Franconia. 

Wine from Franconia is therefore pure pleasure in the glass - but it is much more! Because Franconian wine is associated with a whole delicious culture. Historic winegrowing villages and wine towns, wineries and farms with extraordinary wine architecture, castles and residences invite you to wine festivals and selected beautiful wine culture, in the gastronomy you enjoy the harmony of food and wine, while hiking in the vineyard you enjoy moments of nature and in the evening, you lie down to rest in the winegrowers' farms.

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It is recommended to inform yourself about the existing parking possibilities already before arrival. "Wild" parking (=parking outside designated parking spaces or marked areas) can harm wildlife and plants, damage other people's property and lead to traffic accidents. It is better to arrive by public transport if possible.

The Fichtelgebirge is a paradise for cyclists and hikers. In both cases, the choice of means of transport is already very environmentally friendly, in addition, there are other aspects to consider here.

In order to protect the flora and fauna during the tour, it is important to use only designated paths and not to create your own shortcuts or path variations. Here, it is the responsibility of the individual to find out about the signage and clearance of the paths, which are listed in tour apps, for example. Off-trail touring can have a lasting impact on wildlife and plants, such as when tread marks create water gullies.

In general, protected, endangered or fenced areas are to be avoided; the habitat of plants and animals is to be left in its natural state, which also includes minimizing noise. In summary, the Bavarian Nature Conservation Act calls for "nature and landscape to be treated with care." In case of disregard, high fines can be imposed.

This topic also includes the fact that after a well-deserved rest at the side of the path, waste is taken away again and disposed of in accordance with the regulations. The same applies to dog excrement.

"Wild camping" in the wild is subject to just as strict guidelines in Germany as open fires in forests and near forests. Especially in the increasingly dry summer months, the massively increased risk of forest fires must be taken into account and open fires (e.g.: barbecues, campfires, etc.) must be completely avoided in order to keep the risk of forest fires to a minimum. At best, a stay should be finished until dusk in order not to disturb nocturnal animals.

It is also important for hikers and cyclists to show respect for others. This includes sufficient preparation for the tour, respect for other trail users and the credo "The weaker party has priority". Particularly as a cyclist or mountain biker, care must be taken to maintain an appropriate speed.

Observe wild animals exclusively where they belong: Namely, in the wildlife. Do not spend money on photos with wild animals, begging animals or animal shows and please refrain from visiting zoos and wildlife parks.

Please do not bring back souvenirs made from wildlife or plants, or live animals from your trip. This is because this fuels the depredation of wildlife populations. Many species are internationally protected, there are fines and heavy penalties. 

Avoid food offered and do not try dishes made from wildlife products.