Konigssee's Hidden Gem: The Reich Family's Secret Schonau Escape!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the… well, let's call it slightly less than perfectly organized world of "Konigssee's Hidden Gem: The Reich Family's Secret Schonau Escape!" – a name that, honestly, sounds like a Bond villain's lair. But hey, secrets, right? Let's see what they've got.
First Impressions (or, My Brain is a Confused Puppy):
Accessibility? Right off the bat. Gotta check that box because, you know, life shouldn't be a game of Can You Even Get There? So, we're told they have "Facilities for disabled guests." Okay, promising. But I need DETAILS. Are we talking ramps that are actually ramps, not death traps disguised as architecture? Are the elevators wide enough to navigate without a contortionist degree? I'm itching to know!
(Accessibility - The Nitty Gritty)
- Wheelchair Accessible: This is KEY. Let's hope it's not lip service. I need specifics: ramps, elevators, accessible rooms, etc. (I NEED TO KNOW!)
- Facilities for disabled guests: This is the big one! Are they actually good facilities? Do they accommodate diverse needs? Let's hope they've thought of everything.
Getting Connected (or, My Digital Addiction is Showing):
Internet access? Oh, YES. I need it. This is 2024, people. It’s not a luxury anymore, it’s lifeblood.
- Internet: Duh.
- Internet [LAN]: For us high-tech geeks. Good to see they have it.
- Internet services: Hoping they have the IT support.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Must have!
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: MUSIC TO MY EARS. Don't be like those hotels that charge extra for Wi-Fi.
The Relaxation Station (or, Let's Pretend I'm a Spa Queen):
Okay, time to get serious. I'm a sucker for a good spa day.
- Spa/sauna: YES!
- Sauna: I'm already picturing myself, all relaxed, and doing a proper sweat.
- Steamroom: Perfect to open the pores before a body scrub.
- Swimming pool: Outdoor swimming pool? That’s a win. Though I do wonder if it’s heated. Because, let’s be real, nobody wants to swim in an ice bath.
- Pool with view: Now, we're talking. Give me that Instagram-worthy scenery!
- Body scrub: Exfoliate that winter skin right off!
- Body wrap: Feeling wrapped and pampered.
- Massage: Must. Have. Massage.
- Gym/fitness: Okay, okay. I might hit this… after the massage.
- Fitness center: I should probably use it.
- Foot bath: Oh, yes. This sounds delightful after those spa treatments.
Cleanliness and Safety (or, Is it Safe to Pee?):
So important. Especially these days.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Good.
- Hand sanitizer: ESSENTIAL.
- Hygiene certification: Does it mean the air is fresh and safe?
- Individually-wrapped food options: Better for safety.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Makes me feel safe.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Good.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: A little odd, but hey, it's an option.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Excellent.
- Safe dining setup: Let us eat and not worry.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Crucial.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Fantastic.
- Sterilizing equipment: Let's go.
(Oh, Look! Food! - My stomach is rumbling)
- Restaurants: Plural?! Good sign.
- A la carte in restaurant: Options are beautiful.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Always good, because you never know.
- Asian breakfast: I’m intrigued. It gives unique options.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: I love Asian food.
- Bar: Cocktails, anyone?
- Bottle of water: Always appreciated.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Yessss! Give me all the carbs!
- Breakfast service: I hope they have great service.
- Buffet in restaurant: More food!
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Essential.
- Coffee shop: Even better.
- Desserts in restaurant: Desserts make anything better.
- Happy hour: Time to party!
- International cuisine in restaurant: More choices!
- Poolside bar: Drinks by the pool.
- Room service [24-hour]: I need to know if I can order chocolate cake at 3 AM.
- Salad in restaurant: Gotta get some greens.
- Snack bar: Perfect for a quick bite.
- Soup in restaurant: Warmth.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Bonus points.
- Western breakfast: Classic.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: A staple is good.
Services and Conveniences (or, The Perks of Being Lazy):
- Air conditioning in public area: It better have it, especially during a hot day.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: Hmm.
- Business facilities: For work, I suppose.
- Cash withdrawal: Essential.
- Concierge: Always helpful.
- Contactless check-in/out: Efficient, and good because of covid.
- Convenience store: Quick shopping for snacks.
- Currency exchange: Important.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes.
- Doorman: Nice touch, especially when arriving when tired.
- Dry cleaning: Score.
- Elevator: Must have.
- Essential condiments: The small things.
- Food delivery: The best.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Always tempting to grab something before leaving.
- Indoor venue for special events: Good.
- Invoice provided: Great for expense reports.
- Ironing service: The best.
- Laundry service: No big deal here.
- Luggage storage: Very helpful.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Good for business or celebrations.
- Meetings: Good to see.
- Meeting stationery: Good.
- On-site event hosting: Smart.
- Outdoor venue for special events: Sounds lovely.
- Projector/LED display: If you’re thinking of special events, this is necessary.
- Safety deposit boxes: Smart move.
- Seminars: Great idea.
- Shrine: Interesting.
- Smoking area: Okay.
- Terrace: Always nice.
- Wi-Fi for special events: Yes.
- Xerox/fax in business center: Important for business.
For the Kids (or, Can I Hide My Little Brother?):
- Babysitting service: Perfect for parents.
- Family/child friendly: Yessss.
- Kids facilities: I hope they have a playground and entertainment.
- Kids meal: Perfect.
Access and Security (or, Is Anyone Watching?)
- CCTV in common areas: good.
- CCTV outside property: Good!
- Check-in/out [express]: Cool.
- Check-in/out [private]: Nice touch.
- Couple's room: squeals
- Exterior corridor: Alright.
- Fire extinguisher: Necessary.
- Front desk [24-hour]: Excellent.
- Hotel chain: Okay.
- Non-smoking rooms: Great.
- Proposal spot: squeals.
- Room decorations: Okay.
- Safety/security feature: Wonderful.
- Security [24-hour]: Fantastic.
- Smoke alarms: Great.
- Soundproof rooms: Yes please.
Getting Around (or, How Do I Escape?)
- Airport transfer: Perfect.
- Bicycle parking: Interesting.
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes! (Free is good!)
- Car park [on-site]: Good.
- Car power charging station: For electric cars.
- Taxi service: It is necessary to know.
- Valet parking: Good.
Available in All Rooms (or, My Comfort Zone)
Escape to Paradise: Charming Cottage in Steenwijkerland (Dishwasher!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the chaotic masterpiece that is my Konigssee adventure in Schönau am Königssee, Germany. Forget those pristine, perfectly-organized itineraries you've seen before. This is the real deal. Buckle up, because it's going to get weird.
Konigssee: Where Fairytales (and My Sanity) Go To Die (or Maybe Thrive?)
Day 1: Arrival and a Bavarian Blitzkrieg of Beauty (and Bratwurst)
Morning (Like, REALLY early, courtesy of a red-eye flight that felt like it lasted three days): Landed in Munich. Jet lag? Absolutely. But also, excitement. After all, Konigssee! The land of postcard perfection and Instagram envy for everyone, I mean, who wouldn't be excited? The airport was a blur of "Grüß Gott" (which I butchered like a pro), and a slightly panicked dash for the train.
Late Morning/ Early Afternoon: The Train Ride From Hell (Just Kidding…Mostly): Trains! The lifeline! We were crammed in like sardines, but hey, it's an opportunity to make friends, right? Met a dude wearing lederhosen. Turns out, he was off to see the world's largest beer stein (again, only in Germany!). He told me that the train goes to Berchtesgaden and then a bus takes you to Königssee. Awesome! I wrote it down on a napkin and a thought came: I probably should have packed a pen.
Afternoon: Settling In and a Questionable First Meal: Arrived Schönau am Königssee. Found our charming little guesthouse, the "Berghaus Königssee". (It actually was charming, albeit slightly cramped, and smelling faintly of schnitzel and ancient history…or maybe that's just me). Checked in… went hungry, grabbed the first "restaurant" I found. The Schnitzel was awesome, but the beer gave me a headache. More overeating? Absolutely. I felt a little sick. Don't care, the mountains are beautiful. Take a deep breath… I felt better. Ok, I'm back.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening: First Glimpse and (Attempted) Enlightenment: Dragged myself to the lake. OMG. The Konigssee itself. It wasn't just a lake; it was a shimmering, emerald-green mirror reflecting towering mountains. It was…breathtaking. I kind of yelled to the mountains and the people around me. Everyone looked at me weird. We planned a boat trip the next day. Got ready for bed.
Evening: Realized I had forgotten to buy a charger for my phone. Cue the silent scream. And it was so dark! I'd have to go out tomorrow or else it's all over. I'm the worst traveler ever.
Day 2: The Boat Trip, the Echo, and My Existential Crisis (on the Lake)
Morning: Breakfast of Champions (…and Regret): The breakfast at the guesthouse was a buffet of deliciousness. I ate my weight in bread, cheese, and ham. Why am I doing this? I needed more coffee. Much more.
Mid-Morning: The Boat Ride of Dreams (and Motion Sickness): Okay, now the boat ride. Hopped on a wooden boat. We floated across the lake. We were told to look for the St. Bartholomä church. It was lovely, but also cold. The water was super clear, like you can see the bottom of the lake clear. The guy on the boat told us about the history of the lake. But the echo! Oh, the magical echo! The boatman played the trumpet, and the sound boomed back from the cliffs. I was genuinely moved. It was all so… beautiful. I made myself a promise… next time, I will bring a recorder.
Lunch: I found a cafe and got a pretzel. I needed to buy a phone charger. I should have to the church and stuff. But the mountains were so nice. I needed to stop walking… so much walking.
Afternoon: St. Bartholomä and the Quest for Quiet: After the boat ride, we were at St. Bartholomä. I was not very prepared for this. A chapel with a red dome. It was lovely and historic. I just felt… overwhelmed, but it was beautiful. I took pictures. I sat on a bench. Trying to find a quiet moment, but the crowds of tourists were… a lot. I wanted to escape.
Late Afternoon: Charger Quest: Headed back into town to find a charger. Success! I can share the pictures and videos… finally. I'm not sure, I don't think I can last much longer…
Evening: Dinner Disaster and Early Bedtime: Decided to be "adventurous" and try a new restaurant. It had local food and was supposed to be "authentic". This was a mistake. The food was questionable, the service was slow, and I spent most of the meal contemplating the meaning of life. I gave up and skipped dessert. I had a headache. I slept.
Day 3: Hiking (and Humbling Realizations)
Morning: Hike to the Top of the World (Or, at Least, a Slightly Elevated Hill): Okay, this was the day for hiking. We found a trail. The hike was strenuous. It was supposed to be easy, but it was uphill. I thought I was going to die. I was seriously out of shape. But the views… the views were phenomenal. And I learned a lot about my physical limits.
Afternoon: Recovering and Reflecting: Back at the guesthouse. Took a shower. Relaxing in the room. I also spent an hour staring at the ceiling, pondering the sheer, overwhelming beauty of this place. I decided to relax.
Evening: Last Supper (and Last-Minute Souvenir Shopping): I bought a beer stein. We went for dinner. The food was good. I was tired. It was time to say goodbye. Goodbye, Konigssee! Goodbye to the mountains!
Night: Packing. Packing is the worst.
Day 4: Departure (and a Promise to Return… Maybe)
- Morning: Goodbye!
- And so on…
And there you have it. A Konigssee trip full of equal parts beauty, chaos, and questionable decisions. It wasn't perfect, it wasn't always pretty, but it was mine. And, as I sit here, reflecting, I realize I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Konigssee, you magnificent, slightly ridiculous place. You broke me, but you also made me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go look at pictures and probably cry a little bit. I'll be back. Eventually.
Koksijde's BEST Apartment: Luxurious Delmar Center Living!
Konigssee's Quirky Secret: The Reich Family's Hideaway - Ask Away! (Goodness, where do I even START?)
Okay, so *what* exactly IS this "Reich Family Secret Schonau Escape"? Sounds dodgy already...
Alright, picture this: Konigssee, postcard perfect, right? Crystal water, the echo, the whole shebang. But tucked away, like a squirrel’s stash (and let me tell you, I *am* a squirrel when it comes to historical secrets!), is supposedly a former estate, a secret getaway of the Reich family (yes, *that* Reich, the one you’re *probably* thinking of). They're rumored to have used it... ahem... for *relaxation* and… certain *business* of the non-beach-volley-ball-type variety. It’s a little spooky, frankly. And don't ask me to quote any historical sources on it directly, I'm going off what the locals whisper, and what I've scraped off the internet in some questionable forums. So, take it with a giant grain of Bavarian salt.
Did they, you know, *live* there? Or was it more…a holiday home?
That's the million-euro question, isn't it? My research (ahem, extensive Googling) hints at both. Some accounts portray it as a lavish escape, a place to ‘unwind’ after a hard day of… well, you know. Others suggest it was more a discreet base of operations. Honestly? I suspect it was a bit of both. Imagine the audacity! "Honey, let's go relax in our lake house while... you know... world domination stuff." It's a complex situation, like peeling an onion and finding... more onions. Layers of secrecy, darling! I mean, who builds a house on a lake and *doesn't* enjoy the view? That's just sociopathic!
Is it accessible? Can I *see* this supposed hideaway?
"Accessible" depends on your definition! Officially? Nope. It’s private property, and good luck charming your way past the (probably heavily armed) gatekeepers. I tried, okay? I really did. I even brought a basket of those ridiculously expensive Bavarian chocolates. They just gave me a look. A LOOK, people! A look that said, "Lady, you got the wrong address." My attempt was thwarted. But...unofficially? Let's just say that if you're adventurous and possess a good sense of direction (and maybe a healthy dose of disregard for trespassing laws), you might *possibly* be able to catch a glimpse. I, of course, would never suggest or condone that. Never. Ever. But a good pair of binoculars...and a REALLY long zoom lens on your camera... MIGHT be helpful. Maybe. Just saying.
What's the vibe, like, historically speaking? Is it glamorous, foreboding, or just… weird?
Honestly, it’s all of the above! Imagine the ostentatious displays of wealth, the echoes of power, the potential for clandestine meetings... it’s a recipe for pure, unfiltered "weird." Picture this: me, standing near where I *think* the estate might be, feeling the oppressive weight of history. I swear, the air itself feels thick, heavy with secrets. There's a definite sense of foreboding, like the walls are whispering tales of things best left buried. It's also undeniably glamorous, in a decaying, faded-grandeur kind of way. The very architecture speaks volumes -- imposing, a little bit too perfect, possibly designed to intimidate. And then, the weirdest part? Thinking about them just... chilling there. Having cocktails. Discussing the weather. Bizarre!
Any tips for navigating the area, if one was…ahem…curious? Like, any *actual* tips?
Oh, you're asking for it now! Okay, fine. Let's say, hypothetically, you were determined to explore. Here's the (cough) *unofficial* scoop. First, be respectful. This is private property, and the locals are fiercely protective of their home, and understandably so. Second, do your research! Know the area, learn the trails (don’t just wander aimlessly like a lost tourist, which is, ahem, what I totally *didn't* do). Third: binoculars. Essential. Always. And finally, and this is the most important thing: respect the secrecy. Don't go waving flags or shouting about your discoveries. This isn't a treasure hunt; it's a glimpse into a complex, and possibly very dark, past. And really, it's probably best to admire it from afar. You know, for your health (and your freedom!). Oh, and bring a friend with a good sense of humor. Because you'll need it. (I definitely needed it when I saw the... well never mind.)
What about the lake itself? Any spooky tales related to the water?
Oh, the lake. Konigssee is beautiful, I'll give it that. The water is crystal clear, reflecting those gorgeous Alps. But yes, of course, there are spooky lake tales. Because there *always* are. I've heard whispered rumors of unexplained disappearances, of strange lights at night, of...things that lurk beneath the surface. Nothing concrete, mind you. Just… a feeling. Like the water is holding its breath, keeping silent guard on something. I remember one time, I was taking that boat tour (the legit one, okay, not trespassing!) and the guide mentioned, almost in passing, a particularly deep spot near, oh, I don't know, somewhere near the general vicinity of where the estate supposedly is. And he said, with a slight shiver, "They say it's bottomless." Bottomless! That’s a cliché for a reason, people. But when you're standing there, looking at that inky, mysterious water, the cliché suddenly takes on a whole new meaning. Gives you chills, it truly does. Maybe it's just the alpine air, or maybe… maybe something else is lurking down there. And personally? I just don't want to know. Gives my tummy a bad feeling.
Okay, but what did you actually *do* there? Your experience. The REAL experience. Spill the tea!
Alright, alright, you want the juicy details? Fine. Prepare for a complete and utter disaster. So, I’d done my "research," right? (Googling, mostly. I am not a professional historian!) I’d pinpointed a general area, armed myself with my aforementioned binoculars, and, well… decided to "take a walk." (A walk that may or may not have involved some… *creative* trail blazing.) I got horribly lost. Like, seriously lost. Like, "should I be worried about bears?" lost. I was stumbling around in the undergrowth for hours. Eventually, I came across what I *thought* was a decent vantage point. And… the view was AMAZING. Absolutely stunning. But mostly…it was just a view. Of trees. Lots and lots of trees. And a bit of a lake. I saw *nothing* that looked even remotely historical. I spent the entire afternoon getting eaten alive by gnats, tripping over roots, and sweating profusely. I looked for any kind of structure, something… but noBudget Travel Destination
