Winter magic in the Airstream: an unforgettable camping vacation in the Bavarian Alps
On a bright Tuesday morning, we set off from Limburg for the picturesque Bavarian Alps. Our team, consisting of a comfortable Jeep Grand Cherokee and a stylish Airstream 534, was perfectly equipped for the adventure. Our destination was the Camping Resort Greinau near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a place known for its breathtaking natural scenery and proximity to the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain.
On the very first evening, we prepared one of our favorite dishes in the comfortable galley of the Airstream. Spaghetti Arrabiata with a fresh tomato sauce and grated Parmesan cheese. The gas stove proved to be extremely efficient and enabled us to cook the pasta perfectly al dente and let the sauce simmer gently on the second burner. We found the extractor hood to be a very important helper, as it effectively removed the stale air and cooking vapors to the outside. This not only ensured a pleasant atmosphere during cooking, but also kept the interior of the Airstream free from condensation and lingering odors.
However, the real highlight of the galley was baking fresh bread rolls in the Airstream oven the next morning. Eating breakfast with the smell of freshly baked rolls in the air was an incomparable luxury and the perfect start to the day. A little butter and jam on top and a hot cup of coffee - there was no better way to start the morning surrounded by beautiful nature.
Among the highlights of our stay were the hikes around the Eibsee lake and a visit to the Partnachklamm gorge. The Eibsee, located directly at the foot of the Zugspitze, is famous for its crystal-clear water and the surrounding mountains that are reflected in it. The Partnachklamm, a spectacular gorge with a thundering waterfall and rugged rock faces, offered an impressive natural experience.
The snowy landscape lent the surroundings a fairytale charm. The combination of the cozy warmth in the Airstream and the snow-covered landscape was simply magical. The small rental bathroom at the campsite was a handy addition to dry wet clothes and equipment and keep moisture out of the caravan.
The most important piece of equipment for our stay was, of course, the water-bearing central heating system from Alde in our Airstream. With this system, heated water circulates silently through several radiators on the walls of the Airstream - just like a central heating system at home. With its quiet and efficient warmth, it created a pleasant atmosphere inside the caravan. Despite the cool outside temperatures of up to -4 degrees at night and no more than 10 degrees during the day, it always remained pleasantly warm inside at 20-22 degrees. Despite the many panoramic windows made of real glass, the heating was surprisingly efficient; a gas consumption of around 13 kg for four days, with continuous operation of the fridge, heating and gas stove, was remarkable. It is also important to know that a radiator is installed under each window. This largely prevents condensation and occasional airing out makes sense at this time of year anyway.
Our conclusion: The camping vacation in the snow was an unforgettable experience. Even though the Airstream is not a special winter caravan, you can definitely go winter camping with it.
The Alde heating, combined with the comfort of the Airstream and the beauty of the Bavarian Alps, made this trip special. Daily sauna sessions, the idyllic snowy landscape and the freedom of camping provided the perfect setting for a winter getaway with a difference. We would repeat this experience at any time.