Being away from family, traditional holiday reunions, and festivities can often make an overseas duty station seem lonely. Thankfully, there are almost always options for making getaways more enjoyable and fun for your family. We were able to experience Christmas this year at Edelweiss, an Armed Forces Recreation Center in Garmisch-Partenkirschen, Germany.
My family was particularly drawn to the area where the resort is set. Surrounded by the Bavarian Alps, which, during our stay in December, were snow-capped and picturesque, the mountains were topped with plenty of skiers and tobogganers hitting the slopes on a daily basis. The Austrian border is a short drive (or train-ride) away, and some of Germany’s most famous castles are also located nearby, including the “fairytale” castle, Neuschwanstein. With our two children being only 3 years and 1 ½ years old, as well as myself being pregnant, having family-friendly options close by was essential to our holiday vacation. We were able to explore and see new things, but with the ability to relax and unwind in comfort when we returned to the lodge.
We took part in Edelweiss’ weeklong Christmas package and stayed in one of the standard rooms at the main lodge. From December 20-27, there were scheduled events that our family could take part in every day of the week. There was a family movie night on the first evening, pictures of Santa on Christmas Eve, and special dinner or brunch options available around the Christmas holiday. You can imagine how beautifully decorated the lodge was during this time. A large Christmas tree took center stage in the main lobby of the lodge, and there always seemed to be a warm fire in the big stone fireplace. The whole resort had an ambience of warmth and holiday comfort.
The Edelweiss resort was exceptional at offering tours to area sights (for a fee), as well as providing information for those who preferred to travel independently. We went to Innsbruck, Austria, home of the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics, for the large, annual Christmas market located in the city’s “Old Town” district. During that same day trip, we ventured a bit further down to Wattens, Austria. There, upon recommendation and information that Edelweiss provided, we had a lovely time touring Swarovski Crystal World, a unique and fascinating museum displaying creative exhibits centered around the beautiful crystals. We chose to travel to these areas by ourselves as a family, but if you prefer a hassle-free excursion with a predetermined itinerary and tour guide, I would recommend booking a tour through Edelweiss. They offer plenty of tours for everyone, including to a local Brewery (with tasting), Ettal Monastery, Neuschwanstein castle, and even a night sledding excursion, just to name a few.
While we enjoyed sightseeing and touring, it was lovely to come back to our comfortable lodgings and enjoy downtime at Edelweiss. My two girls loved swimming in the indoor pool or watching a Christmas movie in the Kids Corner. All of the comforts you’d expect from a resort were there, including a spa, coffee shop, gym, gaming center, and multiple restaurant options. Because we were there during the holidays, we made sure to reserve a table for the Christmas Day Buffet in the General Patton’s Grand Ballroom at the resort. It was an elaborate spread with a large variety of traditional holiday food choices, as well as a buffet table just for kids, large dessert tables, and salad bar. We certainly enjoyed our Christmas dinner as family, without having the work of cooking or cleaning up.
We found Edelweiss Lodge and Resort to be a wonderful and tranquil place to visit for our family vacation. It was made even more special by the holiday season, and we will cherish our memories made there.
It is important to note that in order to be a guest at the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort, you must meet the eligibility requirements (recently updated in June 2015). In short, you or your military sponsor must fall under EUCOM (European Command), although other exceptions may apply. Always contact the resort or visit the website in order to confirm or check eligibility.
