European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 18, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A amps file the Rushing White water and the quiet White topped mountains right help make Bavaria a great location for outdoor  a bargain in Bavaria by Steve Taylor Munich Bureau Southern Bavaria is a land of rolling Hills and Majestic mountains interrupted by picture postcard lakes. For centuries it was the playground of Kings and princes. Southern Germany still is a playground but not just for Royalty. American service members a who first rolled into Garmisch Berchtesgaden and Chi Emsee soon after world War ii a continue to head there for a break from routine. Under the management of the armed forces recreation Center the three areas have grown from simple rest Camps to comprehensive facilities that include nine hotels restaurants ski slopes boat docks and a wide spectrum of recreational activities. Berchtesgaden Berchtesgaden is Snow capped peaks Alpine lakes Ard Mountain Meadows. Nestled among the mountains Are five arc hotels. Located about too Miles Southeast of Munich and not far from Salzburg Austria the area is perfect for summer sports such As hiking rafting kayaking and Golf. In the Winter skiing dominates the sports scene. Punctuating the Mountain landscape with its own Mirror like Beauty is the Koni see see pronounced Quot Zay Quot Means Quot Lake in German. It s a popular site for those who like to hike Row or just sunbathe next to the still Waters of this unspoiled Alpine Lake. Winding around the Lake and throughout the Berchtesgaden or Alps Are excellent hiking trails that can be explored on your own or As part of a group from the arc Tours office. Arc also conducts Whitewater Tours featuring a three Day program of hiking and rafting on Austria s fast moving Rivers. In addition arc offers Tours of Berchtesgaden and Salzburg the Birthplace of Mozart and the film location for the sound of music. History buffs will find Berchtesgaden particularly interesting. The elite of the nazi regime considered it a second Home and Southern Headquarters. For something unusual try the tour of a Salt mine. The mine tunnels deep into the heart of the Westerfall mountains and the tour gives a look at mining techniques that have changed Little Over 450 years. Chi Emsee this area is often called Quot Costa Bavaria Quot because of its sunny climate and variety of water sports. Arc has two hotels on the shores of Germany s largest Lake about 60 Miles Southeast of Munich. Water sports Are the hallmark of activities at Chi Emsee. Arc Chi Emsee offers More than 20 different programs including an introduction to sailing windsurfing and scuba diving. Arc also owns a recently upgraded travel Camp in its resort area. And you Don t need to buy a tent if you Don t have one arc rents them. On a forested Island in the Lake sits Herrence Emsee Palace. Styled after the Palace at Versailles near Paris the Herrence Emsee Palace was built for Bavaria s King Ludwig ii in the 19th Century. The Castle s High Points Are the Well manicured gardens and the gallery of mirrors which is furnished with 52 candelabra 33 Crystal clusters and benches with engravings from the Era of Louis Xiv. Arc offers daily Tours. What is now the arc Chi Emsee hotel was built by the nazis in 1937. Then called Rathaus am Chi Emsee the Complex served initially As a Model guest facility for members of the nazi labor organization and people travelling on the nearby autobahn. It featured a hotel and restaurant Harbor beaches and a Plant Nursery for the beautification of the resort. The Basic Complex remains at Chi Emsee but arc has spent the last two years upgrading the resort to contemporary american standards. All rooms now have private Bath television and Telephone. An indoor swimming Pool racquetball courts health and fitness Center tanning Salon and a 250-seat conference Hall Are being added. Garmisch a popular Winter and summer resort for americans and germans alike Garmisch is situated at the foot of Germany s highest Mountain the Zug Spitze. Garmisch is about 60 Miles South of Munich near the austrian Border. It is conveniently located for outings to Munich Innsbruck Austria and the Northern italian Alps. Arc s sea and ski program includes one Day of White water rafting and one Day of skiing on the Zug Spitze Glacier. Other summer programs include hiking mountaineering Tennis Golf canoeing and kayaking. Garmisch also has a travel Camp. Numerous hiking trails wind around the peaks overlooking Garmisch. Hiking programs Are offered by the arc mountaineering school for All Levels of hikers. Alpine huts along the Way provide a break on the Trail and give hikers a Chance to mingle with the locals. Arc Garmisch has Tours to several local spots of interest. Germany s most famous Castle Neuse Hanstein is an hour away. Also built by King Ludwig ii Neuse Hanstein was the inspiration for Disneyland s fairy tale Castle. Another of Ludwig s castles Linderhof is Only 12 Miles from Garmisch. This modest Palace is crowned by a classical Rotunda with a Marble statue of Venus and features a courtyard Complete with gardens fountains and statues. Arc s most grandiose plan Calls for a $65 million 450-room hotel and recreation Complex. Currently under construction in Garmisch and scheduled for completion in 1992, the Complex will feature american style and size guestrooms a disco pub Coffee shop specially restaurant Bookstore shopping mall and game rooms. Connected by an underground Tunnel to the hotel the recreation Complex will feature indoor and outdoor Tennis racquetball courts Sauna indoor swimming Pool physical fitness Center hourly childcare services and arc recreation program offices. A a. Kyj arc has several programs to entertain children while the parents get away on their own. All three areas have a just for kids program which offers recreational activities designed for children 5 to 12, including sports games Field trips arts and crafts and swimming. Once a week is kids night out at arc. For children 5 to 12, it includes dinner and entertainment afterwards. A summer Camp is offered in Berchtesgaden for children 11 to 14. The five Day program includes hiking rafting water sports sightseeing and More. Call ets 441 -5830 for dates and prices. An adventure kids program at Garmisch offers daily weekly and weekend programs for groups of 10 or More kids aged 10-13. Arc provides instruction program equipment lunches and transportation to and from activity areas. Berchtesgaden and Garmisch also have development centers for children 6 months to 5 years. Rates for arc special programs Range from bargains most Tours Are generally less than $20 to moderately expensive such As the five Day outdoor Challenge at $274. Room rates Range from $20 per night for e-1 through e-5 at Berchtesgaden and Garmisch to $49 per night for a Quot deluxe Quot room for two at Chi Emsee for e-6 and up. Costs vary depending on whether you get a private Bath and the hotel location. Rates increase june 1 at Berchtesgaden and Garmisch but stay unchanged at the two Chi Emsee hotels. The Cost of a room with Bath in Berchtesgaden and Garmisch will increase $5 a night. Rooms without Bath will increase $4 a night. Arc offers package meal plans starting at $14 per Day for half pension breakfast and one other meal to $19 per Day for three meals. If you can get a qualifying group of 25 or More together arc will provide round trip transportation from your Home base to any arc resort. German railway discounts Are also available through arc with the maximum fare currently about $48 from even the farthest Point in West Germany. Reservations can be made through your local Sato travel office or directly through arc. The arc Central office in Garmisch handles reservations for All three resorts its Telephone numbers Are ets 440-2575 and civilian 08821 -750575. Reservations can also be made for Berchtesgaden by calling ets 441 -5623/5823, civilian 08652-58623/58823 or for Chi Emsee at ets 441 -2355/2396, civilian 08501 -803172/803173. 42 stars and stripes travel Europe april 18, 1990