Pretty East Bavaria is renowned for its changing landscape, dominated by the Oberpfalz and Stein forests and the "lovely blue" Danube.
Towns, many up to 2000 years old, and their surroundings hold a wealth of arts and cultural monuments dating from the Middle Ages, the Baroque and the Modern Age. Regensburg, Passau, Straubing or Landshut are home to numerous museums, historical buildings and markets, which reflect the crafts and history of the region and its people.
To the southeast stretches the Bavarian Forest, middle Europe's biggest self-contained woodlands and one of the loveliest besides. To preserve this natural beauty, the first German national park was established here in 1970. Here one can walk, bathe, sledge and cycle, ride horses and ski or take appropriate coaching.
