View over the village of Gößweinstein and Gössweinstein castle, Bavaria, Germany

© Juergen Sack/Getty Image

A shining beauty in Bavaria

Winter has laid a blanket of snow over the mountainous landscape of Franconian Switzerland, a German region in the state of Bavaria. The pretty market town of Gößweinstein, shown on today's homepage, is central to this popular tourist area. Among the sights here are the town’s Baroque basilica, seen on the right of the image, designed by the famous German architect Balthasar Neumann and its medieval hilltop fortress Gößweinstein Castle.

This region’s hilly landscape and distinctive Dolomite rock formations are popular with hikers and climbers during the summer months. There are also plenty of castles and ruins to keep visitors interested, as well as a variety of caves. In winter, the region is a little more tranquil and relaxed, but those who visit can take part in snowshoe hikes and cross-country skiing through an unspoiled winter landscape.