Enjoying the winter months is a way of life in Bavaria. It has breathtaking mountain scenery, snow covered forests, castles, palaces, abbeys and ski slopes, mixed with culture, shopping streets and a regional cuisine designed to keep the cold out and warmth in.

Chopped pancakes with fruit for Breakfast, Lunch or Dessert, at Oktoberfest or in a bar, might not be what Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria's chef had in mind when he devised what is now known as 'Kaiserschmarrn', but a century later it is a favorite throughout Bavaria and Austria.

Austrian composer Joseph Haydn created a melody as a hymn to God for an Austrian Emperor which, with a German poet’s different lyrics, later became the German national anthem, and for a time beautiful music was associated with a dark period in Germany’s past.

Rinderrouladen, "Beef Rollups", slices of beef rolled up around a seasoned onion and bacon filling, served in a wine sauce. A delicious, and classic, "cold weather meal" in Germany, once considered so special they were saved for celebrations or Sundays, now a very traditional dinner choice.

Mother-tongue speakers are usually extremely loyal to their national language, and Germany is no exception, however recently Anglicism's have been adopted with an amazing lack of restraint bringing about the rise of "Denglisch".

It is a popular, even trendy, German English language mixture,but "Denglisch", has a few powerful opponents, and some of the most commonly used words and phrases have been banned for use in many official offices and documents.

Twelfth Night on January 5 is followed by "Dreikoenigstag", Three Kings Day, in Germany. Epiphany. The final hours of the Advent and Weihnachten season and the end of Christmas celebrations, marked by a mixture of Tradition, Charity and Religious customs.

Dreikoenigstag, Epiphany, signals the end of the Christmas season and in Germany one of many traditions for the day is a Three King's Cake, with the crowning of the lucky finder of a Christkind figure, or dried white bean, in their portion.

New Years Eve in Germany is a mix of traditions, old and new. Based partly on customs from the country's pagan past, a German "Silvester" celebration is planned to ensure the coming year will have the best chance possible of being a vintage one.

Germany’s Feuerzangenbowle, Flaming Fire Tongs Punch, made with red wine, rum and sugar flambé, is a traditional New Year’s drink as well as a winter and seasonal favorite.