Although the River Inn rises in Switzerland and lingers in Austria, in Germany it turns into a true Bavarian. It takes us into the hill country of Lower Bavaria, where the wooded terraces extend right down to the wider river valley. The Lower Inn European Nature Reserve is an excellent place to experience this natural beauty. The Inn clearly enjoys tempting us to go rowing, canoeing, cycling and hiking, and ensures we are made to feel welcome wherever we go. But the river also adorns itself with towns which have an abundance of interesting churches, monasteries and palaces and in which Bavarian traditions are kept alive.

At Rosenheim and Mühldorf (see picture) you can admire the typically Mediterranean baroque Inn-Salzach style of the townscape. Taking us by surprise and situated within a loop of the river is the old salt-trading port of Wasserburg. Artistically positioned on a peninsula as if by magic, it has a castle in its centre. Further down the river you find Altötting, a traditional place of pilgrimage, and the neighbouring Neuötting. Burghausen an der Salzach is well worth an excursion as you can admire the longest and oldest castle in Europe: there you will find museums, an arts and crafts centre, a theatre and apartments. A modern finale is provided by the youthful Bad Füssing, which has developed into a spa resort with a worldwide reputation.