Whether you’re going on a city break or exploring the great outdoors, renting a Hertz car keeps you in control of your holiday and helps you get the most from your experience. Wherever you’re going, we want to inspire you to explore and savour the journey.

With this in mind, we at Hertz want to help your journeys become as memorable as the destinations themselves. With you in the driving seat, you can stop off and find the hidden gems you might have otherwise missed, giving you a deeper sense of connection to the country you’re visiting and great stories to bring back home.

We’ve teamed up with the travel experts from Culture Trip, the lifestyle and culture hub, to identify some of the best stops to enjoy when driving in Europe. This summer, why not stop before you get there, and discover new places that will transform your trip from a holiday to an adventure.

See below to find out some of our top stops on the drive from Munich to Walchensee towards the German Alps.

Viktualienmarkt

On the drive out of Munich towards Kochel in the south of Germany, stop off to visit the city's best food market, open from Monday to Saturday. The market was moved to its current location in Viktualienmarkt following a decree by King Maximilian I in 1807, making it the oldest farmers market in Munich. Since then, it has been expanded several times and spans an impressive 22,000 sqm.

Not just a food market, it also has an enormous selection of handmade crafts, fresh flowers, and an amazing selection of teas. This market is considered by many locals to be the heart of culinary Munich and a visit to this hotspot promises to offer many delights for foodie fans! Open all year-round, this energetic market is an institution in Munich and a definite spot to consider before you drive out of the city.

Viktualienmarkt, Viktualienmarkt 3, Munich, Germany

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10am – 18.00, Saturday 10am – 15.00

Bad Tolz

On the road south from Munich past Holzkirchen, stop off at Bad Tölz where people have been living since the end of the last Ice Age. Although, it wasn’t until the middle of the 19th that the stunning natural springs were discovered. Since then, tourists have been flocking to the town to stop and cool off at the healing waters and spectacular view of the Alps.  These days, the iodine-laden water can be taken by the cupful straight from the spring or via full-luxe spa treatments at one of the many hotels in the area.

We recommend planning your stop off on Friday morning when the farmer's market spills out of Jungmayr-Fritzplatz to the Isar River. Most days you’ll get a chance to see local residents going about their business in traditional dirndls and lederhosen. The Leonhardifahrt equestrian procession in November, one of the most colourful displays in Alpine Bavaria, also makes its way through town, ending in at the 18th-century chapel at Kalvarienberg.

For the kids, head to Blombergbahn home to one of the longest summer toboggan runs in Europe. Standing at approximately 1,300 (4,265 ft.) in length with 41 s-turns and 17 steep turns, the toboggan track winds through an idyllic mountain setting making for a very fun and memorable experience.

Blombergbahn, Am Blomberg 2, 83646 Bad Tölz

Opening times: Daily: 9.00 – 18.00

Wirtshaus zum Starnbräu

For something to eat whilst on your journey, take a break from driving and try the legendary Wirtshaus zum Starnbräu. Though there has been a brewery on this site since 1591, the Starnbräu in its current incarnation opened in 2009 after extensive restoration by the Reichert family. Situated in the middle of a pedestrian zone in the resort town of Bad Tölz, the Wirsthaus is the perfect spot to grab some food whilst on route to the Alps.

Whilst you can sample the famous ‘wirst’ sausage in most corners of Germany, this place is the real deal. The open beechwood grill in the courtyard keeps the delicious homemade sausage, fillet steaks, veal chops and fish in good supply and gives visitors a chance to see how Bavarians really barbecue.

This is a great place to stop by on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays when the Wirsthaus is full of music, and the old wooden floor in the barn becomes a dance floor.

Wirtshaus Zum Starnbräu, Marktstraße 4, 83646 Bad Tölz, Germany

Opening hours: Daily 10.30 – 23.00, Friday and Saturday 24 hours

Walchensee

After driving 45 miles south of Munich to the middle of the Bavarian Alps, make sure your next stop is Walchensee, one of the largest and deepest lakes in the whole of Germany.

The lakewater is exceptionally clear and the thermals created by eastern and northern winds through the valley are fantastic for windsurfing and sailing.

We recommend you make your way down to the Herzogstandbahn, park the car and take the gondola lift. Running from Walchensee up the Fahrenberg, enjoy the ride for a relaxing way to take in the spectacular views.  After a restorative “Kaffee und Kuchen” at the Herzogstandhaus, it's just 30-45 minutes walk to the top of the mountain for yet more outstanding natural beauty. We can guarantee you won’t regret it!

Herzogstandbahn, Am Tanneneck 6, 82432 Walchensee, Germany

Opening hours: Weekends 8.30 - 17.45, Mon- Fri 9.00 - 17.15

This summer, wherever you’re going #goviahertz.