Archive for October, 2009

It`s time to take a deep breath in Munich

Friday, October 30th, 2009

The second half of October and the month of November are a time in Munich to take a deep breath.

What to do after the big Beer-festival? The big hype is over now and all of us have to wait one whole year till the next one, hopefully without some crazy Terrorists threatening to blow everything up.

Ok….one whole year minus 2 weeks, but anyway…some time to go. And the Christmas markets haven’t started yet either. But you get the feeling of Christmas already, when strolling through the supermarkets. Mainly next to the cashpoints you can find heaps of biscuits, mountains built of gingerbread, cute little chocolate Santa Clause statues smiling as if Christmas is set to be tomorrow. Great for all the people having little kids….;-)

So what to do in Munich now? For example have a warm and yummy coffee at one of the beautiful little cafes in the centre of Munich and watch the rain beating against the windows, while being happy sitting inside.

Take a walk in the English Garden and enjoy the cold air blowing around your nose, while being wrapped in 5 layers of clothes.

Visit the thousands of museum we’ve got here in Munich and decide if you prefer the Old, the New or the Modern Pinakothek. Once a year in October there is the “Long Nights of the Museums”, (http://www.muenchner.de/museumsnacht/) when all the museums, galleries, even some special cafes and restaurants participating are open till 2 a.m. That’s something you really shouldn’t miss.

Also some city tours, as the ones organised by the “Weißer Stadtvogel”, (http://www.weisser-stadtvogel.de/) which is for example the night watchman tour, are more exciting and realistic, when the weather is not a hundred percent perfect. And a nice medieval dinner tastes even better afterwards.

Or make a beautiful souvenir, by painting pottery by yourself at the “Froh und Bunter” store close to the Viktualienmarkt. (http://www.froh-und-bunter.de/)

As you see, Munich offers a lot. And to have a lie-in or a big, rich, yummy breakfast in the morning, to feel as if you are at home, go to the Hotel Monaco. It lies very central and offers you cosy rooms and a very warm welcome.

Yours Franziska ;-)

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The Munich tourist information is great

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

In order to really experience the city of Munich properly it is good to take a tour offered by one of the professional advertisers.  A good place to start is the tourist information office.  There is one located in the Main train station, and another at the Marienplatz.  A city map can be obtained for only .50. and the new Munich 2009 city guide in German or English is only one euro.  There is everything from travel information to public transportation information, as well as museums, castles, excursions, special events,  and shopping tips.  Also included are sightseeing tours.  If time is important, and limited. consider the city bus tour.  This is especially enjoyable on a fine day.  There are also tours offered for Neuschwanstein castle, Dachau concentration camp memorial tour, and third reich tour.  The last three tours are Sandemans new munich free tour, and brochures are available.  Another new munich tour is the beer challange, up to four beer gardens and beer halls available to tour.  And do not forget to say prost.

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Bristol to London to Munich via Paris

Monday, October 12th, 2009

Inter-city by train, intra-city by Brompton folding bike.  How much can two geriatrics cram into two days in Munich when they have just arrived on the overnight train from Paris?  Quite a lot if the train has been empty enough to stretch out horizontal with earplugs in place for most of the way and you can use your Brompton bikes to get orientated within the first few hours in Munich, Englischer Garten included.  All the main architectural sights ticked off from the outside in a few revolutions of the pedals.  Even the few buildings that are obscured by scaffolding are recognisable from the full-size illustrations of the frontage adorning the metal-work.

Hotel Monaco (Italian for Munich) more than lives up to the excellent feedback it has attracted on the internet.  Breakfast to see you well into the day, and cherubs everywhere – staff included!

It is a shame that the Third Reich walking tour and the Neue Pinakothek art gallery don’t lend themselves to cycling!  Still, aching legs are a good excuse for sitting down to some more beer, sausages, sauerkraut and, of course, mustard!

Good things don’t last forever.  Early start tomorrow for Croatia.  To Zagreb and Split by train, then 56 km pedalling down the Dalmation coast to Baska Voda.  Hope the beer there is as good!

Andy and Sue Black, Bristol, UK

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