Date of trip: November 2006

Will and I were off on our Thanksgiving trip to Europe and a lot of people have asked me why we chose Munich. I suppose it was partly because we loved Germany so much when we visited last year and partly because flights to Europe are so expensive this year and we found a good deal. I was expecting a quaint “Hansel and Gretel” like town but it was actually quite a touristy city. The best part of the trip was driving south to the Alps….that was beautiful.

Highlights:

-The Residenz is the coolest and most interesting museum in Munich. It is a series of ornate apartments that originally housed Bavarian royals and rulers. There are over 130 extravagantly decorated rooms and the crown jewels are also on display.

-The Deutsches Museum is the largest and considered the finest museum of science and technology in the world. It’s not very interactive and it leans more on the side of technology but there is something to impress everyone here. It is a huge and somewhat overwhelming place but a must see. My favorite exhibits are the transport section where you can see a passenger plane cut open to reveal how the luggage is stowed and the glass blowing area where you can watch a glass blower work and actually buy some of his creations.

-Although I found the Marienplatz, the main square in Munich, crowded with tourists, it is fun to catch the Glockenspiel chiming on New Town Hall. At 11am, 12pm and 9pm, the clock plays music and the figures in the middle act out a battle scene and a celebration. Although I don’t think it lives up to the hype, it is unique and worth checking out if you are going to the area.

-Also in Marienplatz is the most famous pub in the world, Hofbrauhaus. This is very touristy and crowded but it’s still worth a visit. The music is live and loud and waiters walk around selling giant pretzels. The beers are huge and the food is pretty good. It can be tricky finding a table and don’t expect any help from the somewhat rude waitstaff, but your best bet is to go around to the back to the non-smoking section.

-A couple more quick stops in Marienplatz are the Viktualienmarkt, a large market where you can buy everything from produce to cookies to hot dogs and the Spielzeugmuseum, a small but cool toy museum in a tower over looking the square.

-One of my favorite things about Germany is their chocolate and Munich is no exception. There are many chocolate shops all over the city and even in the department stores where you can buy delicious treats you will never find in the U.S.

-Although it’s not in Munich, Neuschwanstein Castle is only about 2 hours away and is well worth the trip. Driving on the Autobahn is…….interesting. The drivers are aggressive but respectful and the roads are incredibly smooth. There are many sections where there is no speed limit so it’s important to be alert at all times as people are constantly whizzing by. As you approach Neuschwanstein, the Alps loom over you and the countryside is stunningly beautiful. Here is where things look “Hansel and Gretel”! If the castle looks familiar to you, that’s because it was the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland and has appeared in many movies and television shows. It also graces just about every book about Bavaria and many about Germany and is the most visited castle in the world. It was built by King Ludwig II in the late 19th Century. Ludwig thought building a fairytale castle would help the people of Bavaria forget their troubles. Bavarians however were horrified at the amount of money spent on the castle and had Ludwig declared insane and removed from power. As a result, the castle is mostly unfinished on the inside and Ludwig only lived in his dream home for just over 100 days. He was found drowned the day after being removed from the castle and to this day there is debate as to whether his death was an accident. Neuschwanstein is the ultimate fantasy castle, but is is best enjoyed on the outside as many rooms were never decorated. There is a video shown inside which can only be described as different…very German….it should not be missed. I recommend buying your tickets online in advance because it is so popular. Also, the walk to the top may not look too tough, but as it’s a straight up hill, taking the horse drawn carriage at least one way is a great option. Nearby is the Marienbrucke Bridge which offers the absolute best view of the castle and Hohenschwangau, the smaller castle Ludwig grew up in. The towns in the surrounding area have plenty of cute shops and restaurants to round out your day trip.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Munich Links:
Munich Official Site
The Residenz
Neuschwanstein Castle
Hofbrauhaus Munich
Deutsches Museum