European Vacation - Munich, Germany

Munich, one of Germany’s biggest cities, has more than its share of great museums, architectural treasures, historic sites and world-class shops, restaurants and hotels. Tourists flock to Munich year-round, but festival dates—especially Fasching, or Carnival, in the winter, and Oktoberfest in the fall—draw the most.

Munich is a wealthy city—and it shows. At times the aura of affluence may be all but overpowering. But that's what Munich is all about these days: a new city superimposed on the old; conspicuous consumption; a fresh patina of glitter along with the traditional rustic charms. Munich is unusual among German cities because it has no identifiable, homogeneous Old Town center. Postwar developments often separate clusters of buildings that date back to Munich's origins—and not always to harmonious effect.

Top Munich attractions include:

Deutsches Museum is not only one of the first scientific-technological museums in the world, but also one of the most frequently visited and with an area of 50,000 square meters the biggest of all. The laws of nature, instruments and technological methods are presented in this Mount Olympus of knowledge on a scientifically high level, yet in an enthralling and entertaining way. Machines hum, lightning flashes through the air, telescopes zoom in on star formations.
Alte Pinakothe is one of the oldest and most important galleries in the world. More than 800 masterpieces by European artists bring to life the development of art from the Middle Ages to the end of the Rococo period.

Venetian art is represented by its master painter Titian, as is Dutch baroque art by Frans Hals. Rubens occupies (with one of the largest collections of his works in the world) the center of the museum.

A further highlight is the Old German art by Altdorfer and Dürer. Both Dürer's epochal self-portrait from 1500 as well as his "Four Apostles" can be admired in the Alte Pinakothek
Isartor (Isar Gate) is the most easterly of Munich's three remaining town gates, dating from the 14th century. Careful restoration has recreated the dimensions and appearance of the original structure. The Isar Gate accommodates the Valentin Museum.
Karlstor (Charles' Gate) is the westerly town gate from 14th century. Today it marks one end of Munich's primary pedestrian zone.
Sendlinger Tor (Sendlinger Gate) is the remaining tower of southerly fortifications from the 14th century.
Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) is the heart of Munich. The Gothic council hall and ballroom and the adjoining town hall tower have been reconstructed.
Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) features strikingly elaborate stone ornamentation. Its 260-ft tower with carillon is, with St. Peter's Church and the twin towers of the Cathedral, one of the most distinctive features of the city's skyline.
Cathedral Church of Our Lady is a landmark for the City of Munich. The late Gothic nave from the 15th century boasts an interior with works of art spanning five centuries.
Ludwigstraße. Magnificent "showpiece" of Munich, extending from the Siegestor (Triumphal Arch) to the Feldherrnhalle (Commanders' Hall); built under King Ludwig I in the first half of the 19th century, it marked the transformation of Munich from a medieval town to an imperial residence.
Peterskirche (Church of St. Peter) is the oldest parish church in Munich. It has an ornate interior decorated with old masters from six centuries.
Theresienwiese / Oktoberfest. The Theresienwiese is mainly known as the site of the Oktoberfest and is also referred to as the ”Wies’n.”
Oktoberfest. When King Ludwig I had a marriage party in 1810, it was such a success, they made it an annual bash. These days, Oktoberfest lasts 16 days, beginning on the third weekend in September and ending on the first full weekend in October.

The Theresienwiese fairground (known as the "Wies'n," south of the train station) erupts in a frenzy of rides, dancing, drinking and eating. The three-loops roller coaster must be the wildest on earth. It's a good time to sightsee, even if beer hall rowdiness isn't your cup of tea.
The Viktualienmarkt is the old market in the center of Munich. Here you can buy the freshest fruit and vegetables in the whole city. The Viktualienmarkt is located in the very center of Munich—behind the old town hall.
Fasching a winter carnival is Munich's version of "Mardi Gras." At the climax to the Fasching celebrations most people will get the afternoon off work so that they can go down to the Viktualienmarkt wearing a silly costume. There are gala balls and other festivities especially close to the last day of Fasching. The carnival season begins on November 11th and ends seven weeks before Easter.
Ruhmeshalle (Hall of Fame) and Bavaria.is a U-shaped open hall modeled on Graeco-Roman precedents. It is a memorial to distinguished figures of Bavarian history. The bronze statue in front of the hall represents the State of Bavaria.
Olympiaturm (Olympic Tower) is 951 ft tall and Germany's highest television tower.
Hofbräuhaus. This beloved beer hall has existed since 1644 and lives up to its reputation: beer, food, tourists, oom-pah music, drunken revelry and Lederhosen. Check out the wall of beer steins, personalized and locked away for their owners. Note: Tables labeled with "Stammtisch" are reserved for regulars (this is true for all Bavarian restaurants).
The Bavarian National Museum is one of the largest art and cultural history museums in Europe. Its variety of collections on art, craft industry and folklore covers more than Germany.

When walking through rooms furnished in keeping with the style of the period, occidental art epochs from the ancient world right through to Art Nouveau come to life for the visitor. Gothic sculptures and gold work from the late renaissance, precious baroque and rococo tapestries and works of art express a vivid picture of former times. Oil paintings, clocks and ivory pictures complete the brilliant collection of Bavarian and European art. Nineteenth century and Art Nouveau masterpieces are also among the masterpieces in the museum.

Additionally, there are expert collections containing valuable porcelain and unique music instruments. The world-famous crib collection is a firm favorite of the museum visitors.
Schleißheim Old and New Palace and the Lustheim Palace forms a magnificent monument of courtly architecture and garden art of the 17th and 18th century.

Based on décor by French craftsmen, the interior design in the New Palace is charming. In this palace at the gates of Munich you can admire baroque paintings of international ranking, as well as splendid festival halls and apartments.

In the beautiful park of the Schleißheim Palace lies the garden palace of Lustheim. Together with the Schleißheim Old and New Palace, the building, which Enrico Zuccalli erected according to Italian models, is one of the most significant baroque structures in Germany. The collection of Meißen porcelain from Ernst Schneider foundation is outstanding. It comprises more than 2,000 precious sets of tableware, centerpieces, as well as animal figures, and is only exceeded by the collection in the Dresdner Zwinger.
BMW Museum. This museum, with its distinctive architecture in the shape of a futuristic silver bowl, is among the most attractive museums in Munich. The "time horizons" exhibition takes you on an exciting journey through technical feats of pioneering—from the historic BMW sports car through legendary prototypes, right up to futuristic study of automobiles and motorcycles. The path also takes the visitor past topical subjects like alternative propulsion methods, recycling and cooperative traffic management.