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December 19, 2014 By Hailey

10 Reasons to Love Munich

I had the opportunity to spend five weeks in Munich, Germany over the course of 2014 – three glorious weeks in July and two weeks in the magical month of December. It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with the city. To honor this love affair, I created a list of ten reasons why I love Munich and why it will forever have a place in my heart.

1. Munich is the capital of Bavaria.
Many of Germany’s world-famous customs, looks, quirks and charms originate in Bavaria, the southeast region of the country: Fairytale castles, beer-sloshing Oktoberfest, jolly Oompah bands, beautiful Alpine lakes, the fashionable lederhosen and dirndls.

All Bavarian.

Lake Tegernsee
Oktoberfest Crowd
Bavarians in Tegernsee
Hohenschwangau Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle Germany

(Source for Rowdy Oktoberfest and Source for Cloudy Neuschwanstein)

Some locals have explained it to us this way: Bavaria is to Germany what Texas is to the United States. Bavaria and her people are big on personality, studded with wealth, and proud of a rich heritage. In my opinion, Lonely Planet says is best:

One of Europe’s oldest states, with origins dating back to the 6th century, it’s safe to say that Bavaria, Germany’s largest and southernmost Land, has enjoyed a long and eventful past, one populated by a weird-and-wunderbar cast of oddball kings, scandalous courtesans and infamous Nazis. (…) Although never really at the centre of European power, Bavaria was a key player in continental politics for centuries. Governed by the same family, the colorful Wittelsbachs, for over 700 years, it was able to form a distinct culture that continues to shape its image and identity to this day.

Munich, Bavaria & the Black Forest (4th Edition, March 2013, pg 278)

2. A Pedestrian-friendly City Center
European charm at its best, Munich’s historic center – the Alstadt – is a maze of wonderful delights that makes for easy sightseeing. For example, in just a few hours, you could…

Gaze upon the archaic Glockenspiel of the Rathaus in Marienplatz, still chiming away with its jerky mechanical medieval figures at 11am and noon each day,

IMG_1898

Climb 306 stairs for a view of the city from St. Peterskirche,

Alter Peter
Munich Skyline

Sample local spices, cheeses, and other victuals at the Viktualienmarkt,
And then down a liter of helles in the mother of all beer halls, Hofbräuhaus München,

Dried Fruits
Hofbrau Beer and Menu

Do some world-class shopping on Maximilianstrasse
(or actually shop in the more budget friendly retailers – H&M!- on Kaufingerstrasse)

Munich Shopping

The Altstadt is absolutely chock full of historical interest points, great (window) shopping, traditional Bavarian fare, and spectacular people watching. It’s the heart and soul of Munich and an exciting place to be at any time of the day!

3. Munich is clean and safe for travelers.
Municipal hygiene and relative safety are two things that I deeply appreciate as a traveler, and Munich wears both of those distinguished badges on its Bavarian trachten jacket. You are more likely to get run over by a cyclist by standing (accidentally!) in the bike lane than find yourself in any serious trouble.

IMG_1986

4. Public Transportation
Getting around Munich is easy, and the variety of transportation options provides you with a multitude of routes to take you where you want to go. The S-Bahn is the suburban train that moves people in and out of the city with punctuality and dependability, and the U-Bahn is the extensive underground rail system.

Usually, when I travel, I prefer to see the city by walking, and for the longest time, Munich was no exception. However, I discovered the beauty of the tram after becoming well acquainted with the city: I can still see all the shops, buildings, and people as I move across town, but my little legs get a well-deserved reprieve!

Munich Bikers
Munich Public Transportation
Munich Tram

5. Summer in the Biergartens

Summer in Bavaria couldn’t be better. The sun doesn’t set until 9pm, and everyone is outside enjoying the fine weather. Hanging out in one of Munich’s many beer gardens while sipping on a liter of beer under the leafy trees is just what you do.

Not a huge beer fan? Try a Radler or Russn, blends of the local lager (Helles) or wheat beer (Weissbier) with lemon-lime soda, which translated in English as lemonade but is actually more like Sprite.

Beer gardens are a great place to enjoy a giant pretzel or fish on a stick!

HB Beers
Bavarian side dishes
Chinese Pagoda Beers
Fish on a stick
Hailey with Pretzel

 

6. Englischer Garten, The Central Park of Munich
Strolling through the wooded paths alongside the rushing creeks of the “English Garden” makes for a pleasant afternoon in the city. Munich’s princely park is actually bigger than both Central Park in New York and Hyde Park in London.

IMG_2007

I love watching happy dogs run free in the large green meadows and surfers tackle the wave. Free entertainment, people!

Isar River Surfer
English Garden Tree and Creek

7. Nymphenburg Palace, A Royal Escape
The summer palace and surrounding grounds for former Bavarian royalty is a favorite place of mine in Munich. I imagined myself wearing a large bustled dress, a feather neatly placed in my hair, and dancing the night away under the chandeliers of the grand hall, called the Steinerner Saal, a fanciful and magnificent room of rococo excess.

Nymphenburg Palace
Nymphenburg Palace, Grand Hall
Nymphenburg Palace Canal
Nymphenburg Palace Vase
Woods
Nymphenburg Palace

While I absolutely adored being outside in the woods and out on the grounds, I did find the Carriage Museum (Marstallmuseum), housed in the former horse stables, surprisingly enjoyable. King Ludwig was prone to take wild sleigh rides at night, and you can see his outlandish sleighs in addition to dozens of royal carriages. Also, you can find an exhaustive collection of porcelain from the Nymphenburg factory upstairs.

8. Christmas Markets
Munich is full of sweet yuletide cheer in December, with Christmas markets scattered all across the city. A cup of glühwein and some holiday shopping will warm your heart.

German Christmas ornaments
Residenz Christmas market

9. Always Something to See, Always Something to Do.
Five weeks wasn’t enough for me to see all of what Munich has to offer. Even though I did not make it to the BMW Museum, The Olympic Stadium, or all the Pinakothek art museums, I still did my fair share of touring. I particularly enjoyed the Residenz Museum, the Deutsches Museum, dipping my feet in the Isar River, and reverently touring some of Munich’s cathedral buildings.

IMG_1958

Residenz Museum Munich
Residenz Museum Munich Crown
Residenz Room Munich
Deutsches Museum Munich
Aviation in Deutsches Museum
Flight in Deutsches Museum

DSC00630

Palaces. Science and History Museums. Art. Architecture. It is all here.

10. Munich is for Lovers.
To complete your experience in München, make sure to snag a park bench and snuggle up with a loved one.

Munich Couple
Riverside couple

Couple in Nymphenburg Gardens


So, friends…
Are you in love with Munich yet? 

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Hailey Domeck is a Southern girl with a Spanish heart and Swiss soul.

As a wife, mom, and travel addict, her love for mountains, fairy-tales, and great food keep her mind and heart always on the lookout for the next great adventure.

♥ Connect with Me ♥



💫 2020 - not about travel; all about family. 💫

#littleAlpenRose #WaveyBow
For me, this year was all about #motherhood - the For me, this year was all about #motherhood - the beauty of growing a child in the womb and then nurturing a precious newborn around the clock; the wild roller coaster of shepherding a toddler, whose contagious joy and  stubborn defiance make each day a challenge and a gift; the mundane tasks that help make a home feel warm and welcoming; and a bunch of other things. 

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#littleAlpenRose #WaveyBow
📷: @whitneykeilman
Merry Christmas, y’all! 🤍 No matter your circ Merry Christmas, y’all! 🤍 No matter your circumstances, may you experience JOY in this holiday season and have HOPE  for a brighter year ahead. 

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#littleAlpenRose #WaveyBow 

📷: @whitneykeilman
• T H A N K F U L • We are saying thanks for • T H A N K F U L • 

We are saying thanks for all things in life this week. It’s so easy to get stuck on either the big picture or the tiny details, but I believe it’s important to take it all in - like I did on this ridge overlooking #Manang Village last year while trekking the #AnnapurnaCircuit in #Nepal. 

Creating a culture of gratitude takes intentionality and discipline... and it’s especially not easy when babies and toddlers demand so much of you at all hours of the day and night. Yet, here we are at the start of the holiday season, and I’m choosing to be grateful for the whole lot. 

What are you thankful for this year?
Hooray, it’s the weekend! 🥳 I don’t have a Hooray, it’s the weekend! 🥳

I don’t have any big plans today (#newbornlife), but I’m recalling the joy of “Heidi Hailey” in the Himalayas last November. ☺️ Shout out to @thatdutchieguy for bringing his Polaroid camera on our #CreateConnectNepal journey... what a fun way to capture special moments, - like my favorite stretch of the #AnnapurnaCircuit in the #Manang District ❣️

What are you up to this weekend?
As I sit here nursing an 8-week old babe, it’s j As I sit here nursing an 8-week old babe, it’s just wild to me that on this date exactly one year ago, I was walking among giants and completed the most difficult hike of my life. 

On November 11, 2019, the #CreateConnectNepal team and I went up and over the Thorong La Pass. At 17,769 feet (5416m), this is the pinnacle of the Annapurna Circuit and one of the highest mountain passes in the world. The day began in the dark with a grueling 4+ hour ascent through snow-kissed trails and then required a fierce descent down a bone dry valley. It demanded everything of me. 

Yet, that day up and over Thorong La was just one part of my epic adventure in #Nepal last November. I am eternally grateful for that experience and cherish those memories dearly. I also miss those people a lot. ❣️
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