With only 3 vacation days available I knew a trip outside of the US wasn’t possible…but as soon as I put the days together with the Thanksgiving holiday week – I instantly had a full 9 day vacation!  Perfect – Europe here my mom and I come.  I got flights and hotels booked, and then played the waiting game for the next few months.  Thankfully I was really busy at work in the months leading up to this vacation, so I ended up not planning a single thing. I know some locations require more planning than others…but for this trip it really worked out perfect to just wing it every day and make our plans as we went (usually involving me with my iPhone at night in the hotel room doing a bit of research and putting together a rough idea of places to see and/or restaurants to try the next day by “star-ing” them in google maps). 
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Mom and I in Karsplatz Square

Trip Highlights


  • The metro system (Bahn Munchen) is so easy - and they have a partner pass that gets you 2 for 1, so buy a multi-day pass and you're all set to get around Munich.  We took it from the airport into Munchen Hauptbahnhof railway station, just across the street from our hotel; as well as various shorter trips around town when things were a bit further away, or it was just too cold to walk.  ​
  • On a cold and rainy day, roam around the Hauptbahnhof station underground tunnels.  Lots of little shops to go in, food options and a great little chocolate shops for some treats!​
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Dinner at Andechser - my first German beer!
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Pedestrian walkway to Marienplatz Square
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  • ​Sunday 1 Euro museum day.  We aren't big museum people, but for 1 Euro, it sounded like a good way to shake off some jet-lag on our first day.  We picked the Alte Pinakothek museum.  I have to admit, it was not our favorite on the trip - but I'm still glad we went. 
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Beautiful side streets walking through Munich
  • Walk up and down the pedestrian way from Karlsplatz Square in the day and evening for different experiences.  It was so great in the winter with the markets and Christmas decorations, watching the ice skating from the balcony of the little food & wine temporary shops in Karlsplatz, enjoying mulled wine and window shopping as we strolled - especially the Stieff toy store window exhibit . 
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Mulled wine - watching the ice skaters in Karlsplatz
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Cheers! Hofbrauhaus
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  • As if I need to mention it - visit the Hofbrauhaus.  Or better yet - just try as many beers as you can around town during your stay!   The atmosphere at Hofbrauhaus is of course great, and the place is huge!  My mom doesn't drink, but is always a good sport about hanging out with me.  I had a beer and pretzel - a perfect Bavarian lunch, right?!
  • Enjoy plenty of time in and around Marienplatz Square.  Some of the places we saw were:
  • The amazing Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall)
  • Frauenkirche - the famous church with the 2 spires.
  • Saint Peter’s Church
  • The Victuals Market
  • And just all the sights and activity around Marienplatz Square as they prepared for the opening of the Christmas Market. 
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Marienplatz
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Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall)
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Feet - Frauenkirche church
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Saint Peter's Church
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Munich Residenz - the Antiquarium
  • Take the metro up to Odeonsplatz.  
  • We stumbled upon a Christmas Market in the Emperor's Court of Munich Residenz, and each bought fun new hats.
  • Take a stroll through Hofgarten,  near Odeonsplatz
  • We enjoyed a really amazing self-guided tour of the Munich Residenz (former royal palace of the Bavarian monarchs).  Being off season, and almost closing time – the place was nearly empty.  Fortunate for us, because we got some amazing (no people in them) photos!  This was really one of our highlights of the day – a must see in Munich.
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Christmas Market in the Emperor's Court of Munich Residenz
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Hofgarten
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Munich Residenz - Cabinet of Miniatures
  • Visit Dachau Concentration Camp. It took about 40 minutes to get out there, between a metro train and a quick bus ride that dropped us off right at the entrance to the memorial site. 
  • We spent a couple hours walking around the site – going through the museum, watching a short film, and then walking around the remnants of the camp – looking at the bunkers, perimeter fence, memorial sites, cremation rooms, etc.  Definitely a sobering day, but so glad we took the time to visit.  Very educational and of course just heartbreaking to see the actual site…especially in the cold of winter.  
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Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site - Main gate
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Roll Call Area
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Torture Room!
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Jewish Memorial
  • Travel to Prague.  On our first day in Munich we went to the station and bought our one-way bus pass.  The travel was very easy and nice - On our last afternoon we boarded our double decker bus, with free wifi, and just relaxed on the 5 hour ride over to Prague.

Slideshow of more Munich photos - use right/left control arrows or scroll and click to view

Accomodations

  • We stayed at the Le Meridien Munich.  It was a beautiful hotel and in a great location just across the street from Hauptbahnhof station.     We could easily catch a train at the station, or walk just under a mile to Marienplatz.  They also have a wonderful breakfast buffet in their restaurant just off the lobby.

Food

  • Andechser was recommended to us by the hotel concierge and turned out to be a great dinner.  Easy to walk to, just before Marienplatz, with good Bavarian food and beer.  
  • Hofbrauhaus - A beer and a pretzel did the trick!  Do I need to say more about this place - you just have to go.
  • ​Tegernseer Tal for another great Bavarian dinner.  Take the train to Marienplatz and then its just down the road past the square.  
  • ​Ristorante CA’D’ORO - On our last night in Munich we decided to switch it up and have Italian. We found a great family run place just down the block from our hotel.  Friendly staff and amazing food!  We shared a pizza and lasagna and everything was great. 
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