PlanetEye

Going to any city in Europe where tourists from all over the world are ready to drop large wads of cash, you're sure to have your share of tourist traps. Let's start off with a little story...

Once upon a time there was a young gal named Noka who had a couple of visitors from the States. They really wanted to go out for a "true Bavarian" meal and then ended up paying 20€ for a wienerschnitzel even though it had said 14€ in the German language menu. Confused, she looked at the English language menu to see that a veal weinerschnitzel was listed at 19.90€ whereas a normal pork wienerschnitzel was listed in the German menu as 14€, which was the one she had ordered from. Ah, the shame.

Restaurants

As we have learned from my little story above, many Bavarian Restaurants have menus in multiple languages. The "tourist" menus sometimes have half the food choices and of course, the most expensive options. Beware! i.e. The Rathauskeller located in the City Hall. While I really do enjoy this place and think that everyone should try it, one should be careful about the price differences.

Tut-Tut Bikes

Walking around the city center, you'll see tons of bikes with little coaches attached to the back of them so some guy can take you on a little tour. Unless you'd like to spend about 40€ on someone riding you down the streets that you could just as easily walk, not to mention the fact that they rarely go out of a small, one mile radius, don't get on one. I mean, sure, it's cute, and if you really want to spend the money, go on ahead. But wouldn't you rather spend that money on something else?

Tipping

In Munich, tipping is not customary as waiters and waitresses are paid a realtively nice hourly wage averaging about 12€ an hour. They, of course, don't advertise this to visitors, but if you'd like to give a tip, 1-3€ more than your meal is usually nice. I think of it as 10€ & under, round up to the nearest whole Euro or tip and extra 1€. 10-20€, tip 1-2€, etc. Of course when it comes to places such as Oktoberfest or the Hofbräuhaus, tipping an extra Euro per beer will ensure faster service.

If you're looking to spend a night out on the town, but want a place where you can sit back and relax with a a few drinks and a few friends, head over to the Green Room on Leopoldstraße, number 13. This bar is a great place for a few cocktails on a nice summer evening. When you get in and sit down, you'll be approached by someone from the waitstaff, asking you for your membership card. Yes, that's right, in order to get around the anti-smoking law, bars must be "smoking clubs", where patrons are "members". And as the Green Room offers hookah in all flavors, you must become a "member", but you get a really cool green card! So, pay the 1€, fill out the form, whether or not you put down the correct details really doesn't matter, and have a drink along with some hookah.

Each night boasts a special flavor for only 6€. Not bad at all. Not really in the mood for hookah? The Green Room serves up an eclectic array of cocktails made of all different liquors and flavors. Their margaritas are also especially delicious, try the mango one! Sit outside in one of the low, rocking-wicker chairs. If you get chilly, the staff provides you with fresh blankets and of course, you can order a hot drink.

A live DJ plays every night, although, he's pretty funny to watch because as far as we can tell, he just puts in different CDs, hits play and jumps around a lot. Especially funny is when he goes on the other side of his DJ area and pretends (at least that's what we make of it) to "scratch" or mix some songs together...although they sound exactly the same as they do on the radio. Also notice when he freaks out because he saw someone he knows.

Enjoy!

It's absolutely, drop-dead gorgeous outside. So, let's say that you're done with the museums, and the city tours, and the palaces, and the Bavarian restaurants and the blah blah blah. You just want to sit down, relax and enjoy the sun. Well, where do Müncheners go when they feel the exact same way? They pack a picnic and head over to the Englischer Garten. Founded in 1789 by the Count of Rumford, the Englischer Garten is bigger than Central Park in New York City, but smaller than Richmond Park in London. It was named the Englischer Garten after the style by which it was landscaped, popular of that in the UK from the mid 18th century. Take a trip to the Kleinhesseloher See, which is a lake of over 86,000 square meters. Sit in the Seehaus beer garten that has seats for 2,500 of your new friends.

Now, we already know about the Chinesischer Turm, but what else can you do in the Englischer Garten besides visit the beer gardens? Like I said, pack a picnic, a blanket and some wine, then pick a spot to sit out and relax. You will notice that there are lots of groups who frequent specific parts, such as the drum banging, headscarf wearing hippies, the baseball playing Cubans, with their flags floating in the breeze, as well as various jazz and classical groups. They just all get together for the day to relax and enjoy the weather. You may also notice the multitude of naked people, about 75% of the "nudists" will be older men. It's completely normal for some to strip off and work on their tan. If you have the guts, you can do it as well. No one will look twice, nor really care, except maybe the other tourists.

Now, if you're looking for some extra fun, head over to the Eisbach for some surfing. Even though there are signs that expressly say "Surfing is Forbidden", that usually doesn't deter the regulars. Spend a lovely day just walking around the park, stopping here and there for a beer, which you could take with you back to where you're sitting, as long as you return the glass. Pick one of the lakes for some boating or canoing. Don't worry about getting lost as there are signs, as well as helpful locals who will point you in the direction of a main road.

Enjoy!

Walking around the city, you'll notice that Munich has retained much of its small town charms when it comes to shopping. You buy your meat at the butcher, bread at the baker, shoes at the shoe shops, wines at the wine shops, the list goes on and on. While it may take a bit of getting used to, I have grown quite accustomed and appreciative of these specialty shops. Talk to the owners or employees and they'll tell you, in detail, why the Brie cheese made from farm #1 is better than the Gouda made from farm #4 as you stand there thinking "I just wanted to buy some Kraft American Singles".

For over 200 years, Müncheners have gathered at the Viktualienmarkt to find the freshest produce of the day. Originally a farmers market, Viktualienmarkt was an expansion of the farmers market that stood in Marienplatz. Severely damaged during the second World War, it was discussed to close it down, or build on top of it. Yet, the city agreed to keep the open market as it stimulated the local economies of small towns.

With 22,000 square meters boasting 140 stands, Viktualienmarkt has evolved from a simple farmer's market to selling specialized products such as wines, cheeses, flowers, spices, poultry and hand-made crafts. Grab a fresh fruit smoothie and take a walk around. Hungry? Viktualienmarkt also has a few stands where you can sit, enjoy a beer and a wurst mit senf (sausage with mustard). Head over to the Honey house, where all of their products are made with their honey: Gummie Bears, Wine (soooo yum), Creams, and of course--honey. This is actually my favorite place to grab a few "special" gifts for people as the wines are only 10€ per bottle. Nothing says "I care" like loading someone up on imported, family made wine.

It's spring! The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and trees are returning to their lovely green state. What better way to celebrate the coming of this beautiful season than drinking large quantities of beer? May I introduce to you: Frühlingsfest. Barvaria is famous for its beer festivals and this one is relatively unknown to the rest of the world.

Although less well-known than Oktoberfest and much smaller, Frühlingsfest offers most of what Oktoberfest does in the same location, but without the outrageous crowds nor having to fight tooth and nail for a table to sit at. It's a festival enjoyed by those who live in Munich. Opening on April 11th, many come dressed in their best dirndl and lederhosen to enjoy the day and welcome the spring. So feel free to don your new tracht that you just bought. Don't have one? Get one.

With the beermaids hoisting 20 maß beers onto your table and the band playing traditional Bavarian music, Frühlingsfest lasts until about 12am. So, walk into the tent and sit down with some locals. After a maß or two, you'll be best friends exchanging stories and learning all the drinking songs you'll ever need to learn in Bavarian German. Teach them a couple things as well! Why not?

 Each day has a different "special" event. For example, this Saturday (which is the day I'm going!), Frühlingsfest patrons can explore the large flea market, but be careful, you don't want to spend all of your money because you had one maß too many. Got the kiddies? No problem, Tuesday the 15th and Tuesday the 22nds are "Family Afternoons". So bring them along! 

Walk around the grounds to play carnival style games, go on rides and eat delish chocolate and candy dipped fruit at any one of the food stands.

Happy Spring!

Location: U4/U5 Theresienwiese

www.muenchener-volksfeste.de/FF.htm

Munich has a very open Gay scene with one part of the city completely dedicated to gay clubs, bars and "special interest" stores. Walk into any bar and you'll be greeted with a swank crowd dressed to the 9s, sipping on delish cocktails and dancing to great music. I must say that gay clubs really do have the best music to dance to.

So what is one of my favorite places to go with all my favorite men? MADONNA MANIA at 2Rooms Club and Lounge, hands down. This exclusive bar's entrance is graced with a red carpet and ropes, where a handsome doorman lets you in. Walking down the stairs to the underground floor, Madonnas voice reaches your ears, getting clearer as you enter the bar itself. A large space is surrounded by elevated platforms where drinkers and dancers can sit and relax on low brown leather couches. Andy Warhol style portraits of Madonna hang from the ceiling, proving who owns the bar on this night.The walls are lit in different colors as Madonna's music videos play on large screens all around you. Leading from one of the platforms is a catwalk, which of course is swarmed with dancers within a couple hours.

Sitting at the large, square bar at one end of the dance floor, you'll probably notice a man and a woman enter in incredibly provocative S&M clothing. These sexy people dancing on the bar are the professional dancers who keep the party going. If you have the confidence, jump up and dance alongside them.

If you're a smoker, you can either head outside and chat to those around you while enjoying your ciggie or head into the smoking club. As it is a club, you do need a membership. How do you get one? Beats me.

Opening it's doors at 10pm, cover is 10€ and drinks are free until 12am. Cocktails, shots, beer, whatever you like. Afterwards, drinks cost just about as much as they would at any other bar. After about 1pm, Madonna's music subsides for a bit as the DJ serves up a fantastic array of music.

If you'd like to up the ante, Madonna Mania offers a Limo pick up service for 5 people, VIP entrance and a bottle of Moet champagne for 299€.

U-bahn: Karlsplatz

Address: Neuhauserstr. 47

www.madonnamania.de (German)

Although April weather may be rather unpredictable, for example in the past 3 days we've had gorgeous and warm sunny weather, rain and snow, it is the time when Munich's infamous beer gardens are shaking off those winter blues and opening their doors, as well as beer taps, to the public. If you find yourself in Munich on a sunny day, whether spring or summer, head on over to one of the more famous beer gardens: Die Chinesische Turm or in English, The Chinese Tower. With the English Gardens all around, the Chinesische Turm makes for a perfect lazy day of soaking up the sun and enjoying some great beer.

This beer garden is landmarked by the very large, Chinese inspired tower that stands in the middle, surrounded by benches and tables. So, grab a seat wherever you see space, don't be shy, just sit down wherever. In addition to the overflowing beer, the Chinesische Turm serves up tasty, traditional Bavarian food, might I suggest a halbes hünchen, which is literally half a chicken. Delish! Or an obatzda teller which is a mixture of camembert, brie, butter and other cheeses that tastes like heaven when spread on one of the enormous Bavarian soft-pretzels. Personally, the country potatoes with saur-rahm dip is my favorite.

So, get up and grab a few liter sized maß of beer but note that you have to pay a 1€ deposit or "phand". When getting your beers you recieve a little plastic coin that you can return later when returning your glasses. Just a little insurance on their part as you can imagine how many maß glasses go missing. Other than that, sit back, listen to the live band playing Bavarian classics, and relax as the garden is open until about 10pm.

While this may be a beer garden, it is not anywhere near being on the same level or atmosphere as the Hofbräuhaus, so, please avoid dancing and standing on tables, or getting out of hand with singing, pouring beer everywhere etc. You'll upset the locals and have the police called on you. Not fun.

Got Fido with you? Bring him along! Dogs are more than welcomed here as long as they don't run amuck. I know my roommate's dog loves Chinesiche Turm days.