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.

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.

There's a place that most tourists walk past, without any idea that they are walking past one of the greatest points of the anti-Nazi movement: Der Geschwister-Scholl Platz.

In June of 1942, a group of university students at the Ludwig-Maximillians University, including siblings Hans and Sophie Scholl, formed a small group called the White Rose, which was an anti-Nazi resistance group. In all accuracy, Sophie joined the group after she learned of her brother's involvement. The group wrote 6 pamphlets that were anonymously distributed throughout the university. On February 18, 1943, Hans and Sophie Scholl brought a suitcase full of their 6th pamphlet to the main building of the university. While students were in exams, they stacked the pamplets through the hallways for the students to find. They realized that they had quite a few left so, as students were exiting their exams, Hans and Sophie stood on the balcony and threw the remaining pamplets into the atrium. A custodian saw what they were doing, and as the Gestapo had been trying to find them for months, called the police. They were immediately arrested and after trial, executed by guillotine within a few hours of their verdict. It is said that they were executed so soon so that no one would be able to appeal the verdict. Hans was 25 years old and Sophie was 22 years old. Even at these young ages, both of them said that they were willing to give their own lives if it meant that thousands of others would take notice and be inspired to join their cause.

Hans and Sophie Scholl are considered to be two of the greatest German figures in the 20th century and you can actually step foot into the atrium where all of these events happened. Right at the Universität u-bahn stop, you will see that one of the circle drives infront of a university building is named Geschwister-Scholl-Platz, meaning the Siblings-Scholl-Place. Step into the building, through to the atrium and stand where they risked their lives to speak out against the Nazis.

Almost all sterotypes of young Germans include a love for really bad techno music. While for some this is true, German partying is moreso marked by their ability to party until the sun comes up the following day. We're not talking "party til dawn", we're talking "It's 8am and I need some breakfast". In some counties, such as America, this would mean that a group of people are at someone's house, having a good time. In Germany, Müncheners are getting their party on until morning at some "hammer" (slang for cool) club, with cheap drinks, awesome music and crazy disco lights. If you're thinking "Wow, how can I get in on that?" I'll let you in on a little secret they don't tell you about in travel books: Kult Fabrik.

Kult Fabrik, located at the Ostbahnhof S-Bahn stop, is an area of old abandoned warehouses that have been transformed into over 20 different clubs and bars playing everything from 70s and 80s to Metal. Walking through the main gates of Kult Fabrik, you step inside what seems to be an infinite night of fun and party extravaganza. Ususally cover is about 3€ per club, but some have specials such as "3 clubs 3€". As you hop from club to club, mixing with the locals, you might experience the inevitable hunger that comes with these nights out. Never fear, there are food stands as far as the eye can see. My personal recommendation is "Space Burger", which seriously has the best burgers that I have ever eaten. Delish!

Important note: The S-Bahn ususalls stops running at around 2:30am and pick up again at 4am or 5am depending. So, unless you plan on staying out until the trains start running again, you may be stranded out there until that time arrives, or you could spend money for a ride back to your hotel with one of the multiple cabs stations there. I'd say it'd cost about...30€ or so to get back to the city center, which isn't too bad if you split it amongst several friends. Also, although it may be legal to drink beer at the age of 16 in this country, you must be 18 and over to enjoy what Kult Fabrik has to offer. So, make sure that you have a valid form of I.D. on you, as they always check at the doors.

Have Fun!

You can go to any museum around the world to see inspiring artwork or visit any city to admire the architecture. Yet, Europe offers one thing that no other continent can: palaces. Apart from Castle Neuschwanstein (which was inspiration to the Disney Castle), Munich boasts the Royal Residences at Odeonsplatz, in the city center, thus setting the trend for what still is today, a chic area to live. Boasting 130 rooms, Residenz was the home of Dukes, Electors and Kings with its foundations dating back to 1385. Much of the gothic walls and basement vaults still stand and were added onto over the years and passings of residents. The rich décor of the Papal Rooms, Hall of Antiquities and portrait rooms are overwhelming. The tapestries, clocks, porcelain, furniture, paintings and sculptures are much in the same place and condition as they were when first placed. Although the palace was severely damaged during World War II by bombing, most of the rooms were reconstructed to their original grandeur.

In addition to the beautiful rooms is the breath-taking Treasury holding the royal jewels, swords, goblets and works of ivory, crystal along with numerous personal treasures that once belonged to those who called Residenz "home". One interesting (to say the least) exhibit in the Treasury is that of a few former residents. In a way of honoring those who passed, it was a practice to sever a hand, embalm and then decorate it in the most lavish of ways. While some have their own small golden chambers and others are in elaborate golden boxes, all are covered in diamonds, exquisite lace, emeralds, pearls and rubies. Like I said, it's definately interesting but after a time, you don't see what they are, but the actual beauty and care that went into this practice.

As one of my favorite places in the city, I've always had enjoyable experiences, for example, as I was walking alone through the sunny hall of portraits one afternoon, a nice security guard walked along side me giving brief histories of a few of the important faces smiling down at us. Stepping outside to the Court Gardens, you're free to take a nice stroll, or do as the residents do and have a small picnic.  The best part of this palace is that you don't feel rushed. Walk around, take your time and imagine that you're one of those people who just thought of the palace as their roof over their head.