The Merry City of Munich

Munich is the capital of Bavaria and not only is it one of Germany’s largest cities; it is also the most popular with tourists after Berlin. And, once you paid it a visit, you’ll understand why. Bavaria is fairly massive by the way and extends all the way practically to the Swiss Alps.

When people think of Bavaria, they think of men wearing traditional leather shorts known as ‘Lederhosen’ and a hat with a feather in it. Films of Bavarian gents doing hearty, thigh-slapping dances hasn’t helped to dispel the idea that this huge region is a little old-fashioned, but when you’ve actually visited Munich, you’ll realise that it’s one of the most modern cities in Europe.

International Business

If you want to do good business, then Munich is a great place to be. Not only is it Germany’s most prosperous city, it is now considered an international business centre and as a result it has a wonderful array of luxury shops, exclusive restaurants and amazing hotels to cater for the wealthy business people who fly in and out every week.

Oktoberfest

Whilst people are coming here for business all year round, there is one time of year when the city is packed to bursting point, and that is in the weeks of September and October when Munich hosts its extremely famous Oktoberfest. The dates change every year, so you need to check the official website well in advance of booking travel. Oktoberfest is about beer drinking, eating and dancing. A family, a restaurant chain or a brewery runs a series of ‘tents’ that look like traditional Bavarian chalets and which are erected in the festival area. They each have something different to offer in terms of food and entertainment and you can spend all day and night drinking those large ‘steins’ of beer, sampling local cuisine and listening mostly to German beer hall music. Yes, you will definitely see lots of men in Lederhosen and girls in traditional dirndl skirts, doing dances that have been around for centuries.

The ‘Dult’ Fairs

I have noticed a growing fashion for the German passion for Markets around the rest of Europe, particularly the amazing Christmas markets that Germans do so well. I think it’s because they have the right picture-postcard settings for them that make us all feel nostalgic for times past.

Munich has a series of Auer Dult markets through the year. There are three in total. One is in May, one in July and another in October. Each of the fairs last for nine days and they are a great fun. They really have a fairytale appearance and kids love them. There are traditional merry-go-rounds, lots of stalls selling crafts, such as pottery and local food products. Plenty of sweets of course and you won’t go hungry; there are numerous food and drink tents.

On my last visit to Munich I took the opportunity to go on one of its much less merry sightseeing trips and that is the one to KZ –Gedenstätte Dachau. Dachau village was once an artist’s community, but it is now better known for its memorial museum of the infamous Dachau concentration camp of WW2. If you’re in Munich do try to see it.

Whatever your reason for visiting this merry city of Munich, I’m sure you’ll enjoy your time here.