WELCOME TO BAVARIA
Munich, roughly translated, means "by the monks". Its first occupants were Benedictine monks, whose monastery resided here around the 6th or 7th century.
These days, Munich is famous for beer halls and Oktoberfest. But the city is more than just an excuse to drink large mugs of brewskis and munch on even larger pretzels. Munich is home to art galleries, cathedrals, concert halls, lush gardens, a zoo, a university, the famous Glockenspiel and tons of history. |
HOTEL BLAUER BOCK
The Hotel Blauer Bock is conveniently located near the Viktualienmarkt, around the corner from the Marienplatz and walking (or stumbling) distance from several beer gardens.
Cary led us on yet another orientation tour.
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The view from our room at the Hotel Blauer Bock. Great people watching!
It's so helpful to have your own personal guide in every new city.
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MUNICH = BEER
As soon as we arrived in Munich, once we checked into the hotel, we had to grab a beer. Where else do we go but the famous Hofbräuhaus. Wilhelm V, Duke of Bavaria, was unsatisfied with the beer brewed in Munich, so his royal court decided to open their own brewery. It began operations in 1592 and brewed only brown ale. Thirteen years later, Duke Maximilian I (Wilhelm's son) decided to brew a wheat beer (my favorite too!) and forbid all other brewing sites from making a wheat beer, thereby creating his own monopoly. Five years later, wheat beer volume reached 38,000 gallons and outgrew the production facilities. Maximilian I moved the wheat beer production to the Platzl, on the site of the current Hofbräuhaus, which is still owned by the government.
Sitting inside the beer hall, you can actually see the history of the place by examining the many initials, names and other information carved into the tables. There is always lively music, and drinking songs. Fortunately, Cary taught us a drinking song on the bus, actually created at the Hofbräuhaus, Ein Prosit. We could sing along, just like the many regulars. In fact, the regulars are so regular, there's many tables reserved for them. There's also a storage locker for the regulars' favorite steins.
Did I mention the food? Salads, cheese, soup, sausage, lots of pork with sauerkraut and even ox-made 3 ways!
If it's too noisy inside, head to the outdoor beer garden where it's sunny, but you can sit in the shade of a chestnut tree if you wish. Wherever you end up at the Hofbräuhaus, you will experience “Gemütlichkeit” (as mentioned in the song - roughly translated, a feeling of acceptance and belonging.
Sitting inside the beer hall, you can actually see the history of the place by examining the many initials, names and other information carved into the tables. There is always lively music, and drinking songs. Fortunately, Cary taught us a drinking song on the bus, actually created at the Hofbräuhaus, Ein Prosit. We could sing along, just like the many regulars. In fact, the regulars are so regular, there's many tables reserved for them. There's also a storage locker for the regulars' favorite steins.
Did I mention the food? Salads, cheese, soup, sausage, lots of pork with sauerkraut and even ox-made 3 ways!
If it's too noisy inside, head to the outdoor beer garden where it's sunny, but you can sit in the shade of a chestnut tree if you wish. Wherever you end up at the Hofbräuhaus, you will experience “Gemütlichkeit” (as mentioned in the song - roughly translated, a feeling of acceptance and belonging.
MORE BEER
VIKTUALIENMARKT
Right across from our hotel was the Viktualienmarkt, easily found by spotting the maypole which rises above it. Not just a farmer's market, it had meats, fish, eggs, butter, honey, spices, flowers, crafts - everything you can imagine. Adjacent to the market is an indoor mall, The Schrannenhalle, which houses many cute shops and eateries. Be sure to visit the Milka Wonder Land downstairs and taste the chocolate!
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