For more on Munich, please check out my previous post on the city here .

When:  The Munich’s 2023 Christmas markets vary a bit by location but in general run from November 27^th through January 7, 2024

Quick History

The German Christmas markets are a historic part of the German culture. Dating back to the Middle Ages, Christmas markets have provided access to everything the family would need for the Christmas celebration, whether that be gifts, decorations, or sweets and treats.  Munich’s Advent markets date back to the 14th Century.  I’ve looked up a few sources and there are conflicts as to when the first occurred.  One listed the Nikolaimarkt in 1310, and another cited city council notes from 1320.  Either way, it appears to be safe to say that Munich has hosted the Christmas Markets for over 700 years. 

I caught a Deutsche Welle program that said there are over 3000 markets across Germany.  Munich hosts about a dozen of various sizes across the city. While some are very historic, newer markets have popped up in recent years.

There are more detailed blogs on the Munich markets, but this take is from the perspective of a quick trip traveler, and I hope that it helps those on similar journeys.  

As I want to get the most of a couple of days in the city, I focused on the center of Munich on this trip to make the most of my time and not make it a dash between markets.  There are several within a very easy walk of each other or by public transportation.

Munich Christmas markets in the city center

Christkindlmarkt

Located in the heart of the Altstadt, this sprawling market is obviously the most visited, and crowded. While the main stretch of the market is along Kaufingerstrasse, there are several off-shoots on the side streets, including at the Viktualien Markt and the Markt am St. Peters. Some may list these as separate markets, but there really isn’t much separation.

Karlstor

The Karlstor (Stachus) has a fun two-level stand that sells food, glühwein and other goodies.  The upstairs serves as a seating area that looks out over a good-sized ice-skating rink in the square.

Isartor

Built in 1337, and renovated in the 1970’s, the Isartor is the well-maintained city gate on the east of the Altstadt located near the Isar river.  Nestled in the center of the gate structure is a large bar/stand that offers the holiday drink fuerzangenbowle, as well as a few food stands.  The center of the bar is a large copper vat, with a ring of fire around the top.  The location has a great vibe and attracts a crowd! 

Sendlinger Tor

The Sendlinger Tor is the southern gate to the Altstadt.  The market is small but has a long history, having been held on this site since the 1880’s.

If you do visit this market, don’t forget to visit the remarkably ornate Asamkirche, located a couple hundred meters from the gate.

Pink Christmas

Held on Stephans Platz, a short walk of a couple blocks from the Sendlinger Tor, The Pink Christmas is the market of Munich’s LGBTQ+ community.  First held in 2005, this market offers a different and seriously dynamic take on the holiday.  Stalls offering kitschy, and fun ornaments, tasty treats, and a prosecco bar.  Truly a different experience from the traditional markets and opens later in the day.   

Christmas village in the Kaiserhof of the Residenz

This quaint Christmas village is a nice market for families with small children.  The enchanted forest entertains children with its animatronic displays playing music or telling holiday stories, mesmerizing children.

If you do visit this market, and want to take a break from the weather, a tour of the Residenz is well worth it.

Wittelsbacher Platz

The market on Wittelsbacher Platz is a portal to medieval times with vendors and performers dressed in period garb.   It’s a great place to pick up traditional ornaments, wood carvings, as well as your Christmas broadsword.

For a cool presentation of the Feuerzangenbowle, one of the stands presents a goblet of Glühwein with a sugar cube on a ledge of the cup and pours the rum over the sugar cube and wine.  The sugar cube bubbles as it melts into the wine.  Warning, let the fire go out before drinking…not a friend to those of us with beards and moustaches. 

Munich Christmas markets in AU- Heidhausen

Werksviertel München

This newer market is in the revitalized industrial area just beyond the München-Ost Train station. The renaissance of the Werksviertel kicked off in 1999 but has accelerated since 2017 when the resolution for the development plan was fully approved.

The center is quirky, with several shipping containers repurposed into bars.  There is a stage set up for musical entertainment, plenty of food options between the clubs and restaurants in the area and some food trucks. A skating rink is set up and there is a giant Ferris-wheel.

Note: I didn’t take any pictures as there is a sign on the premises prohibiting video, photographs, or drone usage over the Viertel…I want to share the experience but don’t want to be the old man in litigation.

Weissenberger Platz

This is a smaller market set up around a fountain in the center of the square.  It is a nice smaller market in a quiet suburb near the München-Ost Train station. It can get very crowded in the evening!

Munich Christmas Markets in Schwabing

Münchner Freiheit

Located in a little park across from the Münchner Freiheit station, the Schwabing Christmas market features stands that reflect the artistic nature of this section of Munich.  The market features hand-crafted ornaments and gifts, as well as an art exhibition where more valuable art pieces can be purchased.

Englischer Garten

The Market in the Englischer Garten is in the southern part of the park, surrounding the Chinese Tower. This is a nice family market with some quaint stands.  There is also an ice lane for curling. 

I’ve always enjoyed the beer garden at the Chinese tower.  The park’s setting is lovely and just makes a relaxing venue.

Munich Christmas markets in Ludwig-Vorstadt

Tollwood

If your desire is to have a more modern experience, Tollwood is the place for you.  The Tollwood festival is held on the Theresienweise, which is famous for being the home of the Oktoberfest. This festival features modern lights, shows and an internationally diverse culinary experience.  In addition to a wide variety of stands selling food, drink, and gifts, there are several tents that provide venues for an international food court, a bazar tent housing rows of vendor stalls, a tent for a burlesque like dinner show, a bar tent with live music. 

The Tollwood festival is impressive. The diversity of the stands, entertainment and food options is excellent. If you go, bring your holiday spirit and your patience. The festival is very crowded at peak times.

Munich Christmas Market at the Munich International Airport

Now it’s usual to see holiday decorations in the airport at this time of year. But Munich International appears to go all in. MUC gets into the holiday season with its own Weihnachtsmarkt in the open area between Terminals one and two. 

My flights didn’t coincide with visiting while it was open, but you can see the scale of the market from the pictures below, to include an ice-skating rink and curling lanes.  The market is held in protected courtyard with overhead cover, protecting the festivities from inclement weather.

What to eat and drink at the Munich Christmas Market

There’s plenty of food stands throughout the markets, as well as Munich’s variety of restaurants. Here a few specialites to look out for.

Glühwein (warm mulled wine)

Glühwein can be red, or white, wine based. This warm spiced wine drink is a great way to warm up while you are meandering the market stalls.  While, a great warming concoction, the Old Man is not a big fan. As I can’t personally recommend it on my preference, I can recommend you try it, you may like it.

Feuerzangebowle (Translated, its “fire-tong punch”)

Also known as krambamboli, futures a wine base. Historically, a rum-soaked sugar block was held in heated fire tongs over the wine allowed to melt into it. Today, there are some modern vat solutions that dose the sugar and rum mxture. The sugar-rum caramelizes a bit as it melts, adding a sweeter complexity to the flavor.  Ona personal basis, I kind of liked it. 

Sausages

C’mon, this is Germany.  There are plenty of wurst stands in the markets ranging from three Nüremburg bratwurst in Semmel to the meter long bratwurst,

Stollen

This holiday cake produced during Christmas/advent time in Germany.  Admittedly, it’s not really for eating as you walk around, but there are stands where you can pick up a fresh one to eat in your hotel.

Candied nuts

Pick a nut and you can probably find one roasted and coated in cinnamon and sugar glazing at one of the many stands.  I’m a sucker for candied cashews.

With 3000 markets across Germany, this is a small sample.  That said, Munich is such a great city. Adding the festivities of the holiday season to the mix just makes it a more attractive destination. 

For more pictures and reels from this trip, please check out and follow my social media pages on Instagram and Facebook

I hope this post helps in you planning if you are entertaining a Christmas market visit to Munich.  Until next time!

                                                                                                                                Travel Well! Pursue Experiences.               

                                                                                                                                                O.M.I.A.H.

The post Munich Christmas markets appeared first on O.M.I.A.H. Travelog and Tips.

First, a quick shot of history.

The first settlements in the Glasgow area began popping up in the late 6^th Century.  The Glasgow city charter was first established in the 1170’s. 

In researching this history, I liked the origin of the name. Glasgow’s Gaelic name, Glaschu, means “the green glen”, and the city is colloquially called “Dear Green Place”.

Glasgow is in the lowlands on the western side of Scotland on the shores of the river Clyde.  The river Clyde is a river that opens into the Atlantic, which contributed to Glasgow’s growth as a shipping center.

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland, and has its history entrenched in heavy industry and manufacturing.  For the longest time, Glasgow was the leading city in the UK for ship building and the construction of locomotives.  Unfortunately, Glasgow saw a significant decline in these industries post WWII through the 60’s.  With the decline, the Scots quit dredging the Clyde which forced vessels to dock further upstream to the Port of Glasgow, and the village of Greenock.

Present day Glasgow is a city on the uptrend.  With 10 colleges and universities within a 10-mile radius of the city, there is a growing white-collar workforce. 

Places to stay in Glasgow.

My experience was at the Hilton Glasgow – 1 William Street, Glasgow G3 8HT, UK.

This hotel is located on the west end of the city center and right across the street from the Anderston rail station.  The OVO Hydro and SEC are within a mile. 

The Hilton is truly a business-oriented hotel.  The facility is very sleek and modern.  The fitness center and pool are top notch, with fitness class offerings available.   The staff interaction was positive. 

Dining at the hotel is nice.  The Whisky Mist Bar and Kitchen features a diverse menu, Scottish fare, steaks, pizza, etc.  The bar has a great whisky selection. The breakfast offered at the hotel is good with a decent buffet selection.

Other suggestions:

Crowne Plaza Glasgow, an IHG Hotel Congress Rd, North West, Glasgow, G3 8QT, United Kingdom

Set along the River Clyde, the hotel is in walking distance to the Science Center and the OVO H

Carlton George Hotel – 44 West George Street, Glasgow City Centre, Glasgow, G2 1DH, United Kingdom

Located next to Glasgow Queen Street Rail Station and just 50 meters from Buchanan Street’s shops.  There is an airport bus stop right in front of the hotel.

What to do in Glasgow

Hop On – Hop off bus.

With services in 163 cities around the globe, the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus tours provide a great way to see, and learn about, the points of interest in a city.  They are a great way for you to prioritize where you want to visit if you have a limited time in a city. The Glasgow tour lasts about 90 minutes.  There are tours with a live guide, or with a recorded script, pointing out the points of interest and giving a history of the city and each section of town. 

Tickets are available as a 1- or 2-day ticket, and can be bought in advance or as you get on the bus. 

NOTE: the ticket is by the day, so if you buy it in the afternoon, it ends at midnight.  The 2-day ticket was only 1 GBP more than the 1-Day.  If you only buy the 1-day but want to leverage the service the next day, you can present your receipt to the driver and pay the 1 GBP for the 2^nd day.  SO, KEEP YOUR RECEIPT!

We leveraged the Hop on, hop off bus to get the lay of the land, and to identify where we wanted to visit in the time we had.

Botanic Gardens.

Everyone wants to find a cost-effective way to entertain themselves on vacation.  The Botanic Gardens are free to visit.  The greenhouses are filled with an extensive collection of beautiful plants, trees, and flowers.  The garden grounds are lovely and well maintained. The gardens are a great place to have a picnic, people watch, or spread out a blanket to read a book and catch some rays (if the weather cooperates).

University of Glasgow.

Not many folks think that visiting a college campus is a great idea on vacation. The University of Glasgow is a novel suggestion if you appreciate architecture.  The historic buildings are worth the stroll around campus. Some have a bit of a Hogwarts-like vibe.

Hunterian Museum

The Hunterian Museum is located on the University campus and was established in 1807. The collection includes Roman artifacts from the Antonine Wall. There is a substantial collection of natural and life science artefacts and scientific instruments used by James Watt, Joseph Lister and Lord Kelvin. 

The life science collection is impressive. This collection featured sample jars containing every possible body part and organ, with some showing the impact of ailments and deformities.  It was fascinating and macabre at the same time. I do recommend that you check it out. That said, I could not bring myself to post any pictures of body part in jars.

Entertainment in Glasgow

Shopping is often a key form of entertainment while on vacation. Buchanan Street is the main avenue for high end shops.  For more moderate shopping options, Sauchiehall street and Argyle Street are your best options.  If you are looking for watches and jewelry, and want an experience, the Argyle Arcade is an interesting stop.  Founded in 1827, the Arcade is located at Princes Square and Buchanan Street. 

OVO Hydro

The OVO Hydro is a concert hall on the west end of town that hosts musical performances across all genres. 

The Finnieston crane is located at the OVO-Hydro complex. This crane is a memorial to Glasgow’s shipping and manufacturing heritage and considered the international symbol of Glasgow.

I have recommended in my other posts to investigate what is going on in the towns you visit.  The impetus for my trip to Glasgow was to attend the Hollywood Vampires concert at the Hydro.  If you are planning a trip, check out what’s going on at the Hydro. You might be lucky to catch a great show.

What else to do:

Pub scene

Simply said, Glasgow has a lot of pubs worth investigating. 

Tennent Caledonian Brewery

Tennents Brewery was established in 1871.  The brewery has several tour options that run from 15 GBP/person up to a VIP experience at 290 GBP/person.  The website also offers an accessible tour for guests that have special mobility needs. 

Purchase tickets at the Tennents Website

Glasgow Cathedral (St. Mungo’s)

Built between 1136 and 1484 AD, the Cathedral is Scotland’s largest place of worship.

Day tours

Whether you want to schedule tours in Glasgow or branch out to historical or geographic sites around Scotland. If you prefer a more adult adventure to discover more about Scotch Whisky, there are distillery tours to satisfy.  

Viator offers a wide selection of tours out of Glasgow.

Getting to Glasgow

Air – Glasgow International Airport is the primary airport supporting the city and has many international flights to and from the US and Europe.

The Airport website indicates that the “Express service 500,” operated by First Glasgow, is the official bus service connecting the airport and the city center.  The trip takes about 15 minutes.

Rail – There are two main train stations in the city, both are in the heart of the city only a few blocks away from each other. Glasgow Central Station serves lines that travel south of the city and into the rest of the UK.  The Queen Street Station serves lines that cover the rest of Scotland to the north and the East-West destinations.

Glasgow has so much more to see than you can squeeze into a single day.  I hope this offers some ideas for you to take advantage of should your travels take you there.

                                                                                                                                Travel well, pursue experiences!

                                                                                                                                                O.M.I.A.H.

The post A day in Glasgow appeared first on O.M.I.A.H. Travelog and Tips.

Before I get into the list, I have to say that Scotland really surprised me with its culinary scene.  It is incredibly diverse.  Pick a cuisine, and I’m sure you can find it.  Food trucks to white tablecloth restaurants, Indian to Ramen.  Pizza, burgers, pub food, the list goes on. 

To the list!

If you are going to make a list of dishes to try in Scotland, you’ve got to start with:

Haggis

Looking up Haggis on the internet, or a cookbook, you will find it described as shredded sheep organs (lungs, kidney, and lungs), oatmeal, spices, fat, and broth boiled in a bag. Historically, this bag was made from the sheep’s stomach.  Despite this less than glamourous description, haggis is pretty tasty.  Scottish chefs are being creative for using haggis across the menu. 

Usually, if haggis is going to be on the menu, it will be in the signature dish of Haggis, neeps, and tatties.  This dish features haggis, turnips, and mashed potatoes.  It’s common to have this presented with a whiskey sauce and is quite good.  For those of you that like taking pictures of your dish at a restaurant, this dish is not the most photogenic.  Get past the appearance. 

But haggis isn’t just for tatties anymore.  We had haggis bon bons as an appetizer.  Haggis coated in a breading and deep fried, with a whiskey sauce to dip in.  Bacon wrapped chicken breast stuffed with haggis.  Again, both dishes were excellent and just an example of the creativity that Scottish chefs showing with diversifying haggis across the menu. 

One thing that I gotta try when I go back. Stopped at a café for a cup of coffee and saw a breakfast menu item of a toasted cheese, egg, and haggis sandwich.

Pies

Scottish pies are awesome.  In my book, the crust is the make or break and they have the crust down pat.  Now the fillings are based on your taste.  I could not bring myself to try a kidney pie, but steak and Guinness pie hit the mark.  Pies can be hot or cold, depending on your taste.  I even saw a macaroni and cheese pie at a deli in Aberfoyle.

Cullen Skink

This was something I was a bit reluctant to try as I am not a big seafood fan.  I have some things I like but am a bit reluctant to try new seafood dishes.  I am happy I took the risk.  Cullen skink is a wonderful soup, made with smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions in a cream soup base.  Now some may say differently, but I really felt this was New England Clam Chowder, substituting the clam with the Haddock. I really enjoyed it, and it warmed the soul on a grey and rainy day in Inverness.  

I doubt if they would take my suggestions seriously, but I think it would be great if we can get some Tabasco Sauce over there and make it a Creole-Cullen Skink.

Sausage rolls

Depending on here you get it, the form can be a long thin burrito, turnover, or empanada, or even looking like a McDonald’s apple pie. Regardless, the results are the same.  These little delicacies are da bomb!  Tasty flaky pastry crust stuffed with a mildly spiced hamburger, or hamburger/pork mix.   

Ok, I’m going to take some creative license in talking about Scottish “dishes” as I want to include a couple of beverages that carry national pride for the folks in Scotland.

IRN BRU

IRN BRU sounds like something you might find in Pittsburgh, but this beverage is 100% Scotland and is the best-selling soft drink in the country, surpassing Coke and Pepsi.  This soft drink has been made proudly in Scotland since 1901, based on a secret recipe.  If you asked me, what does it taste like?  I would answer that it’s kinda of hard to nail down.  To me it has the flavor of a mildly sweet orange soda, with some other flavors mixed in.  My daughter was more definitive in saying that it tasted like bubble gum.  Sounds like it may be like Scottish cilantro, in that it tastes differently dependent upon the individual.

Try it, make your own decision on the taste.

IRN BRU is a globally exported product. There are adjustments to the recipe to meet the standards of the importing country. As such, it may taste differently than what you would find in Scotland.

Whisky

How can you talk about anything that you eat or drink in Scotland without mentioning whisky. 

A person who appreciates a good single malt whisky, understands the complexity in the flavors from the regions and each distillery. An afficianado knows the impact that the barrels have on the Whisky, and the years spent in the loving care of their casks. He, or she, also knows that an angel’s blessing is bestowed with each dram. 

For those who have never tried Scotch whisky, rest assured that there is still hope.

To appreciate the impact that the whisky industry has on the country, According to Visitscotland.com:

“There are over 130 active whisky distilleries spread across Scotland, which are split into five whisky-producing regions; Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland and Speyside.”

Some fun facts from the Scotch Whisky Association.

• In order to be named Scotch Whisky, the product can only be distilled in Scotland.
• There are 53 bottles of Scotch Whisky exported each second. And, if the bottles were lined up end to end, they would wrap around the world 11 times.
• In 2022, Scotch Whisky exports were 6.2 billion GBP, 77% of all Scottish food and drink exports, 26% in these categories of all UK.
• Scotch Whisky industry directly employs 11,000 people in Scotland and supports 82,000 jobs across the UK.   

To truly appreciate a country, you must experience its cuisine.  While there is so much more to sample from Scotland, I hope I’ve given you a list of dishes to try in Scotland to start with.  Until next time, Slainte!

                                                                                                                                Travel Well! Pursue experiences.

                                                                                                                                                O.M.I.A.H.

The post Six dishes to try in Scotland appeared first on O.M.I.A.H. Travelog and Tips.

Original post

First off, I’m planning a trip to Scotland this summer.  In preparation for the trip, I’m doing my research and hit a blurb on the Electronic Travel Authorization, or UK ETA.  The UK ETA is under development and set for a 2024 implementation. I figured this topic warranted a quick blog to provide you all a heads up for the future.  The intention of this blog is just to inform and share what I have discovered.

Resources

 There are two websites I that I have found that set the baseline for the program. 

The first document that I found was the UK’s policy paper, posted on February 25, 2022.

Nationality and Borders Bill: Electronic Travel Authorisation factsheet – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

And the UK’s website on the roll out that provides a lot of information on the process and applicability.

ETA UK: Electronic Travel Authorisation for the United Kingdom

What does this mean?

The UK Electronic Travel Authorization is under development and planned for implementation by the end of 2024.  The ETA will be applicable to citizens from countries that have a Visa-Free Agreement with the UK. Travelers from these countries are currently exempt from visa requirements to visit, like the EU countries and the US.  There is a full list of countries that this applies to on that are listed the site.

Like the EU’s ETIAS, which I blogged previously, the UK ETA is a short-term travel authorization that will supplement your country’s Passport.  Its intention is to provide enhanced security by further vetting of people coming into the UK, and to generate revenue.

The websites indicate that there is still a lot to be defined. This includes the term of validity (though stated to be valid for at least two (2) years), when the application window will open, and the cost.  

UK ETA Application Process

The UK Government is designing the application process to be completely online, and it should be quick. The application process is expected to be completed within 2 – 3 days. The website indicates that all you will need to apply is a valid passport from your home country, intended date of travel, valid email, and a credit card.

I interpret that the “Date of travel” applies to the first time you plan to enter the UK after the ETA is implemented.  I don’t think they want you to tell them the dates of all the trips you plan to take over a 2-year period.  Heck.  If I could foretell the future, I’d leverage that gift for lottery ticket purchases.

I believe that “short-term” may vary country by country, as it defined by the travel rights granted to your passport today. 

For example, you can travel to the UK and stay for up to six months on a US Passport without having to pursue an additional Visa. Like the current passport, the visa will have the same rights: tourism, business travel, medical treatment, and short-term study.  It will also have the same limitation, such as you can’t find a job, can’t draw benefits, can’t enroll in long term study such as a degree program, can’t pretend to pick up the local accent, etc.    

Keep checking!

As with every program, keeping an eye on its implementation is important if you are planning a UK trip n 2024, or later. I recommend checking on the websites periodically to keep apprised of the UK ETA implementation timelines and requirements.

The UK government will release more information on this topic through the year.  I will update my blog when I find out more.  If you are planning trips to the UK in the future, I hope this blog and the resources I cited are helpful to you.  Until next time!

                                                                                                                        Travel Well! Pursue Experiences.

                                                                                                                                       O.M.I.A.H.

The post UK Electronic Travel Authorization appeared first on O.M.I.A.H. Travelog and Tips.

The history of the city really begins around 1030 when the imperial castle was built. The castle predates the city by a couple of centuries as Nuremberg itself was established as an imperial city in 1219. Historically, the city has served as an imperial host for during the Holy Roman Empire.  It was ravaged during the black plague of the 1400’s. In the 20^th century, Nuremberg was wrapped into the tragedy of the Nazi period, serving as the home of the Nazi propaganda, work camps, ultimately the trials of the Nazi leadership for their crimes against humanity. 

The city has a string of tunnels under it that you can tour.  The tunnels have a history for storing resources, including beer and wine barrels, but in WWII they served a greater purpose.  The Nazi’s stored a lot of art, museum pieces and other relics of antiquity in them as protection from the bombing raids.

Nuremburg is known for its spectacular Christmas Market, often regarded as one of the biggest and best in Germany.  Definitely on my bucket list.

Today, Nuremburg is a vibrant city of about a half a million people.  The old town still maintains the remnants of its middle age heritage with portions of the city walls, and gates, intact.  The imperial castle sitting high on the hill serves as a reminder of the city’s history and cultural importance. 

The Imperial castle (Kaiserburg)

Bavarian Palace Administration | Imperial Castle of Nuremberg | History (kaiserburg-nuernberg.de)

The Imperial Castle is a must visit.  The entrance fee is 5.50 Euro, and 2 Euro if you want to rent the audio guide.

The castle was heavily damaged during WWII. The city rebuilt the castle to the original design. Despite its grandeur, it never was a permanent home for the emperor. Rather, it served as a middle age, five-star B&B for the emperor and his entourage as they rotated through the empire holding court.   

There guided tours offered, but it’s also possible to do it as a self-guided tour, if you want to take things at your own pace.  

The Imperial Hall is a great room for making the most of your time.  In addition to the rich decor of the room, and the emperor’s tchotchkes (scepter and royal apple), there are digital kiosk for you to learn the history of the castle and the city.

The castle has great exhibits of the Imperial living and entertainment rooms, but also has a wonderful collection of armor and weapons.  The weapons include functional and ceremonial swords, pikes, and halberds.  The collection also has an evolution of firing weapons from bows and arrows to crossbows to firearms.

Walking the grounds is also an interesting experience, with two other great attractions you don’t want to miss; the deep well and the Sinwell tower. To go into these attractions is another fee of 3.50 Euros.

The deep well is a building with a well in the middle of it.  This may not sound like anything special, but the presentation really paints the picture.  Given it dates back to the 14^th Century, it’s amazing to understand the effort it took to dig down over 50 meters into the hard rock to ensure the castle had fresh water.  Critical for the days of siege. 

The diggers would sit on platforms as the dug out the well and then set a new platform as they went down into the rock.  The tour guide pours a pitcher of water down the well to give a perspective of how deep the well is in the time it took the water to hit the pool at the bottom. 

The Sinwell Tower, built in the latter part of the 13^th century, is one of the buildings in the castle complex to survive the WWII bombings.  The tower provides a 360-degree view, allowing you a bird’s perspective of the city. 

Dürer Haus

Albrecht-Dürer-Haus (nuernberg.de)

So, Albrecht Dürer is my favorite artist. I thank Herr Marzolf, my high school German teacher for the introduction.  I admit, I failed drawing stick figures, and my only artistic skill is to appreciate the capabilities of others.  Dürer was incredibly talented and worked in oils, wood carvings and metal etchings.  Dürer was also a son of Nuremberg and bought a house just outside of the walls of the castle grounds.  The Dürer Haus is a great little museum of the artist’s life, more so than his work.  It’s also a time capsule of period house.

Altstadt

As with most German cities, Nuremberg has a wonderful Aldstadt, which is German for the old city.  In all cases, the Altstadt is in the center of town, and the modern city surrounds it. 

Nuremburg maintains several gates and the city walls.  Directly across from the train station is the Frauentor.  The Frauentor is an imposing sandstone tower. The handwerkerhof sits just inside the gate. This court is a neat little string of stands of craft workers and artisans. There are also a couple of restaurants. 

The Hauptmarkt section of the Altstadt hosts an open-air market with stands selling food, kitchen gadgets, clothes etc. Aside from the beautiful architecture surrounding the market square you can also find the Schönebrünnen(a.k.a. the beautiful fountain)

The Haupmarkt hosts an open-air market with stands selling food, kitchen gadgets, clothes etc.

Since I brought up food, a quick diversion on the topic.  Nuremburg is famous for two delicacies: Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and Nuremberg bratwurst.  Both are scrumptious, but the bratwurst is worth elaborating on.  Most think of German Bratwurst as being a bigger sausage, at some festivals you can buy one that’s a meter long.  Nuremburg brats are different.  The sausages themselves are about the size of a breakfast sausage link in the US. In Nuremburg, they grill them up and put three on a roll.  Add mustard and you have a little bit of heaven on a bun. 

I usually don’t speak on restaurants but want to make an exception.  After a trip loaded with schnitzel, sauerbraten and wurst, the pallet needs something different.  There is an excellent Japanese restaurant, called Monki, located on Königstrasse in the Altstadt.  This is a Japanese ramen house and their Tonkatsu Ramen was spectacular.  Costs are reasonable, though you will need a reservation.  Note, it’s not that they are a hoity-toity, white tablecloth restaurant, just popular and reservations are more commonplace than in the US.  If you like ramen, I highly recommend you give it a shot.

Documentation center

Germany has authorized several cities to house museums that cover the Nazi period.  The country wants to ensure that what led up to, and the results of, this period can be effectively explained to prevent it from ever happening again.  The Documentation Center was under refurbishment while we were there, but a temporary exhibit was available.  It is a short walk around the lake to Zeppelin Field where the large Nazi party rallies were held. 

Nuremburg was a great stop.  There is a lot I didn’t get to, whether it’s hitting the museums, visiting the churches, or doing one of the tunnel tours.  And it was the wrong month to visit the Christmas market.  Merely things to add to the agenda for the next time I’m in town.

Until next time.

                                                                                                         Travel well.  Pursue experiences.

                                                                                                                        O.M.I.A.H

The post Nuremburg – capital of Franconia appeared first on O.M.I.A.H. Travelog and Tips.

The Bavarian capital city has a population of more than 1.5 million, and the larger metro area is approaching 6 million. The history of settlements in the Munich area stretches back beyond the official founding day of the city, listed as June 14, 1158.  The history of the city since the Founding Day has been colorful.  Of course, the darkest attributed to the Nazi period.  Post WWII, Munich has become an economic and cultural success story in Germany, boasting the largest economy of any large city in the country.  Munich has become a hub of manufacturing and technology.

Getting To Munich

Whether you want to leverage the German rail, or the Autobahn network, land travel to Munich is an easy undertaking (traffic jams aside).  Franz Josef Strauss International airport in Freising supports the Munich area. The airport is about 20 miles from the city center.   The Airport is the 2^nd largest in Germany. The airport is connected to the city center by the S1 and S8 rail lines. The trip into the city costs 8.80 Euro each way.  The train ride will take about a half hour. There is also a bus service that will take you to the Hauptbahnhof, with a stop in Schwabing for 11 Euro one way, 17.50 round trip if purchased online.  You can purchase the ticket from the bus driver, for an extra Euro. The bus takes about 45 minutes to get to the Hauptbahnhof, depending on traffic.

Things to see and do

Like most cities, the center of Munich is the place to be.  In the Altstadt you will find a significant pedestrian zone with a wide array of stores and restaurants.   The heart of the Altstadt is the Marienplatz.

The Neues Rathaus.  Located in the Marienplatz, the Rathaus was pretty much destroyed during WWII. The city rebuilt it in its traditional gothic style.  The main attraction for the Rathaus is the glockenspiel. The attraction has a 10-minute performance at 11AM and 12 noon daily.  It’s fun to see, not just for the show, but to watch the Marienplatz fill up with thousands of onlookers transfixed on the tower with their smartphones filming the glockenspiel.

Viktualienmarkt.  The Viktualienmarkt is an open-air market about 300 meters from the Neues Rathaus.  This market is open daily, and hosts stands selling everything from fresh fish and meats to veggies to honey.  The Viktualenmarkt also has its own beer garden that rotates the beer served among the Munich breweries on a daily basis.

Churches

Whether you are a devout individual, or just really enjoy looking at some amazing history and architecture, there are four churches in a half-mile radius from the Marienplatz that have their own unique vibe that are worth the time to investigate and enjoy.

Frauenkirche, also called the Münchner Dom, or Munich Cathedral.  This Catholic church is located on the Frauen Platz about a block from the Marienplatz.  This church, consecrated in 1494, is the symbol of the city of Munich.  The twin onion dome towers top out at 109 meters and provide a unique contribution to the Munich skyline.  The importance of the Frauenkirche as a symbol of Munich resulted in the city passing an ordinance that no building in the town center can exceed 99 Meters, assuring the Frauenkirche will be the tallest building in the Altstadt. 

The Devils footprint, middle panel below, has a several stories associated with its creation. The information pamphlet from the cathedral tells of the devil helping the master builder, Jorg von Halspach, to build the church so long as the building would not have any windows. When the building was done, the devil stood at the porch and couldn’t see any windows because of the high altar and pillars. The devil was so happy that he stamped his foot in joy, leaving the print. The Devil took another step and saw the windows. He realized that he’d been tricked. In a rage, the devil turned himself into an icy wind that blows around the church from time to time. There are other stories of course. I guess you can research and pick your favorite.

St. Kajetan, also called the Theatinerkirche, is locate on Odeon Platz across from the Munich Residence. The church was built between 1663 and 1690.  This is my favorite church in Munich.  The exterior is done in the high Italian baroque style, with a soft yellow rococo façade. The interior predominantly white and grey relief.   It’s amazing to explore the nave and many side altars.  There are many artistic masterpieces, as well as the crypt for King Maximilian II of Bavaria nestled in the nooks and crannies of this amazing church.

St. Peter, also called Alter Peter, is in the center of the Altstadt next to the Viktualienmarkt.  The church is older than the city of Munich, with Monks living on this site as early as the eighth century.  The church has gone through a few iterations over the course of time since its establishment in 1368. 

 For 3 Euro, you can go up the spire for a 360-degree view of Munich.  It’s a 306 step climb up to the 56-meter-high viewing platform.  The view is truly stunning.  You look down onto the Marienplatz one side, directly opposite from the Viktualienmarkt   On a clear day you can see the Alps.

Asam Kirche – this church is on Sendlinger Strasse just north of the Sendlinger Tor.  Unlike the other churches mentioned here, the Asam Kirche doesn’t have a grand, stand-alone physical presence.  If you aren’t paying attention, you could walk by it.  The Asam Kirche is set into a line of store fronts. It blends in with its surroundings. If you need a benchmark, it is located across the street from a Starbucks.  

The church is officially named St. Johann Nepomuk and was built in 1746. Despite its consecrated name, the church is more familiarly named after the Asam brothers who built it. While it is not as physically impressive as the other churches, the interior of the Asam Kirche is in a class of its own.    In contrast with the subtle interior of the Theatinerkirche, the Asam Kirche’s interior is opulent with pink and orange marble, complemented by gold gilded statues and altars.

Restaurants

Munich boasts an amazing culinary scene. This ranges from the gourmet offerings of Dahlmeyer or Schuhmann’s, to window service for a sausage, or Doner.  Many restaurants in the Altstadt are dedicated to the brew from a particular brewery in Munich or are directly owned by them. These include the Hofbraühaus, Der Pschorr, Schneider Weisse, Augustiner, etc.  You can find offerings aside from the traditional German and Bavarian kitchens…pretty much a situation once you choose your cuisine, you can find a place that serves it.

Englisher Garten

Munich has a large collection of green space in the city limits.  One of the largest central city parks in Europe is the Englisher Garten.  This 910-acre park lies on the east side of the Altstadt.  The Englisher Garten has miles of well-groomed trails for taking a stroll or jog.

Just a heads up, if its sunny and warm, you might experience a few sun worshipers au naturel.  Public nudity is not against the law.  No gawking, please.  Be cool.

The beer garden at the Chinese tower is a wonderful place to spend a Saturday afternoon.  Great food in a relaxed atmosphere under the trees.  There will usually be a band playing.

Hellabrunn Zoo – The Zoo is in the Sendling suburb of Munich.  The zoo is the home to over 750 animals.  Tickets are 18 Euro for adults and 7 Euro for kids 4-14 with family discounts.

Homepage – Tierpark Hellabrunn

I know my mom will look at the third picture and ask why I posted a selfie.

Museums

As mentioned above, there are over 60 museums in Munich according to the www.Munich.de website.  I’m not gonna highlight all of them.  My favorites are the Deutsches Museum and the Alte Pinakotek.

The Deutsches Museum, Home – Deutsches Museum (deutsches-museum.de)

Formally named the German Museum for Masterpieces of Science and Technology…except in German (of course). It is located on Museum Island across the river from the Isar Tor.  Nerds, like me, can get lost in this museum for hours.  The collection has more than 25,000 static and hands-on exhibits that cover 50 topics in science and Technology.

Pinakotek complex, Home | DIE PINAKOTHEKEN

The Pinakotek museum complex was established in 1836. The museums are located in the Maxvorstadt neighborhood of Munich. There is an impressive collection of fine art that is distributed between the buildings according to particular periods through the centuries.   Fees are 8 – 10 Euro depending on the museum:

Alte Pinakothek – artists from the 14^th – 18^th century

Neues Pinakothek – Nineteenth Century Artists

Pinakothek der Moderne – Modern Art

Now art is subjective to the individual.  My tastes are more for the classics, so I prefer the Alte Pinakotek where they house and host traveling collections of art from: Rubens, Raffael, Dürer, the Dutch Masters and so on. 

While you could spend weeks in Munich and not see everything, there are also a lot of day trips you can make from the city that are worth investigating, including:

• Castles of King Ludwig, such as Neu Schwanstein, Herrencheimsee, and Linderhof
• Dachau Memorial
• Bechtesgaden: Documentation center and Hitler’s Eagle Nest
• Salzburg Austria
• Zugspitze – highest peak in Germany

Munich is such a great destination, and I hope this blog has given you some ideas for your next trip…even if it’s not to attend the Oktoberfest.

                                                                                                                        Travel Well.  Pursue Experiences.

                                                                                                                                       O.M.I.A.H.

The post Munich – Bavaria’s Capital City appeared first on O.M.I.A.H. Travelog and Tips.