Munich: history, culture and fun

Stroll through the central city, visit Marienplatz, experience the glockenspiel at 11am, 12 noon, and 5pm May thru October. Stop for a coffee and eat at numerous outdoor venues. Go below to explore food markets, specialty shops, and tiny eateries. Visit the Olympiad and the BMW museum for a great day trip, pick a museum and a castle, do a beer garden, sample the different pubs, restaurants, and sandwich shops.

Explore the Hauptbahnhof (main railway station). Visit Dachau. It should be seen.

Quick Tips:

Pick up a city map, it will be your bible. Do Dachau on Sunday as most shops in the city will be closed. Obey the traffic signs and signals. Munchens do not jaywalk nor run lights. Make use of the concierge or reception staff at your hotel, they are knowledgeable and they want you to have a pleasant visit.

Best Way To Get Around:

Purchase a Munich Welcome Card - 22,50 Euro for a family of five for three days. This will allow transport on all trams and buses U and S bahn (subways). For airport transportation use the bus at 9 Euro - it's a bargain. Walking, walking, and walking.

A three star traditional tourist, business B and B hotel. Convenient to main railway station and many tourist attractions. Traditional German breakfast was plentiful and tasty. Rooms were not luxurious, but were extremely clean. Our three bed family room was large, airy, and boasted a huge, well-equipped bath. Staff spoke english and were very accommodating.

A must see for all adults and teens. Too intense for the younger set. Travel by train from the main station to Dachau. Family Sunday ticket is 16 E. Transfer to local bus is well marked. 1 E for adults. Follow the crowd. German families do visit here - it is not all tourists. Self guiding recorders are available in several languages.

It is of course a museum. It is "sanitized", but the message comes through. Plan on two or three hours, but it is intense and you may not be able to take it all in one visit.

Dachau was the first concentration camp, opening in 1933 as a "work" camp. Many of the original buildings are still in place and photos or sign boards are informative.

Plan around meal times and bring water. There are no concessions.