Basic HTML Version
FireFlyz | 25
by taking a day trip across
into Austria and visiting the
stunning city of Salzburg,
beloved by much of the
world for being the setting
of the film
The Sound of Mu-
sic.
It is also the birthplace
of Mozart and parts of the
city are UNESCO heritage
sites. Highlights include a
900-year-old fortress
(Fes-
tung Hohensalzburg)
and
the
Domkirche Cathedral,
although simply strolling
the pretty lanes and streets
is a delight.
W h i l e M u n i c h ’ s
Oktoberfest
is undoubt-
edly spectacular, don’t let
it detract from a city that
that combines history and
culture with beauty and
great food. The ‘Home of
the Monks’ has faced some
ups and downs since the
city was founded, but it’s
star is definitely rising once
again, so raise a glass to
Munich!
Need to know
•
Flying from Kuala Lumpur to Munich usually
involves a connection, the city dependent on
which airline you fly with. Total flight time is
approximately 13 hours.
•
Malaysia is six hours ahead of Munich.
•
Munich has four seasons, with temperatures
averaging at 13-24 degrees Celsius in Sum-
mer and dropping to -3 degrees Celsius in
Winter.Themostcomfortabletimestovisitare
Spring(March-May)andAutumn(Sept-Nov).
•
Oktoberfest
dates vary slightly each year,
with the festival scheduled for Sept 17-Oct 3
for 2016.
•
TheMunichChristmasMarket isaverypopu-
lar draw, and will run from Nov 27- Dec 24 in
2015.
•
Munich city centre is small enough to explore
on foot, but for further excursions use the
excellent public transport system of buses
and trains.
•
The journey fromMunich to Salzburg is best
undertaken by train and takes approximately
90minutes. Remember totakeyourpassport!
•
German is the national language, but English
iswidelyspokenandmostmenusandsigns in
the tourist parts of the citywill be translated.
the New and Old City Halls, the opera
house (Nationaltheater) and the world’s
most famous beerhall,
Hofbräuhaus
am Platzl
, which dates back to the 16th
century. This beerhall is the centre of the
Oktoberfest
celebrations in October, but is
always a great place for a flavour of the
traditional German beerhall atmosphere,
and the food and drinks that go with it,
all year.
Cultural capital
Munich is also a capital of culture, and
some of the not to missed museums are
the modern art gallery
Lenbachhaus
, the
Bavarian National Museum (one of the
largest history museums in the country),
Deutches
Museum (showcasing science
and technology) and the poignant but
important Dachau Concentration Camp
Memorial Site.
The city is not without its dark secrets
– Munich was the home of the Nazi party,
and some key party buildings still remain
despite heavy bombing and damage taken
during the war. A great way to explore the
footsteps of the Third Reich is by booking
a walking tour, which will guide you to
the key sites and offer insightful informa-
tion to better understand an influential
period of the city’s history.
Munich is a good spot for those with a
mighty appetite, as the city is known for
its dining and famed for offering a taste
of some of Bavaria’s traditional, very
rich cooking.
The
Kässpätzle
is a winning, gooey
cheese pasta, while something meatier
can be found in the
Schweinebraten
– an
authentic Bavarian slow-roasted pork
loin served with
sauerkraut
. Pretzels
and gloriously hearty desserts (seek the
Apfelstrudel
) are also well worth your
attention. This modern city also bristles
with cuisine from all over the world and
has some very funky cafes and bars.
Tailor made
For shopping, many visitors head to the
very upmarket Maxvorstadt district to
explore boutiques where jewellery is
handmade and clothes tailored to fit. For
a more jovial and affordable excursion,
visit the
Viktualienmarkt
– a 200-year
old outdoor market packed with over 100
stalls selling fresh produce – and then
stop by the adjacent food hall
Schran-
nenhalle
for some handmade chocolates
to take home as gifts (or to eat yourself).
Get two countries for the price of one
Kunsthalle Munich,
contemporary museum
Delicious apfelstrudel
Traditional German pretzels
A trip to Germany isn’t complete
without listening to the traditional
four-piece Oompah band
A stroll in the English Garden
is beautiful all year round