What to visit if I have a day: Munich, Berlin or Hamburg?
Dec 5th, 2006, 08:46 AM
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What to visit if I have a day: Munich, Berlin or Hamburg?
Hello,
I am going to be in Bad Lauterberg for four days in March (business) and then will have a full day and night until my morning (8-10 am)flight home. I can't decide where to fly home from. Choices are Berlin, Hamburg and Munich. Which would you recommend? What is the most picturesque way by train? What to see if I have so little time? Thank you, Marina
(This is a re-post, thank you to those who has already answered).
`
I am going to be in Bad Lauterberg for four days in March (business) and then will have a full day and night until my morning (8-10 am)flight home. I can't decide where to fly home from. Choices are Berlin, Hamburg and Munich. Which would you recommend? What is the most picturesque way by train? What to see if I have so little time? Thank you, Marina
(This is a re-post, thank you to those who has already answered).
`
Dec 5th, 2006, 09:35 AM
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Difficult question to answer without knowing your interests as these three all very nice places would appeal to special interests in many ways.
As they are all nice and you don't seem to have a preference, i'd take the one closest by train and spend the most time there.
As they are all nice and you don't seem to have a preference, i'd take the one closest by train and spend the most time there.
Dec 5th, 2006, 10:14 AM
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Munich would get my vote. Berlin is a large city and while there is a lot of history it doesn't have the charm of Munich. Hamburg like Berlin is another northern more cosmopolitan city. Munich is in the heart of Baveria and it has more of an old world feel. The center of Munich around Marienplatz is wonderful and the old restaurants neer the square are incredible. I am salivating at the thought of a plat of schweinshaxn and a liter of beer.
Dec 5th, 2006, 12:44 PM
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Hello,
Berlin has so much to see and do that I would save it for a future trip and allow a couple of days. Hamburg is also lovely and deserves a couple of days. I would be inclined to go to Munich, too - it is such a beautiful city with a great atmosphere. It would have the best flight connections, too.
Check into the Mueller Hotel, which is near the Sendlinger Tor and Marienplatz. The Einhorn is simple, but styled in Art Deco and located near the train station and shopping.
Best Regards,
Julia
Berlin has so much to see and do that I would save it for a future trip and allow a couple of days. Hamburg is also lovely and deserves a couple of days. I would be inclined to go to Munich, too - it is such a beautiful city with a great atmosphere. It would have the best flight connections, too.
Check into the Mueller Hotel, which is near the Sendlinger Tor and Marienplatz. The Einhorn is simple, but styled in Art Deco and located near the train station and shopping.
Best Regards,
Julia
Dec 5th, 2006, 12:46 PM
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If you decide on Munich, there are plenty of hotels. I think it all depends on how much you want to spend.
I like the Hotel Astoria in the district known as Schwabing. I get one of the larger rooms, 301 or 401. It is fairly spacious, particularly by European standards, and comfortable.
The hotel is small, about 40 rooms, and the front desk staff members during the day and early evening are fluent in English. Once they get to know you, you are given personal service.
For example, last August we arrived at the airport about 8 am and we were at the hotel well before noon. Our room was ready and we were able to occupy it right away.
The breakfast at the hotel is really excellent. Plenty to choose from and no limit on portions. You can get all kinds of cereals, breads, cheeses, yogurts, fruits, and beverages.
The Gieselastrasse U-Bahn stop is very close to the hotel, and the art museums are within walking distance, if you are a fairly fast walker.
(We did it last year and I am not exactly a young man.)
Schwabing has many shops and it is well off the beaten tourist track, if that interests you.
The U-Bahn will take you to Marienplatz in just a very few minutes.
I like the Hotel Astoria in the district known as Schwabing. I get one of the larger rooms, 301 or 401. It is fairly spacious, particularly by European standards, and comfortable.
The hotel is small, about 40 rooms, and the front desk staff members during the day and early evening are fluent in English. Once they get to know you, you are given personal service.
For example, last August we arrived at the airport about 8 am and we were at the hotel well before noon. Our room was ready and we were able to occupy it right away.
The breakfast at the hotel is really excellent. Plenty to choose from and no limit on portions. You can get all kinds of cereals, breads, cheeses, yogurts, fruits, and beverages.
The Gieselastrasse U-Bahn stop is very close to the hotel, and the art museums are within walking distance, if you are a fairly fast walker.
(We did it last year and I am not exactly a young man.)
Schwabing has many shops and it is well off the beaten tourist track, if that interests you.
The U-Bahn will take you to Marienplatz in just a very few minutes.
Dec 5th, 2006, 01:15 PM
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'Schweinehaxe' are usually called 'pigs trotters' in English. They're a favorite pub (Kneipe) food in Germany, usually served with Erbsenpuree (pureed peas).
I've never tried it myself -- couldn't get past the mental image of a couple of pork legs sitting on a plate.
I've never tried it myself -- couldn't get past the mental image of a couple of pork legs sitting on a plate.
Dec 5th, 2006, 01:28 PM
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Schweinshaxn is generally a pork shank that has been cooked for hours until the skin is crispy and the meet falls of the bone. It is a classic bavarian meal and available in any of the traditional beer hall type place near Marienplatz. It is usually served with a large dumpling or saurkraut. Although the word translates to something like pigs knuckles dont worry, they wont bring a pigs foot to your table. The meat is similar to BBQ pork except it is in a dark brown sauce. Try it.
http://www.toytowngermany.com/munich...weinshaxe.html
http://www.toytowngermany.com/munich...weinshaxe.html
Dec 5th, 2006, 03:38 PM
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Had pig knuckle, spuds, and sauerkraut in Berlin last week. God it was soooooooo good. The meat just melted in my mouth. Others in our party wished they had ordered it after I let them have a taste.
Dec 5th, 2006, 05:04 PM
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I would also vote for Munich. I love Berlin but you need more time than that to get around and enjoy all (or as much as you can handle) that it has to offer.
Schwabing is a good place to stay - someone else stayed closer to where the Octoberfest is held and was very convenient to everything.
The old section of Munich will sweep you away.
Schwabing is a good place to stay - someone else stayed closer to where the Octoberfest is held and was very convenient to everything.
The old section of Munich will sweep you away.
Dec 5th, 2006, 05:32 PM
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Oh wow, I love all three cities... I would rate it probably: Munich, Berlin, then Hamburg. And yes, you must try the Schweinhaxen... it sounds scary but it's delicious! Have a wonderful time, you can't go wrong with any of the three cities.
Envious,
H2babe
Envious,
H2babe
Dec 5th, 2006, 06:33 PM
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Don't envy me, I have so little time :/
Now I see that "schweinshaxn" had to be pork
in russian word meaning "pork" is very close to "schwein".
You all made me really wanting to get to Munich, just hope I will be able to plan everything.
Now I see that "schweinshaxn" had to be pork
in russian word meaning "pork" is very close to "schwein". You all made me really wanting to get to Munich, just hope I will be able to plan everything.
Dec 5th, 2006, 08:11 PM
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To me Munich/Bavaria is as german as Texas is american. They both provide the stereotypes for foreign visitors so, yes, it will fulfill your expectation of Germany. In comparison I relate Berlin to New York and Hamburg to Boston they are both more cosmopolitan & less stereotypical.
Like Bob wrote, any of the three cities will make a very nice one day stop. FYI, you can enjoy the Schweinshaxe & beer in any of the 3 cities. I would pick the one city that's closest to Bad Lauterberg in Harz so that I have more time to enjoy the city itself. You'll get to Berlin in half the time to get to Munich in Southern Germany. Berlin airport is also a lot closer than Munich airport from the respective downtown so you can stay up later to enjoy Berlin as you won't have to leave the hotel as early in the morning. As a world class city, Berlin has a lot more to offer with it's colorful history and collection of famous attractions & museums. Visiting Berlin is like visiting two cities as the eastern & western parts are very different, both apealling in different ways.
Like Bob wrote, any of the three cities will make a very nice one day stop. FYI, you can enjoy the Schweinshaxe & beer in any of the 3 cities. I would pick the one city that's closest to Bad Lauterberg in Harz so that I have more time to enjoy the city itself. You'll get to Berlin in half the time to get to Munich in Southern Germany. Berlin airport is also a lot closer than Munich airport from the respective downtown so you can stay up later to enjoy Berlin as you won't have to leave the hotel as early in the morning. As a world class city, Berlin has a lot more to offer with it's colorful history and collection of famous attractions & museums. Visiting Berlin is like visiting two cities as the eastern & western parts are very different, both apealling in different ways.
Dec 9th, 2006, 10:45 AM
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I posted this on your other thread, but though I would post it here as well.
Munich is a great choice if you want to go the classic tourist vote. I like Munich, but think that there is a WHOLE lot more to see if you spend your time in Berlin. The city has undergone a complete transformation and is simply one of the major metropols of Europe now. It is full of buzz, activity, culture, music, history and has a definite East meets West feel. Don't be expecting Weisswurst and Lederhosen, but expect instead to see Germany at its most honest and cutting edge. Hands down, Belin would be my choice.
I was a 9 year resident of Hamburg, and it would be my second choice, and Munich third. But all three are fabulous, and you would probably thoroughly enjoy all of them.
Enjoy und viel Glück (lots of luck!)
Munich is a great choice if you want to go the classic tourist vote. I like Munich, but think that there is a WHOLE lot more to see if you spend your time in Berlin. The city has undergone a complete transformation and is simply one of the major metropols of Europe now. It is full of buzz, activity, culture, music, history and has a definite East meets West feel. Don't be expecting Weisswurst and Lederhosen, but expect instead to see Germany at its most honest and cutting edge. Hands down, Belin would be my choice.
I was a 9 year resident of Hamburg, and it would be my second choice, and Munich third. But all three are fabulous, and you would probably thoroughly enjoy all of them.
Enjoy und viel Glück (lots of luck!)
