Munich

Experiences

• Even if you miss Oktoberfest, head to the Hofbräuhaus for a pint (or a liter) of fine German suds. Try one of the seasonal beers in summer.
• The German Museum, on an island in the Isar River, contains all manner of planes, trains, and automobiles from Germany's past. One wing of the museum is for kids.
• Germany's largest city park, the Englischer Garten, has a boating lake, four beer gardens, and a series of themed temples. Note that certain parts of the park are popular for nude sunbathing (which is unrelated to the four beer gardens—promise).

Festivals

• Oktoberfest is the world's foremost beer festival. It starts in late September and runs through early October.
• German Mardi Gras, called Fasching, is a spectacle just as wild as its cousins in Brazil and Louisiana.

Side Trips

• Schloss Neuschwanstein, one of the world's most famous castles, is 2½ hours from Munich by train.
• The lakeside retreat of Starnberg is a popular destination for locals in the summertime.

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