Aloha, I will be going to Munich in late October 2007. I am from Hawaii and need to know what kind of weather to expect(Clothes to pack). I am staying for 13 days in Munich & Bonn. Also Is the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munchen a nice hotel? Is it in a good location to walk around and see the sights in Munich? Lokking for some night life in Munich as well any suggestions for Late October? Concerts? Also would love some suggestions on great dining in Munich.
Mahalo,

Aloha! Unfortunately your title may be friendly - but it doesn't say anything about what you want to know/Where.

I would re-post w/ a title that a least mentions Germany. Something like "Oct trip to Munich/Bonn - Questions about Nightlife, Hotel, Weather, etc"

Hi escrowmanager, I know you are super new to the forum so the suggestion janisj gave is good. When you come to the Europe forum, there are a ton of questions being asked about various places so it benefits you to be as specific as possible in your post. Your original post, which landed on the US Board, was fine: October 2007 in Munich/Where to go?/What to pack?

But you may also want to type <b>Munich</b> in the Search Box above and select Germany to get information from travelers who have already given a lot of advice on the subject.

In the meantime...I'm from Hawaii and I guess the packing depends on how much cold you can take! Check weather.com and other weather sites as you get closer to your trip to get a feel for what the weather might be like. I'd pack stuff that I can layer, just in case.

I think in an earlier post you said you've never gone anywhere, so as a Hawaii person, you definitely need to go see a castle! Take a side trip to Neuschwanstein (and Ludwig's other castles if possible). do you drink beer or wine?

Aloha, escrowmanager!

I am also from Hawaii (and a realtor) and just got back last month from visiting the Christmas markets in Munich, Nuremberg, and Rottenburg.

We were only in Munich for two nights and three days and had to reserve some time for the markets, so we didn't have a lot of time. We did go to see King Ludwig's castles at Neuwanstein and Lindhoff. Also went to Dachau, which was quite moving.

I might recommend for your consideration John Whetstone (www.johns-bavarian-tours.com). He is an American who has lived for some time in Munich and conducts private tours. He was quite helpful and flexible in arranging custom tours for us and recommending activities for our short visit. He took us on separate days to Neuschwanstein and Dachau.

Have a great time!

Aloha Leburta,
Do alot of people there speak english? I will look into the tours as that may be a nice day trip to get a guided tour! I keep hearing about the same castle &quot;Neuwanstein&quot; is this the must see?? As I only have 13 days I want to make sure I see the best things and I will limit my visit to Munich and the south, (will do a small jump to Bonn for a couple of days). Mahalo!

Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles are very popular and I would consider them a must-see. N was built by crazy king Ludwig and H was built by his parents (grandparents?) and is where Ludwig grew up. These folks are part of the former ruling family of Bavaria - in Munich you might tour the Residenz, which was the family palace and the Nymphenberg Castle, which is another palace outside the center of the city. Other Ludwig castles are Linderhof and a 4th that I am drawing a blank. N and H are very close together and easily visited on the same day. These castles are not ancient fortifications, but rather palaces made more fanciful and playful. The story of Ludwig is quite interesting and the location of the castles and the surrounding area is really beautiful.

Regarding English - we found a lot of English speakers, although we tried to speak German as much as possible since we were there and had so many people to speak with. Not too many German speakers in California - LOL. I don't think it will be a problem if you don't speak German, although you might want to learn a few words.

English seemed to be widely spoken at least in the city. When we were outside of the city, John Whetstone did a lot of the speaking (in German) with the locals. I had heard that Neuschwanstein was a must (the castle upon which Disney's Cinderella castle was based -- unfinished though).

I was a little more hesitant to visit Dachau. Here in Hawaii we are a little far removed from ethnic problems, or so we like to think. So if we don't see it, it doesn't exist. Dachau is like a cup of cold water in the face. It makes you realize what hatred there is in the world and the horrors it creates. Then you start to genocide today. It's a good wake-up call.

We tried to get into the Hofbrau Haus, but the place was absolutely packed. Touristy or not, it supposed to be a must see. If you want to have a meal there, better make reservations.

By the way, which escrow company are you with?

Aloha Leburta,
I am with a real estate company in Kailua (The Stott Team) I handle all of their escrows in house. I am so excited. This will be my first trip and Solo to boot! I have lived in Hawaii all of my life. I also own an antique store in Kailua, so visiting some of the older sights will be a thrill. I just booked all of my travel today!!! I will take alot of photos and understand that the weather may not be so bad at that time of the year but to prepair for rain. I stumbled accross this web site and it has been so helpful for me to get ideas. I will stay at the Kempinski on the Maximillasstrase (spelling)and hear that this is like the Rodeo Drive of Munich. But I cannot compare that as I have not been to Rodeo drive either, but again just supper excited and have had a great time chatting with people from all over on this site.
Mahalo,
Jeanne

As the escrow manager at Stott, you must be a very busy gal! You deserve to get away for a while. Enjoy your trip!

Aloha Luberta,
Just got to thinking about money while on my trip and you being from the Island as well and having travelled to Germany may be able to help with this. Do you recommend I go to my local bank (First Hawaiian) and exchange my USD for Euro before I leave? I have never used ATM machines before (I am a cash kind of Gal) have you ever done the ATM thing in Germany from your local bank in Hawaii? How does that work? I have options I can take all cash either USD or Euro (whichever you recommend) and have someone in Germany deposit into thier local German bank account for me to access or do you think it's safe enough to just keep my money on hand for easy access? I dont plan on doing alot of shopping, and have already paid for airfare and hotel, so it will just be daily spending money and food costs for 13 days (Do you think I need to take more than $2000?)
Mahalo,
Jeanne

Hi Jeanne, I can answer for you. I usually go to FHB to exchange some money for Euros before I leave. You will want some anyway before leaving the airport (for taxi/train, maybe you need a bottle of water, whatever). From there I use my credit card and/or ATM card. However, I do notify my bank &amp; credit card company before I leave and tell them where I'm going and for how long. On my last trip, Visa (I assume via my bank) went over all my European transactions with me upon my return--at their request.

Mahalo Melissa, I think that is a better idea than to take all cash. Do most places accept a VISA card? Also, how long does it usually take to get a passport in Hawaii? As you can see I am very new to the travel scence but fast becoming addicted and already thinking about where to visit in 2008? Any suggestions? Great places you have been to?
Mahalo,
Jeanne

I'm addicted to Europe because it's totally unlike Hawaii. Not that I don't like Hawaii, I just want to see something different if I'm going on vacation!

As for your passport....just apply for it now, if you have not already. I've had a couple of friends wait till just a couple months before and be squeezing, because there was some unforseen delay in delivering the passport. Take no chances, do it now!

If you get addicted, you may want to go to Italy next time. Or London &amp; Paris, that's popular with Hawaii people!

Escrowmanager, I agree with MelissaHI's advice regarding your passport. Get the paperwork done and take care of it ASAP. There are new rules in effect (beginning this month) requiring American travellers to have them for Canada, Mexico and Caribbean countries where they have not been required in the past.

I would also second the suggestion of using your ATM card to get cash once in Germany. You will generally get the best exchange rate and not have to pay commissions. Plus, the machines are all over the place and generally have instructions in English.

As for a 2008 destination. Check out Italy. There is so much to see and do. I've been to Rome many times and even lived there for awhile. In that time, I've only been able to scratch the surface of what is offered. I believe that you will have a great time in Germany and will definately decide to return to Europe. Have a great trip.

Aloha MelissaHI are you out there? I wanted to ask you, what do the banks in Germany charge everytime you use their ATM? I talked to FHB and they said it will only be a $2.00 charge on their side but said to see what the charge is from the bank in Germany. I am going to take your advise and exchange only &quot;some&quot; USD to Euro before I go and just put the rest in my checking account and get an ATM card before I leave. (I will test it a few time to make sure it works before I go) I will also have a back up VISA card just in case. But just cant stop wondering if they are going to charge me like $20 each time I withdraw from their ATM's. Please give me whatever input you can! I am already dreaming of Paris for 2008. I just wish I could convince my Husband to go. He is a &quot;local boy&quot; and cant bear the thought of flying so it may be another solo trip for me. I have been ready some of the other posts and it sounds like their are alot of Women who travel solo and really enjoy it. So I guess I am going to join the club!! The world is so big I must see more (40 years on the rock is a long time).
Mahalo,
Jeanne

Ya know, I don't remember what the charge was at the German ATMs, but it was nominal--not even near $10 or $20 or anything like that!

I'll try to find you at Stott if I get a moment.....

Aloha Escrowmanager,

You can party nightly around the Marienplatz area of Munich. Lots of bars and restaurants in the area.

I always take a little local cash with me which I get from First Hawn. I then use the local ATM's with my HSBC atm card. It's the only one I know of that doesn't charge you fees every time you use it. Also gives very good interest rates on the internet savings acct(which I have)....see link below

http://www.hsbc.com/


Works all over the world. Best ATM card I've ever had!

Aloha!

escrwomanager: German banks do not charge to use their ATMs (neither do banks in any western European country I know of) The only fees will be what your own bank charges.

Jeanne/escrowmanager, you used to be at Coldwell Banker, right?