Please give me your Top 5 best things to see/do in and around Munich. <BR> <BR>Also, should I go to Cologne and Aachen or Berlin if I have 3 days to spend?

Ben: It all depends on your interests. <BR> <BR>I'll give you my best in and around Munich: <BR>1) Marienplatz, including the Frauenkirche. <BR>2) The Hofbrauhaus. <BR>3) Nymphenburg Palace. <BR>4) The Englisher Garden. <BR>5) The Olympic Village. <BR>Honorable mention: The Alte Pinakothek. <BR> <BR>Day trips: <BR>1) Ludwig's castle at Herrenchiemsee. <BR>2) Bertchesgaden. <BR>3) Garmisch-Partenkirchen, to include Ettal, Linderhof Castle, Oberammergau and the Weiskirchen at Steingaden. <BR>4) Fussen, Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau. <BR>5) Dachau concentration camp memorial. <BR> <BR>Honorable mention: Augsburg, Regensburg and Passau. <BR> <BR>Further away, but worthwhile: Rothenburg and Dinkelsbuhl. <BR> <BR>Cologne and Aachen have little in common with Berlin. What would you like to see and do? Berlin, to me, is a smaller kind of Paris, but the others are more traditional places that offer something quite different. Maybe more info would be of help. <BR> <BR>Good luck! <BR> <BR> <BR>

Ben, <BR>In no particular order: <BR> <BR>A tour of King Ludwig II's castles, Schloss Linderhof and Neuschwanstein <BR> <BR>A visit to the Augustiner Brauhaus in Munich after working up an appetite strolling through the Viktualien Markt. <BR> <BR>A visit to the Assam Church in Munich coupled with a visit to Wieskirche of Dominikus Zimmerman <BR> <BR>The view of the German Alpine range and eleven Alpine lakes <BR> <BR>A visit to lakes Starnbergersee and the Ammersee with a stop inbetween in Andechs to sample the world's finest beer. <BR> <BR>With three days to spend, consider Innsbruck or Salzburg.

Ben, <BR> <BR>Lost the tail end of a sentence in the earlier posting. Should read: <BR> <BR>The view of the German Alpine range and eleven Alpine lakes from the top of Hohenpeissenberg

Definitely go to Berlin. It is an incredible city with so much to see and do. If you are into history, from an ancient ruin in a museum to Brandenburg Gate to the Info Box (near remaining wall) to Checkpoint Charlie Museum, Olympic Stadium (where Jesse Owens ran)--etc. For cultural, there are a number of museums, opera, symphony, etc. The nightlife is there & shopping, nice people. The city is easy to traverse with the subway.

Hi Ben, <BR>if you´re really into Bavarian architecture and beautiful landscapes,I would suggest that you should stay in the south of Germany.Travelling to Cologne or Aachen will cost you a lot of time.If you want to experience something very different from Bavaria,Berlin is a nice alternative. <BR>But,being German I can tell you that a single ride by car from Munich to Berlin will take you at least 5 or 6 hours,so if you want to see Berlin as well it´s better to take a plane.Three days is not much and there´s so much to see in Bavaria,to my mind the best way for you will be to enjoy Munich,hire a car and drive around to see old castles and the Alpes. <BR>Have much fun <BR> <BR>Miriam

In no particular order: <BR>1/the Viktualienmarkt (market) <BR>2/walk along the Isar river, from near the Duestches museum to the Angel statue <BR>3/a meal outside in a beautiful beer garden, such as the Hofbraugarden (*not* hofbrauhaus in Marienplatz!)near Wiener Platz or the Menterschweige (in Harlaching) <BR>4/the Marienplatz, maybe tea over looking it, listening to the beautiful church bells, and a quick visit to the fabulous Ludwig Beck dept store (also see Loden Frey, a great place to shop) <BR>5/the churches: Frauenkirche and the Teatinerkirche

I agree with the comments above, but also be sure to stop in a German supermarket. Pick up some cans of beer, Fa deodorant, Hela ketchup and candy bars. These were the best souvenirs of our entire trip and it cost less than $10. I should've bought $100 worth!!