Visiting Munich
 

I am in the process of wrestling with the exact game plan for my next European trip. <BR>As various constraints in terms of time, costs, and deep personal preferences exert their influence, I am wondering if full two days, three nights, in Munich are worth considering. <BR> <BR>So, I am asking for your opinions as to whether or not I can take in 80 - 90% of the "must sees of Munich" in 2 energetic days. (Spending time in the beer halls is not an attraction for me, so that activity is not a "must see". I did that thoroughly 44 years ago when I knew the verses to "In Muenchen stehts ein Hofbrau Haus, ein, zwei, zufer ..", which is one reason I don't recall much about Munich except the Rathaus, the Frauenkirche, the Kunsthalle, and Nymphenburg.) <BR> <BR>The debate in my mind is whether or not to even attempt Munich, and, instead, devote the time to Vienna and Salzburg. Right now my thinking is a 2, 2, and 4 plan, with the 4 days being in Vienna. But, depending on factors which might be put forth in the responses I get on this forum, the plan might be modified to save Munich for a later journey and limit the 8 days to Salzburg and Vienna. <BR> <BR>And in case you are wondering where the real priority lies, I will have to be honest: <BR>those high, snowline, alpine trails of Switzerland attract me like a magnet, because that is where I really want to be. The other days are a compromise with my travel mate.) <BR>So working within my own personal preferences, such as they are, give me your considered opinons, please.

Bob--- I think you are in the right track with the 2-2-4 plan. If you are arriving in Munich, two days should provide a nice "cushion" in getting ready for the road ahead. The drive from Munich to Salzburg, depending on the route, can be a vacation in itself!

Hi,Bob <BR>As much as I've enjoyed Munich, I'm inclined to think the year 2000 might be a good time to avoid the city. I would expect a disproportionately large number of tourists due to the Oberammergau Passion Play being held just down the road throughout the summer months. We spent a week in Vienna in October, our first visit, and I wish I'd had more time to do justice to the city's attractions. I'd be tempted to skip Munich, add the days to Vienna and perhaps take a day trip from Vienna to Budapest to console myself. <BR>If however you do decide to spend time in Munich, in addition to revisiting the Frauenkirche, art museums and Rathaus, be sure and visit the Residenz, the former home of the Wittlebachs who ruled Bavaria. Built over a 300 year period, it's interesting to compare its Renaissance, Baroque and Neo-Classical decor with the similar decor of Vienna's Hofburg Palace. Since Upper Bavaria will be glutted with pilgrims and tourists, denying you a visit to the Wieskirche, be sure to visit the Asamkirche (Church of St. John Nepomuk) on Sendlingstrasse, just a couple of blocks off Munich's Marienplatz. It's a riot of Rococo design, built by the two Asam brothers at their own expense, in a small space that challenged their architectural and artistic skills. Well worth a visit - beats the beerhalls hands down. <BR>For inexpensive eats, look to some of the small restaurants that abound at the Viktualienmarkt just southeast of Marienplatz.

Thanks for the input. I had forgotten about the Oberammergau event. <BR>It draws hoards of visitors who spill all over that part of Europe. <BR>I had planned going in early September. Will Oberammergau still be in performance then?? <BR>

Bob <BR>The dates of the Passion Play are from May 22 to October 8.