Munich: Mighty Magical

By this point in the journey I had buddied up with a couple of people who were doing a similar itinerary to me. But this was our final stop together; in three days I was heading back to Paris, while they were all continuing on to Venice (jealous!!)

Our first night we went in search of one of the numerous beer gardens that Munich is so famous for. We got a little lost, which was good because it meant we worked up an appetite for these babies!!

Pork Knuckle. It was ENORMOUS!! Oh, and soft pretzels = to die for!!! Nomnomnom!

The next morning most of the busabouters went out to Dachau, but one concentration camp per trip seemed sufficient, so I went on the walking tour of Munich instead.

The city of monks (München) was founded in 1158.

It is very pretty.

Marienplatz is named after the column of the Virgin Mary; the square is famous for its neo-Gothic Town Hall. 

This late-Gothic Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) is the landmark of Munich. Like most of Europe, it was undergoing a facelift - hence the scaffolding!

This is one of the more subtle Holocaust memorials. It marks the path anti-Nazi supporters would walk in order to avoid the place where SS guards were enforcing Hitler's demand that people salute as they went by.

This is where the sign was, but there is no note anywhere to explain that this is what it is. Apparently Munich is a bit anti memorials.

Moving on to something "fluffier". There were four of these lucky lions. The more you rub, the more luck you receive. But if you rub all four you get bad luck for being greedy!

Yay for sunshine! It had been sorely missed!

Maximilianstrasse: the most expensive street in Munich.

Even the taxis are Mercedes!!

The royal brewery.

Again with the dogs in Europe! There are only three places dogs aren't allowed, and one of them is the pharmacy. So, they thoughtfully provide ... dog parking!!!

Viktualienmarkt - the farmers' market and it's adjacent beer garden.

There is some crazy tradition about stealing Maypoles. Our guide told us some big story about a prank pulled, but I've forgotten it, sorry! Beer gardens are always found under chestnut trees - they grow fast, and their leaves are broad, providing plenty of shade to keep the underground cellars (and subsequently the beer) nice and cool. 

Another crazy story about a monkey climbing out a window with a baby...? Maybe they should cut back on the beer.

So much walking!!! Sore tootsies :(

That evening, on my way to The Englischer Garten, I came across this at the Hofgarten (the city's oldest garden) near the Residenz.

As I watched about 10-15 other couples joined in! They all looked like they were having so much fun, and they were all different ages and backgrounds - it was really sweet :)

The State Chancellery.

It didn't take me long to track down my main reason for visiting the Englischer Garten ...

A man-made wave .. in the middle of the city. In the middle of Europe!!! What?!!!

But the highlight of the visit, by far, was our day trip to Schloss Neuschwanstein .. or, as it's better known, the Disney Castle!

First view from the village below.

Schloss Hohenschwangau - Not quite as iconic, but still very impressive!

We took a horse drawn carriage up the hill!

Through the beautiful lush green forest.

View of the castle from the viewing platform.

View from the castle.

We were more than a little speechless when we stumbled across this scene ...

He was just hangin' out .. playing some music, smiling for tourists. Crazy!

It is very grand, and imposing. Seems surreal to think it was once someone's home.

The climb up the hill to the viewing bridge.

We made it!!

The view from the top of the hill looking out over Schloss Hohenschwangau.

It took my breath away.

The bridge was very high. And packed with people. Not fun.

But soooo worth it!!!

And that concludes my Busabout tour! I hope you enjoyed reading a little (or a lot, as it were!) about my adventures - it really was a trip of a lifetime! I can't wait to do the southern loop next summer! :)

xxox