We love to travel, and 2020 was supposed to be a big travel year for us. Like the rest of you, that hasn't happened.
We're still dreaming about travel, reading about new destinations, and making (tentative) plans for the future. We hope all of you are well and staying safe... and that you find some inspiration here for YOUR future travels.
With vaccines arriving, let's hope we can be traveling again in 2021!
We're pretty sure you're going to like Munich. Most people we know who go to Germany hit this great city if they don't see anything else.
Yes, it's the capital of Bavaria in Germany...
But when you think of a capital city...
...don't you think of a serious place with government officials and boring buildings?
Well get that picture out of your mind....
Munich is FUN!
It's in the southern part of Germany.
Truthfully, it might be best known for its fall festival of Oktoberfest.
Beer is a big part of touring this great city with all its famous beer halls, but there is so much more.
There are great museums to visit...
historic churches...
and the great central square of Marienplatz which is full of flowers...
and alpen horns...
and the Rathaus looming over the whole pagent.
(OK, many of the buildings have been re-built since they were destroyed in World War II, but the reconstructions are so faithful that you'll never notice.)
What's this about Alpen horns?
You'll find lots of those Tyrollean influences because it is close to the Tyrollean Alps;
They're only 50 miles (80 km) away.
We encountered a group playing Alpen horns right there on the pedestrian street.
The music and the people in Bavaria just seem more carefree than what you find in northern Germany.
It's
Munich in English, I'll say it's Munchen in German, but that's not
really right... it needs those two little dots over the "u" or they'll
tell you it's misspelled.... so Müchen. See?
So what should you see in this fun loving city?
See the Marienplatz we mentioned above.
Join all the other tourists to watch the Glockenspeil that graces the top of the Rathaus (the New Town Hall) put on its show at 11 am.
(The bells and characters also come out at 12 noon and 5 pm in the summer.)
See the Frauenkirche, one of the symbols of the city, but don't neglect other churches...
And stay alert for concerts in them.
It's a real treat to hear organs and choirs in any church...
It's like listening to angels, and I guess that's the affect the architects were hoping to have on you!
One trip we got into the city on Easter. On Easter Monday, we wanted to see the Michaelskirche.
We dashed in before they started the service, but as we were wandering out a little old German man stopped us from leaving... he kept saying, "freies Konzert."
We decided to sit in the back row and see what he was talking about. The church ended up filling with standing room only, and we heard the most wonderful concert you can imagine.... we listened to those angels... for free.
Sometimes you've just got to listen and act on serendipity.
You'll also want to see the Residenz, the Palace in the middle of town. It can take you the better part of a day just to see the highlights. Its fabulous rooms are full of period furniture. Don't miss the treasury! I will never forget the little gold statue of St. George Slaying the Dragon that is encrusted with jewels.
There are museums too... the Alte Pinakothek full of old masters and the Neue Pinakothek with paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries, but you could also visit... say... the BMW Museum. There is a whole list of museums to choose from.
For meals why not try a beer hall? There are plenty to choose from in Munich... and while there will be lots of tourists in them... there will also be lots of locals and plenty of atmosphere and music.
Most major airlines fly into the Munich airport. If you want to get straight to this fun loving part of Germany, why not fly directly in?
Bus, trains and taxis are available to get you into town. The airport is only about 9 miles (15 km) from town, but it will take you about 45 minutes to get in from the airport to city center.
If you want to rent a car to explore the rest of Bavaria, do that AFTER you've seen Munich... you don't need a car in town, and you don't want the expense and bother of parking it. (on certain holidays, parking is free or cheaper. We got free parking with our hotel on Easter and Easter Monday.... yeah!)
So for a visit to the Bavarian corner of Germany consider starting in Munich where you can immerse yourself in culture and lots of fun.
Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it! Judy and Mark
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Thanks, Judy and Mark
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The New Year is here...
And we're ready to put 2020 behind us.
What are your resolutions? To lose weight? To Exercise more?
We're hoping for an end to this virus and the travel restrictions so...
Why not a FUN resolution!
Resolve to TRAVEL!
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Our 2020 travels were slim. COVID kept us home too. One trip to the Three Guyanas, but dreaming of travel next year.
Love discovering less touristed regions? The three Guyanas are tucked up in the north east corner of South America that doesn’t get much attention.
On our 2019 travels, it was independent travel, a custom tour and a group tour. All work beautifully... just depends on where you’re going and what you want.
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