Munich

[crodonilson]

I am asking for the help of the very dependable NSC travellers once again....

Off to Munich 15th December for 4 days. Any recommendations on where to go?? The obvious ones aside, is it better to do the Olympic Stadium or Allianz Arena (better half won't do both).

Also am planning on proposing to the better half while I am over there, any romantic places in and around the city??

 

[Austrian Gull]

Munich in December - take your thermals!

Christmas markets will be in full swing - very cosy and romantic.

I find Munich to be a bit expensive and tourist-driven compare to other German cities so beware of tourist traps. But I have had a good meal and beers in the Braustuben before - better than Hofbrauhaus which is just full of tourists.

Olympic Stadium & park worth a look - have been up the observation tower there before. Not sur if it's still open. Would personally head for the Allianz Arena as it looks amazing when you drive past!

 

[Austrian Gull]

English garden is beautiful but not sure how romantic it will be in December!

 

[Jonno]

If you travel on the underground, don't forget to stamp your ticket! I forgot on my first evening there and was mercilessly slapped with a €50 Euro fine by a mullet-and-tash, plain-clothes ticket inspector. Bloody German efficiency.
Otherwise, nice city, smells of brewing beer everywhere.

 

[fataddick]

I'm there from December 11th-13th to watch the mighty St Pauli trounce Bayern and see "big in Germany, virtually unknown in the UK" The Indelicates (an indie band from Lewes). It's undoubtedly the bestest city in continental Europe, and - considering it's supposed to be the most expensive city in Germany - amazingly cheap for what matters, ie beer. Which is currently less than £3 a pint there. Considering what I've had to pay elsewhere in Europe this year (£5 Paris, £6 Bruges, £7 Copenhagen, £9 Malmo) that's a Goddam bargain.

As for whether to do the Allianz or the Olympic Stadium, I haven't been to the latter but I definitely suggest that of the two. The Allianz is in a concrete wasteland surrounded by autobahns and car parks, whereas the Olympic Stadium is in landscaped parkland with lakes and rivers, museums, art stuff, etc. You can also (if you desire) climb onto its roof, and there's loads of other stuff to do in Olympiapark, including the Olympic Tower (highest structure in Bavaria) which has great views of the city and the Alps. The tower also has a revolving restaurant at the top of it, which is presumably a romantic sort of thing.

 

[crodonilson]

Munich in December - take your thermals!

I went to Berlin last January so I am well prepared, it can't possibly be any colder than that!

Thanks for your suggestions guys, keep them coming.....

 

[sten_super]

English garden is beautiful but not sure how romantic it will be in December!

The English Gardens in the snow are amazing.

 

[BLOCK F]

Munich in December - take your thermals!

Christmas markets will be in full swing - very cosy and romantic.

I find Munich to be a bit expensive and tourist-driven compare to other German cities so beware of tourist traps. But I have had a good meal and beers in the Braustuben before - better than Hofbrauhaus which is just full of tourists.

Olympic Stadium & park worth a look - have been up the observation tower there before. Not sur if it's still open. Would personally head for the Allianz Arena as it looks amazing when you drive past!

Enjoy the Christmas Market in Marienplatz.Keep the cold out with plenty of gluwein.
Haven't been to the Braustuben,but a visit to the Augustiner Haus is to be recommended.Personally,I enjoyed the Hofbrauhaus.Yes,there are tourists,but so what!Good laugh,good oompah music,filling food.....try the huge pretzels,good for soaking up the excellent beer.
Have a great time;it is a lovely city to visit especially at this time of year!

 

[North East Seagull]

If you do manage to take it a game at the Allianz Arena (which is pretty spectacular) bear in mind it is a cashless venue and you will need a pre-paid Arena Card to buy refreshments. We got caught out there one freezing cold November whern we queued for ages for beer and bratwurst at half-time only to be denied when trying to pay with cash.

I realy liked the Olympic Park, and for a couple of Euro you can go into the stadium and see the venue for one of England's finest victories. You ae not suposed to go onto the pitch, but of course, some people do.

Don' t remember much else about the city (too much quality local brew) but it is the coldest place I have spent any time in. Oh, someone said Salzburg is only an hour away by train (apparently) if that is your sort of thing.

 

[fataddick]

If you do manage to take it a game at the Allianz Arena (which is pretty spectacular) bear in mind it is a cashless venue and you will need a pre-paid Arena Card to buy refreshments. We got caught out there one freezing cold November whern we queued for ages for beer and bratwurst at half-time only to be denied when trying to pay with cash.

Think I'm going to the last game of the year before the winter break (Bayern v St Pauli) which is four days before crodonilson flies out there, so he probably won't be in luck unless there are reserves/cup games on, but thanks for the tip off. I assume there are machines you can put cash into and get a card (with said cash loaded onto it) out or something? The only time I've been to the Allianz before was during the World Cup (Tunisia v Saudi Arabia, games don't come much bigger, errr) and they were accepting cash then.

 

[fataddick]

Ooh I'm wrong, TSV are at home on Sunday 19th and the winter break doesn't kick in until Christmas.

 

[severnside gull]

You could always try proposing after a run down the toboggan track at the Blombergbahn..........for sure she would never forget it.

I don't remember much about Munich. It (and the beer) was that good.

 

[scotjem]

I suspect the sight of Neuschwanstein in the snow would melt most people's hearts. There are plenty of bus trips from Munich.

Otherwise a trip to a lake - the S Bahn goes to Starnberg, or the Bavarian train line to Tegernsee.

 

[Chicken Runner61]

You can visit Dachau - just to say you have been (if history is not your thing)

Not sure you should propose there though!