GERMANY MAKES IT MARK
Germany
boasts it’s fair share of top chefs too, and in Munich new one-star
awards have been made to the Dallmayr restaurant with chef Diethard
Urbansky (and we aren’t joking about his name!) and to Terrine with
chef Jakob Stuttgen. Tantric restaurant retains its two stars along with
its exorbitant prices. Value for money still goes to the one star
Italian restaurant ‘Aquarello’ located in the heart of Munich at the
Konigshof Hotel and offering an outstanding value for money three course
business menu at lunchtime for a reasonably €29.
Little
can beat Dieter Muller’s reputation as one of the world’s greatest
chefs. His restaurant in north Germany in Koln is located in the
Luxus-Schloss Hotel Lerbach in Bergisch Gladbach. Boasting three
Michelin stars, it is consistently booked out. Dieter does his magic
with food that melts in the mouth and as a guest chef at the recent St
Moritz Gourmet Food Festival, he is held in high esteem by his fellow
chefs as well as guests who are fortunate enough to sample the cuisine
of this world class chef.
Munich
boasts some great restaurants too and not all serve German fare.
If you
fancy going French, check out Le Sud in the trendy suburb of Schwabing.
Here the bistro type feel offers good fish dishes, set menus starting
from €33 for three courses and a reasonably priced wine list. Its
exceptionally popular so booking is essential especially at weekends.
Le Sud,
Bismarckstrasse 21, 80803 Munich, Germany
www.le-sud.de and
tel: +49 89 330 887 38
Finding
a a good restaurant that opens its doors on a Sunday in Munich can be a
challenge. However the Italian restaurant Vinaiolo will gladly oblige.
Located in Haidhausen within walking distance of all major tram and bus
routes, it offers an exceptional value for money Sunday lunch at €39 for
6 courses. Beautifully presented and with creative cuisine, it’s a
regular for many of the locals, Italian and German alike. Known for its
wines (whose prices are not for the faint hearted) it’s rated as one of
the top restaurants in the city.
Vinaiolo,
Steinstraße 42 · 81667 Munich, Germany · Tel:
+4989 - 489 50 356
www.vinaiolo.de
What to do in Bavaria, Germany?
Naturally Nürnberg
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Hailed as the City with the most famous Christmas market in the world,
Nürnberg is designed to impress. A city that has risen from the ashes,
it is now undisputedly one the premier tourist destinations in Germany
if not the world.
It is
home to the Christmas market (Christkindlesmarkt) during the four advent
weeks and to a famous Toy Fair in January and February. This fair,
although only open to the trade, attracts an enormous number of people
to the city. Nürnberg has achieved a place in the hearts of all
visitors and most vow to return. In summer months the city bustles with
groups who travel to see the unique walled city with its cobbled streets
and a castle perches high above affording views over the rooftops.
Dating back to medieval times, the castle boasts spectacular gardens and
a great way to while a few hours if you wish to explore the seriously
large interior! Churches and some buildings were rebuilt after WWII,
but blend in so well with the originals that it is hard to tell the
difference. Few places achieve a successful blending of the old with the
new, but Nürnberg pulls it off with considerable success. The old walled
City reveals timbered houses and the central Hauptmarkt where the famous
Christmas market is held. For those with the stomach, a tour around the
14th Century dungeons and torture chamber and a view of the
Hangman’s Tower is a must. The culturally minded will appreciate the
Old Town Hall which was built in the 1600s. A walk around the ‘Altstadt’
(old City) can be completed in a couple of hours although it is hilly so
be warned that, during the winter months with snow, it can be slippery.
Nürnberg has the River Pegnitz running through its centre and along its
banks restaurants and bars have sprung up. All are tasteful and even the
inevitable addition of many of the American fast food places have been
done with care and are not the usual eyesores with glaring neon
advertising their products. In summer months the parks around the
Wohrder See are popular and science and activity museums for children
make it a popular destination for families. Perhaps the nicest thing
about Nürnberg is its relaxed unhurried pace and yet as the second
largest city in Bayern after Munich, it has been planned with care. The
result is an efficient public transport system with the main station at
its centre, an excellent underground and regional train system, in
addition to trams. The airport is served by some of the leading European
airlines including Lufthansa, Swiss and British Airways, allowing easy
movement around Europe. All this for a city with only half a million
inhabitants is perhaps surprising. It is possible to do a day trip from
Munich to Nürnberg thanks to the ICE train connections which take only
an hour; alternatively the comfortable and regular regional trains take
a little longer but are considerably cheaper especially if you choose to
travel at weekends.
Regular English speaking tours are run during the summer season and when
the Christmas market operates from the main tourist offices, and the
price includes admission to the castle. The average duration is around 2
½ hours and it’s a great way to see as much as possible if you are on a
tight time schedule. The Nürnberg card is also great value for money.
For €18 you get two days unlimited travel on public transport and entry
to all the main sights. This can be bought from hotels, hostels and the
tourist offices.
For
those who wish to overnight – there is no shortage of places to stay in
Nürnberg in all budget categories – ranging from the luxurious and
expensive to the hostels for those counting the pennies. It’s wise to
remember thought that it is important to book in advance especially at
Christmas and during the Toy Fair.
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Info:
www. tourismus.nuernberg.de
Or
once in Nürnberg you can easily locate their offices at:
the main station (Hauptbanhof): 
+49
911/2-33-61-32
or in the Rathaus, Hauptmarkt 18: +49
911/2-33-61-35
Fun in Friesing
The environs of Munich are easily accessible thanks to the great public transport system in Germany. Clean, reliable and punctual, the visitor can get around with little hassle once one has figured out what can be a somewhat complex ticketing purchase system. With lots of options ranging from day trip tickets to three day city specials it’s sometimes better to ask a representative at one of the main offices at the Hauptbahnhof (main station) in Munich to ensure that you get the best deal. Generally it is not expensive and frequently cheaper to travel in a group of up to five people at a w/e or after 09:00 in the morning. For as little as €27 up to five people can travel for the one ticket price and reach suburbs some considerable distance outside of Munich and get the opportunity to explore the picturesque Bavarian villages.
Most towns or villages have the train station either directly in the centre or with linking bus services that are generally included in the price of your ticket. It makes for easy stress free travel and none of the hassle associated with hiring a car or the worry of who will drive home if some have sampled Germany’s most famous export – their beer!
Friesing, one the oldest towns in Bavaria, dates back to the 8th century and are located on the outskirts of Munich. It is accessible by bike, for the super fit at a 30km ride along the banks of the Isar River for the early part of the journey, alternatively for many it is easier to take the S1 train from the centre of Munich and enjoy the 40 minute journey in a more relaxed state.
For those with time on their hands and transiting through Munich airport – another option is to spend a day in Friesing which is only a short distance from the airport and is accessible either by a couple of stops on the S-Bahn (train) or by bus.
As the town comprises cobbled streets and some steep climbs to assure the best views, its best to have on comfortable shoes – remember in the winter with snow or ice that thick soles would be a bonus too!
Lovers of churches and organs will be blown away by the magnificent church (cathedral) of Mariendom (St Mary’s Cathedral) that sits in pride of place overlooking the city. With an organ that would do justice on any film set for its looks alone, the church is worthy of a visit even for the non religiously minded. Regular organ recitals are given here though booking is essential during the popular summer months. A museum across the courtyard from the church is worth a peek too as it purportedly contains a considerable amount of Christian art. The cathedral library is worth a visit too
Friesing is also known for its beer when a monastery back in 1040 was granted the right to make beer. To this day the brewery operates although the monastery itself closed back in the 1800s. The brewery likes to lay claim to being the oldest brewery in the world, whether this is correct is open to some debate!
The current Pope studied, was ordained and became Archbishop, so for this reason alone, Friesing and the Mariendom holds an attraction for many.
From a leisure point of view, a stroll through the city streets will provide an easy way to spend a few hours, with plentiful cafes spilling out on to the pavements during the summer months. The market which is held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, provides a plethora of choices for the savvy fresh produce shopper which aside from the traditional fruit, vegetable and cheese stalls, offers a fishmonger, an olive stall and some tantalising freshly baked breads to go with the locally produced honey and jams.
Little wonder that it’s not just the local residents that shop there but Müncheners in the know!
Tourists will leave feeling they have had an inside view of life in a typical Bavarian town but one which offers a unique history as well.
More information about the Bayern train ticket on www.bayern-fahrplan.de
The Magic of Music in Mittenwald
Germany offers summer and winter destinations and its common to find visitors who have visited in one season that are keen to return at the opposite time of year.
Mittenwald, located near the Austrian border with Germany, is one such town. In winter it offers Christmas markets, ski slopes and mugs of gluhwein in guesthouses with frosty windows. In summer however it comes into its own with a mass of forest, lakes (Luttensee, Lautersee and Ferchensee) and alpine walking all within a short distance of the village. The bonus being that one does not need a car to enjoy this destination to the full. The train journey which is less than 2 hours from Munich becomes more scenic, the closer you get to Mittenwald. Upon reaching the station you can walk directly into the town alternatively you can hop on a bus that will take you directly to the one of nearby lakes. For those already equipped with walking boots or sturdy shoes – a walk through the town and after a short walk up a steep hill will bring you to the base of the chair lift. Whether you choose to take the lift, which is a leisurely 15 minute ride over the forest and provides a superb view towards the Alps or if you choose to hike through the forest and the parkland below, it’s a relaxing and scenic route. Once off the chairlift there is a choice of walks both in terms of length, time and difficulty. Whilst some may be quite steep in parts and older people may require assistance, for the most the walks are more of a long stroll. Paths are all well marked and most of the lakes offer a restaurant, biergarten or refreshment kiosk. It is wise to remember that at all times of the year; the weather in the Alps can change at short notice. It’s therefore wise to ensure you have an anorak or waterproof covering in your backpack or whatever you choose to carry with you. A hat, sunscreen, sensible sturdy shoes or boots and a mobile phone in case of accidents is also wise. There are bike trails as well for those who wish to hire a bike to enjoy the scenery instead of walking.
In addition to the chairlift there is a cable car to another of the peaks ensuring that photographers can get their fill of pics (and
heights) – A walkway by a spectacular gorge has been created and is open during the summer months though it’s worth checking first and the friendly and informative info centre in the town.
Mittenwald offers a big assortment of accommodation ranging from B & B in private houses to guesthouses which are often restaurants with a few rooms above the main reception rooms, as well as dedicated hotels with large terraces, indoor swimming pools and family rooms. Peak season of July and August requires advance booking but during the week and Sunday evenings you can generally find a room without prior notice during the rest of the year except during main holidays like Christmas and Easter.
Aside from walking in the summer and skiing in the winter, Mittenwald is best known as being the home of violin making. It is widely considered to be one of the most important centres in the world for this highly specialised craft. Since the first workshop was established in Mittenwald in the late 1600s, it has seen many famous instrument makers based here and many families have had the craft passed down through the generations. The Geigenbau Museum which is open daily except Mondays reveals an insight into this fascinating craft and offers presentations in a variety of languages. The museum underwent a major renovation in 2006 and the result is a cultural revelation for the musically minded.
Traditional Bavarian food restaurants are plentiful and there are couple of good Italian ones too. Children are welcome in all of them as the centre has become a popular destination for family groups in all seasons.
www.mittenwald.de – for tourist information
www.stern-mittenwald.de - Double rooms incl. b/fast from €70 for two
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