Christmas in Munich

Extend me an invitation to Munich any day and I'll be there. I just love this city. Now, given the choice, you really can't beat a nice summer day here. Or I would assume fall or spring day. When drinking your choice of beer by the liter, to me it just goes down smoother sitting out at a sidewalk table with a ray of sunshine. It may also be that my first visit to Munich was a July so I know the summer city better. Dressed for Christmas, the city was gorgeous but I had lost my familiarity. And my favorite gelato stand was not open.

   We arrived in Munich the morning of Christmas Eve (Monday) and stayed for four nights. Having been informed that everything would be closed until Thursday, our first order of business was to get to a market to pick up bottles of water, yogurt, rolls, wine, cheeses, chocolate and other staples necessary to nourish ones-self for almost three days. When arriving at a European market the last day before they close for a holiday, be prepared to stand in line for a very long time!

   Upon finishing our chores, we arrived at the town square (Marienplatz) just in time for lunch at the Christmas Market on Christmas Eve before the stands (and all else in town) started to close at 2:00.

   If you're feeling daring, you can find the below beer stand that serves mulled beers and other beer varieties that are mixed with different concoctions such as a mix of spices and apple butter. Troy was so excited about this stop and I was hesitant. Luckily we ended up with two different styles and it was decided that we could share each. With a couple lady-like sips and an attempt to appear to busy and distracted to possibly be able to have time to drink my share, they eventually were both finished. And I can say, I have no idea why anyone would do this to their beer.

   No matter the season, there are no shortage of things to do and see in Munich. On the top of our list was to show Lottie the Glockenspiel. In layman's terms, it is an extremely large cuckoo clock.

   The Glockenspiel chimes 3 to 4 times daily depending on the season with a cast of characters that dance and songs that play. So excited for our two-year-old to see the "show", she immediately responded "Ohhh.... my.... goodness.... That is so funny!". Mature beyond her years, I guess. Witnessing the event is a Munich must, but a word to the wise, it's also pick-pocket central. With everyone watching up toward the sky for several minutes, it makes for easy targets so remain aware of your surroundings, purses and wallets. And if anyone "bumps" into you, chances are you've been had.

Glockenspiel Characters

   The tourist offices in the city are very helpful and they even had a list available of what would be open on Christmas day and the day after. We were able to spend Christmas Day at the Zoo (Tierpark) which was wonderful. We had packed a picnic lunch, however the main restaurant/snack bar in the zoo was open. There were also some restaurants in the city open with a limited menu so we were able to find an actual dinner versus the yogurt that we were expecting to have.

   Other visits that we made during our stay were BMW World -

View of BMW plant from Olympic Tower

   The Olympic Tower (Olympiaturm) which provides a view of the grounds of the 1972 Olympic Games as well as the city as it's Munich's highest building.

View of the city from Olympic Tower towards Fussen

   Lacking pictures but also recommended are visits to:

   The Hofbrauhaus for a liter of beer. Cash only and a very crowded place but find a space on a bench where ever you can fit your bum and by the end of your beer, you and your table mates may all be best friends.

   The Duetsches Museum, where an entire day will not give you enough time to explore it in entirety. I coined it the German Smithsonian and as the world of science and technology, it covers everything from metallurgy to electricity to aeronautics to calculators and computers and a million things in between. It really is quite fantastic.

   A wonderful and memorable Christmas it was. I do look forward to a Christmas with a tree and stockings and the joy of being at home, but for now, this was just right. And our hotel did serve complimentary mulled wine and cookies next to the Christmas tree in the lobby on Christmas Eve so it was pretty close to perfect.