MUNICH - STAY FOR LESS "Euros"

MUNICH, the Capital of Germany's Bavarian Region & its second largest City, was established in the 8 th C as a Monastery - Munichen means “Monks”. It started to develop from the 12C when a bridge over the River Isar was built in 1158 & Salt Taxes were collected. A more recent highlight for the City was the venue for the 1972 Summer Olympic Games but annually the biggest event is OCTOBERFEST ( OCT) the City's World famous Beer Festival involving 16 days of "Boozing, Feasting & Fairground Frolics" up to the Ist Sunday in October. OCT is the real time to visit Munich as the reasons to stay in the remaining year are few.

ACCOMMODATION

NO 1 – EASY PALACE HOSTEL on Mozartstr 4 (a 20 min walk south off the Rail stationalong Goethestrasse) tele 49 (0) 8955 87970 - www.easypalace.de - E17 normal E30 OCT in 8 bed dorms with sheets & ensuite shower/WC. Cosy self -catering lounge units on each floor with kitchen & adjacent TV, lounge, eating rooms. Downstairs restaurant, Bar, Games section, Reception/ sitting area. This is a recent Hostel with modern facilities & furnishings & good atmosphere, convenient for Munich Old Town & very,very convenient for OCT

Reserve - YHA Neuhausen on Wendl-Dietrich-Strasse no 20 ( need to take the U1 Underground line to Rotkreuzplatz stop then walk 5mins) tele 49 (0) 8913 1156 - www.muenchen-neuhausen.jugend-herberge.de - E22 normal E30 OCT in 6 bed dorms with best breakfast & sheets. No self-catering but good value meals provided, lounge & sitting areas are remote in this original style Hostel but it does offer the best OCT deal in Munich.

Note all the Internet Hostel sites will show "Full" for the OCT period but I found that YHA Neuhausen has the "Big Dorm", about 30 beds on the 3rd floor of A block, which is not bookable but reserved for actual callers on the day, even OCT, also other Hostels had places on the day but for a price eg. E45

FOOD supermarkets for lunches & snacks are a bit illusive in Munich Centre for NO 1 Hostel apart for a BILLA on Schwanthalerstrasse near to the Rail Station so look around. For the YHA Hostel residents you will find the PENNY MARKT Supermarket over the road a bargain for fresh fruit, dry goods, wine & other needs.

TRAVELLING AROUND is no problem in & around Munich on the extensive Metro, Tram & Bus systems although you have to study the route maps carefully before you buy the essential E 4.80 day ticket for Central Zone one - Zones two & three are extra. Once you've worked out your days plans all you then have to do is date stamp your ticket in one of the platform machines before you get on the train etc – ok?

“FREE” SIGHTS TO SEE

1. OCT, Site Walk - get your special map & check out in daytime to get your bearings on what & where to visit nights.
2. " Beer Pavilions - where all the action is! toasting/ drinking only Munich Beers & eating well into the crazy nights
3. " Fairground - a welcome relief from the busy tents - original amusements, Flea Circus, Ferris Wheel, Dodgems etc
4. " Special Events - parades & presentations of Bavarians in traditional dress & Horses pulling Beer Barrel Trailers
5. Rathaus - 1908, in Marienplatz Munich's Central Square, Glockenspiel Clock chimes & performs each day at 11 & Noon
6. Hofbrau Haus - 1589, HB Beer Hall in Centre provides an OCT atmosphere all year round with "oom pah music"
7. English Garden - 1785, largest City Park with Chinese Tower, Nude area & a standing wave "Eisbach" for surfing
8. Asamkirch - 1746, magnificent Rococo Church with inner chamber revealing extravagent Hall & mystical Grotto
9. Olympic Stadium - 1972, "Spider Web" main Sports Stadium which spans the whole site - Car Boot sale on Sats.
10. River Isar Walk - stroll tree lined banks & over ornate Bridges following this strong Rivers course through City

CHARGE SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. Nymphenburg Palace – 18C Summer Residence of the Bavarian Kings & Princes, get off Underground U1 at Gern Station

2. Dachau Concentration Camp - now a Memorial Site of the first Nazi WW11 prison site for Jews, Disidents & Disabled Peoples first opened in 1938 & on the outskirts of Munich - get there on Underground S2 (Zone 2) then Bus 726 to Site - humbling!

* Marrien, Wooly 2001 - Michael &Bart BEL, Jon NZ, Ingrid G 2006.

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