MUNICH: MADE FOR MEN

 “ Beer.”  That’s  all you have to when  someone has the nerve to ask, “Why  visit Munich?”  Sure, you could  list the  Bavarian  culture,  dozens  of museum  or Gothic  historical  sites  as top  draws,  but  let’s  be frank;  the home  of Oktoberfest  attracts  us  all for  its suds  first.

  Tourists  show up in drovers at one of Germany’s  most  famous  cities  and  Bavaria’s capital  to sample  all  the different  varieties of  ale,  and you should  too.  Whether you’re  tipsy or not, Munich  will  surely  leave  a  great  impression.

 Info  you need

  Visits  here are best  made  from  May to September,  when  the weather  is  fairest  and the sight-seeing  is  optimal.  Funnily  enough,  Oktoberfest,  that oh-so-famous  drinking  festival,  is help  in late  September  and is  the climax  of the tourist  season.

  Other  than  brushing up on some German  (Bier  mich!  Means “ beer  me!”  by  the way),  little  preparation is  needed  prior  to your  trip to beautiful  Munich.  The  city is laid  out  in a fashion  that  makes  navigation  easy  and, like the  rest  of  Germany, is  very modern.

   A typical  three  days  in September  can  encapsulate the best  this  fairy  tale  city  has  to offer, so let’s  get started:

DAY 1:

A lay of the land 

  The heart  of Munich  is  very  pedestrian  oriented,  and so,  instead of  batting  with droves of  BMWs on the roads, it  is  suggested you  choose  lodging  in a  convenient  location.  Try  the Hotel  Schlicker,  a  quaint  and  cheap  place, or  Le Meridien  for  something  more upscale.

  Although  you’ll  find  yourself paying a little more for the privilege of staying  in a centrally  located  hotel,  this investment  will  save you time and unnecessary  stress.  This will  become  evident  after a night  of downing  beer after beer.

Old  and new 
  The first  thing  you’ll  notice  about  Munich  is a unique  Bavarian  atmosphere.  The ornate  Gothic buildings,  friendly,  sophisticated  locals,  and   buzzing art  and cultural  scene  make Munich  a center  for the  avant-garde  and the classical.  Unlike  other cities,  however,  there is no  clash  of modern  versus old;  the  transition  is seamless.

  See this  firsthand  by walking along the  Isar  River,  which  cuts  Munich’s  center  on the eastern  side.  Head  northwest  to the Alstadt,  the historic  area, and get  ready for some real  stunning  sights.  The Marienplatz  square   is  a hub  of activity on a nice  day, as everyone  congregates  around  the Neues  Rathaus  (New  Town  Hall)  and Altes  Rathaus ( Old Town  Hall).  After  gazing  up and down  these architectural  wonders,  whip out  your  camera for  some  amazing  photo ops at the Glockenspiel, a tall  spire  within the Neues Rathaus  and probably  the most  famous  Munich site.

  Say  your   prayers

  For inspiring  views of the Alps,  and a chance  to  cleanse  your  soul  before  diluting  it with  alcohol,  visit two  majestic  churches  bordering  the square:  St.  Peterskirche  and Heiliggeistkirche.  Resist  the  urge  to go to the Hofbrauhaus,  the famous  beer  hall,  just yet and first  fill your  belly  with food.

   This  is  best done at the Viktualienmarkt,  undoubtedly Europe’s  best market  and a center to  grab  some great German eats and interact  with  the people. Visit the hundreds  of  stalls and fill up on classic German sausage,  try  the  weisswurst,  cheeses  and   exotic  fruits  and vegetables.

   To  wash it all  down,  visit the center of the market,  where a busy  beer garden  will seem like home,  though it  may  take  some time to get  used  to the Lederhosen-clad  regulars. Grab a stein,  or just a glass,  here, but  remember  that the Hofbrauhaus  calls your name.

Legendary  brew house

   Though largely a tourist  spot now, this famous  beer hall has been a Munich  tradition  since 1644. Walk in, soak in the live music and loud  die-hard  drinkers, and grab a seat. As long as you’re not in a spot marked Stammtisch ( this means it’s reserved for locals)  you’ll be accepted  with pleasure.

   Drink the night  away by trying  out the fruits of Munich’s  six major breweries’ labor:  a bock beer is quite  strong, while  a maze  is more common. This, the most famous  beer hall in the world,  will keep you buzzing  until closing time at  midnight,  after  which you can stumble  home in a content  stupor.

                                                                                                                         DAY:2

Resources: http://www.askmen.com