As we travel through the Bavarian countryside on the Autobahn we pass picturesque small towns surrounded by farm fields. We pass fields of hops, used in brewing the famous German beer.
The Bavarian countryside changes to tall buildings and monuments as we enter Munich, the capital of the state of Bavaria.
Dinner at Augustiner Klosterwirt
After checking into our hotel our group heads to Augustiner Klosterwirt for dinner (and a beer or two). The Augustiner brewery is the the oldest brewery in Munich, founded by the Augustinian Friars in the 1328.
We are greeted by Gregory Lemke the host of Augustiner Klosterwirt and a glass of Augustiner beer
Our server, Marili Gudewort.
Our meal started with two Bavarian classics, a white radish salad and a pretzel. The two main course choices were excellent. Pork with a dumping or ...
Roast duck. Our dessert.
Our table at Augustiner Klosterwirt.
The lighted fountain outside Augustiner Klosterwirt
We start our first full day in Munich with a damp/foggy morning as our motor coach takes us for a tour of Munich.
Nymphenburg Palace
The Nymphenburg Palace, i. e., "Castle of the Nymph", was the main summer residence of the former rulers of Bavaria of the House of Wittelsbach. The palace, built (1664) was a gift from Elector Ferdinand Maria to his wife Adelaide of Savoy who had just given birth to future ruler Max Emanuel I.The morning fog obscured some of the grandeur of palace as we approached.
Nymphenburg Palace has a 490 acre park, with English Gardens. The park is bisected by the long western canal along the principal axis which leads from the palace to the marble cascade (decorated with stone figures of Greek and Roman gods) in the west.
Some of the flowers bordering the walkway through the gardens. Water droplets from the fog cling to spider webs in the flowers.
Several swans swim in the canal within the gardens.
Walking Tour of Munich
Our walking tour of Munich starts at the Bayerische Staatsoper Opera House at Max-Joseph-Platz. Max-Joseph-Platz is a large square which was named after King Maximilian Joseph. Max-Joseph-Platz, with a monument to Max-Joseph, serves as the western starting point of the royal avenue Maximilianstraße.
From Max-Joseph-Platz we walk along Residenzstraße past Marienhof Park on our way to Marienplatz. Rows of bicycles are parked at the corner of Marienhof Park.
Marienplatz serves as Munich's city center with a variety of historic structures. Marienplatz is dominated by the New City Hall (Neues Rathaus) on the north side and the Glockenspiel in the tower.
Every day at 11 a.m. (as well as 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. in summer) the Glockenspiel chimes and re-enacts two stories from the 16th century to the amusement of tourists and locals.
The Fish Fountain or as it is called in German, Fischbrunnen, is a small fountain at the northeast corner of Marienplatz square. Not far from the Fischbrunnen is the Old Town Hall and its Zodiac clock tower
Viktualienmarkt
A short walk from Marienplatz is the Viktualienmarkt. Viktualienmarkt is one of the oldest markets in Munich, selling a variety of speciality cheeses, meats, dairy products, honey, fish, fruits and vegetables. There is also a large beer garden and the site of Munich's Maibaum (maypole), which is raised on the 1st of May each year.Ida Schumacher was a German comedienne and a memorial fountain in Munich's Viktualienmarkt depicts her standing with broom and bucket.
All types of fresh vegetable can be found at Viktualienmarkt, including the white radishes used in the classic German radish salad.
A large supply of chanterelle mushrooms and everything from soup (we had the vegetable soup) to nuts can be found at Viktualienmarkt.
Decorations for the home.
Linderhof and Oberammergau Tour
In the afternoon we traveled out of Munich and into the mountains of southern Bavaria. As we travel through the Bavarian countryside we pass several small towns and homes that look like the settings for travel postcards.
Linderhof Palace is the smallest of the three palaces built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria and the only one which he lived to see completed.
The view of the Water Parterre and Terrace Gardens from the entrance of Linderhof Palace.
The ceiling inside the entrance of Linderhof Palace and statue of King Ludwig II. (Please note, no photos inside the palace after this point)
Neptune Fountain located behind the palace and the window railing outside the bedroom.
The Western Parterre
The water parterre fountain group "Flora and puttos" and the "Naiad fountain" of the Terrace Gardens consisting of three basins and the sculptures of water nymphs.
View of Linderhof Palace from the Terrace Gardens.
Oberammergau
Oberammergau, is famous for its woodcarvers, richly painted houses (Luftl-paintings) and Passion Play that is performed every ten years.
Hofbräuhaus
It's our last night in Munich and some of our tour group head to the world famous HofBräuhaus beer hall for a meal, entertainment and a beer or two.
Bavarian Countryside
Its another overcast day as we leave Munich in our motor coach and travel through the Bavarian countryside on our way to Austria.
As we travel through the Bavarian countryside we see the many postcard settings of small towns with towering churches surrounded by a handful of neatly kept homes.
Homes with flower boxes in every window and a supply of neatly stacked firewood for the cold Bavarian Winter. Passenger trains connect the small towns with the big cities, like Munich.
Our motor coach stops in the town of Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps. The town of Berchtesgaden is near the Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle's Nest) built as a teahouse for Adolf Hitler’s 50th birthday.
A panoramic view of Berchtesgaden (click on image for an enlarged view).
A church in Berchtesgaden.
A panoramic view of the church cemetery (click on image for an enlarged view).
Sampling Bavarian pastries in Berchtesgaden.
Back on the motor coach and we continue our travel to Austria and our next stop, Salzburg.
Link to our next stop, Salzburg & Austria
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