Munich/Bavaria Advice

Munich has multiple Christmas markets in different areas, each with slightly different stuff (food, crafts, etc). It can be fun to check out the different versions. There is usually a skating rink set up in Karlsplatz, too.

The Viktualienmarkt (outdoor food market) is interesting, and a good place to buy provisions if your lodgings have a kitchen. So is the acclaimed deli/specialty food shop Dallmayr, worth a visit to see the fine old original store. LINK

Schweinhaxe, roasted pork knuckle, is a must: LINK

Be sure to visit the Asamkirche for sheer decorative overwhelm, and the Nazi documentation center built on the former party HQ.

ETA, if you’re into shopping, the made in Germany stuff sold at Manufactum is all of a certain solid, high quality unfussyness that I see as quintessentially German: LINK

This is excellent info. We will definitely be going to Salzburg. Thanks!

It’s easy to get to Hitlers Eagles Nest and the town of Berchtesgaden. Good fun.

Regensburg is a great small town. Used to be an Imperial Capital.

Salzburg is another good one and close by. It can be done as a day trip.

I’ll be there the first week of December.

I highly recommend:

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take the short trip to Neuschwanstein Castle (AKA The Disney Castle)

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I also recommend Salzburg. The high speed train can get you there in 90 minutes give of take.

In Munich, stay out of the bike paths. They are everywhere and you will get your arse run over (the bikes have bells so listen up for them).

As far as side trips with the car, consider these:
Cranky Krumlov, Czech Republic 3 hours
Hallstatt, Austria - 2 hours
Innsbruck, Austria - 2 hours
Lucerne, Switzerland - 3.5 hours

I hope this stuff passes by then & you're able to make it over. Most stuff mentioned is pretty good, just going to throw out a couple of things I've not seen yet.

Werfen is south of Salzburg. The area has its own castle, salt mines, sledding, cross country skiing, cable cars. The ice cave will be closed. LINK

Yes, Eagle's Nest will be closed, but Berchtesgaden is an original German town that could kill a day or two. LINK

From Munich, Nuremberg is about 90 mins north & Ulm about an hour west. The BMW Museum is in Munich for cars w/ Porsche & Mercedes museums about two hrs west in Stuttgart.

Salzburg: very compact, quaint town. The Christmas market at the fortress overlooking the town is a nice place to grab a chilly outdoor lunch after touring the fortress—I was there one afternoon just as snow started to fall, so it was all very magical while eating a gilded nuremberger sausage on a bun with mustard.

Salzburg can feel a bit stuffy, as it’s a classical music performance Mecca. The famed hotel Sacher has a location right on the river, so if you want to try the OG Sacher torte, the coffee shop has a whole bunch of incredible desserts in the great Austrian cake/pastry tradition. And the konditorei (sweets shops) around town with all of the Mozartkugel variations are fun to try: it’s a local specialty chocolate made with pistachio/marzipan. The mass market version pales in comparison to some of the handcrafted ones, esp those from Furst, which also has a cafe.

Salzburg has a krampus parade, and still has some of the more weird/slightly pagan/alpine Christmas traditions, so look for the performances scheduled during the Christmas markets.

My #1 Salzburg tip: find the odd little Bosna sausage stand hidden in a shopping passageway for a grilled sausage sandwich with spicy seasoning. It’s like 3 euros, with no seating. I think Balkan Grill Walter is the actual name.

#2 tip is to seek out the Sitftsbackeri St Peter: a water powered flour mill and bakery in the middle of the o,d part of town, operated by the ancient monastery/religious house, with a wood fired oven. LINK. #3 is, provided that you’re in Salzburg on a Thursday, to see the Schrannemarkt, the weekly food/crafts market. It is separate from the Christmas markets but it is overflowing with delicious things year round.

Damn, now I want a buttered pretzel and a beer.

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I love Bavaria & nearby Austria.

If you have a significant other who would appreciate it and the time in Salzburg, take a “Sound of Music” tour there.

I did it for Mrs Füt (surprised her with a high end private version) and she thanks me regularly to this day.

I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would and our tour guide showed us other Salzburgery stuff and gave us some inside stuff on other places & things to see.

I got my second vaccine last week, I am so missing travel in Europe.

Prost!

Thanks to all of you for this info. I knew 100% that TD would come through. Excellent and thoughtful advice all around. If anyone else is reading and hasn't posted, I'm still all ears!