Munich is beautiful, voted several times as the most livable city in the world. Home of Oktoberfest and Bayern München, the Bavarian capital is both traditional and modern – a winning combination in my books.

The journey itself is my home.

In Munich you are greeted with “Grüß Gott” and the feeling of a village in Altstadt, the old town of this cosmopolite city. That first evening I saw Marienplatz with the new Town Hall in the center, with the Glockenspiel (which has 43 bells and 32 figures), the churches Frauenkirche, baroque Asamkirche and Theatinekirche.

Fashion

One highlight this summer was attending the Thierry Mugler: Couturissime exposition at Kunsthalle München. The main theme was the fashion creations and runway shows of the House, but also the work of Mugler in photography and music videos, presenting “150 haute couture and prêt-à-porter outfits”. As a fan of his designs, this is without a doubt the most extraordinary exhibition that I have seen this year.

Mugler designs are feminine, celebrating the woman body, and often with exaggerations, in order to create the perfect “clepsydra” silhouette. He wrote he wants to make the women/man feel more powerful when wearing his pieces. Couturissime can be visited until 28 February 2021 and more information are on the website.

My only measure is excess

Thierry Mugler

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Einen Kaffee, bitte

Traditional coffee place in an Italian style are common in Munich, as is Bar Centrale (Ledererstrasse 23), that could be an espresso bar/café from Milan, or classic Aroma KaffeeBar – Eis Eis Baby (Pestalozzistrasse 25), that reinvented itself.

Husband and wife Marco and Cornelia Mehrwald opened one of the first specialty coffee roastery and café, Man Versus Machine (on Müllerstrasse 23). I read they said “coffee is a fruit and should not be bitter”. I couldn’t agree more, as I drink often my coffee black without added sugar or milk.

Coffee is a fruit and should not be bitter

Man versus Machine café owners

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Food & Sights

What I loved during this summer visit was the atmosphere in cute areas Glockenbachviertel and Gärtnerplatz, in neighborhood Isarvorstadt. There, Hans-Sachs-Straße is the pretties street for strolls. The square is named after Friedrich von Gärtner, an architect of King Ludwig I. The circular square is very lively, colorful, and the streets around have a theater with the same name, restaurants, cafés, vintage shops and boutiques.

Next stop was lunch at Viktualienmark, one of Europe’s finest gourmet market, a traditional open air daily market, with many vendors selling fruits, vegetables, flowers and even souvenirs and coffee roaster. Is where I went twice and I confess I had the best goulash soup at Münchner Suppenküche. Nearby, from the interesting place that is Eataly (café, place for Aperol, Italian market, library, restaurant and everything in between) nearby I left with pizza, ice cream, coffee and sweet focaccia with apricots.

In addition, royal charm starts at Residenz Palace, former residence of the House Wittelsbach of Bavaria, in Odeonplatz near National Theatre, and at Hofgarden (Court Garden). Don’t leave Munich before a stop in Odeonplatz, at Residenz München and the Alte, Neue and Moderne Pinakothek, three of Europe’s leading galleries.

Not to forget, Englischer Garden is the largest public park. Is near the center of Munich and has a Japanese teahouse, a Biergarten, and even is possible to surf due to an artificial stream flow in the Isar river. Something you don’t see every day.

Der Weg is das Ziel. The way is the Journey

In addition, Munich is beautiful year round, but is most festive during the winter holidays with Christmas lights. Bavarian München Christkindlmark in Marienplatz is beautiful and is dating back to the 14th century. Is rumored to be the original one in the city.

Lastly, Bayern was blessed with amazing nature and mountains views. Lakes around Munich are Starnberger See and Ammersee. A little further, in the Bavarian Alps are Chiemsee, Königsee or Tegernsee, just to name a few. I left Neuschwanstein castle and Eibsee with Kugspitze to pay a visit next time.

While at one lake in the Alps, I was thinking about last years. Making an effort to learn and speak daily German was worth it. All in all, perhaps thanks to the language, this week I noticed that I adapted well and I feel at home everywhere in Germany and parts of Austria.

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