The Bavarian city of Munich, centre of southern Germany, is one
of the country's favourite tourist destinations, offering a unique
combination of modern flair and traditional charm, all mixed
together with a heavy helping of 'Gemutlichkeit', the special
German term for hearty, happy, healthy togetherness.
Traditionally the city, famous for its breweries and beer halls,
conjures up images of jolly red-cheeked, portly men in lederhosen,
downing steins of beer. There is plenty of this fun to be had, but
Munich and the Bavarian region has plenty more to recommend it to
visitors. The city has numerous great museums, art treasures,
hi-tech industries and gems of Gothic and Baroque architecture. It
is also the gateway to the Bavarian Alps, drawing winter sports
enthusiasts from near and far.
Munich itself was founded in 1158 on the River Isar, and
acquired its name, Munchen (home of the monks) from its first
monastery. It was the monks that started the beer brewing tradition
for which the city is now world famous, particularly since it
started celebrating an annual beer festival in 1810. Today close on
six million people visit the Oktoberfest every year, and consume
more than five and a half million litres of beer during its
two-week run.
Getting around: Munich's city centre is a pedestrian zone, so many
of its attractions can be reached on foot. The city's efficient and
integrated public transport system is excellent for getting around
beyond the centre; it consists of buses, trams, the U-bahn (subway)
and the S-bahn (suburban train) that operate from about 5am to 1am,
with hourly buses and trams servicing main routes throughout the
night. Tickets must be validated on entering stations or on
boarding, and are transferable between all forms of transport, and
valid for two hours after being stamped as long as one travels in
the same direction. Fares are zone based. There are various day
passes available as well as the München Welcome Card, which covers
all transport within the city and includes discounts to the main
attractions. Taxis are safe and convenient, but
expensive.






