GERMANY - Munich

I am going to start off this post by simply saying I can really recommend Munich and I will definitely return here. I've spent a couple of days in the city and its a really relaxed enjoyable place.

The centre of the city is Marienplatz which is always busy with locals, tourists and buskers - including some that perform in the square with a grand piano. There is a lot in the central area and I will simply list the things to see with some pictures.

On Marienplatz is the new city hall and various other civic buildings.

Just behind is the Munich Residenz this was the official royal palace of the House of Wittelsbach - the Bavarian royal family. Their reign ceased at the end of WW1 when a lot of their property was handed over the to state, but as a royal dynasty they are still going strong styled these days as Dukes and Princes. The Residenz is the usual string of lavishly decorated rooms many of which had to be restored after damage in WW2. One of the things on display are the Bavarian Crown Jewels.

Near by is the Frauenkirche - another Our Lady Cathedral - much plainer than the cathedrals we saw in France but actually a very beautiful building. Near the entrance is a footprint in the stone floor which is said to be that of the Devil who stamped his foot in the cathedral soon after it's construction. The Devil obviously has size 8 feet and "Oh dear" my foot is a perfect match.

Just along the street is another big church, Michaelskirche, this time in a Baroque style although still very light and airey. People following the trail of King Ludwig II come here because the Wittelsbach's have a family vault in the crypt and this is where Ludwig II is buried.

For something to eat head to the Viktualienmarkt, a large open air market that doubles as a) a working market for the purchase of ingredients and b) a street food mecca for the tourists with stalls serving various German street food from large chunks of pork and various wursts in rolls, through to beer and gherkins. I had a couple of light meals at a soup kitchen whose Goulash was amazing.

A little out of the city centre by tram or U-Bahn is the Nymphenburg Palace, another Wittelsbach home and birthplace of Ludwig II. I was a bit palaced out by this point so didn't go inside but I really enjoyed an afternoon tea of Black Forest Gateau and a beer and a walk round the park after.

Lastly the largest park in the city is the English Garden and easy walk from Marienplatz and at the southern end, the river makes a wave large enough for surfing. There is a group of people who regularly don wetsuits and surf for their own pleasure and that of the many people who simply come to watch.

No post tomorrow as I have a 6.5 hour train journey through the Alps to Italy. See you in Bologna.