Browse through her travel diary: The Best of Germany
It’s a little over a month since I have returned from beautiful Germany and it’s still exciting to think about it.
I was welcomed with open arms into the APPINA TRAVEL team and was shown around this gorgeous country by my amazing colleagues, Alin Muller and our managing directors, Luis Lintner and Uli Gerstmeier.
The tour started in Munich and from the moment I landed, it was a great experience. Once on the train into the city you could feel the energy as it was one of the best and busiest times of the year – Oktoberfest! I was looking forward to getting to the festival, but there was more to experience first.
I checked in at the very comfortable and convenient Holiday Inn City Centre. The staff was friendly and helpful, and their breakfast was delicious! I also enjoyed the beautiful view of the city from my hotel room.
First, I headed to the famous brewery and restaurant Hofbrauhaus. It holds about 1300 patrons and I believe it was at capacity! I found a seat with some very nice American tourists and enjoyed some delicious Weisswurst (white sausage) & a litre of beer. Yummy!
To work off those calories, I walked to the top of Peterskirche Tower. This lookout provided the most spectacular panoramic view of Munich and overlooked Marienplatz with its beautiful Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) and famous Glockenspiel - with its fairytale figurines and music. There was a large crowd, and with all our “ooh’s” and “ahh’s”, it made for an enjoyable and memorable time.
Oberammergau, Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Ettal
Our agenda the next day included meeting the lovely Munich APPINA team, visiting some partner hotels and exploring the countryside. We headed out and our first stop was Oberammergau and a tour of its Passion Play theatre. We had the most amazing tour guide, who really enhanced the overall value of the visit. You can visit the theatre any time of year, but the Play only happens every 10 years. This has occurred since the 1600’s and 2020 will be the next event!
Afterwards, we headed to Ettal for lunch and visited additional hotel partners in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. This was also my first view of the Alps, and it included seeing the tallest mountain in Germany – the Zugspitze!
We ended the day with a great supper at Braunauer Hof. I tried the Munchner Schweinsbraten (pork tenderloin topped with crispy pieces of fat). It was mouth watering and I highly recommend it.
Munich & Oktoberfest
On our 3rd day in Munich, we explored Nymphenburg Palace, which is the official residence of the heir to of the House of Wittelsbach, the former rulers of Bavaria. Here we viewed the extensive gardens – a perfect place for a simple stroll or picnic. Next, we headed to the BMW Welt (BMW World), which consists of a museum but also an innovative delivery system and event venue.
Towards the end of day, we headed to Oktoberfest! Most people were dressed in traditional Lederhosen and Dirndls. Tent after tent brought more food and lively entertainment! It’s clear why this party attracts people from all over the world! Luis and I went to the Oide Wiesn – where people experience what Oktoberfest was like 200 years ago and enjoyed a beer and shared gigantic pretzel. We ended our day with delicious Schokofrüchte (chocolate covered fruit).
Nürnberg (Nuremberg)
We had a quick stop in Nürnberg, visiting our hotel partner, the Park Plaza – which was a beautiful hotel. Its interior was inspired by the artist Albrecht Durer and the creator of the globe, Martin Behaim, both natives of Nürnberg. Afterwards, we popped over to the Hauptmarkt where the Christkindlemarkt (Christmas Market) is held and which dates back to the 1600s. Here we enjoyed a local specialty, the Nürnberg sausage on a bun.
After this, we headed on to Dresden and stayed at the very funky Penck hotel, named after Dresden native, A.R. Penck. Over 700 pieces of his works are showcased here.
Berlin & Potsdam
After meeting everyone at the Dresden office, Alin, our Operations Manager (knower of all things Germany), and I headed to Berlin. She showed me the best Berlin has to offer: from thought provoking monuments such as the Berlin Wall Memorial, the East Side Gallery and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe; to the stately boulevards like Unter de Linden Blvd and the world class shops of the Kurfürstendamm; to the world class art galleries and museums of Museum Island and a glimpse into the life of royalty at Charlottenburg Palace. There is something for everyone in this diverse metropolis.
Next day (Day # 6) we headed to Potsdam and entered the town via the Glienicke Bridge, also known as the Bridge of Spies. This traversed the border between the West Berlin & East Germany, and spies were traded here during the cold war. This was quite an exciting place. I popped out to grab some selfies and to spend a moment taking it all in. After that, we headed to the picturesque village of Potsdam. Here we roamed around the Dutch Quarter, visited Sanssouci Castle and had a yummy lunch at a local bakery.
Dresden and Bastei
Dresden is a beautiful, historic city, with amazing architecture. Heading into APPINA’s Dresden office involved a beautiful walk along the Elbe with breathtaking views of the city. Evenings were spent with colleagues, walking the idyllic cobblestone streets, visiting the Zwinger and marvelling at the Frauenkirche, seen as a symbol of reconciliation between former warring countries and many other sites. We also dined at fun and trendy spots, such as Planwirtschaft in the Neustadt (New Town) with its East German delicacies and a touch of the medieval at Sophienkeller in Altstadt (Old Town).
Alin surprised me on her day off with a trip to the Bastei which had beautiful panoramic views of the Elbe and its countryside. Although a little wobbly in the knees, I had to experience walking among these towering rock formations. Truly unforgettable!
Homeward Bound
My trip had to end and it’s always nice to go home, but I’ll always remember my experiences here and look forward to discovering more of beautiful Germany and its neighbouring countries.
