New Europe guided Tours

31st August 2008

In Munich, to roam in old city, I used Sandeman’s New Europe Tour (famous free walking tour). Founded in 2003 by Yale University Graduate, Chris Sandeman, this tour is aimed to provide every traveler, no matter of budget, good overview of City. The tour is absolutely FREE and operates purely on Tips given by the tourists. These free walking tours are also offered in London, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, Berlin, Munich, Paris, and Madrid.

I must appreciate the way Young enthusiastic individuals were conducting the tour, and making visit memorable. The tour also offers free city maps and special discounts at a couple of Beer Gardens.

In Munich the Free Tour starts everyday at 10:45 am, 11:45 am, and 3 pm on Marienplatz by the large column. more details can be obtained at http://www.neweuropetours.eu/

-Hemant Nagda

München (Munich)

31st August 2008

Bye all means if any city that can represent tradition of Germany… I would say it is Munich. “ The heart and soul of Bavaria” !.

Munich !

Historically famous and in present time more cheered for its OKTOBER FEST, München or Munich is very dynamic and colorful city. No doubt it attracts travelers from almost all part of the world.

After getting out of Central station, I asked a passerby “Wo ist die Bank?” and he asked me back, Do you speak English?....I can’t understand Deutsch?.... and I answered NATURLICH :)

Munich was often called the "most northern city in Italy" for the stunning baroque architecture of the 18th and 19th Centuries, Munich’s palaces, royal avenues, theatres and churches make it one of the most characterful cities in Germany.

The city is teeming with beer halls and beer gardens, where the amber liquid flows without end. Home of the celebrated “Weizenbier”, a typically Bavarian wheat beer, it isn´t surpirsing that more beer is consumed in the region than in anywhere else in Germany! And not to mention…. the hundreds of thousands of Weisswürste (white sausages) consumed every day.

One of Beer Garden

Apart from the Munich’s festive colour, its history is a long, important one – at times shocking, at times amusing, but always fascinating. Later named by the Nazis as Die Hauptstadt der Bewegung (the Capital of the Movement), Munich and its surrounds were central to the rise to power of the Nazi leader. There are many infamous streets in Munich where some of the darkest stories of human history took root and grew into Hitler´s dictatorship. The death-site of more than 40,000 people at the Concentration Camp Memorial of Dachau lies just 20km North-West of the city, and is one of the most important places to visit in Germany. Munich was extensively damaged by allied bombing during the 1930s and 40s. But following American occupation in 1945, the city of Munich emerged from the rubble and was restored to its former glory, more so than any other German city scarred by war.

-Hemant Nagda

Hofbräuhaus

31st August 2008

After reaching back Munich in the evening, we visited Hofbräuhaus. Imagine a big hall sufficient enough to accomodate 5000 people.... all drinking Beer (each one with ONE liter mug) with traditional Bavarian music and dance. It simply energiesed me after a long tired day.

The world-famous Hofbräuhaus was founded in 1589 and has since been one of Munich's most popular tourist attractions. Here, one can find a little Oktoberfest throughout the whole year! another reason of Hofbräuhaus being famos is that Adolf Hitler used to give his early days speeches here and it was official political meeting place.

Traditional food, music and sometimes dance combined with a nice cozy atmosphere, waitresses in traditional costumes and a lot of beer makes the Hofbräuhaus a must for every interested travelers.

One Litre Beer !!! on traditional wooden Table

Address:

Hofbräuhaus am Platzl
Platzl 9, 80331 München
Tel: 089-2901360
Fax: 089/227586

Oficial website: http://www.hofbraeuhaus.de/en/index_en.html

Travel to Bavarian Germany (Neuschwanstein)

30th – 31st August 2008

This particular travel, I would call a well planned travel, as we booked & reserved tickets in advance, hired hostel to stay and almost everything planned and discussed to fit in the given time frame.

Travel with CNL

From Duisburg we got in to City Night Line CNL, a train that travels almost entire Europe. It was my first experience with CNL and was quite satisfactory. The journey is bit slow compared to Inter city express ICE, but is very comfortable.

Neuschwanstein Castle

After reaching Munich, we immediately traveled towards Hohenschwangau, extreme south of Germany. As the day light was getting brighter and brighter, a different Bavarian Germany was waking up. This side of Deutschland is quite different form other part. I must say, Southern is very beautiful!!

way to Neuschwanstein

Reaching base of Neuschwangau castle, we confirmed our ticket and started walking up the hill. Its bit steep but very beautiful. One may also take horse-cart to go up, but is slow.

Horse-cart in Mountain

The weather was fogy when we started, suddenly the fog started vanishing as wind blown and sun arrived and first sight of Castle appeared… Love at First Sight!!! No doubt it makes u feel u r leaving in Fairy Tale. A white stone castle in middle of beautiful lush Green Mountain, crystal blue lake and a clear sky.

beautiful Neuschwanstein !!!

If I had discovered this place, I would only had made few hundred pictures J , camped for a night… but King Ludwig II had better plans than me. He built world’s most photographed Palace.

It is said, that he got this castle built to have peace and get away from people,…. But he never got chance to get it finished and after his death, immediately the palace was open to general public. On an average, every day about 6000 people visit this palace.

Alpsee (Lake)

Near Newschwanstein castle lies lake, Alpsee. One of most romantic and picturesque places I have ever visited!

Crystal clear Alpsee

Beautiful Bavaria

Team: Hemant, Vipin, Irfan
Thank you guys for making this travel Sucessful.

-Hemant Nagda