Munich

In true “Travel Snob” fashion (traveling off season), we hit Munich about 90 days before the start of Oktoberfest 2019.  We visited many Bier Gardens in the area trying the different wheat, dunkelweiss, and Keller Biers…didn’t find any we didn’t like ;).  

The tents were going up in preparation for the upcoming Oktoberfest Celebration and while we didn’t experience the crowds (the bad) we also didn’t get the rides and vendor experience (the good),    BUT great food, great weather and GREAT BIER without the crazed crowds and high(er) prices made it a decent trade off.  There were several places to buy Drindls (for women) and Lederhosens (for men) within a few blocks of the train station, but be aware, all stores are closed on Sundays in Germany.

Don’t forget to stop by the cathedrals and churches, you’ll be blown away by the architectural detail and history of these grand buildings. 

Take some Advice from a Dumb Blonde, put on some comfortable shoes and start walking! The city is full of palaces, museums, cathedrals and churches…probably best to slip a few stops in between the beer halls!

 

REVIEW OF AIRBNB’S AND HOTEL:

Our decision to stay in an Airbnb’s paid off but there was the good and the bad.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/34337311?source_impression_id=p3_1563261146_NJHDl3xvnLBy0nxv

Good: less expensive, we paid 121.00 for the first night stay.  The cab ride to a local bier garden was 14.00 each way and our meal (with a few biers) was 70.00 for a grand total of 220.00 for the night.

Bad: it was an extra 15 min train ride further to the town we were staying in. We had to do a major bag drag searching for a very obscure door to the Airbnb.  The room was nice but all the sounds echoed in the concrete building

 

Second night was in a more “German” style Airbnb (I like rustic) in a really hip little area.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/36621642?source_impression_id=p3_1563261231_IwalT9EveDCemAlx

Good: great location, we walked to everything! The little town has a fantastic bike/walk trail that leads to the famous Chinese Bier Garden.  Our dinner that night was some of the best Italian food we’ve ever had. The cost for our Airbnb was 151.00, dinner (plus 2 beers) 70.00 for a total of 221.00.

Bad: the Airbnb was located on the second floor of the theater and there was a play that night so noise was an issue.  I would stay there again but only if I had a good set of ear plugs! 

The third night we stayed at the Sofitel Hotel, 330.00 for the night…pricey but you can’t beat the location.

 

Good: location location location, this hotel is beside the train station and just a few blocks from the Oktoberfest set up.  Comfy beds, quiet room, heated toilet seat and a/c! 

Bad: pricey! As “travel Snobs”, we don’t like the high price of a hotel and being spoiled to the attention Airbnb hosts put into stocking their rentals, we were disappointed with the lack of coffee, water, etc. in the kitchenette.  

Would we do it the same way next time?  We enjoyed being in different towns around Munich but there is a trade off, what can I say……. hindsight is 50/50