Perhaps best known among young travelers for the infamous revels of Oktoberfest, Munich is one of Germany’s most popular tourist destinations. It is ranked as the third largest city in Germany, and serves as the capital of postcard-perfect Bavaria. The city itself contains a mix of fairytale gothic architecture, medieval churches and cutting edge modern museums. Because the city was very heavily damaged by allied bombing during World War II, Munich was completely rebuilt adhering to a meticulous blueprint of its pre-war street grid. The city now boasts the reputation as being one of Europe’s most prosperous cities, with BMWs, swanky restaurants, a staggering array of museums and a vibrant arts scene. There are year-round festivals and celebrations. Even in the winter time, when being outside is not much fun, you can easily find a welcoming bierhaus to relax and enjoy some Bavarian hospitality. So, don some lederhosen, grab your mug and kick back in one of Munich’s beer gardens for a quintessential Bavarian experience.

Obviously, the prime time to visit Munich is when the weather is beautiful and the scenery is at its optimum. But this also means joining the tourist rush between May and September. For those who are willing to be a little more adventurous and don’t mind risking the weather, it is well worth considering visiting the region during the April-May and September-October periods, as there are fewer visitors and plenty of sunny days and brisk evenings.

Oktoberfest
Perhaps the city’s most famous attraction, Oktoberfest is a two week event that includes fairs, fetes, food, wine exhibitions and, of course, beer tasting. The Oktoberfest was first held in 1810 in honor of the marriage of crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The festivities were continued as an annual event, developing into what is now known as the Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest actually begins in mid-September and lasts two weeks.

Rathaus-Glockenspiel
You can’t visit Munich without experiencing the childish joy of watching the Rathaus-Glockenspiel figures perform scenes from a medieval jousting tournament and "Schäfflertanz" ("Barrel-makers' dance"). This famous ornate clock, with almost life-sized moving figures, entertains visitors from all corners of the planet and a makes for a colorful photograph for your photo album. The clock is located in the Old and New Townhall in the central Marienplatz at the heart of the city.

Frauenkirche--Cathedral of Our Lady
With its famous 16th century brass onion domes, the Frauenkirche is the most famous building in Munich’s center. The church’s gothic style seems out of line with the domes, which were added some years after the original construction. Unlike so many of the buildings in Munich’s old town, the Frauenkirche survived the bombing raids of the wars, and can be dated as far back as 500 years.

Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site
From Munich, travel 20 minutes by train to Dachau. A famous artists’ colony at the turn of the 20th century, the town is most often associated with being home to the first Nazi concentration camp in Germany. Between 1933 and 1945, over 200,000 people entered the camp’s gate, and approximately 30,000 of the registered prisoners died. Today, the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site serves as a place of remembrance, contemplation and education, documenting the camp’s history and the atrocities committed there. Please note that the memorial is closed on Mondays.

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