©Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – the famous clock

After our mad dash from Prague to Munich (you can read about that here) we arrived late in the evening.

We divided our Munich stay into two parts. We wanted to be central to see the inner city, and then we wanted to head out of the city to explore that area, so I will write two articles. Both are completely different experiences, and you can choose which works better for you, or to do as we did when you come and visit Munich – which we hope you do.

©Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – Hotel Torbrau – our lovely modern room

So for our first part, we stayed in the oldest hotel in heart of Munich – Hotel Torbräu.

©Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – Hotel Torbrau – as the sun sets

So the next day we headed out to explore Munich.  First off is the famous clock.  It chimes with a display of dancing and playing figurines at both 11:00 .m. and 12:00 noon each day, and we walked up with 5 minutes to spare – so we were very happy.

©Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – Clock – the figures dance

The centre of Munich consists of paved walkways and a lot of fabulous shops.  It is a popular place for tourists too.  Coming from Eastern Europe and having traveled in winter we really have noticed the difference. We used to be the only tourists and travelers around, but now there seems to be much more, and with each day getting warmer, more and more are emerging.

©Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – always things to do in the heart of the old part of Munich

We used the Hop on – Hop off Bus and went for the option of the 24-hour pass with the extended tour of the outer area of Munich.  We also had a three-day ticket which is useful for up to five people on the same ticket I believe. This was for public transport, so we were all set to explore.

©Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – Hop on – Hop off Bus

For ideas on where to explore we checked out this website on Munich.

©Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – seeing the city by bus

Here are a few suggestions of things to do in central Munich that doesn’t involve drinking beer.  Stroll around the Old Town, visit of the ‘Viktualienmarket,’ and taste the

Stroll around the Old Town, visit of the ‘Viktualienmarket,’ and taste the different food! Climb the Tower of the St. Peters Church for a good view over Munich.

Climb the Tower of the St. Peters Church for a good view over Munich.

So now it gets time to eat!  On our first day, we decided to go for lunch – yes at one of the traditional beer houses. What a surprise – not!

I thought it was great how the regulars can lock away their favorite beer stein here.

©Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – Augustiner Beer Houses – beer steins

This is one of the Augustiner Beer Houses.  The decor is very traditional, and of course, I had to try a beer.  I am not really a beer drinker, but I gave it a go.

©Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – Augustiner Beer Houses – lunch

I was impressed with Explorason. He loved German food. He is really developing a much broader palate now and this really helps with travel. To try new foods in the country of their origin is all part of world-schooling to.

©Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – Augustiner Beer Houses – Explorason enjoys German food

There is so so much to see around the city of Munich.  Just the old architecture itself is worth wandering around for.  This is just us walking. There is no bus or tram to bring you here – you need good comfortable shoes.

©Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – Beautiful old buildings in central Munich

And don’t forget to look up!

©Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – lots to see in central Munich

Munich is a pretty place even as the early night appears before us.

©Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – pretty evening sky of Munich

That night we head to the most famous beer hall Hofbrauhaus.

We dash back to the lovely Spring feeling reception of Hotel Torbräu area to drop off our shopping and to get ready for dinner.

©Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – Hotel Torbrau – Spring flowers

It was lovely to go back to our room and take a quick look out at the clock tower right opposite our room too.

©Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – Hotel Torbrau – lovely room with bottled water and fluffy robes

With the flag flying right in front of us, I think we might have had the best room and view in the Hotel Torbräu, or so it seemed to us.  But in fact, the management informed us there are some very grand suites like this one below also available.  The hotel was booked out when we were there, as their location os ever so popular.  There are plenty of opportunities for city parking spaces near the hotel.

Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – Hotel Torbrau – one of their grand suites (photo supplied by the hotel and published with permission

We had a quick clean up in the lovely en-suite bathroom of Hotel Torbräu, and we were downstairs again in a flash.

©Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – Hotel Torbrau – modern en-suite

We found out from the reception at Hotel Torbräu that music is played certain times of the day, so we dashed there knowing it had started half an shut before at 6:00 p.m.

© Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – Hofbrauhaus exterior

At first, we sat right by the band, but the lady next to Explorason was either very intoxicated or possibly not quite right – or both, as she was all over him in a bit of a distasteful way, until he was in tears.

So we had the waiter move us.

We then joined a table of two German guys who were hilarious.  With the lady whom we think was drunk entertained us with the most comical dancing, we have seen.  When the band started to play marching music, she marched.  She mimed and acted to each song, and danced and then would come over and spit German words all over us (I had to cover my drink with a napkin each time), but she was now both annoying and funny.  Oh, how we had a good time. I haven’t laughed so much in ages. These two guys were just so funny.

©Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – Hofbrauhaus – interior

Next day we went to a different Augustine Restaurant in the main part of town.  There are a few.  It is traditionally decorated and Explorason took off with the camera getting all sorts of photos including this one.  He has a real eye for photography now and it is his passion.  Not bad for a nine-year-old!

©Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – happy staff

On our last day, we went to Schnitzel Wert.  Oh-my-gosh! This food was wonderful. It is downstairs on the main walking street and I highly recommend it. It was also the best service we had anywhere too.

©Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – Pork Schnitzel

For a bit of history, why not take a look at what we found tucked in the stairwell at Hotel Torbräu.

©Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – Hotel Torbrau – stairwell of history

With all the walking around town we started our day out with a really heart breakfast at Hotel Torbräu.  I am not one for a cooked breakfast, but that option was there.  I did however love the smoked salmon and brie croissants I made up, and the nice fruits.  It was a wide choice, and we were served at the table for hot beverages too.

©Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – Hotel Torbrau – grand breakfast spread

The whole breakfast area is divided into two rooms, and it is really very stylish with old world charm, and great displays proudly showing their rich history and  in Munich, and the family treasures and antiques.

©Exploramum and Explorason – Germany, Munich – Hotel Torbrau – antique displays

We used the car park to leave our car and take the Hop on – Hop off bus and public transport again that morning.  We had a great time in the inner city of Munich.

But there is way more to discover, and we reveal our world education experience that was just incredible and much more in our next blog – you can read it here.

We hope you enjoy our world journey.

We are nearly up to country 50 too, so you will have to see what more is in store for us.