Munich and Vienna-Must see's (cycle, hotel, cathedral, hotel)

[Jaybee]

Wife and I are travelling to Europe next week. We'll be visiting distant relatives in Switzerland. For five days of our two week trip we'll be getting multi-country rail passes. This will likely be my one and only visit to Europe.

Our immediate plans are to visit Munich, Salzburg and perhaps Innsbruck before returnig to the Zurich area. However, we may have sufficient time to catch Vienna for an overnight as well.

Can you folks with experience in this part of Europe advise us regarding the "Must see" attractions in Munich and Vienna, and anything else in that area that shouldn't be missed?

[chilaili]

Munich: The English garden is beautiful at this time of year. I would also stop at the Frauenkirche and a stereotypical Biergarten or Bierhaus for some traditional dining. I think there's also one of Mad King Ludwig's palaces in the city (Nymphenburg?).

Vienna: IF you have time, take one of the guided bus tours of the city. You get driven all over town seeing the sights (including Schloss Schonbrünn), you get an informative guide telling you all about the city and you don't have to walk very far. You can also see for free the Lippizaner Horses rehearsals and take a tour of their museum. The Opera house is spectacular as is St Stephan's cathedral (have a coffee in one of the Kaffeehauses in the square outside), have Sachertorte in Hotel Sacher and I think the Hofburg Palace has a pretty good restaurant in its grounds.

Innsbruck: see the Golden Roof (Golden Roof - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

[MAK802]

The Hofbrau Haus in Munich, of course! I know it's touristy, but it's a must see while there and you can walk around the center after.

[k374]

one of the oldest cofee houses in Vienna, Cafe Hawelka, is located just by the Stephansplatz in Vienna...it's really cool inside. Besides that, stop at the Musikverein, attend a concert if you get a chance..it is marvelous being one the best concert halls in the world.

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by k374

one of the oldest cofee houses in Vienna, Cafe Hawelka, is located just by the Stephansplatz in Vienna...it's really cool inside.

Brings back memories...

I was visiting a friend that stayed with me in CA... she lives in Vienna.

She and several of her friends spent an afternoon showing me around... we headed for Hawelka and saw a line outside to get in...

My friend and I went inside... the owner must have been at least 90... the place was packed with one table reserved...

We were just starting to leave and the owner heard us say that there was no room... he pointed to the reserved table and said it was reserved for us...

Had a very good time exploring the city... good move on the rail pass... a car will just gets in the way in a city like Vienna.

Vienna favorite for me was viewing the Treasures of the Empire exhibit.

Salzburg and the lake region is like a second home for me... I had a summer job there years ago...

Don't try to see too much if this is your first trip...

[slowlane]

I remember being in the central square in Munich around midnight and a big crowd of people were watching a stunt unicyclist. His high-seat unicycle tipped over and almost fell on some spectators. That same night we went to the big Hofbrauhaus and people were drinking toasts as it happened to be the French bicentennial night July 14, 1989. What memories.

[le roi]

the Belvedere in Vienna is worth seeing.

[DewDropInn]

If you are old enough to remember what happened during the Munich Olympics in 1972 you might want to spend a few minutes in contemplation and stop at the stadium and view the nearby Olympic village. It was very moving to me.

[CamaroGuy]

Originally Posted by DewDropInn

If you are old enough to remember what happened during the Munich Olympics in 1972 you might want to spend a few minutes in contemplation and stop at the stadium and view the nearby Olympic village. It was very moving to me.

I unfortunately did not get to visit that part of Munich when I was there 10 years ago.

[Qwerty]

Helbrum Castle (I think is the name). Newschwanstein Castle for sure. The Black Forest. If you like the Sound of Music, a tour of Salzburg is worth the trip. If it is still there, Vienna hosts the largest Farris Wheel (or it was many years ago). There is a castle in/near Vienna (I can't remember the name) that has beautiful gardens.