Munich to Vienna December 2019
We arrived to Munich a couple of days ahead of the tour start. The city was magical with beautiful lights and decorations everywhere. You certainly got into the Holiday Spirit quickly!
So many stands full of Christmas crafts! Gingerbread, Nativity Scenes, Christmas ornaments, Nutcrackers, Advent items and food abounds everywhere. Children looking at the animated Steiff department store window. There is something for everyone at the Christmas Markets! The town goes all out for Christmas. We enjoyed a wonderful fondue dinner this evening. Everything looks pretty and magical in the glow of the evening.
A can’t miss is the traditional Glühwein –a hot mulled spice drink with red wine. You can keep the Glühwein cup as a souvenir of the market, too.
The markets become a gathering place for friends and family. A hot drink in hand, people gather around the Glühwein stand and enjoy the festive evening.
We went ice skating at Munchner Eiszauber on Sunday morning. Actually, I skated and Jim enjoyed a hot drink at the popular bar and cafe that overlooks the rink. After ice skating and checking into the tour hotel, we walked to the English Garden and enjoyed the more relaxed Christmas Market at the Chinese Tower.
The tour begins with introductions and and overview of the itinerary. Here we meet our Rick Steves tour guide, Rolinka, and our fellow travelers.
The Hotel Torbrau is ideally located. We began our tour with an orientation walk around the neighborhood followed by a traditional Bavarian family style dinner at the Nurnberger Bratwurst Glockl am Dom Bavarian restaurant. Such a wonderful way to meet our fellow tour members with some great local beer!
We had a wonderful local tour guide, Patrick. There is so much history here, especially regarding WW II. Here is the lucky lion near the Residenz-- rubbing its face is said to bring luck. We enjoyed a very nice bowl of hot soup at Munchner Suppenkuche located in the Viktaulien Market on this very cold day. A light dusting of snow added to the Bavarian holiday spirit.
Farewell to Munich and now it's off to Salzburg!