Kaulbachstrasse, Jugenstil and the Englischer Garten

Facade in Ohmstrasse en route to English Garden We are staying in Kaulbachstrasse, Schwabing, which is now quite an up and coming part of Munich. It was not always thus as in the early 1900’s, Schwabing was the centre of artistic and bohemian life. A naughty Grafin, Franziska von Reventlow lived in an old house … More Kaulbachstrasse, Jugenstil and the Englischer Garten

NAtionalsoZIalismus (National Socialism) – Munich’s take on the rise of Nazism 

A new museum, the NS-Dokumentationszentrum, opened in Munich on 1 May. It is controversially built on the site of the infamous ‘Brown House’, Hitler’s headquarters from 1931. This museum documents the rise of National Socialism in Germany and the particular role Munich played as the centre of the Nazi movement. The display features documents, letters, … More NAtionalsoZIalismus (National Socialism) – Munich’s take on the rise of Nazism 

Eisheiligen in Salzburg – Ice saints in Salzburg

The Eisheiligen is known as a meteorological event which occurs in Central Europe in May. The Eisheiligen  or Ice Saints are not angels but saints and are named as follows: ST Mamertus, Pankratius  Serviatus, Boniface and Cold Sophie. Their Saint days fall between 11-15 May and have been observed since before the Gregorian calendar was introduced in the … More Eisheiligen in Salzburg – Ice saints in Salzburg

Starnberger See

Starnberg is a town on the south western outskirts of Munich and sits at the head of Stanberger See. It can be reached by the S-Bahn or suburban train line so we set off with our Munich monthly ticket to explore. Starnberger See is famous for its Buchheim Museum of Phantasie at Bernried and also … More Starnberger See

Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Oberammergau

Neuschwanstein, with its fairy tale Disneyesque reputation, was not really on our bucket list but our local friends convinced us it was worth a trip out of Munich, particularly when combined with other Royal castles built by the Wittelsbach dynasty of Bavaria. Neuschwanstein cannot really be appreciated without knowing something about King Ludwig II, who … More Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Oberammergau

Arrival in Munich!

We arrived in Munich the day before a 6 day rail strike, along with many returning from the May Day long weekend. Munich Hauptbahnhof was very busy but we managed to negotiate our way to our friends in Schwabing, who have very generously loaned us their brand new studio apartment. This is in Kaulbachstrasse right … More Arrival in Munich!