Skyline at night Photo: Ulrike Rorneis Provided by: Munich Tourist Office
Opposites attract in Munich. Dedicated provincialism dances with sharp internationalism. Proud traditionalism embraces the world of high-technology and glamour. The beer flows freely, but in serious style. Palatial Rococo mansions serve hearty local dishes, while al-fresco park eateries excel in lunchtime haute cuisine. The lighthearted potpourri of southern easy living, cultural perfectionism, world-class business and historic beauty hasn't gone unnoticed: Munich is Germany's second most visited city. Local retail therapy demands a passion for classy specialties and regional quirkiness and a fat wallet. Century-old family-run consumer palaces jostle for attention with niche market boutiques. Nature's contribution only enhances this hub of cosmopolitan refinement and grounded realism. Wedged between the Bavarian Alps and the river Isar, Munich enjoys summers that are warm and dry, while frequent winter snowfalls gently dust the legendary Christmas markets. When snow drifts pile high or summer heat waves crush the spirit, do as the locals do. Escape into the nearby mountains, or find peace and tranquility at one of the many lakes surrounding this gateway to Southern Europe.