Category Archives: Munich

Tschüss München, Tschüss Deutschland

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… and, so very sadly, goodbye Jan & Greg. Oh how I will miss you.

This morning, after getting nearly everything packed, we went one last time to Greg & Jan’s room and had coffees and pastries. (EEK, I forgot to thank them for the coffee they brought for me … so sorry, you two … and thank you!!)

When it was time for them to head to their train we said our goodbyes and Dan and I went back to our room to kill a bit of time and finish packing completely. After checking out we found our way to the S-bahn and the train arrived in only a minute or two. Have some boring photos from the train:

The train took us right to the airport. But what a place it is. We hadn’t been to this airport before, so we had a bit of navigating to do, but the signs are fairly clear once we look up and find them! We entered one building but our terminal was out the back of that building and into another. First though … a Christmas market between the two buildings!

Part of me wanted to stop and look around, but, more importantly, I wanted to get in and check our roller bags since we knew they were too large and too heavy for the Lufthansa flight.

Security was easy (so very organized), although I trigged the thing again. I saw the image they had and it showed that something was in a pocket. But no, nothing there! So who knows why that happened. Dan triggered it because of his TSA approved plastic belt. So much for thinking that belt could stay on.

We proceeded to the Senator Lounge (a perk of Dan’s, being as he is Star Alliance Gold), and we then knew whe had quite a bit of time to eat, do whatever on our iPads, and relax. (And, for me, walk a bit since I got antsy legs!)

… and yet the time passed rather quickly for me. So much for “quite a bit of time”.

We headed to our gate (a 7 minute walk according to the info provided in the lounge) and, yes, it took a while, especially since all those “moving sidewalk” thingies (what are they called?) were not working. We were boarding group 2 … but they boarded 1 and 2 at the same time. AND we were in the first row after the first class rows (of which there were only 3). Another bonus? No one in the other seat in our row, so I moved over to the window.

It was a fairly quick flight, and most of it was in the clouds, but I did take a few photos.

We had a bit of a walk and two fun bits on the way to gather up our luggage:


And the … hello Paris! We were planning on doing the train in and then catching a cab at the end of the run, but then we decided the cab wasn’t much more expensive and would be easier than navigating ourselves. But oh the traffic was horrendous. Maybe this is a normal thing: I wouldn’t know. Getting in to the city, though, was such fun. I’m excited to wander tomorrow.


We are staying at the Hotel Saint Petersbourg Opera. It’s not cheap, but it’s Paris and you take what you can get. We have a sweet room, and it’s near a lot of places include it Palais Garnier, where we will see Rake’s Progress tomorrow night.


Dinner was just a short distance from our hotel and suited us just fine. By that time it was getting rather late so we knew we wouldn’t go far. It’s now after 10 PM and it’s been a long day, so off to bed we go.

Second and Final Full Day In München

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Another slow start: when I woke it was already 9:03! I’m happy to say, though, that I slept better. (Sadly, Dan didn’t.)

We had breakfast again in Jan & Greg’s room. Then it was time to walk. And walk.

The day was so pleasant. Of course we are dressed warmly, so there’s that. But really, it was just lovely out.

As we walked Greg pointed out a small bar (I remembered him showing it the last time we were here), saying it’s said to be the best in München. It was closed, but I managed a few photos.

More walking …

And a church … St. Anne’s, I think.

Plus, a bumper sticker I agree with completely.

The other day Dan was cracking up because he saw someone carrying a surfboard. Greg said he shouldn’t be so surprised, and he explained why. Today we got to see it. How absolutely crazy!

More walking….

And then lunch.

We then took a slightly long way back to the hotel (I was totally lost), and then it was time to rest a bit. A “bit” was actually a rather good amount of time. I think I was tired!

We met Jan & Greg downstairs for a drink: we owe them so much for letting us stay at their place, traveling with us, and showing us so much of Munich! I’m forever grateful.

Then, after going up to get our warm jackets and umbrellas, we went out to get our final dinner of the trip that includes them. Oh how I will miss them both! We ended up at an Italian place. It was excellent, and a nice way to end the evening …

But look how sad they are to say goodbye…

Or not. (Plus food pix.) And then it was over …

… except it wasn’t ended! When we got back to the Hilton we sent to Jan & Greg’s again and had a nice time together. (But no photos since I totally forgot!) I did see that my phone was damaged while we were there. I do recall dropping it at the restaurant, but thinking it was okay. Oops! This seems to be a typical thing for me. Upon further inspection, though, I think it’s actually the protective screen. I was planning on bringing another of those in case I dropped it and then decided I didn’t need to bother. Guess I thought wrong!

Now it’s time for bed, and we will get to meet up with family one last time tomorrow morning. They head back to Heidelberg, and we are off to a new country.

Time is passing far too quickly.

December 7, München

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We started our late morning at Jan & Greg’s room, because they texted us and said there were pastries there. Who can say no to that?

Then it was back to our room to get dressed in the warm stuff, and we all met in the lobby and walked to a closer, smaller, less crowded Christmas market.

We went to a pharmacy to get me something in case I start coughing at tonight’s concert. I actually feel pretty good, and the cold I have is progressing quickly. I just figure it’s better to be prepared: when we were at the Voces8 concert a woman had a horrendous hacking cough that went on throughout a large portion of the concert. (If I get that bad I’ll leave the hall!)

Taking my cough suppresant back to the hotel, we then went out yet again. Our first stop was the concert hall very close to our hotel. Greg knew the hall that had been used was being renovated, but he thought the one they are using instead was nearby.

Um. Nope.

We finally found information on their website and it turns out it’s a two+ mile walk from our hotel. I think we’ll be taking a taxi.

We continued walking, and just took in more sights. We visited a church, and when we came back out we each got just a few snowflakes on us. But that was IT for snow.


Because of how crowded it is here, Greg suggested we attempt to find a lunch spot right then. After two places that were too full we did find one and had a Bavarian meal. This is to be our larger meal of the day since the concert begins at 7:00 and we get our taxi around 6:00.

After lunch more walking.

Greg eventually split off to see a friend, and Jan, Dan, and I were going to head back to the hotel until we heard brass instruments. Going the opposite way, we found them and listened for a brief time.

Then it was back “home” again. And the rain began as we neared the Hilton. Probably because we had read that it wasn’t going to rain.

At the hotel I started typing up this day’s post, and then took a nap. I wanted to be sure I was well rested for the concert.

And rested I was! The four of us caught a taxi to the hall, and of course the person on stage getting ready when we finally went in was the principal oboist for the night. Typical! But then they all have to be off stage (except the basses for some reason) and when the concert begins they file in together to audience applause.

I had always admired Nathalie Stuzmann and I admire her even more now! What a fabulous conductor!

Here is the program:

The location for these performances is rather interesting. When you enter it feels more like an art exhibit or something.

Then you go in to the hall and I was somewhat surprised. But in any case, it was a wonderful concert and the musicians were great!

Following the concert one of us really wanted food so after catching another taxi (which too a while) we found an Italian restaurant that was open and had a spot for us.

Then it was back to Jan & Greg’s for a glass of wine. Well, except not Dan. He’s being a very good boy. Heck he even went to sleep before I finished writing this!

So tomorrow is our last full day here. I suspect we’ll do a lot of walking if the weather is cooperative. So hoping!

And now goodnight!

Goodbye Heidelberg

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We woke early today — okay, early for me anyway, since it wasn’t all that early (7:00 AM). But we had to finish our packing, have a bit of breakfast, and take the street car to the train station. Then we caught a fast train. We were in a small room on the train where only six people could sit. When we arrived what I assume was a father and son were already in. As we got settled at least one of them went out to smoke. When they came back the entire room reeked. BUT … hooray! … thankfully they hadn’t reserved those seats and the (quiet, non-smoking) couple that had purchased those specific seats could tell them they had to move. Whew!

The train only had three stops (IIRC) before ours, but it was a longer, 3+ hour trip.

And now … hello München! (Or Madrid Munich: you choose.)

I was grateful that Greg and Jan knew where to go to catch the local train which took us very close to our hotel. We checked in early, but our rooms were ready so to our rooms we went.

Shortly after settling in we all met downstairs and went to an area that might have a Christmas market. Well, that’s what some of us thought. But nope. Not a Christmas market. We decided eating outside wasn’t something we wanted to do anyway: it was cold and windy, and rain was threatening. So nearby was a beer hall and we got a light meal there.

From there we walked some more. And more. In the cold and rain and sometimes tons of wind. But it was great to get out and about and we did eventually find an actual Christmas market.

So we wandered. With tons of people. We went past what I think Greg said was city hall. We walked more, ending up at a high end store Greg wanted to visit. I saw some gorgeous Bavarian jackets that I loved, but I can’t justify spending the money on one. (Jan had loaned me one of hers for our nice dinner in Riquewihr. I guess that will have to suffice.)

We ended back at the city hall because we thought we would hear the famous carillon and see the characters go around and all. But no, that doesn’t happen at 5:00 PM in December. By that time the Christmas market was so full it seemed unsafe. Greg mentioned that as well. I was happy to go down to the subway (or whatever they call it here) and escape.

Back in our rooms, I took a less than 10 minute nap and then it was time for dinner

Greg and Jan had been at Maison Massard before and Greg made reservations for tonight for the four of us. Oh my was it ever good! I suspect this is our last “fancy” meal with them, so I was glad it was amazingly delicious, and the servers were so excellent.

Then it was a slightly sprinkly walk back to our hotel and it was suddenly 10:15 PM. (We were at the restaurant for over three hours!)

Tomorrow we have a concert at 7:00 PM, but other than that I don’t know what we’ll end up doing.