Munich to Salzburg

Click to see Sunrise over Atlantic
Sunrise over the Atlantic
Click to see Sidewalk Art
Sidewalk Art
Click to see View of the Onion-Domed Frauenkirche
View of the Onion-Domed Frauenkirche
Click to see Madonna and Child in the Marienplatz
Madonna and Child in the Marienplatz
Click to see Marienplatz
Marienplatz
Click to see Museum Mobile
Museum Mobile
Click to see Blumen in Salzburg
Blumen in Salzburg
Click to see Doktorwirt
Doktorwirt


May 23
 
     Today we fly from Philadelphia to München. We lose a day on our flight over the Atlantic Ocean, but we'll find it again on our way home.
 
May 24
 
     Willkommen in München! After clearing customs and claiming  our baggage, we meet our touring coach and ride to the heart of the city.
 
     München is Germany's third largest city and one of the great cultural centers of Europe. The Marienplatz at the city's center is dominated by the Gothic Neues Rathaus, its rather grim exterior "jollified" by the famous Glockenspiel. Its mechanical musicians, jousting knights, and dancing coopers perform at 11 o'clock and again at noon. The performance isn't over until the cockeral at the top crows three times.
 
     The dominating, twin onion-domed towers of the Frauenkirche nearby are the symbol of München.
 
     Immediately south of the Marienplatz, the Viktualienmarkt is a cheerful food market, famous for its high-quality regional cheeses and prepared hams in particular. Eat here or at one of the many sidewalk cafes before we visit the Spielzeugmuseum.
 
     The Spielzeugmuseum im Alten Rathausturm is at the far end of the Neues Rathause, in the Altes Rathaus. It is a dizzying climb up the spiral staircase to see the rooms filled with dolls and toys of every description. Take a minute to study the French automatons circa 1880, the early wooden shoulderheads, the papier-mâchés, and the unique snow doll.
 
     We cut the day short and board our touring coach to Salzburg. There are gorgeous views of the Bavarian Alps en route.
 
     We spend our first night in Europe in the 1,000-year-old Doktorwirt, owned and operated by the Schnöll Family. No, you're not seeing double! It's the Schnöll twins, Carolin and Elizabeth, who, with their parents, maintain a long tradition of gracious hospitality in the former country manor house at the foot of the Gaisberg. Don't hesitate to try any one of the Österreichische Spezialitäten in their cozy dining room. The cuisine is first class.