Exploring New Areas of Munich

I've lost count how many times I've been to Munich in the last 10 yearas, but every time I am back I realize how much more I need to know about this city. Every time I'm leaving with a completely new agenda of areas to see and places to check. 

This time, I am back in one of my favorite German cities busy with work again, and after spending a lovely time at the Linderhof castle, I am settled for anything but meetings. As usual, though, I am accompanied by my camera and my eyes are ready to spot the new.

My office location for the day is situated in the Eastern part of the city, near the Riem metro station. Although a bit far away from the central hip area, it surprises by the massive gigantesque architecture. The area between the Arcaden Shopping Center, Willy Brandt Square and the International Center for Exhibitions is overwhelming, with the fine concrete cranes taking over the open squares.

There is a special geometry of the architecture, first time encountered by me in Germany, which filled up the space with human works without any other clear aim but to show off. Art in itself has a strong gratuitous reward, isn't it?

The area around Platz der Menschenrechte - Square of Human Rights - is more humany scaled and around lunch time busy with corporate businesspeople hurrying up to grab a lunch while debating the last company reports.

Two steps away, the wild park invites for a break from the loaded agenda, even for a couple of minutes only.

As an observer always in a hurry, I use my very limited time around for taking more visual notes of the architectural conceptions where nature is left so wild among more and more concrete giants. Definitely, it is a more bold style than in Berlin, where the business architecture seems so shy to express its own self-awareness. Munich has many years ahead in this respect too.

A little bit of irony is good for the business, besides the endless views of uncut grass and rows of trees.

It is not my first time at the International Exhibitions Center and as the last time I've been there, over 4 years ago, I am walking slowly enjoying a bit more the sunny reflections into the surrounding lake, taked over in its corners by lily pads, ducks and swans.

The industrial style and size of the works of art in the very middle are the gentle reminder that nature and business can somehow coexist, for the well-being of each and every side of the equation.

It is up to you to focus your sight either on the gentle lily pad and imagine with your eyes and mind a Zen poem...

...or to move a bit your eyes in the middle where you are reminded that time has come to set your feet on the ground and get started with the serious work.

When the busy time is over, with my 6.70 EUR. day-ticket I am back to revisit old places and if lucky enough, to discover new ones. Regardless how set I am for new, I cannot ignore the Odeonplatz, the large square that since the 19th century is a landmark of the city. A popular meeting point for first-timers and locals too, it is also a concert hall where I would love to go one day.

The old city of Munich is, as usual, full of life, with visitors, tourists and locals filling the streets with life and a Babbel of languages. Elegant passageways which remind of Italian secret small hideouts, like this one at Preyising Palais, are always a pleasant surprise.

The architecture around follows the classical directions of the Italian architecture, with a touch of humour and surprise, as some funny statues set at the edges of buildings and narrow streets.

As it happens often to see a place more than once, I am always hungry for new perspectives and angles. For instance, the very touristic City Hall, another local landmark, can offer a completely different view, which reminds me a bit of some noble Madrid buildings, when seen from Wienerstraße.

I couldn't miss though, to have a snap of the famous city hall, from its main square splendor front view.

Viktualienmarkt, the traditional Oktoberfest meeting point is bubbling with healthy life and busy vendors selling their home-made products and fresh veggies.

Grotesque figures are arising from small squares in the front of post-war standard - read, ugly - buildings on back streets, only minutes away from the glowing old city streets with their shining shops and elegant customers. 

Only a couple of streets away, well-dressed couples are hurrying hand-in-hand to get in time for the Opera.

Other, a bit vane - as we do - are envious on the extravagant range of luxury stores (Jimmy Choo is here; and yes, I am that vane, thank you very much). 

In the Regierungsviertel, museums and official institutions are hosted in Florentin-villa look alike buildings, guarded by mythological stone creatures.

As I am passing along Maximilienstraße, one of the five royal avenues, I make a mental note to return the next time to visit the Museum of 5 Continents, Germany's first ethnological museum opened in the second half of the 19th century.

The weather is too beautiful and the time too short for museum visits this time. As I am passing the many bridges over the Iser, I feel the call for more journeys around the city.

My steps are leading me close to the area where the locals enjoy the sun on small strips of sandy - or pebble - lands. Everything is after all a matter of creating your own comfort.

The Greek Gods and Goddesses guarding the Maximiliansbrücke are just another example of how the human mind and work needs to be always intrusive to the natural environment. Sometimes it matches, sometimes it may create completely adverse effects and there is usually no winners out of this fight.

The imposing building of Maximilianeum, currently the local parliament, is dominating the avenue from its green promotorium. The historical episodes displayed artistically on its inner arches and fassades are worth probably a special article that need to do one day, maybe when I will be back the next time. 

This trip is everything about enjoying the moment, and especially the great weather. Alongside with us, there are plenty of tourists and locals who are using the long summer days to fill their lungs with fresh air, eithr by biking, walking or jogging.

This part of the English Gardens was completely unknown to me and until my heart will beat hard for new discoveries, would be my favorite part of it from now on.

The beach alongside the Iser looks very busy those days and I can even spot some of the rafters which are jumping through the waves nearby.

The view is so quiet and painting-worth that I slow down to have more pictures and admire the view into more depth.

At the Kulturstrand, culture lovers and local bohemians are slowly transposed into the rhythm of late evening blues concert.

Once I am pass the Ludwigsbrücke, I am slowly returning to my place for the nigh, before taking off the next early morning, but the monumental apparition which makes the human presence so insignificant in both time and space brings me back to enjoying the moment. Sometimes, you need more than one reminder to focus on the present second.

The sun is about to set, sending sporadic signs of light reflected on the buildings.

Time for Munich to start its completely different night life, when those elegant squares and fountains are buzzing with the late disputes between lovers or students practising for their next day dissertation duel.

Since the late Middle Ages,  Isartor - the Isar Gate -is there, nowadays separating different newer or older parts of the city. It is a time to travel and a time to find the pace of your home, a time to enjoy and a time to reflect or mourn. Some cities are inspiring enough to bring you through different ages and emotional stages in only one trip.

I am about to leave Munich again, with a long to-do-list for my next visit. Among my priorities, as a lover of metro stations, to spend more time underground documenting the different histories and views of those transportation nods.

Meanwhile, I am still staying in Bavaria for another day, for exploring a destination that I had on my agenda for way too long. To be continued...

Hotel and Restaurant Review: Der Blauer Bock, Munich

I don't visit the South of Germany very often, but every time I do I try to make a short visit to Munich too. This time, I am going only to Munich, on the occasion of Internet World Fair and I am more than pleased to discover new things in the city. The adventure starts with my stay at the Blauer Bock, that celebrates this year 200 years of tradition in the hosting industry, that offered me a complimentary stay. The glorious past of the 400-year old building are discretely reminded to the visitor, through the documents hanging on the walls of the lobby leading to my room.

The premium double room I was offered has a view on the Munich foodie paradise, Viktualenmark that I will visit late in the afternoon. The hotel is centrally situated, very close to the new synagogue and around 15 minutes by foot from the historical city hall. The room is simply decorated, in white-beige colours. Although the furniture doesn't include a big desk where I can set my own working space, the beige leather chairs are comfy enough for doing a little bit of work before doing my program in the city.

The room is provided with a safe and a closet and a relatively big lobby where bigger luggage can be stored.

A bottle of Adelholzener mineral water, produced in the Bavarian Alps, and a small 'kugel' cake is waiting for me. The room doesn't have mini bar but various beverages can be purchased from the reception desk. The wifi is free and 2 iPads can be rented for free. The restroom is small, provided with various facilities. You can also buy your own shaving or sewing set at the reception.

Black-and-white paintings of iconic corners of Munich inspire the visitor to start the journey through the city as soon as possible.

The centrality of the location doesn't bring the usual noise associated with high traffic and after a long day of travel, I can easily sleep a bit later in the morning, at an hour when usually most of the active inhabitants are ready to head for their offices. But I don't hear anything.

At the time of my visit, part of the hotel was going through another restoration process that might be ready in the next weeks. The hundred years of history are not always easy to accommodate to the high-standards of hotellerie of the 21st century, but creativity can always bring something new and interesting. The elevators are by far one of the most modernist part of the building, with neon lights changing regularly.

In the evening, I am inviting to taste the gourmet menu, prepared by the famous local chef Hans-Jörg Bachmeier, who also authored many cooking books. The seasonal menu is changed almost every two weeks and very often the chef himself chose the ingredients from the markets nearby. The restaurant is very different from the rest of the hotel, as it has a different style and a very intimate ambiance.

The service goes very fast, in English and German. The restaurant has regular customers not only among the hotel residents, but also those working nearby that prefer to have a healthy and special meal during the lunch break. We are in Munich, where people are more careful about style and high-end taste, especially in food.

Till my first meal is brought, I am tempted with some local fresh breads with butter, a very delicious and crispy introduction to the rest of the foodie evening.

Without acknowledging, I am ready to begin real gourmet adventure, that starts with goat's cheese with various sort of fresh red beets and lemon foam. It is served cold and achieved a mysterious alchemy, when all the individual tastes are melted together to create an unexpected tasty surprise. I wish I can eat only this for the rest of my lunches!

But it seems that moderation is the keyword of the menu: you should taste enough for both your hunger and gourmet needs, but no more. After a short break, a delicious turbot consommé with veggies is brought. It is hot, maybe a bit too salty for my taste, but good enough to make me curious about what will be next.

For the main course, I opted for a dorade with sauce bouillabaisse. Every bit is as seasoned as it should be, nothing more nothing less. From time to time, I take a break to scribble my impressions, enjoying the view: modern paintings on the walls, nice and pleasant colours of the furniture and chairs comfy enough to spend some good hours here.

Crème brulée was not on my menu for a long time, but it seems that since this January, I am trying to catch up and I am tasting as many recipes as possible. Mine was a relatively unusual combination for me: with apple sorbet that balances the sweetness of the cream. My initial scepticism was battled by the exquisite results I experience. At the end of the menu, I have the good feeling of not feeling hungry any more but not necessarily 'full' either. This is how one should feel after a really good eating.

A good night after a lot of walking and work the day before, enjoying the comfy mattresses of my room continued with a special breakfast. Probably one of the best in a long time, as it serves a carefully selected menu: many veggies and fresh fruits, a selection of cheeses, breads and pastries and coffees. The veggies are regional products bought directly from the markets nearby, as in the case of the restaurant menu.

While reading the latest news from the local newspapers offered I am ready for my fully schedule.

At the hotel reception, there are a lot of branded souvenirs that can be bought, but also some of the cooking books authored by the chef Hans Jörg Bachmeier.

Late in the afternoon, I am going to a full tour of the location, learning more about the history and the design concept. The 3-star hotel has 69 rooms of different categories, all of them non-smoking. Most of the rooms suit the requirements of families, and during the summer special family prices are offered. Some of the rooms even allow the children to have their own room. In most cases, pets are also allowed. The summer and the month of October are the usually the busiest one, with most visitors coming from Germany, Austria or Switzerland, but also the US.

The hotel has 5 rooms with shared shower and restrooms, offered at 57 EUR/night, including breakfast. All rooms have old keys, keeping the flavour of the old inn days.

The dimensions of the room vary from 25 to 85 sqm. There are two main design colour choices: the white-beige light and the cherry. The last one is by far, one of my favourite, with the rooms keeping a certain home ambiance.

The cherry rooms also have a little gidéon that can be easily used as a working office, and a big closet that can accommodate longer stays.

The name of the hotel can be translated in English as 'The blue buck'. In the old times not everyone was able to read, a certain symbol associated with a inn was enough to single out the destination in the local memory of the inhabitants. The image of the 'blue bock' still can be found in some rooms and at the entrance reminds the old history. Small details from the old building are still kept and creates a historical branding of the location.

Munich is a very busy city and is not easy to find a good parking place, especially if you are visiting. The hotel offers 17 parking places to the guests. For those 'eco' oriented, bikes are available for 9 Eur/day.

Another historical detail of the location: the old parquet in the lobby, well preserved.

At the reception, most of the furniture and decorations are from the old times. This table, for instance, has the white-and-blue specific colours of Bavaria.

For the late busy evenings, there is also the bar, with a fine selection of wines and cocktails.

As I am ready to leave for returning to Berlin, I am happy to be offered a new and interesting side of Munich, and some local history and a good meal contributed significantly to this new experience. Maybe it is about time to visit more often this part of Germany.

Disclaimer: I was offered a Premium Double room and a gourmet menu on complimentary basis at the hotel, but the opinions are, as usual, my own.

For more insights about Der Blauer Bock Hotel and Restaurant, have a look at the dedicated Pinterest board: http://www.pinterest.com/ilanaontheroad/hotel-and-restaurant-blauer-bock-munich/