Trip to Munich, Vienna, Prague & possibly Budapest

I always recommend the Vienna Staatsoper for at least one opera, though I'm not sure with your timing if they'll still be in season. I recommend getting standing-room tickets, which entails showing up very early and waiting in line, and being prepared to stand for the entire opera, but the early standing room "seats" are in a fantastic position right behind the very best seats in the house. You will have an amazing experience.

If you do really enjoy opera, the Prague opera house is gorgeous and worth a visit, too.

It's been a while since I've been to any of these cities though, so I don't really have any current restaurant/nightspot advice.

In Vienna:

- Wiener Schnitzel at Figlmueller (go for lunch)
- Dinner at Plachutta (get the tafelspitz)
- If you ask nicely, and maybe goad them a bit, the chef at the Hotel Sacher's Cafe will make Salzburger nockerl ("Come on, this is the Hotel Sacher - surely you guys can make it!"), which is a great dessert (it's almost like a giant souffle). Have a Sacher torte at some point if you must, but it's nothing spectacular.
- For other desserts, stay away from things like apfelstrudel (maybe have it once) that every American orders everywhere because they don't know what anything else is. Ask what warm desserts the cafe has (e.g. Palatschinken, Kaiserschmarrn). There is one cafe that makes fresh Buchteln every night at like 10pm...I think it is Café Hawelka see if your concierge knows for sure - it is worth going to.
- I really like Cafe Landtmann but, of course, there are many other good ones - Cafes Demel, Mozart, Schwarzenberg, Diglas, Central to name a few.
- Don't be afraid to try sausages from the street stands.
- Go to Grinzing (short taxi from downtown) and go to some heurigen. These are places that produce and serve their own wine with hearty food to go along with it.
- If it is still in season, have some Sturm (early wine).
- There is a cool museum that is kind of small and dedicated to the jewels and armory of the Habsburgs. Worth checking out.
- There is another place, near the Mozart house I think, where small groups perform classical music in listening chambers that were originally designed for e.g. royalty and clergy. They play very well, the acoustics are amazing and the atmosphere is unreal. It's like stepping back in time.

In Munich obviously go to the Hofbrauhaus and don't be afraid to talk to people when you sit down to eat. Strike up conversation. This actually applies to any German beer hall you may visit. Contrary to popular belief Germans (and Austrians) are really friendly (yes, even to Americans) and love to show a foreigner a good time when they are visiting.

Excellent recommendations! I heartily agree.


______________________

FS: Tumi T3 22" expandable wheeled carry-on w/suiter
http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=119048

I go to Hungary every year to visit my babies mama's family. I strongly recommend going.
Budapest is a wonderful city.

As far as beer halls are concerned, you must go to Augustiner in the center of Munich.
I recently stayed at Fleming's Hotel, which is right by the train station, has a fantastic included breakfast, and the rooms are awesome. The price was very reasonable as well. The area around the train station in Munich is unlike other cities where you can walk around there with no worries.

Also, go to the Viktualmarkt, which is the daily farmers market in Munich - there you should get a wurst or roasted pork sandwich.

Gundel in Budapest was nice and affordable for the insane amount of fois gras included.

I'll be in Munich all day Thursday but have to leave early Friday. Other than Hofbrauhaus what are the essential Munich sights?

In Budapest you should stop by Gerbeaud, that's a great place, I enjoyed cakes, the pub is nice but nothing special.

Munich:

Food:
- Traditional bavarian: Weisses Bräuhaus, Im Tal (close to Marienplatz/Hofbräuhaus), or Augustinger Keller (the best, on Landsberger Strasse next to S-Bahn stop Hackerbrücke)
- great atmoshperic Afghan, a personal favorite: Chopan, Elvirastrasse (north-west of the center, close to Nymphenburger Strasse)

Sights:
- good views from the top: Church tower of St.Peter ("Alter Peter"), close to Marienplatz. Or take the subway out to the olympic park, the view from the olympic tower is the best of the city.
- Parks: from the center, take a stroll in the Hofgarten (former palace garden, small and formal), and then continue northward in the Englischer Garten (huge, natural park right in the city).
- Palaces: Residenz on Odeonsplatz (former royal palace right in the centre), Nymphenburg palace (smaller palace, large nice park, about 10 minutes by subway).
- If you love cars, the BMW world and museum is a must.

Shopping:
- Hirmer is Europe's largest store for menswear. Lots of classic style, expensive but not excessive, these days some jeans/streetwear too. In Kaufingerstrasse (the main shopping street in the center off Marienplatz)

Suggestion for a day:
Take a stroll around the centre. Shopping in Neuhauser and Kaufinger Strasse, Sights on Marienplatz and Odeonsplatz, drink at Hofbräuhaus, Food at Weisses Brauhaus. All within easy walking distance. To relax, walk in Hofgarten and Englischer Garten parks.
Then take the subway to the olympic area - visit BMW museum, go up the olympic tower for the view, take a walk in the park.
In the evening, another subway ride to Nymphenburg palace and park, and dinner the the Chopan restaurant.

A rather packed, but perfect day in Munich.

Munich Restaurant recommendations: You need to visit the Schwabing district. We have many beautiful stores here and the local bars/restaurants in the area are very nice and highend. Give Retro Harlander (Bräuhausstrasse 8, 2324 1652) a look. It is very stylish . Peter Schmuck’s Lenbach is also very good-- more on the contemporary side. Visit the Olympia Park and Englischer Garten

If you have some time, you need to visit this Biergarten. It is in Pullach(outskirts of Muenchen). It takes about 30 minutes (S-Bahn 7) to Pullach . Biergarten Waldwirtschaft facts Georg-Kalb-Straße 3, 82049, Pullach

See the other Munich-Thread
http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=61756