T H E
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Move over Berlin –
Talib
Choudhry
discovers
Munich is Germany’s
coolest city once again
Tailor-made
For traditional craftsmanship and an understated aesthetic that’s
very now, head to MCM (18 Neuhauser Strasse; mcmworldwide.
com) for luxe leather bags and vintage-style briefcases favoured by
Euro royalty. Then to Ludwig Beck (11 Marienplatz; ludwigbeck.de),
which boasts seven floors of high-end fashion for men and women,
along with an extensive classical music selection. Finish by visiting
Halfs (35 Feilitzschstrasse; tel: +49 89 2440 1770). Its handmade
shoes are immaculate.
A fine romance
Alongside the revelry there is
refinement. The abundance of baroque
and rococo architecture and stunning
parks make it easy to fall in love with the
city. A visit to Schloss Nymphenburg
(
schloesser.bayern.de), summer palace
of the old rulers of Bavaria, is the
ultimate spot for a romantic stroll.
Raise a glass
Of the many beer halls for which the city is
famous, the Hofbräuhaus beer ‘palace’ is the most
well-known, its lively atmosphere an excellent
place to enjoy one of the many exceptional
beers on tap. And, of course, the world’s largest
beer festival takes place in Munich too. During
Oktoberfest (21 September to 6 October this
year), some six-million-plus revellers from all over
the world pack into tents to sup from more than
seven-million steins (litre tankards) of beer and
make merry. Needless to say, the hangover from
this party is of global proportions.
bawdy beer halls
,
lederhosen, comedic
sausages... every Germanic
cliché abounds in Munich.
Yet, despite the kitsch
clichés, the Bavarian capital
today is a dynamic
powerhouse filled with
world-class art, hot
commerce and great food.
Throw in the thriving design
industry, and it’s no surprise
this city is giving the
nation’s capital a run for its
money in the cool stakes.
