SIA and other airlines have resumed operations to
Europe. That's good news, because summer in Europe is too beautiful to pass up. Here's a quick guide to a focussed experience in
Munich and Zurich
by Trixia Carungcong
Two days in Munich
The Bavarian capital effortlessly blends its old-world charm with a modern vibe, attracting visitors to its numerous museums, theatres, parks and beer halls. Competitive and affluent, Munich is nevertheless known - and envied - for its laid-back lifestyle. Two days is barely enough to get a feel of the city, but here's what you can do:
Day 1
9am: Head to Viktualienmkt, the open-air market in the city centre, for a traditional breakfast of white sausage and brezel. Skin the sausages, which are made of veal and pork and flavoured with onions and parsley, before dipping the tasty bits in sweet mustard. At 11am, watch the famous Glockenspiel, or clockwork theatre, at the new town hall in Marienplatz. The building's balcony is usually where soccer club Bayern Munich would greet the public after winning the Bundesliga championship or a major international title.
11.30am: Take the underground to the Olympic Park, site of the 1972 Summer Games. Have a quick lunch at the revolving restaurant in the Olympic Tower (www.drehrestaurant.de), which offers a 360-degree view of the area. Then walk over to BMW Museum (www.bmw-museum.de) to see the history of the car company from its beginnings as an
aircraft engine producer. Because this is Germany, even four-year-olds come here to see the exhibit.
Bavarian Motor Works' headquarters is at the iconic four-cylinder building beside the "salad bowl" building housing the museum. If you'd like to check out new cars and motorcycles, head to BMW World across the road.
4pm: Depending on how you want to spend your afternoon in Munich, there's the Deutsches Museum (www.deutsches-museum.de), the world's largest museum of technology and science. Or walk through Kaufinger Strasse, a main shopping district. If you're a Bayern Munich fan, head down to
Allianz Arena (www.allianz-arena.de) which also hosted the opening game of
World Cup 2006.
7pm: No visit is complete without a stop at Hofbrauhaus (www.hofbraeuhaus.de), dubbed the most famous beer hall in the world. There is live music on the ground floor and in the beer garden, or if you prefer some quiet, head upstairs to the first floor. You can also visit the other five main breweries in Munich that are allowed to serve beer during Oktoberfest - Augustiner, Lowenbrau, Hacker-Pschorr, Paulaner and Spaten-Franziskaner.
Day 2
8am: Venture beyond Munich to Schwangau region (www.schwangau.de), popular for the castles of
King Ludwig II. You can take a train to Fussen, then a bus to the village. Walk up to Marien Bridge for postcard views of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles, before visiting Hohenschwangau - the royal family's summer residence and once the seat of the knights of Schwangau in the
Middle Ages. Remember to wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk up narrow, winding flights of stairs.
Noon: Ask for a traditional lunch at Hotel Alpenstuben (www.alpenstuben.de), which occupies a farmhouse that dates back to the 18th century, and pick up some souvenirs from the shops outside.
2pm: Continue on to Neuschwanstein - the inspiration for Disney's
Sleeping Beauty castle - by bus or
horse-drawn carriage. Built in medieval style, its murals are a tribute to the works of composer Richard Wagner.
4pm: Head back to the city, and if you're flying out from Munich Airport (www.munich-airport.de), wind up your trip at Airbrau (www.airbraeu.de). Munich is the first airport in the world to have its own brewery.
Two days in Zurich
Constantly cited for its high quality of living, the cultural and business capital of Switzerland offers an array of attractions for art connoisseurs, shoppers and nature lovers. Explore the city on foot or get a ZurichCARD 24-hour ticket that allows you to hop on to any local tram, train, bus or boat, as well as free admission to most of the city museums. Wherever you want to go, you can be sure to get there on time, Swiss-style.
Day 1
10am: Start out with a stroll through the Old Town, and be assured that the city is small enough for you to get from Point A to B quicker than you think. Saint Peter's Church, which has the largest clock-face in Europe, is hard to miss. Close by is the Fraumunster Church, which has stained glass windows by Marc Chagall. Across the River Limmat stands Grossmunster Church with its twin towers. Pass through the old shopping areas to Schipfe, the artisans' street in one of Zurich's oldest districts.
11.30am: Make time for a cup of the city's best hot chocolate at Schober Confiserie (www.conditorei-schober.ch) and indulge your sweet tooth with a slice of pie or apple strudel.
1pm: Take a two-hour boat trip from Zurich Burkliplatz to Rapperswil, the city of roses, and have lunch onboard while watching the lakeside villages pass by. At Rapperswil, stroll through the medieval town centre and the rose gardens.
7pm: Dinner of rosti with veal and mushrooms in cream and white wine sauce at Oepfelchammer (www.oepfelchammer.ch). Then move to its old tavern where artists, writers and students used to hang out in the late 1800s to debate politics and religion. If you're up for a challenge, ask the staff if you could climb up the ceiling's massive beams and hang upside down while drinking a glass of wine. If you manage to do that without spilling the drink, you can carve your name anywhere on the oak-panelled room.
9pm: For a taste of the city's legendary nightlife, walk around Zurich-West, an ancient industrial quarter that has bars, restaurants and bistros. Try the local wines - most of the country's wineries apparently produce just enough for local consumption.
Day 2
10am: Get a history lesson at the Swiss National Museum (www.landesmuseum.ch), which houses the largest collection of the country's cultural artefacts, just behind the main train station. English translations of the display details are printed on boards at the entrance to each room.
Noon: Lunch of raclette - melted cheese eaten with potatoes, pickles and meat - or fondue at Adler's Swiss Chuchi (www.hotel-adler.ch). Choose a seat outside of you don't want to smell of cheese for the rest of the day.
3pm: Walk around Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world's most famous shopping streets, which stretches more than a kilometre from the main train station.
5.30pm: Step into Confiserie Sprungli (www.spruengli.ch), where you can get high just by smelling the sweets. There are whole slabs of chocolates, macarons, truffles and pralines which you should pick over the usual pre-packed candies.
The writer's trip was made possible by Singapore Airlines, Munich Airport, Munich Tourism and Switzerland Tourism.
Getting there
Munich: Lufthansa has regular direct flights to the city and Singapore Airlines recently launched its five-times-weekly flights on its Boeing 777-300ER. The aircraft is fitted with First Class seats which convert into the largest full-flat beds of its kind while Business Class seats - the widest in its class - also convert into beds. In Economy Class, seats are ergonomically designed for more comfort and space.
Zurich: Singapore Airlines flies the world's largest aircraft, the Airbus A380, daily to the city. Suites or private cabins with full-sized beds are available exclusively on the superjumbo.
Taken from TODAY, Travel - Thursday, 22-April-2010
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Image by Kaushal Karkhanis via Flickr
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