Day 4 - Wednesday 26 November

After a good night's sleep we had an early breakfast.  Chris had planned a nice morning for us with rests for the more senior members of our party.

First stop was the Haribo shop, followed by a walk to Marienplatz where we called at Nespresso for a delicious hot chocolate/coffee, including a 'dirty' hot chocolate for G (hot chocolate with a dash of Kahlua).

We then had a Glühwein in the market and then walked to the Cathedral as E wanted a Christmas decoration she had seen in the shop there.

Next stop was one of our favourite places, the Hofbräuhaus.  We had already decided that we wanted to have lunch there.  We weren't disappointed - Schnitzel for Sarah, pork knuckle for Chris and soup for G and E, all washed down with a beer (or coke for Sarah).

After lunch we wandered to the medieval market where G and E wanted to 'buy' a couple of goblets (or rather pay the deposit on them but forget to return them!) S and C were already well versed in this, having 'acquired' a couple last night. Whilst G and E had a flaming Glühwein, Chris had a hot Glühwein with Cointreau - very nice.

Having successfully obtained our goblets, we started the walk back to the hôtel.  It was drizzling by now, so we were pleased to get back to dry off and rest.

After a rest and a bit of packing we walked to the Tollwood market which had only just opened. It had more of a fairground feel with lights and music as well as two enormous Big Top style marquees,  one with craft stalls and the other street food from all over the world. 

Unfortunately the rain was coming down steadily, so we returned to the hotel for our last drink in the lobby bar. 

Day 3 - Tuesday 25 November

The hotel provides a greater range of complimentary items than most - toothbrush and toothpaste for each guest plus a comb ....

And even a sewing kit, a shoe shine kit and a shoe horn!

Provisions in the shower

A Tour Around the Breakfast Buffet

There is a pretty comprehensive offering at breakfast including for those with food intolerances and for vegetarians and vegans ....

.... including vegan churros

Finally we're out and about and they're getting the pavement snow clearers ready.  There could be snow here on the day we return home - Thursday.

A slightly later breakfast today, followed by a gentle walk to the Residenz via Munich cathedral. 

We went into the Frauenkirche Cathedral which had been quite badly destroyed in WW2 and rebuilt. 

There we saw the "devil's footprint", a mark on the floor at the entrance. It is famous due to a legend that the devil stamped his foot there in anger after being tricked by the church's builder.

The legend claims the builder made a deal with the devil that the Cathedral would have no windows in exchange for financing it but tricked him by building the church with columns that obscured the windows from a specific spot in the foyer, making the devil think he had won.

We then walked to the Residenz where there was another nice small market and then back to Marienplatz with a quick drink stop on the way. By now it was starting to rain so we decided to head back to the hotel for a pit stop.

The Residenz is the former royal palace of the Wittelsbach family of Bavaria. For more about it, click here.

Pigeons having a meeting

I was banned from taking these pics yesterday but decided today that I wouldn't be controlled!

One thing's always been true of the Germans - they know how to work hard and play hard. I'll leave that there.

What significance the boar has I don't know.

I then wanted a photo of me sitting on Santa's knee, but the photographer flatly refused!

Happy Christmas from the Munich Residenz

We did discover that Kinderpunsch, the children's version of Glühwein is made of apple, carrot and grape juices.

AI says that Glühbier is a German mulled beer, a warm, spiced beverage made by gently heating dark or malty beer with ingredients like cinnamon, cloves, citrus peel, and sugar or honey. It is a festive and warming alternative to mulled wine, often sold at Central European Christmas markets. The drink is kept hot but must not be boiled to avoid a bitter taste.

The view from today's Kaffee und Kuchen stop