Garmisch area

Here are a few family-friendly hints and tips for my fellow mummies (and daddies!) who want to take their young family to the Garmisch area for the day! :-) My hubby, my friend, little Tristan and I had a lovely time there in July 2010.

Mount Wank: http://www.zugspitze.de/en/winter/berg/wank/

There is plenty of free car parking at the cable car station for the Wankbahn, and only €18 per adult for a return ticket on the cable car to the summit of Mount Wank. Plenty of signage for the WankBahn as you approach in the car.

The cable car trip takes approx 20 minutes (but remember not to get off at the first station - that is only the middle stop!) and each cable car takes four people. The three of us, plus Tristan took one car, while our stroller was placed in the cable car behind us (remember to put on the brake).

It gets very chilly at the top of the mountain so do remember jackets! The view though is spectacular, and is great for an hour of wandering and taking fantastic photographs. At the top there is also a restaurant serving warm meals and hot drinks. You also have benches at the top for those wishing to take their own picnic.

Garmisch: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garmisch-Partenkirchen

To get to Eibsee from the WankBahn, you drive through the picturesque town of Garmisch. There is plenty of on-road parking (don’t forget to pay at the parking meters) to explore Garmisch, or you can see the town from the comfort of your car as you drive through.

Eibsee: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eibsee

Car parking at Eibsee is €2.50 for cars, and there is plenty of parking which is only a five-minute walk from the edge of the lake. Again, like at the top of Mount Wank, this is a lovely place to walk around for an hour or so and taking awe-aspiring photos of the lake and of the surrounding mountains, including Zugspitz.

The natural paths around the edge of the lake are reasonably flat but suitable for a decent stroller/pushchair. Plenty of benches for those needing a break or taking a picnic.

There is a restaurant next to the lake called the Eibsee Pavilion, as well as a souvenir shop.

You can also rent a paddle or rowing boat.

Schloss Linderhoff and Ettal Monestery

Day Trip:Schloss Linderhoff and Ettal Monastery

Here are a few family-friendly hints and tips for my fellow mummies (and daddies) who want to take their family to Schloss Linderhof and Ettal Monestary.

My family, plus two friends, went there in December 2010.

***

Schloss Linderhof

http://www.schlosslinderhof.de/englisch/tourist/howtoget.htm
Linderhof 12, D-82488

Plenty of car parking is available at the Schloss Linderhof (a few Euros).

The visit of this palace is only via a guided tour (booked at the ticket office near the car park).

No strollers or prams are allowed in the palace (no secure storage for them either. You just park them outside the entrance to the palace) so do remember a baby carrier/sling or walking harness for your toddlers.

Bulky items are not allowed in the palace either (although we were allowed to take in Tristan's changing bag). According to their website, lockers are available near the ticker office.

***

A ten minute drive away is....

Ettal Monastery

http://www.kloster-ettal.de/
Kaiser-Ludwig-Platz 1, D-82488

Several car parks are available in the small town of Ettal near to the monastery for a few Euros.

You can visit the monastery for free by entering the main entrance (via steps). Prams/strollers are welcome.

There is also a brewery and distillery on-site too (additional charge).

***

Over the road from the Monastery is this delightful German restaurant

Ludwig Der Bayer
http://www.ludwig-der-bayer.de/index_en.php

They had a couple of high-chairs, and a small number of children's meals on their menu.

We enjoyed a lovely meal, including Spatzle (cheesy pasta), venison stew and veal schnitzel.

***

A five-minute drive away is...

The Alpine Cheese Factory and Café

http://www.milch-und-kas.de/
Mandlweg 1, D-82488

Perfect stopping place for a warming hot chocolate and a slice of home-made cheesecake, made with fresh (and local) cream cheese. And before you leave, purchase a chunk of locally made Ettaler Klosterkase, which is made by the monks at the monastery. Delicious!

Guided tours of the factory need to be made in advance (details on their website), but you can see the factory production line from windows in the café.

They have their own car park, and the café is stroller friendly (I do not know if the guided tour of the factory will allow strollers).
Viccy

Please visit Viccy at her new blog: http://jellyroseyate.blogspot.de

Winterspielplatz in Munich

DAY TRIP: Winter Spiel Platz (Winter Indoor Playground for Toddlers)

http://www.winterspielplatz-muenchen.de/offnungszeiten/

This is an indoor playarea based at a venue only a 2-minute walk from Sendlingor Tor train station. There is no admission fee either (although you are welcome to make a donation).

It's for toddlers aged 0-3 years (although I would say that the toys were more suited to toddlers that are approx 1+ year).

Tristan, plus his two friends, had lots of fun when we visited in January 2010 on one of their Tuesday afternoon sessions. There were lots big and small toys to play with, including a toy kitchen, a few ride-along cars, tents, big ball pit, and many more.

No shoes allowed - so remember to bring along either sticky-socks (the ones with the non-slip rubber bits on the bottom) or soft-soled slippers for both yourself and your toddlers.

They also have a crate full of second-hand clothing, which (I think) you can rummage through and take what you want for a small donation.

There was also coffee and tea freely available - again for a donation.

To one side of the room, there were several large lunch tables, and plenty of high-chairs, for those eating (no food or drink allowed within the toy area). And the toilet included a kindertoiletten (I forgot to look for a baby change, but I'm sure there is one).

The session did get reasonably busy, and as they only allow 70 children into the session, I advise you to arrive a few minutes before opening to guarantee a place.

Bayern Karte in Munich, Bavaria

BayernKarte

The Bayern Ticket allows up to five people to travel around Bavaria for only €28 a day! (That means it's just over €5 a person if you have the maximum five people!)
Individuals can travel on the Bayern Single Ticket which is only €20.

You can purchase these tickets from the standard ticket machines on the train station platforms.

Seats are NOT reserved so do arrive early at the train station as these trains can be very popular especially at weekends and during the summer months.

This Bayern Ticket means you can do day trips to Salzburg, Rosenheim, Ulm, Nuremberg, Garmisch, Lindau etc.

Please remember your ID as inspectors have been known to ID whole trains, especially when going to/from Austria or long-distance journeys.

More Information on the Bayern Ticket
http://www.bahnland-bayern.de/tickets/bayern-ticket

Train Timetable Search
http://www.bayern-fahrplan.de/bin/bayern/frame.exe/dn?L=bayern2&tpl=bayern_index
(please note it is important to ensure you travel on a specific Bayern Ticket train, so please search for "only local transport", otherwise you may be asked to pay full price which can be €100+ each).

Map of train stations in Bavaria
http://www.bahnland-bayern.de/content-startseite/streckennetzplan-pdf
Viccy Please visit Viccy at her new blog: http://jellyroseyate.blogspot.de

BergTierpark

Day Trip:BergTierPark

Here are a few family-friendly hints and tips for my fellow mummies (and daddies!) who want to take their young family to BergTierPark! :-) My hubby, little Tristan and I had a lovely afternoon there in August 2010.

http://bergtierpark.objektraum.com/html/

* Plenty of free on-site parking

* Gravel paths suitable for pushchairs/strollers, but there are some slopes to manoeuvre

* Large outdoor children's play area (approx 2+ year) with slide, swings, various climbing frames etc, but also an area for little kids (under 2) where there is mini-swings, a mini-slide, sand-pit etc.

* The petting zoo and the domestic animals are located opposite the play area: goats, horses, donkeys, chickens, donkeys etc. There are also cages of rabbits and chipmunks.

* In the back of the park is a forest area where there are paddocks of deer (which you can feed with the animal-food purchased at the admission desk), wild pigs, beavers etc.

* Due to the natural slopes and paths, it does get muddy in wet weather so do think about welly's, rain-coats and umbrellas, and a change of clothes for the little ones.

* There is a café in the admission building which (looking at the menu) did both filled rolls and hot meals (curry wurst with chips, etc).
Viccy

We visited the Berg Tier Park today with our 2 year old! He absolutely loved it! And so did we!
Would definitely recommend it to any families with young kids. There are even bunji-trampolines for big kids!
Easy to get to, spacious and loads to do!
You can feed the animals, feed yourself in the cafe, go for a walk and play on all the park equipment!
Not too expensive to get in either!
Enjoy!
Tracy

Day Trip:Schloss Lustheim

Day Trip:Schloss Lustheim

Here are a few family-friendly hints and tips for my fellow mummies (and daddies!) who want to take their young family to Schloss Lustheim palace! :-) My hubby, my friend, little Tristan and I had a lovely afternoon there in August 2010.

http://www.schloesser.bayern.de/englisch/palace/objects/schl_lu.htm

* Part of the Schleißheim Palace complex, with three Palaces: New Palace, Old Palace and Lustheim
* Limited on-street parking (free) although you can park at the New Palace Schleißheim but it's a long walk if you want to just do Schloss Lustheim
* Lovely garden and water features to wander around in. The paths are all gravel, but stroller friendly
* Large carp and swans (with 5 cygnets at the moment!) to feed (bring some bread)
* You can visit both the Schloss Lustheim (at a small admission fee) and the Chapel (free)
* Dogs welcome in the grounds (I don't know about inside the Schloss), and would be a lovely afternoon walk for them
* Lots of benches and grass to sit and relax. Maybe have a picnic, or enjoy a celebratory glass of Prosecco like me (well, it was my birthday!)

Visiting Schloss Lustheim (and it's grounds) is a wonderful afternoon out, but if you want to make it a whole day, you can always include the other two Palaces on the large complex.

The Schleissheim Palace Complex Information:
http://www.schloesser-schleissheim.de/englisch/schleissheim/index.htm

For more up to date info, please visit Viccy's new blog: http://jellyroseyate.blogspot.de

Chiemsee

Day Trip:Chiemsee

Here are a few family-friendly hints and tips for my fellow mummies who want to take their young family to Chiemsee for the day! :-)
My hubby, little Tristan and I had a wonderful time there in June 2010.

***

Plenty of car parking right at the ferry dock in Prien (on Seestrasse in Prien a Chiemsee for those using a SatNav).
The area around the ferry dock is lovely for strolling and taking photos of the lakes and mountain views.
A nice picnic or rest area on the grass "pier" near to the Prienavera swimming complex. Plenty of grass (bring a blanket) and plenty of benches.

You can take the ferry from Prien to the island and visit the palace. A basic collapsable stroller for young kiddies is recommended as it's easier to manoeuvre on the boat (and easier for if you take the Palce guided tour).

Remember to grab your palace guided tour ticket (no other way to see the inside of the palace) as soon as you get off the boat. 15 minute walk from the ferry to the Palace through a nicely shaded forest. You don't need to get a guided tour if you are happy touring the grounds and gardens outside the palace.

Big pushchairs are not allowed on the 30-minute palace tour, so recommend you take your own stroller (although you can borrow a stroller at the Palace at the start of your guided tour). There is one flight of stairs up, and one flight of stairs down (only wheelchair users can use the lift/elevator). You can leave your pushchair in the locker room (signposted in the palace). Perhaps even take a sling?

As you exit the palace, head left, and you will see a paddock of very friendly deer! They will even come to you if you offer them some grass. This area would also be perfect for a little picnic as there are some tree stumps to use a picnic table, and plenty of grass.

Don't forget to check what time the last ferry leaves (normally about 8pm, season and weather dependant) when you disembark on arrival on the island!

Sun cream is a must!! It's very open (both Prien, the boat (unless you sit inside) and the Palace grounds & gardens) so keep all the family hydrated and smothered with sun cream.
Viccy

Malls in Munich

Shopping Malls

Olympia Einkaufszentrum Shopping Mall

Giant shopping mall located near Olympia Park, and easy to get to both via car (plenty of parking) and train (U1 and U3, train station 'Olympia Einkaufszentrum')

http://www.olympia-einkaufszentrum.de/de/seite/home.php

Shops include:
Zara, Swarvoski, Fossil, Mister*Lady (ladies and mens clothing), Pimkie (ladies clothes), Galleria Kaufhof, Orsay (ladies clothes), Levis, Body Shop, Deichmann (shoes!), Douglas (for perfume and Clarins, Clinique etc), H&M, C&A, Kare (fabulous homewares)........
Lots of places to eat for both meals and snacks.

***

PEP Centre

Shopping mall, with parking and access via the U5

http://www.einkaufscenter-neuperlach.de/de/seite/home.php

Shops include: Swarvoski, C&A, Levi's, Tretter, Saturn (computer/games etc), DM (similar to the UK's Superdrug), Bijou Brigitte (lush cheap jewellery), Douglas, Geox, H&M.............
Lots of palces to eat for both meals and snacks

***

Maximilianstrasse

Shopping street full of designer boutiques and brands.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximilianstra%C3%9Fe_(Munich)
http://www.shops-muenchen.de/strasse/muenchen/m/innenstadt/maximilianstr/einkaufen.html

Shops include: Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Chloe, Dior, Bulgari, D&G, Chanel, Jimmi Choo, Omega, Cartier.................
Try the Brenner restaurant for a lovely lunch or dinner, or one of the few cafes along this street.

***

Ingolstadt Village

A chic outlet shopping mall! More than 90 outlets boutiques with prices reduced up to 60%!

http://www.ingolstadtvillage.com/en_GB/cat/women

Located in Ingolstadt, just 50 minutes from Munich, you can either catch the :
1) Munich-Nuremberg Express train (using a Bayern train Ticket),
2) The Shopping Express Coach from Munich Main Train Station (€15 return)
3) Drive (A9 towards Nuremberg, exit 61, Ingolstadt Ost)

Shops include: Bench, Billabong, Birkenstock, Calvin Klein, Clarks, ECCO, Ed Hardy, Escada, Fossil, Lee, Levi's, Lindt, Miss Sixty, Samsonite, The North Face, Vans, Versace, Wrangler

***

KONEN

A giant department clothing store located near Marienplatz S/U Bahn station (walk towards Sendlinger Tor). Similar to Debenhams (UK) or M&S (UK) or Nordstrom (US) or Macy's (US).

http://www.konen.de/

Brands include: Diesel, Ben Sherman, Evisu, Gant, Geox, G-Star, Levis, Superdry, Armani, French Connection, Miss Sixty, DKNY, Petit Bateau, Quick Silver, Timberland.

***

Galeria Kaufhof

A nationwide department store, the best one located right in Marienplatz, but several dotted around Munich.

http://www.galeria-kaufhof.de/

For almost anything you need such as clothes, kitchen appliances, jewellery, DVDs, children's toys, gym equipment, perfume, TV's etc.

Brands include WMF (kitchen knives, pots and pans etc), Samsonite (luggage), Fossil (watches), Villeroy & Boch (crockery), Tefal (pots and pans).

***

Oberpollinger

A department store located near Karlsplatz Stachus, selling luxury brands of almost everything with the following examples of brands and boutiques:

Armani, Birkenstock, Bobbi Brown, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Cartier, Chanel, Converse, D & G, Diesel, Dior, DKNY, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, G-Star, Gucci, Guess, Hermés, Hugo Boss, La Perla, Laura Ashley, Le Creuset, Levi's, Louis Vuitton, MiuMiu, Prada, Ray Ban, Rock & Republic, Timberland, Tommy Hilfiger, True Religion, UGG Australia.

http://www.oberpollinger.de/en/
Viccy
Don't forget Riem Arcaden
http://www.riem-arcaden.de/

Pasing Arcaden
http://www.pasing-arcaden.de