When you decide to go to Europe, your first stop must be Germany. There have been many travel stories, television shows and brochures about Germany, but none can compare to being there live and in person. The country is breath taking and the people are friendly and delightful.

Recently I was in the City of Munich, considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. History abounds in every corner and the architecture warrants hours of discovery throughout its borders.

After breakfast at the Platzl Hotel, www.info@platzl.de, our host hotel for the trip, we departed for the New Jewish Museum, which recently opened on March 22, 2007, as part of Munich’s new Jewish Cultural Center Complex. It serves as the municipal architectural link between the Jewish Community Center and the New Synagogue. There are over 9500 square feet of exhibition space displaying Jewish history and culture in Munich. The concept is very modern and very historical and is considered one of the places you will want to visit. www.juedisches.museum.muenchen.de

The rest of the morning took us to the Royal Residence of the Whittelsbach Dukes, electors and kings up to 1918. This marvelous Baroque Palace, in the center of the City, is still intact today. It is one of Europe's best interior design museums, with history of architecture, renaissance, baroque, rococo and neoclassicism styles combining to form a fascinating complex with seven inner courtyards.

After lunch at the wonderful Saptenhaus Restaurant, we headed to the Tollwood Festival, an outdoor summer festival in the amusement parks and beer tents on the Oktoberfest grounds. It just so happened that while there we were able to attend “Givin’ It Up”, a packed concert with George Benson and Al Jarreau. After a couple of beers and the excitement of the mostly German crowd, I was ready to party all night.

That had to be one of the best nights in Germany. It really gave up the German spirit and the reasons why Germany has bounced back to be the best after all of the destruction during the war. How I will always remember the people!

The final night at the Platzl Hotel and it was off the the City of Prien. As we were leaving on our private bus, I looked back to remember the beauty of Munich, knowing that I would return again.


Prien is located on the Chiemsee, known as the “Bavarian Sea” and is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Bavarian Alps. There is a little restaurant just beside the boat docks and the steam train where you will find the best lunch in Bavaria. It is quaint, quiet and loaded with charm and surrounds itself with beautiful flowers and water.

It was probably one of the nicest days in Germany when we toured the Chiemsee Islands of Frauenchiemesee and Herrenchiemsee to see the Ludwigs II’s Neues Schloss Palace. Unbelievable! It was ornate, half finished when he ran out of money from the government and half finished in gold and exquisite antique furniture. The bedroom is a must!

After the boat back to Prien, it was off to Freising, a charming Bavarian town on the German Hops Road, which boasts the world’s oldest brewery, the Weihenstephan. With a tour of the town which was once the home of Pope Benedict XVI, it was off to our unique Feng Shui Hotel CORBIN in Freising. www.corbin-hotel.de/english

This was a wonderful experience. Very relaxing offering probably on of the best sleeps of the trip. With the curved walls, no corners and exceptional staff, this is definitely the way of the future. As for me, it was my first time in a Feng Shui Hotel, but it will not be my last. You know the old saying, “Try it you will like it!” I did!

After a scrumptious breakfast the next morning and a great shower, it was off for the rest of my journey through the Bavarian Alps.