DIZ München Nephrocare GmbH (PRAXIS)
Munich – Unfolding the Bavarian beauty
Munich: vibrantly cosmopolitan and unhurried at the same time, very much Bavarian while being called Italy’s northernmost city, cosy and refined, full of contradictions. It exudes the creative charm of a cultural hotspot and the energising bustle of a business metropolis while the beer gardens all over the city invite you to take a break and enjoy the Bavarian hospitality. Munich’s unique appeal is worth discovering for yourself.
The city on the banks of the Isar answers to a great many different interests. Both Munich and its breathtaking surroundings of lakes and mountains in the Alpine foreland have a lot to offer. Whether you are a fan of cultural city trips or active vacations full of hiking and biking, six NephroCare clinics in and around Munich will make it easy to spend your favourite pastime in the area and still undergo your regular dialysis treatments.
Activities & Sights
Getting to know the city
You can spend days in Munich most contentedly strolling along the elegant boulevards, inviting squares and vast greens without once entering one of the resplendent buildings. The Marienplatz in the Old Town centre is a good starting point for any discovery tour. There is plenty to do and see around the lively square. Enjoy the town hall’s many pinnacles, niches with little arches and statues and make sure to time your visit with the famous Glockenspiel. It chimes daily at 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. with a carousel of dancing figures.
A hidden gem is the Asam Church, only a five-minute walk away. The extravagant Late Baroque church could quickly be overlooked. It has been wedged in a confined space between its two neighbouring buildings. The brothers Asam, one of whom was a painter and the other a sculptor, built it as a private chapel. Hoping to secure their salvation in building it led to quite an overload. The tiny chapel inside, measuring just 22 by 8 metres, is one of the most prominent German Late Baroque style buildings. The dazzling interior with radiant ceiling frescos, gilded stuccowork lining the nave and full of ornate marble work and statues will keep you occupied with wonder for a while.
A broad range of museums and fantastic art collections abduct you into the art of painting from all eras. Munich has three pinacothecas and several picture galleries to cover the different centuries, art movements and exhibitions. To see something else entirely, you might spend whole days in the universe of science and technology at the Deutsche Museum.
Munich from above
The city is relatively flat without any considerable elevations. To get a view from above, you have to climb one of its towers – of which there are plenty. Most remarkable and dominating the Munich skyline are the two iconic onion domes of the Frauenkirche. No new building in the city centre area is permitted to exceed their 109-metre height. The south tower is open to visitors. From its top, you can see across Munich and right to the Alps on a clear day. To get a postcard view of Munich’s Old Town, you have to climb St Peter’s bell tower, though. It’s a long way up the 299 steps, but the view is unbeatable. This is Munich sightseeing at its finest!
You could also climb the tent-roof terrain of the Olympic stadium. It is done with a rope and carabiners on a two-hour guided tour. While you are concentrating on the next step in your adventure, don’t forget to take quick glances across the city and at the Alps greeting from afar. Less exerting but breathtaking all the same is the perspective you get at 181m above ground on the Olympiaturm. Afterwards, you might want to relax and take a break in the lovely restaurant up the tower.
Lakes with a mountain backdrop
Countless trails for hiking and biking lead around Lake Starnberg, the neighbouring Lake Ammer and through the delightful landscape in between. A cycling tour around Lake Ammer, for example, will leave you awe-struck all along the way. Gorgeous views across the sparkling water surface to the Alps in the background inspire nature lovers and sports enthusiasts in equal parts. If you don’t want to bring a picnic, stop for a bite to eat in one of the small villages’ beer gardens or a break on the waterfront.
The mind-boggling mountain panorama and pleasing countryside are best taken in during one of the manifold hikes with different difficulty levels. You can either stay in Munich and Starnberg’s lovely environs or venture into the more exposed Alpine foreland.
Accommodation
From luxury hotels, boarding houses and hostels to bed and breakfasts you can find any type of lodging in and around Munich. They might be fully booked on weekends and during the more significant trade fairs, so make sure you book your rooms well in advance and check the exhibition schedule.
In the outskirts, you will easily find rooms and holiday apartments. If you are planning a two-day hiking trip, there is the option of staying overnight in one of the mountain huts. Advance booking of a berth in one of the dorms is a must in most huts.
The six NephroCare clinics in the region the serve to plan your vacation to your liking. Five centres are spread over the city area, two of them are located near the Old Town. The sixth clinic is in Starnberg, at the northern tip of Lake Starnberg. The local proximity got it the nickname “Munich’s bathtub.” With the lake just a few steps away and the Alps within reach, you will have a wonderful time.
Culinary & Culture
There’s more to it than the Oktoberfest
Every year on the third Saturday of September, the world seems to look towards Munich and the traditional tapping of the beer keg at the Oktoberfest. The 16-18-day event is the world’s biggest beer festival, counting seven million visitors and pouring out more than 7.5 million litres of beer. Several months before the opening, 14 gigantic beer tents are being set up. Although they hold up to 8,500 revellers each, they full up quickly every day. The rest of the vast terrain is filled with amusements, funfair rides and snack stands. Are you not planning to visit in September and still want a taste of the Oktoberfest atmosphere? Then go to the Hofbräuhaus and get yourself a helping of traditional Bavarian fare accompanied with the typical Bavarian music and carefree atmosphere. It is located only a stone’s throw away is the counterpoint to the “schunkling”.
The Munich National Theatre houses opera and ballet productions with world-renowned artists. The Munich Opera Festival takes place every year from late June to late July, with more than 30 performances in various theatres all over the city.
Even though Munich lists a proud number of gourmet and jet-set restaurants, the typical Bavarian cuisine is very much down-to-earth. Have a Weisswurst with sweet mustard in any of the beer gardens, but make sure to roll off the skin before having a bite. And don’t let the greyish white colour put you off! Obazda is a cheese delicacy from seasoned ripe Camembert that goes well with the giant pretzels you can see all around. Roasted chicken and are another favourite in the beer gardens and open-air taverns in and around the city. Another very popular dish is the Schweinshaxe, pork knuckle with a crispy crackling. It is usually accompanied by potato dumplings and tasty dark beer gravy.
