Munich

We've been through the Munich airport so many times we've lost count, but never went into the city.  With a few days to kill in between races, we decided to finally check it out.  A last minute change in hotels (the one we were supposed to stay in had an air conditioning breakdown) placed us in The Cocoon, aptly named, close to the train station and well into Arab territory.  No surprise, because in Europe these days anywhere near a train station has gone that way.  The train station in Munich is a foodie heaven...everything you can imagine, and it's all "to go".  Also nearby, the wonderful Karstadt department store with its gourmet (and wine!) section.

The historic part of Munich blends with the shopping streets, and the area can be entered via the old towered entry points left over from when it was a walled city.  Here's the Karlstor, nearest our hotel:

Nearby, the Frauenkirche:

And, of course, the Marienhof with its animated clock.  Inside the Marienhof, a courtyard with original gargoyles, grotesques, and of course a beer garden.

At the other end of town, the Isartor:

And the happiest pig in town:

Having scoured the historic area and eaten a big German dinner, we spent the next day checking out the English Garden.  It's beautiful and huge.  We will say, it really needs more "standort" (German for "you are here") signs.  Here's a photo from somewhere in the park...we were lost at the time.

And then we were off via train for Graz, Austria and the Austrian Grand Prix!  Right after we stopped at the bakery in the train station...