Munich (Munchen, Germany Bavaria)

Munich/Munchen is an Isar River/Danube River cruise port and the capital city of Germany's Bavaria state. By population (around 1,5 million, metro over 2,6 million) the city is ranked Germany's 3rd largest - after Berlin and Hamburg. As a metropolis, Munchen is ranked Europe's 12th-largest.

The city's main industries are finance-banking, advanced technologies, art, culture, education, sports, tourism. It houses many renowned universities, museums, theaters, and hosts international sporting events (football, basketball, ice-hockey), exhibitions. Munich, however, is best-known for its annual Oktoberfest - the world's largest folk festival (held here in September). Bavaria's second-largest fair (Gaubodenvolksfest) is held in Straubing each August.

Among Munchen's landmarks and best-known tourist attractions are Deutsches Museum (world's largest science museum), Kunstareal's art galleries (Alte Pinakothek, Neue Pinakothek, Pinakothek der Moderne, Brandhorst, Lenbachhaus), Glyptothek (museum with Greek and Roman artifacts), Staatliche Antikensammlung (Etrurian, Greek and Roman antiquities / art collections), Munchner Stadtmuseum (city museum founded in 1888), Museum Funf Kontinente (Five Continents / has Germany's 2nd largest collection of non-European artworks), Bayerisches Nationalmuseum (Bavarian National Museum / decorative arts), Archaologische Staatssammlung Munchen (Bavarian archaeological collection), Schackgalerie (museum / paintings). The Nazi concentration camp Dachau is located approx 16 km (10 mi) outside the city. Hofbrauhaus am Platzl (world's most famous beer hall, located in downtown) also operates Oktoberfest's 2nd largest Bierzelte (beer tent). In its 2 weeks, Oktoberfest attracts millions of German and international tourists.

Munich is among the best German Christmas Market cruise destinations. The city's biggest markets are Viktualienmarkt (fresh food and delicacies), Auer Dult (held around Mariahilf church, antiques, hardware, trinkets) and Christkindlmarkt (opens 3 weeks before Xmas at Marienplatz).

• Worldwide famous culinary specialities available in Munchen are Weisswurst ("white sausage"), Leberkas (baked sausage loaf), Leberkässemmel (bun), Schweinsbraten (roasted pork, halbe Ente (roasted duck), Schlachtplatte (boiled pork), Leberwurst, Zwiebelrostbraten (beef), Leberknodel (soup with liver), traditional desserts - Apfelstrudel (apple), Millirahmstrudel (cheese), Auszogene (fried pastry).
• Famous beers in Munchen are Weissbier (wheat beer), Helles (gold-colored lager), Dunkles (dark beer), Starkbier (6–9% alcohol), Marzen (stronger Helles beer served during Oktoberfest).
• The city's largest breweries are Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hof, Lowen, Paulaner and Spaten-Franziskaner.

The traditional for Bavaria Oktoberfest dates back to the early-19th-century (first held on October 12th, 1810) when Munchen's citizens were all invited to attend the festivities (including a parade) held on the open fields in front of the city gates. The special "folk event" was celebrating the marriage of crown prince/Kronprinz Ludwig (1786-1868, King Ludwig I between 1825-1848) and Princess Therese Charlotte Luise of Saxe-Hildburghausen (1792-1854, Queen consort of Bavaria between 1825-1848).