Memorable Munich

Munich: Crowds Flock to the Glockenspiel in Munich's City center for daily shows. // © 2011 Skye Mayring

Then in her 20s, my mom took her mother to Italy for a vacation they would never forget. Keeping the tradition alive, I planned a mother-daughter getaway to Munich where we could spend time visiting with the German side of our family.

We most looked forward to my Tante (aunt) Lilly's traditional home cooking, and she did anything but disappoint. Cozying up around her wooden dining table, we savored her steamed spargel (white asparagus) in a homemade hollandaise sauce and whole trout in herb drawn butter (trout cheeks are considered to be a delicacy).

On our first full day, my Tante Hedi acted as our tour guide, taking us into the city center to shop, listen to live folk music in the historic Hofbrauhaus restaurant and see the Rathaus-Glockenspiel of Munich. Each morning, the Glockenspiel puts on a 15-minute mechanized show during which bells chime and 16th-century figures dance and joust, telling stories of the city's past.
Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle with my cousin Marion was another highlight of our weeklong stay.

We rode in a horse-drawn carriage to the base of King Ludwig II's neo-gothic castle, which was the inspiration for Disney's Snow White castle. We took a short guided tour of its Richard Wagner-inspired rooms (Ludwig was a patron of the composer) and learned about the king's controversial life.

Whether seeing the sights of Munich in springtime or toasting our beer steins during one of Tante Lilly's elaborate meals, this trip made lasting memories that my mom, our family abroad and I won't soon forget.