traveldk.com

Actresses, opera divas, and stars looking for that perfect shape shop here for made-to-measure corsets.

This stylish boutique hotel with an individual sense of style opened in 2001. The interiors of the 33 rooms are designed with natural wood and stone, linen, and leather, yet accommodate modern guestroom technology. The bar is a hip meeting place at night.

Just a few steps off Leopoldstraße, the Cosmopolitan offers rooms with Lignet Roset’s signature clean, modern interior design. Breakfast buffet until 11am.

Time seems to have stood still in this breathtakingly beautiful Rococo theatre. Furnishings and decor were packed away in crates for safe storage during World War II until the theatre reopened in 1958. Today, it is a stage for performances by the Bayerische Staatstheater. If you cannot attend a performance, make sure you take a tour of the building.

Home to one of the best cycling-path networks in Europe, Munich has several “green lungs,” where you can enjoy a bike ride without the nuisance of car exhaust fumes and noise (see Walks & Cycling Tours). Check with the ADFC (the German cycling association) for a wide selection of cycling tours in and around Munich.

From the Aumeister beer garden in the Englischer Garten, follow the Isar cycling path in the direction of Freising, about 40 km (25 miles) away. At the bridge across the Isar in Freising, turn left toward Weihenstephan. This former Benedictine monastery is the oldest brewery in the world. Return to Munich by S-Bahn (S1), which departs from Freising station, 2 km (1 mile) away.

Some 200 m (650 ft) to the right of the S-Bahn train station in Milbertshofen, turn north at the small park and follow the cycling path, in part on an old streetcar track, in the direction of Oberschleißheim, where you can take a brief cultural break by visiting the Flugwerft Schleißheim and the Neues Schloß. Continue along the Schleißheim canal to Garching-Hochbrück and return by U-Bahn (U6).

Departing from Pasing S-Bahn station, the route begins with a short stretch along busy roads to the clearly marked Würm river cycling path. Follow the river south past Gauting to Leutstetten, where you can take a break in the beautiful castle restaurant with beer garden. The tour continues up a short incline past Mühltal station, past a golf course, and on to Starnberg. Again, there is an easy route home by S-Bahn (S6) from Starnberg station.

From Olympiapark, cycle along Nymphenburg canal to the palace and then continue west along the southern park wall (cycling is prohibited in the park) until you reach an underpass. The rest of the cycling path to Schloss Blutenburg, home to the International Youth Library, is clearly marked.

From the Deutsches Museum, follow the Isar cycling path in a southerly direction. Take a break at Grünwald to visit the fortress and continue on to Schäftlarn monastery. A note of caution – there are several bumpy stretches through forests and some hilly sections. Returning to Munich is easy – take the S-Bahn (S7) from Hohenschäftlarn station, 3 km (2 miles) away.