MUNICH — While Munich is best known for the annual Oktoberfest celebration, this German city is a fantastic destination year-round.

It has a history dating back almost 900 years, yet there’s a distinct cosmopolitan vibe and a uniquely livable buzz among its 1.6 million residents.

Direct 9.5-hour flights between Calgary and Munich with Discover Airlines make getting there easy, and downtown hotels such as Le Méridien Munich and Koenigshof, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Munich, provide an ideal base for sightseeing.

Travelweek recently took part in Discover Airlines’ fam trip showcasing the airline’s convenient connection between YYC and MUC.

Munich can be a convenient 9.5 hour flight from Calgary (credit Discover Airlines)

GETTING TO MUNICH

For clients based in Calgary, the most efficient way to reach Munich is with Discover Airlines, a subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group, a Star Alliance partner. Although Discover is seen as a leisure airline in Europe, the flying experience is similar to that of major North American airlines.

The interior of the Discover Airlines A330-330 flying this route is comfortable, the cabin crew is friendly and competent, the entertainment program is extensive and all passengers are provided with blankets and pillows. Seat pitch in Economy class is standard at 31”.

Discover Airlinesʻ Premium Economy seating

Premium Economy pricing reflects wider seats, extra legroom, double armrests, and enhanced in-flight services. Business class passengers enjoy additional airport and in-flight services along with lie-flat seats that, although a little narrow, make the outbound overnight flight comfortable.

Business class with Discover Airlines

Discover Airlines has direct flights from Calgary to Munich and Frankfurt. Other direct routes to Munich from Canada include Air Canada from Toronto and Lufthansa from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. For onward travel from Munich, Discover Airlines and Lufthansa combine to serve over 130 cities across Europe and beyond.

FINE STAYS: LE MÉRIDIEN MUNICH & KOENIGSHOF, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL, MUNICH

Le Méridien Munich, a Marriott Bonvoy-branded property, is across the road from Munich’s central railway station and a five-minute walk from Old Town.

Set around an inner courtyard filled with plants and table settings, Le Méridien’s 381 rooms and suites combine contemporary décor with European elegance. Each room is filled with natural light and features a work desk, a comfortable bed, and a well-equipped bathroom. The hotel’s Restaurant Irmi is a modern space with a traditional Bavarian menu and local beers on tap. Each morning, Irmi converts to the breakfast room, with a tasty buffet of European specialties and omelettes made to order.

Koenigshof, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Munich, also part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio, is a step up in sophistication from the Le Méridien. With a bold and geometric design, this 10-storey hotel overlooks Stachus Square.

Stepping through the grand entrance, guests enter a haven of serenity as they are greeted at the street-level welcome desk, then escorted to the 3rd floor for personalized check-in. The 106 rooms feature warm tones, floor-to-ceiling windows, original paintings by Bavarian artists, luxurious bathrooms, and complimentary mini bars. Each afternoon, guests gather in the lounge to enjoy handpicked teas and pastries, including the signature Koenigshof Torte.

Deluxe Garden View room at Le Méridien Munich

On the top floor is Greta Oto, an upscale restaurant featuring modern South American cooking. With city views from most tables and the outdoor terrace, it’s a popular gathering spot for guests and locals, who come for ceviche, Brazilian beef and caramelized pineapple with vanilla ice cream.

Terrace Suite accommodation at Koenigshof, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Munich

DESTINATION: MUNICH

Bavarian culture is sure to delight – and satisfy – at the Hofbräuhaus

Munich has a sprawling layout, but by focusing on Old Town, in the heart of downtown, the density of historic buildings, cobblestoned squares and fascinating museums makes it an approachable precinct of the city to explore.

Part of Munich’s charm is what it doesn’t have – skyscrapers. A local ordinance states that no building may be taller than the Frauenkirche (Munich Cathedral), which stands at 100 metres.

In Old Town, the oldest buildings date to the 1300s. Marienplatz, Old Town’s central square, is dominated by the neo-Gothic New Town Hall, home to the Glockenspiel, a mechanical clock with dancing life-size figures.

From Marienplatz, visitors can walk north to admire the luxury shops lining Maximilianstrasse before reaching the grandiose Munich Residence, which served as a seat of government starting in 1508. They can watch ʻriver surfersʻ on the Eisbach River showcase their skills as they carve across an artificial wave. Or they can head south from Marienplatz, passing the 1368 St Peter’s Church, to the Deutsches Museum, the world’s largest science and technology museum.

Visitors can get their bearings beyond Old Town by joining a CitySightseeing double-decker bus tour with the option to hop on and off at the BMW Museum, Olympic Park, or the sprawling Baroque-era Nymphenburg Palace. CitySightseeing also offers day trips from Munich into the nearby Bavarian Alps, with stops at lofty viewpoints, historic mountain towns and wilderness parks.

One of the charms of Munich is the food and beer culture. On the cobblestone streets of Viktualienmarkt, at the lower end of Old Town, vendors sell traditional produce such as meats and cheeses, cafes offer Bavarian dishes and beer is served at outdoor tables shaded by chestnut trees.

In the evening, Bavarian culture is sure to delight at the 3,000-seat Hofbräuhaus beer hall, where diners feast on pretzels, Cheese spaetzle, and pork knuckles while being entertained by the in-house brass band.

More details about Discover Airlines can be found at Discover-Airlines.com. For tourism board information see Munich.travel.