Munich — Bavarian Alps Gateway

Munich is unique among European capitals: within an hour by train, you're in the Bavarian Alps. The Zugspitze — Germany's highest peak — is 1.5 hours door to summit. Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Berchtesgaden and the Königssee are all within easy day-trip range.

The city itself rewards exploration. The Marienplatz with its Glockenspiel, the English Garden (larger than Central Park, with river surfing), the Viktualienmarkt food market and the museum quarter are all walkable from the centre. The Deutsches Museum is the world's largest science and technology museum.

Beer culture is inseparable from Munich. The great beer gardens — Hofbräuhaus, Augustiner, Chinesischer Turm in the English Garden — are open from spring to autumn and offer a classic Bavarian experience. Oktoberfest runs late September to early October.

Stay in Munich the night before an Alpine departure and catch the early S-Bahn south. The train connections are among the best in the Alps.