A couple quick Munich and Bamberg questions

I've been a few times. Last year was the 500 Anniversary of the Reinheitsgebot so they made it a two day event and quite a bit bigger. Outside of that there was a big tent with barrels from the breweries (one beer per brewery) and often the brewers were doing the pouring.

I don't remember the prices -- not cheap and not expensive (or I'd remember ) Many years ago the glasses were .25L but last year they were .5L. Outside of last year seating was an issue, spent lots of time standing. They had lots of tables last year but it was also cold (actually snowed) so I think attendance was down.

 

They have only 7 rooms IIRC.

 

Actually with the expansion it is now 15, but still not that many.

Last year I was there around the end of April and they were booked full for every weekend until the end of October. There was still weekday rooms available.

 

I didn't know they expanded. Last couple of times we had airb&b for a longer stay. I will tell my agent, err, wife that there are more rooms there.

 

They bought the building next door (that had been a TV/Appliance store). They built a new (quite nice) breakfast room on the ground floor along with new restrooms. There are 4 rooms on each of the upper floors.

The new building has a courtyard as well (but I don't think it is shared) and there was some talk of expanding the current courtyard into it.

They've also added TVs in the rooms and WiFi. The downside is the prices have gone up -- I'll be paying €55/night (with breakfast) this fall. The two rooms with shared facilities (part of the original rooms) are only €35/night.

 

I stayed June 14 and sure it was €75 per night which then worked out at £28 per person b&b. Fantastic value.

 

Sorry, my prices were for a single. They also have two triple rooms in the new section.

 

The DB app is very handy, no need for paper tix and you can buy right through the app. The saver fare tix are the best value IMO. The MVV app is great for within Munich. You put in where you want to go and it tells you the nearest subway, tram etc. and has a tracking map - buy thru the app as well.
I've been on the ICE w/o a seat reservation several times and haven't had a problem.

By all means, go to Salzburg. The bier and location are outstanding. Stiegl Brau is there too. There is a place to stay up on the Mönchsberg, Johannes-Schlößl (find it in the HRS system), that is very convenient to Augustinerbräu. Make sure you finish your Maß...

I've stayed at the Lohof Brauhaus when flying out the night before as it's right beside the tracks. I dropped bags there then went to Freising. Weihenstephan is nice in the summer but not as good a view as the Spezial Keller in Bamberg. I think the better place (thx Scott) is Huber. The dunkles weiss is very good and always in flaschen.

 

I added International data from Verizon for $25/month while I'll be there. That gets me 100MB and pay as you go after that. There are other bands of service above that as well.

Not that it helps with accessing and booking tickets, but I have used google maps to get around quite a bit in the past by saving local maps for offline use, which still utilizes GPS info (meaning you wouldn't need a data plan to access). So normally my gameplan is buying tickets and such when I have wifi coverage, and use GPS during the days while out and about to navigate.

 

T-Mobile gives you free data in most of Europe but at 2G (sometimes 3G) speeds, which works well for email, maps and transport apps. I use the VGN one for travel around Bamberg. I think you have to have a regular post paid plan, not a pre-paid.

I believe I heard they have -- or are going to -- change the law on WiFi. I have noticed more being available

 

Reservations on trains is something we usually do, after standing on several over the years. It happens between Köln and Frankfurt, for example, so be aware at peak times, holidays, weekends, and so on.

 

Always rent a car myself and drive. Much cheaper.

 

I stayed in a great apartment in Bamberg a couple of years ago, via Airbnb... less than 5 mins from Spezial/Fäßla.... check it out.... https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/6421576

Also, while a car is handy getting off the beaten path, I don't want to get sent to the klink for DUI.... haha... always trains (and buses, subways etc) for me....

Prosit!

 

I think she's on to something. Hard to beat a lazy day in Bamberg, working the brewpubs downtown during the day, and catching the late afternoon sun at the Spezial keller, or even Greifenklau.

 

Just had my first ever smoky beers, the Rauchweizen and Märzen at Schlenkarla.
Looking forward to more this weekend.
Schlenkarla was cash only btw, or at lease did not take my Visa.
Thanks again for everyone contributing to this thread!

 

Pictures, or it didn't happen.

Just kidding -- enjoy your trip!