It was a pleasure to write for the Deutsch Akademie, and reflecting on my time in Germany gave me the opportunity to learn new facts and review how I’ve spent some of my time here. Since living in Munich I challenged myself to try something new everyday, even if it’s trying a new apple from the Viktualienmarkt! This goal has made a significant impact on my mood and feelings when living so far from home. Instead of thinking about what I miss from home, I find new topics and discussions to share and expand my knowledge of my new home in Bavaria. I’d encourage anyone to do this! It’s a new year now and the perfect time to try out a new recipe, tour a new city, read a new article and of course learning new words as we all continue our work at the Deutsch Akademie.

You’re single in Munich. Congratulations. Your chances of finding the one just exponentially increased. Munich offers the highest number of singles in Germany. It’s a city with a well-known and popular university. So a lot young people from all corners meet here. If it’s the Oktoberfest, summer/winter Tollwut, the Auer Dult, the Isar, the English Garten for an after work beer, or one of the bar districts such as Gärtnerplatz and Glockenbachviertel (which I can strongly recommend) there will be singles, who are willing to meet you. It’s this big variety of attractions that brings so many opportunities. You can swim with the tourists in downtown Munich and walk over the Viktualienmarkt or just find peace and tranquility in the huge English Garten. Perfect for a first date and getting to know each other better. You will see it will loosen up the atmosphere. With Munich you find a special city, with its own pace, charm, and people. Locals are of course proud in being a ‘Münchner Kindl’ and sometimes a bit to high over the ground, but they are helpful, warm, honest, caring and open for having fun and especially open for you!

Get away and spend a fairytale day at Germany’s most popular castle, Schloss Neuschwanstein. You’ll be amazed at the views as the castle overlooking the Höhenschwangau valley and the beautiful landscape of the Bavarian Alps surrounding the magnificent castle. The castle is so magical, Walt Disney was even inspired by it!

King Ludwig began to create the castle during the 19^thcentury (1869) during a time when castles no longer had strategically and defensive purposes. Although, inside the castle has many new technologies and advancements for its time. Such as toilets with automatic flushing systems and air heating for the whole castle. King Ludwig had very extravagant wishes for the castle and wanted it to be perfect. However, the construction was not finished before his death in 1886 and it’s still not finished to this day.

If you’re interested in touring the inside of the castle make sure to purchase your tickets ahead of time and claim the tickets 90 minutes before the guided tour begins. From Munich it’s approximately a two-hour train ride to Füssen. I’d suggest buying the Bayern ticket for transportation; it’s a day ticket option giving you a round trip journey for 26 Euro and 5 Euro for every additional person up to five people. This ticket will also cover the bus ride from Füssen to the ticket center.

Can you imagine what it would be like to be a Prinzessin in this castle?Take your time exploring and walking up the hill to the charming castle. There are many interesting facts and by visiting the castle you can see for yourself!

Bavaria is not just popular because of its traditional food or beer, but also because of the Lederhosen. It’s a must have for every Bavarian and every curious explorer who wants to dive in this pool of traditions, beerfests and beyond.

And behind the Lederhosen stands a big history. Sorry to all hardcore Bavarians! Your pair of trousers doesn’t have a Bavarian origin… rather it was the French who used their own interpretation of the trousers for their aristocratic society and gave it the name ‘Culotte’. The trousers were made of velvet and silk. In the end of the 18 century the farmers found a use in the Culottes and modified them, to fit their hard working conditions. Therefore they made the Culottes from leather and thus the Lederhosen was born. Today Bavarians use deer leather and often you can see a lot ornaments in different Colours on them. The Colour stands for the origin of its possessor. 

So go out to some traditional and old shops here in Munich (Schwabing offers a good variety) and make yourself and others a pleasure. One last info – never wash them, instead rub your oily and dirty hands on it after finishing your ‘Hendl’. It’s not a joke! People say, the leather will turn smoother and classier. But please never try to boast of with this fact in front of a girl you met on Oktoberfest!

For all women, your time in Munich will be even brighter and more exciting once you find the right Dirndl. It’s super sexy and sophisticated. First the word Dirndl didn’t describe the traditional dress; it came from the word ‘Dirne’ meaning young girl. The traditional dress was worn by maids and usually kept very innocent. So not much skin and buttoned all the way up. This traditional dress has its origin in Bavaria and Austria. The story of the pure Dirndl as a dress started in the cities and was worn by the urban civilization. In 1870/1880 it turned into a simple summer dress. Gertrud Pesendorfer brought the Dirndl through its Renaissance and established its sexy and female look. She broke the chains of the church and restrictive ideas cutting women in their liberty and nature. She removed the long sleeves, revealing the shoulders and put more attention on the waist. Especially after the 1^stWorld War when economy was at the ground the Dirndl became a cheap alternative to expensive materials. 

Every dirndl comes with a bow. The position gives an idea about a woman’s state. Left means, keep distance; she’s off the market. Middle means she is a virgin. And if the bow is in the back, she’s either a widow or a waitress. On the right, then go ahead and put yourself together, have a last zip of your Mass and hope you can enjoy the Wiesn with her.

Germany’s deepest and cleanest lake, Königssee has an emerald green color and truly one of nature’s fine masterpieces. The lake is nestled below Mount Watzmann and inside the Berchtesgaden National Park. For centuries this area has been used for outdoor recreation as Bavarian royalty and local rulers spent time hunting and relaxing at the lake.

Take a ride on the electric boat and experience the silence and tranquility of the lake as soon as you board. During the crossing to St. Bartholomew you’ll be able to hear the world-famous Königsee echo from a steep rock face. The boatman will pause the boat to play his trumpet, as echoes bounce back from the mountain walls. In St. Bartholomew there will be a lovely church with deep red onion domes, take some time to walk around and enjoy the atmosphere of traditional Bavaria.

The history of Plätzchen originated from German’s medieval monasteries, who were able to afford the expensive oriental spices like cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and cardamom. In fact, a lot of sweets in Germany have these necessary ingredients in their recipes. There are all kinds of baked goods for the celebration of Christmas and I hope you all tried at least a few!

Here’s a list of some assortments of Plätzchen

Lebkuchen (Gingerbread) – These delights can always be found in Bavaria and in festivals. The Lebkuchen comes in a variety of forms and often with a sugar icing or chocolate glaze.

Zimtsterne (Cinnamon Stars) – A favorite of mine!These stars are made from egg whites and almonds, with a heavy hand of cinnamon and of course the sweet glaze on top. It’s the crisp, spicy cookie perfect for a little pick me up during the holiday.

Pfeffernüsse (Pepper Nuts) – Don’t be confused by the name, not all recipes for these cookies contain nuts! Traditionally, Pfeffernüsse is spiced with ground cloves, cinnamon and allspice then baked with honey.

Vanillekipferln (Vanilla Crescents) – Another favorite!These delicate crescent-shaped biscuits melt in your mouth and usually made from ground almonds or hazelnuts, and dusted with vanilla sugar on top.

Berliner Brot (Berlin bread) – Similar to a brownie these nutty treats blend the flavors of hazelnut, almond, cinnamon and sugar.

Frankfurt is a diverse city with unique flavors not typically found in other parts of Germany. While exploring the city it’s worth tasting out the city’s favorite dishes and drinks as locals have their own take on traditional tastes.

Order the local’s favorite sauce, the Frankfurter Grüne Soße. It’s a lighter meal and made from a blend of seven chopped herbs, such as parsley, chives, watercress, borage, tarragon, lemon balm, basil, spinach, and dill. Additional ingredients include mayonnaise, yoghurt, sour cream or quark cheese. The sauce is then poured over boiled eggs and potatoes or sometimes served with beef and fish dishes.

The Italian Family Bolongaro introduced the sauce in Frankfurt in the 1700’s. Germans modified their recipe for “Salsa Verde” by adding sour cream and egg yolks thus creating what the Grüne Soße is now. It grew in popularity and today the European Union even regulates the authenticity of all dishes labeled “Grüne Soße” by checking which herbs were used and matching the percentages to official recipes; 70% of the herbs used in the sauce come from Frankfurt or its surrounding region.

In Germany you’ll find many passionate beer drinkers, but in Frankfurt locals often enjoy their version of cider called Äppelwoi or apple wine (also reffered as “Ebelwei”, “Schoppe” or “Stöffche”). This drink has become Frankfurt’s most popular beverage for over 250 years. It is usually served in a grey jug with a blue design as a symbol of Frankfurt’s apple wine culture.

When comparing to ciders from the UK or US, Äppelwoi is more tart and sour. The first glass might not be what you expect but it’s refreshing once you’re used to it. The Sachsenhausen district of Frankfurt hosts many traditional restaurants and bars, which serve the drink in a typical Schoppen glass.

A delicious German sweet dumpling and enjoyed either savory or sweet. It is a fried dumpling, steamed in a small amount of water or milk, butter and oil, sometimes with seasoning too.

According to local legend this delicate yeast dumplings once saved a small German town from destruction. The dramatic story dates back to the early 1600’s during the 30 years war when food was scarce and created time of hardship. In the little town called Freckenfeld, in the Palatine area of Germany, a very hungry Swedish army arrived threatening to murder and plunder the town. However, if the hungry soldiers could be feed with a satisfactory hot meal they would leave the town. The town baker worked with a few ingredients only using flour, water, eggs and water. He made 1286 dumplings and saved the town by satisfying the army with his version of dumpfnudel with wine sauce. Now you can visit the Freckenfeld the town’s yearly festival to remember traditions and celebrate the little dumpling balls!

In Bavaria the Dampnudeln is known as a sweet dessert and usually served with a vanilla sauce; it’s especially delicious if the Dampnudeln is camalized.