One major factor in our decision to move overseas was the ability to explore other parts of Europe. Our first trip out of Ireland took us to Germany. It was pretty great to get on a plane and land in Munich two hours later!

Day One

We took a ridiculously early flight and arrived in Munich at 9am. We took a train from the airport and started the day at the Marienplatz, which is the main tourist center. Then we strolled through the city to find the apartment.

After getting settled at the apartment, we took the advice of a local and headed for the St. Augustiner Keller beer garden, one of the oldest and largest in the city. With its festive atmosphere, refreshing liters of beer and delicious sausages and pretzels, St. Augustiner Keller was one of our favorite parts of the trip!

Day Two

When planning our Munich trip, we all agreed that visiting Dachau was important. We signed up for a tour rather than walking through the camp on our own. The guide provided a lot of historical background and context to help further understand how Hitler rose to power and how the camps came into being. It was somber, moving and gut-wrenching, but the experience has led to deep, thoughtful conversations.

Day Three

Being a car lover—and an obnoxious BMW driver—I forced the family to spend hours at the BMW Museum and BMW Welt.

The museum showcases BMW’s engines, motorcycles and cars in a well thought-out space that leads visitors through the company’s history. Soft lines and white backdrops give the museum a sleek aesthetic. For a BMW enthusiast, it is nirvana.

Located across from the museum, BMW Welt functions as a car dealership for BMW, Mini and Rolls Royce, houses several restaurants and a gift shop and is the pick-up point for European delivery. (No, I didn’t buy a new car.)

When Will and the kids had enough of me fawning over the cars, we headed back to the train and toward the Englischer Garten. The park rivals Central Park in size, complete with a lake in the middle and a river flowing through it. It also boasts a beer garden at the Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Tower), which is where we waited out a thunderstorm. When the sun came out again, we enjoyed a glorious walk back to our apartment.

Day Four

On our last day, we watched the Rathaus-Glockenspiel which tells stories using life-size figures. Our favorite part was at the end when a golden bird trills three times. Then Zoe and I went to the observation deck on the glockenspiel tower of the New Town Hall, which gave spectacular views of the city. (Have I mentioned that I’m afraid of heights?)

Munich was a terrific place to start off our European adventures. We learned a few things (like, in the summer, make sure the VRBO has air conditioning or at least windows that open). Stay tuned for our next adventure!

Images by Zoe Wittkopf