Not only is Munich the capital of Bavaria, it’s the headquarters of the BMW organisation, home to a number of breweries and well-known for its great beer, hearty cuisine and Lederhosen.

It is an important centre of culture, featuring an enormous array of museums; fine examples of historic Gothic architecture; a vibrant arts scene; and the famous Oktoberfest that draw hundreds of thousands of people to this pleasant city each year. It's the city’s feeling of Gemutlichkeit, or conviviality, which makes it so special. Tourists flock here year-round, but the festival of Fasching in the winter and Oktoberfest in the fall – bring in the largest numbers.

The city's sponsorship of the arts began with the Wittelsbach Dynasty more than 800 years ago. They ruled Bavaria until 1918 and the Wittelsbach legacy is alive and well today in the Opera House, the Philharmonic and the city’s many museums.

Although the city was severely damaged by Allied bombing during WWII, reconstruction efforts that began soon afterward followed a master plan, leading to the beautiful and cosmopolitan destination enjoyed by so many visitors today.