A perfect weekend... Munich

Surveys put Munich at the top of the league of travel destinations in Germany. Sitting in a beer garden under a chestnut tree on a balmy, summer evening with a freshly poured beer in hand, it is easy to see why. Munich is simply a wonderful city. Just sip on a cappuccino on one of its Italian-style café terraces and you will soon sense the laid-back, Mediterranean warmth that sets it apart from other major cities. Munich has always had a strong Italian connection and this has resulted in a radical new take on Italian cuisine which has little in common with dishes you would find in Italy; the 21st Italian provincehas created its very own culinary traditions. And what would the city be without the charm of its bizarre contrasts? Munich would not be Munich without the opulence and megalomania of life around Maximilianstrasse, nor would it be the same without the rough-and-ready ways of ordinary Bavarians, who take merry-making to a whole new level inthe yearly rituals of the Oktoberfest. The average annual beer consumption of Munich's residents comes to a remarkable 162 litres per person. Creative minds from the cultural and media industries add substance to the mix with a varied cultural programme and have transformed their favourite neighbourhoods, such as Maxvorstadt and Glockenbach, into attractive cultural hubs which are now home to galleries, cafés and innovative concept stores. In short: Munich has something to offer for every discerning traveller, whetherthey're looking for glamour and luxury or the authentic Bavarian experience.The series 'A perfect weekend ...' and 'A perfect week ...' are publishedby the online city guide www.smart-travelling.net incooperation with Süddeutsche Zeitung Edition. On its web pageyou'll find a host of other unique locations in over 30 cities andregions across the world. Tips for hotels, restaurants, cafés, shopsand activities - all unique and carefully selected. Rather thanlisting anything and everything, Smart Travelling aims to