Blast from THE PAST.

Byline: Deepali Kumar

Experience Bavarian hospitality as you step back in time to explore Munich. By Deepali Kumar

Day 1: Begin your Munich discovery by visiting Marienplatz, a square in the city centre. Step into Peterskirche, the oldest church in the city and then make your away to the stomach of Munich, Viktualienmarkt, the food market. You can buy some herbs as you take a walk through the streets. Be back at the square by 11am to see one of the greatest shows in town when the 43-bell Glockenspiel's mechanical figures re-enact the famous events in the town's history. For lunch head to Ratskeller am Marienplatz ([phone]), a traditional Bavarian beer cellar and restaurant. Taking a stroll down Munich's Fifth Avenue, Maximilianstrasse bursting with boutiques, fashion houses and art galleries, will work off the calories you would have gathered during lunch. In the evening join the Munich by Night tour (www.city-discovery.com/munich) which will take you around the city with dinner at Hofbrauhaus.

Day 2: Head out to the countryside to see the picturesque mountain scenery of Bavaria and two castles of King Ludwig II. Your first stop is at Linderhof Castle, 100 km away from Munich, followed by Oberammergau, a small town that is famous for its richly painted houses. What awaits next is the fairy tale Neuschwanstein castle whose grounds require at least four hours to explore. If it seems familiar, it may be because the castle was the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle. Move on to Fussen, 30 minutes away and dine at Ambiente by Lutz (www.ambiente-by-lutz.de), an exquisite glass-fronted restaurant before returning to Munich.

Day 3: See Munich as the cradle of the Nazi empire when you start on a 2.5-hour guided walking tour that takes you to some of the buildings that carry the secret of its dark past. Learn the history of this fascinating city before stopping at Pschorr ([phone]) and dig into the local cuisine at this public house popular with locals. After lunch, travel to the Academy of Terror--Dachau. Tour the concentration camp and the Dachau Memorial Site. When you return, visit Munich's best known beer garden Hofbrauhaus am Platzl. This is one place where Oktoberfest is on at all times of the year. Concerts and musical events are a norm here.

Day 4: Munich's spectacular museums are worth a visit if you want a peek into their history. Two museums meriting your attention are Alte Pinokothek which has one of Europe's best art galleries and the Deutsche Museum. Combine your time at the museum with some shopping at Olympia Einkaufszentrum shopping mall. In the evening, visit the Theatine Church, one of Munich's finest churches. You would have worked up an appetite by now so dine at Michaeli Garten Restaurant ([phone]).

Day 5: Start your day with a morning stroll at English Garden, a 900 acre park with shaded paths and brooks. Keep the afternoon for a visit to the BMW Museum (www.bmw-museum.com). You can combine a factory tour with this. Experience a medieval banquet at Welser Kuche im Feldherrnkeller. At the airport leave your kids at the Air Berlin Kinderland and enjoy duty free shopping.

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