Munich, GermanyThe summer residence of Bavarian royalty — a vast 17th-century Baroque palace complex on the western edge of Munich, with a 200-hectare park, the Gallery of Beauties (Ludwig I's collection of 36 beautiful women portraits), and a canal where locals skate in winter. The most complete royal palace complex in Germany.
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Munich's historic main square — the Gothic Revival Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) with its famous Glockenspiel that performs twice daily at 11am and noon, attracting thousands of visitors. The Frauenkirche's twin towers define the Munich skyline; the Viktualienmarkt food market is 100 meters south.
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The world's largest science and technology museum — 73,000 exhibits over 73,000 square meters covering everything from the first internal combustion engine to U-boats, aircraft, astronomy, and musical instruments. Even a partial visit takes a day; the mining exhibit and the aircraft hall are unmissable.
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One of the world's great art museums — a 19th-century gallery housing the Wittelsbach dynasty's extraordinary collection of Old Masters: Dürer's Four Apostles, Rubens' vast History of Marie de Medici, Raphael's Canigiani Holy Family, and Titian's Charles V. Outstanding value; the Tuesday evening discount is excellent.