Munich  

Located to the north of the Bavarian Alps, on the River Isar, MUNICH is the capital city of Bavaria, the largest federal state of Germany and one of Europe's most prosperous and expensive cities. Munich is a wonderfully charming 800-year-old city that enjoys contradicting itself, there folk traditions ride alongside BMWs and Black Forest cake shares the table with haute cousin.

Founded by Duke Henry the Lion, in 1158, within a century, the city had become the seat of the Wittelsbach dynasty, who ruled the duchy, electorate and kingdom of Bavaria until the end of World War I. Their influence is evident in the concentration of grand Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and neo-classical architecture adorning Munich’s streets. Possibly most significantly, the Wittelsbach’s patronage of the arts and extensive collections provided the basis for Munich’s world-class museums and galleries.