Hip German media city offers ample 'après surf' for FESPA goers

25 May '10

5 min read

Munich, the high-tech capital of Germany, is the ideal host city for the FESPA 2010 exhibition (22nd-26th June 2010, Messe Munich). The perfect compliment to FESPA's innovation theme, this exciting city combines the thrill of a thriving media metropolis with old-world charm.

Served by an excellent public transport network, the state-of-the -art Messe München exhibition centre is less than an hour from the airport by underground. The 'big kahuna' of modern exhibition centres, it boasts 17 exhibition halls covering a massive 180,000 m² of space.

Travelling around Munich is convenient for exhibition goers with a tram and U-Bahn (subway) system, or the S-Bahn for connections to suburban Munich. With a variety of ticket types available, the city's transport system meets visitors' individual requirements, though in warm June many may choose to soak up the sun and take in the sights on foot, or by bike, instead.

Deriving its name from the medieval word Munichen, meaning monks, Munich dates back to 1158 and has grown into the largest city in south Germany. The capital of Bavaria, Munich is a short distance from the German Alps and has many attractions and activities for everyone, especially in the summer months when temperatures can reach 30°. Whether passing through, or staying for an extended trip, Munich offers beautiful parks and rivers, an exciting night-life, architecture from the neo-baroque to the ultra-modern, beer gardens and cellars, and, maybe surprisingly, a thriving surf community.

The English Garden located alongside the River Isar, is the perfect place to chill-out and enjoy a drink in one of the park's many beer gardens. Consider yourself warned: in Munich less is more as the local beer is served in litre-sized Masskrugs!

The most radical attraction to be found here - considering the city is more than 300km from the nearest coastline - is surfing. While printers 'Ride the Wave of Innovation' at FESPA 2010, keen surfers can try their hand at riding the Eisbach and Floßlände river waves. Emerging from tunnels under the city, the Floßlände wave is suitable for inexperienced kooks (a new or inexperienced surfer), at 1m high and 12m wide, while the larger Eisbach wave should only be tackled by experienced surfers. Each year the waves, nicknamed Munich's Malibu, attract world-class competitors to its annual competition where the most innovative, expressive surfers leave victorious.

The city has become internationally renowned for its numerous festivals, the best known being Oktoberfest. For visitors maxed-out from a busy day at FESPA 2010 in June, why not get some R'n'R at the opera festival Münchner Opernfestspiele (Jun 24 - Jul 31, 2010) If opera's not your thing, try Filmfest München (June 25 - July 3, 2010) which attracts more than 10,000 visitors annually, many of whom arrive in droves hoping to hang with the likes of Brad and Angelina on the red carpet.

Forthe culture vulture Munich has 45 museums, numerous churches, palaces and art galleries to cruise after a busy day on the exhibition floor. If you visit only one attraction in Munich it should be the Residenz Palace. Right at the centre of the city, the Residenz housed Germany's Bavarian royal families but was destroyed in World War II. Following restoration the Residenz museum now displays 120 rooms to the public.

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