Munich and Bavaria

Munich is the capital of Bavaria and the cultural capital of southern Germany. At its centre are Marienplatz and the New Town Hall with its famous Glockenspiel, the Residenz of the Bavarian rulers, and the English Garden, one of the largest city parks in the world. For shopping, Maximilianstraße has the couture houses.

Munich is also the main gateway to Neuschwanstein Castle, which King Ludwig II began in 1869 above a gorge near Hohenschwangau, and which is often said to have inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle. It is about two hours from Munich by car, and its interior is seen on a guided tour of about 30 minutes with tickets booked in advance.

The city is close to the Alps: Garmisch-Partenkirchen is about an hour and a quarter away and the Bavarian lakes are nearer still. Direct flights from Saudi Arabia make it a good start for a journey in the south.