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I used to live and work in Germany before I became a teacher. I majored in English and was two credit hours shy of second and third majors in German and history. I have spent a great deal of time there and in the city of Munich, in particular, having returned there many times since the late 80’s. If you have never been outside the U.S. and are afraid to travel, Munich would be putting a pinky toe into the travel waters. If you are obsessed with history like I am and love to learn, then consider this your pilgrimage.
Munich is the epicenter of WWII history. There is so much to see all in one place, so that makes it very convenient. It is also easy to get to and to navigate. Everyone speaks English, so don’t worry about your language skills, although it is nice to learn the pleasantries like Guten Tag ( hello), Danke (thanks), and Bitte (please). This beautiful city with its lively beer halls is a living museum. Its proximity to Austria (think Salzburg and Obersalzberg) along with Schloss Neuschwanstein, is perfect, and there are many day trips you can book through my favorite tour company, Viator, to expand your knowledge.
So, what’s the best plan here? You could easily stay a week and enjoy all that the city has to offer as well as learn about the historical sites and take some trips outside the city. If you only have a couple days, do the Walking Tour and Dachau Tour listed below. There are many good hotels, so just choose what you like. I stayed at Hotel Torbrau because it is the oldest hotel in Munich, and I wanted to learn about its history throughout the ages. Each day I planned a learning activity and must-do’s.
- Hitler and the Third Reich Walking Tour: this is a must!
- Dinner at Hofbrauhaus: do this on your own and make sure to go upstairs to see where Hitler got his start
- Dachau Concentration Camp Small Group Tour: I’ve been to many concentration and extermination camps in Europe, but this one is a must-see. It was the first camp built by the Nazis, and a lot of the evidence was not burned or destroyed. It is also where the SS guards were trained. It is a sobering experience but so important.
- To break up your learning, go to this market with a guide; it is incredible.
- Neuschwanstein Small Group Tour: DO NOT do a big bus tour here! Ask your guide about the stolen art that was hidden here.
- Nuremberg WWII Day Trip: incredible! Make sure to get the special Nuremberg Bratwurst while you are there, too.
Zeppelinfeld- Nazi party rally ground, Nuremberg 
Nuremberg
