A tour furious and Easter, sipping the capital of Bavaria and its magnificent castles, so that we are missing pretzels and sausages
MONACO MONACO! MONACO we go!
11 to 13 April 2009 11 April
: MONACO AND ELBA: WHAT A TOUR!
will be true that the dress is not the Monaco, but our tour operator, the famous Turi Turi, already experienced during a previous trip to Croatia, does not appear in the best way: Following the cancellation of the tour of Provence, for which I opted initially disappointed to discover that the departure for the trip to Monaco has been set at five in the morning! And to think that Marco and Silvia, my fellow travelers, do not fare better: Their meeting is advanced by one hour, virtually the night, almost useless to go to sleep to find himself after some half an hour on the bus ... Mindful of
rambling trip to Croatia, with a lot of day trippers "forgotten" because they had stayed autogrill the toilet and reverse at full throttle on the highway, I start to worry, until I meet the escort.
"Is this the bus for the tour of Monaco and the castles of Bavaria?
" Sure, "he assures me Fabrizia, this is his name. "Monaco and the Isle of Elba, rose also."
But as Monaco and the Isle of Elba, what kind of tour? A young couple, he Salerno, she Argentina, is nothing short of horrified by the news: 'EU we paid for Monaco and mo 'see also the Elbe: that damn tour! But we are sure sure? ".
Why not? The escort and the driver, the Homer Simpson, the fact they seem certain, however, soon the secret is revealed: at every stop you make of the mysterious trade with other coaches of the Turi Turi, in short, a continuous ups and downs of passengers ... at the end of the order back to reign: the group is full, ready to leave for southern Germany, without further delay, because, listen, listen, there are mild temperatures with lots of clear skies for three days, while all 'Elba it rains ... we could not ask for more.
The journey begins so tiring, so during breaks to the motorway services they happen all the colors to begin with Marc Silvia and the rage on the bus go up as wrong, in fact, is called Fury and aims to Vienna (attention: the fact will be continued !), while I, later, enjoy a few moments to say the least dramatic services, battered by the vagaries of my stomach.
Despite all arrived safely in the capital of Bavaria! Monaco is a city placid, easygoing, enhanced by attractions worthy of ... almost the exact opposite of our local guide, we meet in the center: a furious lady of Roman origin, football fan and also a little ' Bayern disappointed. After having explained the origin of the name of the city most loved by Germans, who draws an abbey of monks in the ninth century, warns by saying that in the historical center is being a manifestation of the Nazis, and a protest by fans of Toni and his companions, who decided to pass on their dissatisfaction football in the streets, not to mention the killer bikes in the hospital that forced a huge number of visitors, now that we are distressed at the right point we can safely begin our tour of the city.
Maximilianeum The building, headquarters of the regional Parliament, the shopping street, Königsplatz, the ducal residence, the Cathedral and the Frauenkirche Glyptothek pass before us like frightened horses, while the guide is so determined to show us women in bikinis and stalwart young men vigorously engaged in healthy outdoor sports : wow, seems the institute Light! Despite the frenzy dell'attempata lady, that we can not even go to the bathroom, begin to familiarize yourself with the atmosphere of these places and discover the charm of a city in flux.
Finally off the bus and we now know a traveling companion, Linda, but especially with his formidable camera pink, fremebonda and never tamed, soon to be a blockbuster, even a real pain! While we try to
follow the characteristic blue and white Bavarian flag, governed by our mad guide, Silvia and I ask ourselves what a difference a distance between Munich and moneguasco ... between a question put the other foot in the lively Marienplatz. Here he established the New Town Hall built in the late nineteenth century neo-Gothic style, known for carrillon that every day at fixed times, the soul exhibiting multiple size figures, as the two riders who meet and collide, the children dancing and so on. Linda filmed a bit 'hit because the animation never seems to end and even Silvia can no longer be with the nose in the air, while I clap my hands to the rhythm of the melody: I a bit 'bavaresotta, but the show moves me and wins! Here are the pursuit of
romanaccia delusional continues with a visit to some attractions such as the Hofbräuhaus, the brewery in 1923 in which Hitler tried (and failed) the Putch the coup. The building, dating from the late nineteenth century, evokes traditions and customs are dear to the Bavarian culture, starting from beer to make a detour to meditate so as soon as possible!
of course we are not satisfied with the tour guide, so after having seen the vast meadow where the Oktoberfest is celebrated every year, we set back, free to visit some monuments as the Church of Teather, whiter than white you can not, a true masterpiece of the Italian Baroque.
back to the place of meeting with the rest of the party, agree that the work of Fabrizia is far from idyllic: in addition to the immense effort to count and recount (and we are many, almost sixty!), Faces the absurd arguments of some members of the group, as two middle-aged husband and wife, intent on puffing and criticize everything, and with a habit of gufare annoyance to other traveling companions: "Someone will be hit by a bicycle, you will see that time will change and we will have rain, "etc..
On the other hand, overwhelmed by my stomach still precarious go into a pharmacy, addressing the clerk in a German a bit '... Trapattoni. Although even in English I have taught to say certain things that the silence is beautiful [1] , I discover that some words have a universal value and can be understood in any language, as, indeed, Imodium.
Once you reach the hotel, a bit 'out of hand, we have dinner and decide to spend the evening in the surroundings, unpretentious and with a desire to come home early, eager to lick the feathers of the bed. The others would prefer to go wild in the city center, most animated of the city, but they are a bit 'hesitant: they want to take a taxi and then give up, try to get on the bus but I'm not entirely convinced. At the end shelve the idea and follow us in our exploration of the dark night the neighborhood that houses the hotel, with scorn for Linda, the only really motivated to jump into the nightlife, oblivious to the early rising the day before.
We walk through the deserted streets, haunted by the usual pre-Romantic hoopoe, but fortunately we know where to go because we asked for directions before going out to the receptionist on the local area. "Left left left [2] " its peremptory answer, full of hopes of partying and beer to no end. In fact, following his suggestions we are doing is losing more and more dangerously through the streets deserted and dark, so by chance we find that the only pubs in the area is located on the opposite Councillor fraudulent would say: "Right right right [3] "!
However it is worth it: we come to play in a pub - medieval full of surprises, from the rotary table (seating is an undertaking of war, reminiscent of the rides in the parks during our childhood), the armor and, of course, the thrones (now that I was officially known as the altitude I can not help but feel this too) ... certain that the Bavarians, the descendants of the Bohemian, I'm really friendly and know how to have fun.
Perhaps the "southerners in Germany," so have been labeled as a bit 'look like us, I think, dragging me through the grim streets leading to the hotel. Sipping Monaco ...
April 12: CHRISTMAS WITH YOUR EASTER WITH Putch! The warmth of the sun glimmering
Munich wakes me up early. Guten morgen Monaco! And, above all, happy Easter! Today we are celebrating this important festival, as underlined by the many rabbits, the Bavarians everywhere, in the form of soft toys or chocolates: they are also one in our room, nice gift!
Breakfast is actually a bit 'disappointing: the cheese bread (with jam) in the early morning is not for me; always better than the meatballs with onions, which tasted Silvia with enthusiasm. Our monkey [4] forces also Marzia to swallow a bit 'before boarding the bus.
In my heart I think: Thank God they are not sitting next to me ... But next to me there is Linda, unleashed more anxious than ever with the pink camera: shoot snapshots without respite through the windows of the vehicle, stop it! Together with you we are heading towards the river Isar for a pleasant walk that allows us to admire the Old Town Hall, the Cathedral of Our Lady, the Church of St. Michael and St. John, but, more importantly, the many green spaces and bicycle paths that characterize the capital of Bavaria. About cyclists, they roam dangerously so for safety we decide to continue walking on the grass in Monaco bicycles are undisputed master of the city, woe to set foot, even by mistake, on a track devoted to these resources!
In less than no time is it at lunch: the Hofbräuhaus awaits us! The quaint restaurant offers the best beer in the city, to the delight of lovers of Silvia and drink, but also very tasty sausages and sauces are no different: at last a real Bavarian dinner, in spite of the soup given to us at the hotel ! In addition, the HB is well worth a visit as regards its architecture: The courtyard outside is very interesting, while inside you can contemplate the frescoed vaults, even upstairs.
respite from the stop at the local level, we can resume the tour Rejoining the rest of the party, directed the summer residence of the kings of Bavaria, Nymphenburg, built between the late seventeenth century and early eighteenth century.
Apart from some small hitch, as the old lady sitting in the front row on the bus, which has lost camera and other personal items, and a quarrel entrance of the monument (the local guides Fabrizia think that trying to cheat making us go free, when in fact the visit is included in the price), the Castle of the Nymphs is a pleasant and picturesque, where, among other things, the Italian architects, the same church Theatine showed their full value.
At first sight, watching the gardens and canals, swans, which are everywhere, the geese and ducks caraccioliana memory [5] , reminds us a bit 'Versailles, perhaps because of their own patrons, Ferdinand Maria and Henriette Adelaide of Savoy, and the inside of the residence fully satisfies the eye of the visitor, as a triumph of baroque and rococo. Personally I was very intrigued
the Gallery of Beauties, a room in which they are preserved the portraits of all women loved by Ludwig I (have as many as 36, not bad!): among these comely ladies, sweet girls and women unscrupulous, do not include a blonde, as Silvia wisely notes, pointing to the brown hair and more: tie!
In the late afternoon we visited another major attraction in Munich: the Olympic Park, a huge complex built in the Seventies to the Olympics, characterized by very modern structures. There, an elevator takes us to a dizzying speed on the top floor of a skyscraper overlooking the city. And panoramic views.
Come back to the hotel, we are so exhausted because of the tight schedule and poor health (here the historic handover dell'imodium Silvia from me) that we opt for another quiet evening in the room to comment on the highlights of the day, looking forward to what awaits us tomorrow. Dreaming of Monaco (and its castles) ...
April 13: fable or fairy tales!
At six in the morning, careless than ever, we are ready to bring us in the breakfast room, anxious to start the day that promises to be memorable: it was the turn of the famous castle of Neuschwanstein, to be clear that taken as a model for Disney's Sleeping Beauty practically the most fabulous place that exists! Unfortunately, the breakfast is upset
dall'ingombrante presence of the group of Chinese, who for some reason, has invaded the premises despite had been booked by our group, perhaps because of a dispute between the hotel manager. Unlike the couple's "nose", which would require almost a refund from poor Fabrizia for the inconvenience, we shake a little 'and find a place to eat the first meal of the day: Wow, it seems to be in Via Paolo Sarpi!
As pointed out our guide on the bus, Neuschwanstein is the castle of fairy tales, as well as incorrectly defined, but of fairy tales, because there is a difference between the two genres: one is the story, short, with a moralizing intent and animals as protagonists, on the other story, more extended, featuring human characters and almost always a happy ending.
Uhm ... This explanation reeks of anthologies that are all too familiar and sixth grade programs already seen ... Fabrizia therefore find that, in the extraordinary role of the accompanist Turi Turi, is, in everyday life, a colleague of our letters: she also has an avalanche of issues to be corrected for the Easter holidays, and we trust him with pride!
Suddenly, after these revelations, a bus is beyond us with arrogance Popi Popi! It is one of the usual Chinese, that parade before our eyes in disbelief: of course we can not help but glared at him and hope not to cross them to the castle.
And what a castle! Neuschwanstein evokes dreams, populated by the Sleeping Beauties and fearless knights, of amazement and picturesque. In the heart of a lush forest, a beautiful lake and the Alps form the backdrop to a unique place, built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria in the second half of the nineteenth century.
The life of this monarch, who embodies the romantic ideal of genius and recklessness, is full of charm, on his death in mysterious circumstances ... what we know is that Louis was a free spirit, living in his imaginary world and, unlike his father Ludwig I (that of beauty), had one great love Wagner. He built a castle that reflected his ideals, and so arose Neuschwanstein, the triumph of the imagination. There is unfortunately not spent happy days because it was declared insane, away from his home and then drowned (?) In Lake Starnberg.
To reach the castle should be addressed un'impervia climb, and I and my companions, of course, we use a carriage pulled by two powerful Bavarian horses: the path through the dense forest, caressed by a gentle rocking, it makes us feel whole with the brothers Grimm and their characters.
Inside the castle we meet in rooms in neo Byzantine, neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque, all very luxurious and decorated with paintings that recall the works of Wagner. Significantly, the Singers' Hall, where the representations are inspired by the legend of Parzival: the sovereign literally worshiped the Middle Ages!
The walk to reach the observation deck (although I did not get up there!) And the air crisp put us a bit 'appetite: in one of the restaurants around the castle we taste the most delicious meal of the trip, to based sausages, the inevitable chips, pretzels and a beer giant, which I accept with Marc Silvia and a heartfelt ovation. All
coach, will return to coach! The descent is even sweeter if it were not for an unexpectedly strange: half way our coachmen decides it's time to change horses, exchanging them with those of a carriage along the busy road uphill. What will happen? The animals have crossed her legs to call a strike, hiii [6] , wild? We'll never know, but what is certain is that we're a little late ... Fortunately, horses are not the Neuschwanstein ATM and eventually we come to split the second meeting. To start with ... This time, alas, to Milan, and promises to return long and dotted by endless highway code. Fortunately, our eyes are gladdened by the landscape: the southern valleys become more green and nice profile, sometimes populated by strange animals.
pass the hours, the Autogrill, Germany, Austria, the Brenner because of intasatissimo controesodo, as expected, and we are still far away from home ... need to devise some diversion to stave off boredom, looming over us. So, after many wanderings and mathematical quirks in Italian literature ( oh Hermione, I wonder why it always degenerates with Silvia Rain in pine !), We follow with interest the conversation from the old lady sitting in the front row ( that the camera lost) intent on flirting with the driver.
"Ah know, there are more drivers than once ... Captain screanzati sure, while she drives very well. Bravo, quiet ... three-day trip has never trumpet anyone. Are you married? ".
Homer seems upset. "Do you mean" clear Fabrizia, addressed to his colleague that "in two days you've never played the horn." Well, all things considered, we also wanted the woman, among other very nice, to ease a little 'back this long and labored, only pity for his lost property and the bad experiences with drivers too easy to trumpet ... Meanwhile we have passed Sirmione, Sirmione oh!
In the evening, with a couple of hours late on the roadmap, we arrive at Bergamo, where he repeats the scene of the complicated exchanges of coaches of the progress, and this time also we have to change vehicle, separation.
... Came "Fury", to the delight of Silvia and March, which will very likely be loaded there, raging on the vehicle, aimed at Gallarate. It was fate. Just as it is inevitable that my coach is the last to arrive, forcing me to wait half an hour at the station of Bergamo, but are in good company: I still have the remains of huge pretzels Neuschwanstein! Do I take it in your backpack, but now it is dry, inedible, almost to burn, although the memory of its taste and of these three magnificent days Bavarian is intended to endure over time: what Silvia would sing in this situation? Take my pretzels away [7] ...
[1] Dante Reminiscence
[2] Left, Left, Left. Almost three times we should turn left to find the local
[3] Right, right, right
[4] is obviously not a reference offensive, but an allusion to the profile picture on Facebook of Silvia
[ 5] Thought for our friend and traveling companion Elena
[6] that was a
nitrite [7] In fact, the title song, the soundtrack of the movie Top Gun is Take My Breath away, something like "door away my breath, but Silvia had not understood well and insisted on singing Take away my bread , that "takes away my bread." So why not "take away my pretzels?
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