Many influencers come to Munich every year and portray the magic of the city through videos, articles and photos. We’ve asked some of them to respond to a questionnaire so we can get an insight into their creative work and find out what they love about Munich. This time: Nicole Nobs from Switzerland, the face behind the Princess food and travel blog.
How did you imagine Munich before you came here?
I already knew Munich a little – I had visited the city a few times before, though mostly for concerts and during the winter. The food I was familiar with was primarily the traditional fare from Oktoberfest and the Christmas market. But boy was I missing out – Munich really has so much to offer!
And what was the reality?
Very diverse and above all, super friendly! Not that I expected otherwise, but it really made an impression on me. The gastro scene is incredibly diverse; there’s something for every taste. But the great service everywhere was also a pleasant surprise for me personally. Particularly for a major city like Munich, I can only highlight it as a positive.
What did you like best?
The variety of the food on offer. From hearty Bavarian cuisine in traditional restaurants like Xaver’s to the Doctor Drooly vegan pizza parlour, there really is something for everyone.
What was the most interesting place?
It’s hard to pick one! We visited around 20 hotspots, and each of them was special in its own way. Ultimately though, I’d have to say the Viktualienmarkt, as the classic destination for foodies offers something for every palate and there’s lots to discover there.
The tastiest food? The best drink?
The best drink was in the bar where we stayed – the Boilerman Bar at The Royal Bavarian, the 25hours hotel. They have a really varied menu, with a lot of whiskey and gin options. My favourite was the Zomer Cup. The tastiest food? I can hardly decide. The mezze platter at Servus Habibi was a perfect introduction to our food crawl, though.
What was your favourite encounter?
We had some great encounters. As I mentioned, the hospitality in the many pubs and at the market was always on point. But the best customer service was definitely in Xaver’s, where they were really friendly and took great care of us (without being aware of the background to our visit, of course).
What was the best moment?
Falling into my comfy bed with a full tummy, after a lovely nightcap and some great music, and looking forward to trying more wonderful things the next day.
What did you learn?
Munich is very diverse in every respect. The city is distinguished not only by its traditions, but also by a wide variety of cultures and districts.
What did you take home with you?
The conviction that I have to go back to Munich. Three days is simply too short! After all, there are limits to the amount of food you can taste in that time. There were a lot of other things I would have liked to try and I would also have liked to explore the city and its beauty spots a bit more.
What three recommendations would you give a friend visiting Munich?
What do you definitely want to do next time you visit?
I want to tick off a few of the hotspots on my list – there are over 50 of them! And I’d love to see more of the city’s outdoor delights, as we unfortunately had a few very wet days while we were there. I would also like to see the most beautiful places in the city.
Which photo of Munich got the best response from your followers?
I shared our impressions during the trip on Instagram Stories. The feedback was about the various localities we visited, but also about the hotel or Munich in general. One person said: “Now I reeeeeeallly want to visit Munich!” That was in response to a post about eating at Xaver’s.
And which is your favourite photo? Why?
The view from the very top of the Alte Utting when it finally stopped raining and we rushed outside, along with everyone else.
What is your personal tip for taking the perfect holiday photo?
Connect photos with emotions. Capture moods and then you will always remember that special moment when you look at your photos. Try an unusual perspective every so often. Keep an eye out for atypical themes.
And what are your top three travel tips?
Do your research in advance and make a rough plan, but stay flexible and open too; there must always be room for spontaneity. Other than that, for me it’s important to have a little downtime when travelling – especially if you’re travelling for longer periods (weekend = doing nothing, remember that!).
Finally: What do you think Munich people mean when they use the Bavarian expression “Noagerl”*? Do you have any idea?
Honestly, I haven’t a clue. Off the top of my head, I would guess: Nocken (gnocchi), nageln (nails), something to wear. And what is it?
*The word Noagerl is a Bavarian term for the leftover dregs of beer in a glass.
Who are you and what do you do?
For the past 10 years I have been blogging at princess.ch, about my two great passions: travel and food – preferably both together, as was the case on our food crawl trip to Munich.
Where do you get inspiration for your work?
From my personal interests. I enjoy discovering new things, trying out new food offerings, travelling to new places, and I also like to draw inspiration from social media content.
What is the greatest challenge in your work?
Constantly being online. And always coming up with new, exciting content for my readers and viewers, whether it’s for my blog or especially social media. Blogging is just my job, not my entire life.
Thank you, Nicole!
Nicole's tip for a sustainable journey: For a relaxed journey, I recommend the newly expanded train connection from Zurich to Munich. The SBB runs the route from Winterthur to Munich 6 times a day in under 4 hours.
