Munich

Munich is perhaps best known today as the home of Oktoberfest, an epic folk festival that sees visitors from every corner of the globe don Bavarian lederhosen and dirndls for riotous days of dancing and beer-drinking. But there's so much more to this alluringly affluent city than unabashed hedonism.

The resplendent Munich Residence is Germany's largest city palace, while the lush nearby English Garden is one of the world's biggest urban parks. The revered Alte Pinakothek museum is home to a priceless collection of Old Master paintings, while sister gallery Pinakothek der Moderne champions cutting-edge contemporary art.