Beyond the fantastic symposium program, we are also offering optional extra experiences – you will be able to sign up for them during online registration.
See the below General Information about transportation, parking, and babysitting options.
The activities, tours and events offered on Thursday October 31, during the day on Friday, November 1, and the lunch on Sunday are optional and in addition to the cost of the symposium – you can select which activities you would like to participate in when registering online.
Thursday Evening – October 31, 2024
- 2:30-5:30 Art & Innovation Tour of the European Patent Office art collection and BMW World & Museum, 30 EUR
- Guided tour of the European Patent Office and the social significance of art in the workplace and how art adds value to the working environment of a public authority operating at the cutting edge of the 21st-century knowledge society. In addition to helping cultivate an inspiring work atmosphere, the EPO art collection aims to spark reflection on the relation between innovation, creativity, art and science. View masterpieces from the EPO art collection, including sculptures, photography, and novel art installations, with a new angle on creativity, the natural world, science and technology.
- Explore BMW World and its intriguing architectural style and brand areas and take a guided tour of the BMW Museum; dive into the history of the company, the brand and the products, abounding with innovation. Around 125 of the brand’s most valuable and attractive automobiles, motorbikes and engines are on display.
- Travel to European Patent Office and from BMW Museum via public transportation or taxi at own expense.
- 1:00-4:00 Castles & Royalty Tour: Guided Tour of the Nymphenburg castle and porcelain manufactory, 30 EUR
- Guided tour of the porcelain manufactory, which was founded in 1747 by Max III Joseph, with its production drawing electricity from the palace canal. Each porcelain piece is handcrafted, painters spend days working on a single plate. Discover the unique private collection of Nymphenburg porcelain from the 18th to the 20th century on display. The manufactory has been a world cultural heritage site since 2016.
- Guided tour of Nymphenburg castle, which served as the summer residence for the kings of Bavaria in the 18th century. Today, the 180-hectare complex with its palace park is the second largest green space in Munich and the castle is one of the largest palaces in Germany and one of the most significant in Europe. It was designed as a baroque palace, with rococo and neoclassical elements added over time.
- Stroll through the palace park and/or the botanical gardens at your leisure and enjoy a coffee/tea/snack at the Schlosscafe Palmenhaus at your expense.
- Meeting at the castle entrance and returning via public transportation or taxi at own expense.
- 5:30-7:00 Early dinner at classic Bavarian fare Old Town venue, at own expense (estimate 40 EUR for a main course and a drink)
- 7:00-8:30 Later dinner at classic Bavarian fare Old Town venue, at own expense (estimate 40 EUR for a main course and a drink)
- 7:00-10:00 Opera: Das Rheingold by Wagner at the Staatsoper (Max-Joseph-Platz 2)
- The piece was first performed on this stage in Munich in 1869 where it was the first of its kind to showcase new principles of musical dramas, reflecting the feelings and moods behind the work, by using a system of recurring leitmotifs to represent people, ideas and situations.
- You may opt for a seat in category VI with the group (70 EUR / 80 USD, only 10 tickets allotted) or purchase your own ticket directly at rates ranging from front row seats at 250 EUR to standing room in the back at 18 EUR.
- Travel to and from the opera via public transportation or taxi at own expense.
- 7:00-10:00 Historic Jazz Club Voglers near Isartor in Old Town (Rumfordstrasse 17), 10 EUR admission
- Join us for an evening of jazz at this fantastic club!
- Option to order food onsite at own expense.
- Travel to and from the jazz club via public transportation or taxi at own expense.
Friday 1 November 2024
- 10:30-18:30 Registration at KAB: Katholische Akademie Bayern (KAB), Mandlstraße 23, 80802 München, Germany
- 11:30-1:00 Typical Munich Brunch at traditional neighborhood restaurant Georgenhof. 30 EUR
- Meeting point is the restaurant at Friedrichstrasse 1.
- Price includes a pair of Weisswurst sausages, a pretzel and a beer or other beverage, as well as a local narrative around the tradition and the neighborhood.
- Travel to and from Georgenhof on foot from symposium venue KAB, via public transportation or taxi at own expense.
- 12:30-4:30 Beer and Brotzeit Tour of Munich, 60 EUR
- 12:30 pm: Meet at Mariensäule, Mary’s column at Marienplatz.
- Guided walking tour showcasing the history of the world’s beer capital and its culinary traditions through time. You will get to try the Brotzeit, the Bavarian version of charcuterie, most notably eaten in local homes or pubs, and consisting of cold dishes such as smoked bacon, salami, Obatzda cheese spread, pretzels or bread, cheese, eggs and radishes, as well as other beer delights. On the stroll through Munich’s beautiful old town, discover some of the most famous pubs and places steeped in the history of a special beer culture.
- Price includes the guided tour focused on local culinary traditions and key features of the city of Munich, as well as beer (or other beverage) at several locations and a Brotzeit snack at a traditional pub.
- Travel to and from via public transportation or taxi at own expense.
- 2:00-5:00 Bus Tour of the major sights of Munich, 60 EUR
- Meeting point and drop-off near the KAB at Muenchner Freiheit
Guided bus tour along the major historical sites of Munich with short walking stops (optional) to provide a glimpse of the history and key features of the city, ending with a guided tour of one of the major museums or a drink at beautiful museum café:- a) 4 pm NS Dokumentationszentrum, conveying the history of National Socialism with a view to the present and future, exploring the roots of dictatorship in a current and global context.
- b) 4 pm Pinakothek der Moderne museum, showcasing contemporary art in the forms of fine art, prints and drawings, architecture and design, from Expressionism to Futurism, Fauvism, Cubism, Bauhaus, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art and Minimal Art.
- c) 4 pm Lenbachhaus, featuring the largest collection from “Der Blaue Reiter” movement
- d) 4 pm Coffee/tea/bubbly at Ella’s at Lenbachhaus
- Price includes the bus tour with a guide as well as a guided tour of one of the major museums or a drink at a beautiful museum café.
- Meeting point and drop-off near the KAB at Muenchner Freiheit
- 2:00-4:30 Walking Tour in the Footsteps of Women of the Bohème, 30 EUR
- Guided walking tour taking us back to 1900, when young women from all over the world moved to Munich and tried to live a free life as artists or writers. To do so, they accepted high risks and precarious living conditions. No other district of Munich combines so many myths, legends and dreams like Schwabing with its bohemian world. It became a place for artists, free thinkers and nonconformists. Learn about the stories of women like Franziska von Reventlow, Gabriele Münter, Kathi Kobus, and various artists of the „Der Blaue Reiter“ movement. End with a coffee/tea at a local neighborhood café.
- Travel to and from the meeting point on foot from symposium venue KAB, via public transportation or taxi at own expense.
- Ending with a coffee/tea at a local neighborhood café.
- 2:00-4:30 Walking Tour of Old Town, 30 EUR
- Guided walking tour covering the major historic sites of the city, including Marienplatz, Viktualienmarkt, several landmark cathedrals and famous beer halls, Odeonsplatz and the Residence Palace. End with a guided tour of the museum, which showcases the many rooms and art collections from the Renaissance to the early Baroque and Rococo epochs and Neoclassicism left s a legacy from the Wittelsbach dynasty.
- Meet at Marienplatz fountain and embark on a guided tour through the Old Town, and end with either the Residence Palace or tea/coffee/snack at Literaturhaus Brasserie Oskar Maria.
- Travel to and from the meeting point via public transportation or taxi at own expense.
- 2:00-4:30 Walking Tour of Munich in the Third Reich, 30 EUR
- Guided tour of the back streets and beerhalls of Munich where a small gang of thugs first emerged that later grew to assault German democracy and world peace. Begin with a visit of the NS Doku museum which conveys the history of National Socialism with a view to the present and future, exploring the roots of dictatorship in a current and global context.
- Travel to and from the meeting point via public transportation or taxi at own expense.
- 5:30-6:30 Wine & culture spotlight & tasting at the KAB with renowned sommelier Caroline Hermann (MHC ‘92), 30 EUR
- Discover several different types of Rieslings and surprising red wine treasures that Germany has to offer on the world map of wines.
- 6:30-10:30 Aperitif, flying buffet dinner and mingling
Sunday 3 November 2024
After the symposium ends, there is an optional lunch at a restaurant local to the KAB venue:
- 1:00 Lunch neighborhood restaurant within a short walk of the KAB, Schwabing, at own expense (estimate 30-35 EUR for main dish and beverage)
- 20 EUR cancellation fee due to agreed minimum commitment to the restaurant
Please sign-up for these optional extras when you are registering for the Symposium.
Click here to view the full program of the symposium.
General Information
Some keys things to bear in mind:
- Transportation from airport/train station and to/from Saturday night dinner (all easily accessible via public transportation) and accommodations (to be booked separately) and breakfasts are not included in the above fees or the symposium registration fee
- Parking: None available on the premises of the KAB. Street parking possible with neighborhood parking pass at 5 EUR per day.
- All tours and events are subject to capacity limits. To the extent certain activities do not draw sufficient participants, we will contact you to offer you alternatives and adjust your payment.
- Start and end times are based on the specified pick-up and drop-off locations, which vary by event. Please be punctual for all tours as the start/departure times are firm commitments and otherwise delay/shorten the tour for all other participants.
- Babysitting services: The event organizers can put you in touch with a local network of recommended babysitters. All arrangements are to be made directly by you. No liability is taken on by the College or the organizers.