Rainer couldn’t have been more welcoming, knowledgeable and accommodating.
We booked a “History of Munich” walking tour with Brendan, and it was exactly what we were hoping for—thoughtful, flexible, and genuinely engaging. We told him up front that we’re well read on WWII/Nazi history and didn’t need a long deep dive, but that we appreciated context when it was truly relevant. He handled that perfectly, tailoring the tour to our interests in history, architecture, and local culture without ever making it feel scripted. Brendan has a great instinct for what will land with you, and he delivers it all in a clear, entertaining style. Along the way we covered a great mix of local culture and big-picture history—Munich’s beer scene (brewing traditions, purity standards, and the origins/etiquette of beer gardens, plus how the major breweries shaped classic restaurants), the city’s architecture (including how to spot Gothic vs. Neo-Gothic details), and the stories behind key buildings and neighborhoods. He also wove in Bavarian traditions like maypoles, pointed out a remarkable church with a preserved saint reliquary, and gave a clear, memorable overview from the city’s founding to how Munich was rebuilt after the war. And when WWII-era history did come up, it added real depth rather than repeating the basics. One standout moment was visiting the street where the Beer Hall Putsch occurred—Brendan shared details we hadn’t heard before, showed period photos, and even pointed out the side street locals used to avoid passing armed guards at a shrine site. Another was juxtaposing exploration of historic areas, explaining their unique qualities, with the experience of wartime residents when the US army rolled into the city and took over such spots. Those kinds of on-the-ground specifics made the history feel immediate. He also connected what we were seeing to post-war Munich and the protests of the late 1960s, explaining how that student movement pushed Germany to confront the past more openly and helped reshape the culture. Bottom line: Brendan is exceptionally knowledgeable, but what really sets him apart is how well he reads his guests and adjusts in real time. If you’re a discerning, experienced traveler who wants substance (not trivia), he’s a fantastic choice—and if you’re newer to Munich, he’s just as great at making the city’s history approachable and fun. We’d book with him again in a heartbeat.
Finn was an excellent guide. I would highly recommend.
Photo Shared by Sally with their review
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