- The Munich Post
- Posts
- 3 - 2 - 1 - It's time to embrace the Holiday Spirit
3 - 2 - 1 - It's time to embrace the Holiday Spirit
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Arlene Texeira
December 21, 2023
Servus an Alle!
Welcome back to the Munich Post! The purpose of this newsletter is to share: 3 bits of news, 2 upcoming events, and 1 amazing restaurant/café for expats living in and around Munich. This way, you have a pulse on what’s going on without scrolling through thousands of pages.
Hey there! Did a friend pass along this awesome newsletter to you? Well, guess what? You can easily subscribe below and get all the latest news and events from us every Thursday. Join our amazing community of over 7000+ Munich lovers with just one click!
Here’s our weekly roundup:
As we gear up for the upcoming festive season, our newsletter is taking a little holiday break. We’ll be back with more exciting news and updates on January 11, 2024.
Before we move on, here’s a quick update on the Women’s Taxi rides we talked about on November 30. The city has decided to increase the vouchers from €5 to €10.
Plus, many of you asked for Citizenship laws, news, and processes. While we’ll keep you updated with the news, you can join this group if you’re going through the citizenship process.
3 bits of news
The Railway Union votes for open-ended strikes
Photo by Jillian Amatt on Unsplash
Our train journeys might soon be getting a little more complicated. The members of a union representing German train drivers have voted for open-ended strikes.
This move comes after a long-standing dispute over working hours and pay with Deutsche Bahn, the main national railway operator.
So, what does this mean for us?
Well, for starters, if you're a regular on the Munich-Hamburg route or any other regional services, brace yourself for potential disruptions. These strikes, planned to start after January 8, could lead to a much-reduced schedule for long-distance and regional trains.
It might be wise to keep an eye on updates and have a Plan B ready.
For more details, read here (in English).
Germany's 49-Euro ticket on shaky ground
Stendal, a quaint city in northern Germany, is saying “Auf Wiedersehen” to the 49-Euro Deutschlandticket from January 1, 2024. It is officially the first German city to opt out.
While the Deutschlandticket will still whisk you around the rest of Germany, Stendal’s local buses won't be part of this ride anymore.
Why this sudden change?
Well, it's all about the money, honey! There's been a tug-of-war over who should foot the bill for this scheme – the state governments or the bigwigs in Berlin. Despite finding a temporary funding fix through May 2024, the long-term plan is still up in the air.
If more cities follow Stendal's lead, we could be facing a real head-scratcher with the Deutschlandticket. Imagine hopping on a bus in Munich with your trusty 49-Euro ticket and then needing a whole new ticket just to cross into another city.
Find out more about the news here (in German).
Expanded Blue Card benefits
Image credit: Wikepedia
Germany has rolled out some shiny new rules for the EU Blue Card, and it's all about making life easier for skilled workers. As of November 18, 2023:
Germany has expanded the list of jobs in high demand. This means more opportunities in various fields like veterinary medicine, child care, construction, and technology.
The salary thresholds for these positions have been lowered to €41,041 for 2024 with a faster path to permanent residency.
The new rules also make it easier for families to reunite.
If you're an EU Blue Card holder from another EU country, you can now zip into Germany without a visa and work for up to 90 days.
Need a long-term stay? Absolutely possible after a year of holding a Blue Card elsewhere in the EU.
More flexibility to change employers.
And hey, if you're in the business of helping expats relocate and settle in, contact us so that we can connect you to our readers.
Learn more here.
It is our desire to bring our readers the best information about Munich — at zero cost to you. In keeping with this theme, we thank our sponsors for today’s newsletter. By clicking on the link below, you’re supporting this newsletter.
➡️ What's Inside?
Cool ways to save money on taxes.
Easy explanations on tax deductions.
Easy-to-implement tips for families and workers
And... some super secret tips on retirement savings.
2 upcoming events
Celebratory New Year's Eve run into 2024
Munich runners, want to dash into the new year with some exercise? Then lace up your running shoes for a thrilling end-of-year sprint.
Since the inception of Munich’s New Year’s Eve Run in 1984, it has grown into a popular holiday tradition that brings together a vibrant mix of runners, neighborhood speedwalkers, strollering day dreamers and cheerleaders.
Whether you're a serious sprinter, a casual jogger, a family with kids, or simply a spectator, you won’t regret joining this festive event.
This run features four routes to suit all ages and abilities: a 0.5 km children’s run, a 2 km schoolchildren's run, a 5 km fun run, and a challenging 10 km folk & street run. Each route promises a beautiful circuit through the Olympia Park, finishing at the Stadium.
General information
📅 Monday, December 31, 2023
⏰ 12:30pm to 2pm
📍 Werner-von-Linde-Halle (Spiridon-Louis-Ring), Olympia Park München
💶 €5
Ugly sweater party
We've got not one, but two epic ugly Christmas sweater events that'll make your holiday season so much better.
First up is the ugly Christmas sweater party at Lost Weekend. Dance the night away in your most outrageously tacky Christmas jumper.
📅 When? Saturday, December 23, 2023, at 8pm
📍 Where? Lost Weekend, Schwabing Munich
💶 Entry Fee: A mere 2€!
Next, we have the ugly Christmas sweater brunch at the Hard Rock Cafe in Munich’s old town, with bottomless mimosas, a scrumptious American brunch buffet and some entertainment.
📅 When? Monday, December 25, 2023, from 10am to 1pm
📍 Where? Hard Rock Cafe Munich
💶 Cost: Adults 30€ (includes unlimited mimosas, buffet and non-stop fun!)
Bonus
1 new restaurant/café to try
Gärtnerplatz Alm
If you’re on the hunt for a cozy and romantic spot to enjoy some mouthwatering fondue, let us introduce you to Gärtnerplatz Alm.
Nestled in the heart of our city, Gärtnerplatz Alm offers an intimate setting perfect for a special evening out. Imagine dipping into a pot of gooey, melted cheese or a savory broth fondue.
They offer an incredible selection, from classic cheese fondues to unique takes like the Italian one bursting with tomato flavors and the French variant rich in herbs and wine. And let's not forget the accompanying smoked ham, pickled veggies and those heavenly rosemary potatoes.
The ambiance here is just as delightful as the food. The space is snug and inviting, making it ideal for those cold Munich nights. Plus, their house-made hazelnut schnapps is a must-try – it's the perfect end to a scrumptious meal.
General information
📍 Corneliusstraße 16, 80469 München
🥘 Fondue
⏰ Winter Hours
Monday - Thursday 6pm - Midnight
Friday & Saturday 6pm - 1am
Closed Sunday
🔗 https://gärtnerplatzalm.com to book a table
Meme of the week 😂
Thanks for reading and sharing The Munich Post 3-2-1 newsletter.
Warm wishes for the Holidays and a fantastic New Year to all our readers. Thank you for being part of our community. See you in 2024!
Aazar, Arlene, Christina, and Heidi
Hey there! Just wanted to let you know that this newsletter is absolutely free for you to enjoy. We genuinely value your feedback as it inspires us to continuously improve and bring you even more amazing news and content. It would mean the world to us if you could spare a moment to share your thoughts and leave us some comments. Your input is truly appreciated!
What do you think about this newsletter? |
Join the conversation