Vanessa Monogioudis

  • Designer
  • Psychologist
  • Observer of life

Vanessa and her little son Nick are the perfect team. Together they support small businesses producing local, handmade kids’ fashion and accessories.

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My 24 Hours in Munich

For me and my family our two favourite places are home and the hood. We live in Munich, in the district Schwabing, and we don’t own a car. We love to have everything around us, within walking distance.

A perfect day starts with a long breakfast. If we don’t do breakfast at home, we love to go to Café Reitschule. It’s perfect with kids because it is spacious, has a beautiful terrace and a nice view, not just of the horses, but also of the English Garden.

Café Reitschule is right next to the park, so it’s ideally situated to go for a nice long walk afterwards, take a break at one of the many playgrounds, watch the ducks or the surfers at the Eisbach-Welle.

For a small lunch one of the many beer gardens in the English Garden is perfect, for example the one at Seehaus. You can also bring your own food and just get the drinks there.

After that it’s time for a stroll through our neighbourhood with some (window-)shopping. There are lots of nice little stores! Make sure you go to Anni Bazar for cool kids-stuff (because cool starts early!), to Sunday in Bed for everything you need for, well, a Sunday in bed, and to Zentgraf and Azucar for beautiful fashion and accessories. Last but not least stop by Weißglut, a concept store featuring young design (mostly in white).

When you get a little hungry in between take a break at one of the many little cafés in the area or, even better, visit our favourite fruit stand. The owner Vito will recommend to you the most delicious Italian pears or figs (according to season).

Just make sure you leave room for dinner. We love to have “Schnitzel” and “Schweinsbraten” at Kaisergarten. And a nice cool beer of course. My perfect 24 hrs end with ice cream for dessert. My favourite ice cream place in Schwabing is Bartu Bio-Eis Manufaktur. And while we enjoy their delicious sorbets, we slowly walk home through the busy streets of our neighbourhood.

Locations



Café ReitschuleKöniginstraße 34, München, Deutschland

A Schwabing legend. No hipsters. Mostly young mums.
English GardenEnglischer Garten, München, Deutschland

No matter if you are looking for quiet or for buzz, you’ll find your perfect spot in Munich’s green heart.
Eisbach WelleEisbachwelle, Prinzregentenstraße, München, Deutschland

It is so much fun to watch the surfers go crazy on this artificial wave. A true landmark of Munich!
SeehausKleinhesselohe 3, München, Deutschland

Beer garden with a beautiful view over the small lake.
Anni BazarTürkenstraße 63, München, Deutschland

The coolest fashion brands for our little buddy, plus beautiful interior accessories.
Sunday in BedAinmillerstraße 28, München, Deutschland

Enter the store and get a cosy weekend feeling immediately.
ZentgrafAinmillerstraße 10, München, Deutschland

Dresses! Shoes! Wonderful Scandinavian and French labels.
AzucarHohenzollernstraße 20, München, Deutschland

Forever in love with this store since I got my Lala Berlin cashmere scarf on sale here.
WeißglutHohenzollernstraße 8, München, Deutschland

Beautiful little things for everyone who loves white and clean design.
KaisergartenKaiserstraße 34, München, Deutschland

The slightly posh crowd gets down to earth under old chestnut trees to enjoy mostly Bavarian inspired food.
Bartu EismanufakturWilhelmstraße 23, München, Deutschland

Total transparency about every ingredient makes it the perfect place for every conscious eater. A reduced price for kids makes it a great place for parents and kids and the option to get two small scoops for the price of one large one makes it the ideal option for everyone who - like me - can never decide on just one flavour.
ElisabethplatzMarkt am Elisabethplatz, Elisabethplatz, München, Deutschland

These permanent market stalls sell the freshest and mostly local products.
‘We love to have everything around us, within walking distance.’
  • We love the busy and cosy atmosphere in the beer garden Kaisergarten.
  • It feels like heaven as soon as you enter the concept store Weißglut. All white, all beautiful!
  • Little Nick exploring the world.
  • The artificial Eisbach-Welle is a true surfer’s paradise - we can stand here and watch them for hours on end.
  • Have a traditional "Schnitzel" at the Kaisergarten - too good to be true! © Kaisergarten
  • Left Zentgraf, right Weißglut. I love both stores for shopping unique and delightful interior and fashion.
  • The best ice cream parlour in Schwabing, Bartu Eismanufaktur.
  • The Kaisergarten succeeds perfectly in combining tradition and modernity in their concept. © Kaisergarten
  • Enjoy a lavish and delicious brunch at Café Reitschule.
  • Try to see the world through a child’s eyes from time to time. Refreshing!
  • The Eisbach-Welle is a renowned and very popular spot in Munich, don't miss it!

My thoughts about Munich

What do you love about your destination?

It’s perfect with kids, full of parks and playgrounds. It’s a place to live slowly and enjoy every day to the fullest.

Which music fits best to your destination?

Klangkarussell – Sonnentanz.

What‘s a "must do" in your destination?

Relax with a cold beer in your hand while you sit in a beautiful beer garden.

Take a vacation into My life

What’s your background?

I’m a designer and psychologist.

What is the best moment of the day?

Family dinner on our balcony with a view of the alps.

What inspires you?

Our son, my friends, my work, travelling and observing the world around me.

How would a good friend describe you?

Curious, a passionate observer, an empathetic listener.

Your lifestyle in 5 words?

Simple and selected, between city life and love of nature.

Which books, newspapers or magazines do you read?

Childrens’ books, Zeit Magazin, Süddeutsche Magazin.

Which films blow your mind?

Series: House of Cards.
Films: Movies by Tim Burton and Wes Anderson.

Person you’d like to sit next to in an airplane?

Brené Brown.

What are your favourite destinations around the globe?

Graz, the city where my family lives and Chios, the island my father is from.

Your life philosophy?

Life is short. Love it while it lasts.

Suitcase, Backpack or Weekender?

It used to be a backpack. But nowadays it’s two suitcases (One for my boyfriend Alex and me, one for our son Nick).

What else should we know about you?

I consider myself pretty lucky to live where I live and to be able to travel a lot.

Travelling is…

a source of energy and inspiration.

Life is…

great.

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