Munich

Next stop on my winter European journey:  Germany. After the first flight out of London (warning:  a 6 a.m. flight out of Gatwick means you have to wake up at 2:15), I hopped over to Munich. Munich is easy to navigate via public transportation. I spent a night in the Cortiina Hotel, which is a couple blocks from Marienplatz, the city's main square. Fantastic boutique hotel, with minimalist design, heated tiles, and great service. The other hotel I stayed at in Munich (after I returned from Bavaria) was the Design Angelo Hotel. It was a good place for the price, but a few stops on the S-bahn from the action, and the bright yellow, red, and white decor made me feel like I was sleeping inside McDonald's.

I was alone for part of the time in Munich, and Chad joined me for the remainder. Highlights: wandering the Christmas market (go hungry and eat everything in sight--bratwurst, crepes, hot apple cider, frites, etc. etc. etc.), climbing to the top of St. Peter's Church for incredible views of Munich in its Christmas best, and checking out the BMW museum--which was fun, but did not equal driving a BMW around Germany. One unexpected plus--the local people I interacted with were so incredibly kind to me and proud to show off their city.

Munich is the ultimate for Christmas festivities! 

Germany does Christmas best--

I loved German desserts (and I mean all German desserts), but as fun as the German pubs are to eat at, the food was a bit heavy for me. Probably because I was eating 4 desserts a day, so there was no room for anything else.

One of my four-a-day desserts (see above). With kumquats and Bavarian cream!!!

My room at the Cortiina hotel (normally I wouldn't take pictures of the bathroom at the hotel, but the design was so interesting at this place)

View from the St. Peter's Church steeple

Christmas everywhere!

Welcome to Germany, Chad! Start eating!

London

At the end of November 2012, I flew to London to visit my brother, Cameron. Travel tip #1: fly the day after Thanksgiving. I got bumped to first class on my flight to Atlanta (usually my silver medallion status puts me at #45 for upgrades on flights to Atlanta), and my transatlantic flight was only halfway full. I stayed at the Grosvenor Hotel, which has the best possible location for flying in and out of Gatwick, and is generally super convenient and comfortable. London highlights: evensong at Westminster Abbey, the Tate Modern, high tea at the Duke Street Townhouse, the Christmas market on the Thames, and spending time with my baby brother (who is somehow old enough to traipse around London on his own). Low points: Pilgrim's Progress at the Royal Coliseum (cool venue, alternately crazy disturbing/boring opera).

Best flight ever

Gelato in the West End

Weird opera (sorry Cam)

A lovely Sunday morning jaunt

Geeking out over Miro

Don't be fooled. Tea is not just about tea. It is about stuffing yourself silly on cake and scones.

Hampton Court with Cameron and his study abroad crew

London Photo Shoot

Park City

It's no secret that I love my Utah home. But I appreciated it even more than ever when we went to the associate retreat in Park City. We stayed at the Hotel Park City on a weekend in the middle of October. LOVED the hotel, loved the fall colors, loved the rain, loved the alpine coaster. Hotel rates in Park City are pretty cheap in the off season. Take advantage.

Portland

Cal and I made the short jump to Portland, Oregon for my marathon in October 2012. Our favorite part of the trip was our jaunt to Multnomah Falls with Angelina. A close second was Salt & Straw, an artisan ice cream shop that we visited 3 times in as many days. (Portland is a foodie's dream--we tried Peruvian food, great sushi at Bamboo, and Korean BBQ.) 

We stayed at the Hotel deLuxe, which is much nicer than the name sounds--it's a hip little boutique hotel in between downtown Portland and 23rd Street. The selling point for me was the Aveda bath products, but unfortunately, the location is not particularly convenient to anything. If we were to go back, we would probably rent a car. And not interrupt a perfectly good vacation with a marathon (although it was a fun marathon).

Multnomah Falls on a gorgeous fall day--

Salt and Straw's freckled woodblock chocolate changed my life.  No, the strawberry with balsamic vinegar changed my life.  No, the . . . I have to go back to Portland.

Korean BBQ--the first place we saw the Gangnam Style video

Powell's.  My heaven. (And I did not gain 30 pounds the day before the marathon--I am wearing three jackets/sweatshirts because it was chilly.)

Portland Marathon