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!