Munich Treasures

It’s that time of year again. Yes, that’s right, Oktoberfest is upon us. As we mourn the end of long hazy summer days, autumn does its best to seduce us with displays of dazzling colored trees, crisp refreshing air, and most importantly fantastic seasonal beer. Around the world, cities commence the start of autumn by celebrating Oktoberfest. The original and largest celebration of Oktoberfest is in Munich, Germany. The festival began in 1810.

In honor of the 200th anniversary of Oktoberfest and the great city of Munich, here are my favorite spots to sample glorious steins of German nectar and while away the afternoon when I am visiting this grand city.

Viktualienmarkt

For me, a visit to Munich is not complete without spending time in the Viktualienmarkt beer garden. Viktualienmarkt is a gourmet farmers market from 1807 and is centrally located just blocks from the Marienplatz. Bustling communal tables nestled under chestnut trees are filled with families and friends drinking liters of Hofbrau and dining alfresco on the fresh local produce, cheese, and bread. More intimate than the other famous beer gardens in Munich, this is a fantastic spot to catch the locals in action.

Picture of the Moment - Sunrise in Balboa Park

Morning walk in Balboa Park

Turkish Bathing Beauty

As I lay buried under six inches of foaming soap bubbles covering me from head to toe, I wondered how I had talked myself into this. The word bath conjures up images of relaxation, solitude, and warmth. Warmth is the only thing I seemed to have gotten. Heat from the large circular marble platform I was lying on and the warm flush of my lost modesty. Perhaps the relaxation and solitude were still to come, I thought hopefully.

The practice of the Turkish Bath or Hamam, is centuries old. The Cemberlitas Hamami is a popular Turkish bathhouse in the heart of Istanbul that reigns from the 16th century. On day three of my week long holiday in Istanbul, I decided to partake in this ancient ritual. Given that I am fairly shy, it was only three years ago that I had finally succumbed and had my first massage in Thailand on a previous Christmas adventure. While I knew I wanted to try the Turkish baths, I still had a hint of apprehension cloaking me.

Torrential rain drove me to the Hamam that day. After seeking refuge in the Grand Bazaar, I wandered around the stalls until the power went out, leaving me with some time on my hands. All signs were pointing for me to visit the Hamam. Standing outside I watched as droves of locals and the odd tourist confidently went inside. I took a deep breath before making my way down the slippery marble stairs to the front desk of the Haman.

After getting my token and washcloth, an attendant arrives and takes me up the winding staircase to the women’s communal dressing room where she shows me to my locker and hands me slippers and a checkered pestamel, my towel. I change into my pestamel and go back downstairs to the staging room where a female attendant is folding towels. She gestures for me to go in the double doors to my right.

The Occidental Tourist Continued

The drive from Occidental to the Pacific coast is approximately 10 miles. The most scenic route is along Coleman Valley Road, which offers stunning views of the valley and the ocean in the distance. As you get closer to the water, the trees start disappearing and the windswept hills are dotted with rock outcrops. Here, the roads are shared with hearty cyclists braving the steep twists and turns along the rolling hills. Coleman Valley Road ends at Hwy 1 midway between the towns of Jenner and Bodega Bay. Along this 10.5 mile stretch there are twelve dramatic beaches to explore. The morning haze had burned off leaving the sun to shimmer and dance across the water.

The Occidental Tourist

What does a Colorado native, who has been transplanted to San Diego, crave? Trees and mountains! Real trees and real hills. Not the glamorous palm trees that are outside my window right now. Bushy green leafy trees that provide shade and spill onto the sidewalk. Not gentle rolling hills covered in desert scrub. I miss hills that make me breathless and trails covered in pine needles. To satisfy this craving, I decided to explore the Redwoods of Sonoma County in Northern California. After scouring the vast amount of options available in Sonoma County, I chose Occidental as my base.

Occidental is a charming town approximately 70 miles north of San Francisco. The town is surrounded by Redwoods and the coveted green leafy hills. I stayed at the Inn at Occidental, which is a beautiful property perched on a hillside that hosts wine tasting nightly on its wraparound porch overlooking the town.

Picture of the Moment - Golden Gate Bridge

Driving over the Golden Gate Bridge on a foggy Friday night