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.

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.

The Best Watering Holes in New Orleans

One of my favorite things to do, when visiting a new city, is to explore the local drinking establishments. To me, bars are the ideal place to people watch, taste local libations, and get a small glimpse into the local culture. In a city known for its love of revelry and debauchery, New Orleans was an optimal choice for my pub crawl tour. My agenda was to get to know the city through its bars and go beyond Bourbon Street.

In the name of research (of course!), I explored 20 different bars in the French Quarter and the Garden District over a three-day period. As with most things in life, there were some winners and a few bars that didn’t leave much of an impression. Overall, the outcome was a resounding success. I found many local gems, was greeted with overwhelming hospitality, and indulged in many local beers.

Here are the top ten winners of my trip: