Germany

Munich is a wonderful city to visit with so much culture, history and beauty. It is a welcoming city with winding romantic city streets, warm beer halls, great shopping, a lively art scene and delicious Bavarian cuisine. While Munich is a cultural and business center now, it was once reigned by royalty and deeply affected by World War II. This is an easy city to visit time and time again.

Back from a whirlwind of a trip to Berlin and Hamburg that I took at the end of June. We squeezed in a lot into a couple of days, and I really loved the hotels that we stayed at. There were no crowds at all, which was lovely and is a notable departure from some of the other European cities over the summer season.

While many people think of Europe as a summer vacation spot, the holidays can be a magical time to visit Europe. From seasonal treats to train rides with views of snowcapped mountains, experiencing yuletide in Europe is an absolute must do. In this guide, I’ve pulled together an itinerary to include six of the most famous Christmas Markets across five countries.

Munich became my home away from home when I was fortunate enough to spend a year abroad there for work. I loved exploring the different neighborhoods, checking out the many cafes and its convenient position as a central hub for exploring Europe. Beyond Oktoberfest, Munich offers a walkable cityscape with historic landmarks, breathtaking churches and renowned museums. Many of these top attractions are within easy reach of the city center, so you can maximize your first time in Munich with a variety of activities!

Freiburg in Breisgau, a college town in the Baden Württemberg region of Germany, is one of the quintessential Black Forest cities to visit. In fact, it’s known as the gateway to the Black Forest. It’s rich with local culture and packed with plenty of good beer, tasty cuisine and outdoor activities. It also serves as a central hub from which to travel to many other charming communities. These include the cuckoo-clock haven of Triberg with its gorgeous cascading waterfalls and the quiet municipalities of Sankt Märgen and Sankt Peter, perfect starting points for day hikes through the Schwarzwald.

Munich: the postcard image of Bavaria and one of my all-time favorite cities in Europe. Beer culture prevails here, but there is so much more to this lively and sophisticated metropolis than golden lagers. Although, if you’re not drinking from steins and eating würst while you’re there, you’re doing it wrong. When in München, mein Schatz. Home to about 1.5 million people, the capital of Bavaria is geographically closer to Salzburg and Zurich than to Berlin. If your image of Germany involves dirndls, lederhosen and sausages, you’ll find it here in spades. You’ll also find exceptional art museums, beautiful historic architecture, upscale shopping and fine contemporary cuisine.

Being prepared is the key in how to stay healthy while traveling. But at the same time, preparing for a trip can be the perfect storm for catching a virus, i.e., making sure the office will survive without you or getting the dog set at the day spa and lodge, etc. Tasks like these can and usually do lead to pre-trip stress. The measures presented here will increase your odds of remaining healthy prior to and during your trip. The key is to find what works best for you and then prepare! Having studied alternative medicine, including many courses in nutrition, I have compiled some of my favorite tips with personal anecdotal evidence from around the globe, geared toward longer and farther away trips, adjust as needed.

Boppard is a quaint riverfront community situated in Germany’s Middle Rhine Valley. Though it’s relatively quiet, it offers plenty of hiking and biking opportunities, along with a range of lodging and dining options on the shores of the majestic Rhine River. Have a drink along the promenade, eat delicious food from all across the world, bike to nearby villages, taste local wines and explore ancient castles; you can do it all from this small but mighty Rhine town!