let me know if you have specific recs for Munich, Salzburg, or Vienna. restaurants, museums, areas to go, attractions, etc. I am searching the thread but not seeing anything from ya
I’m also interested in this. We’re contemplating this are or Amsterdam/Brussels/West Germany immediately after Christmas. I’m lazy and haven’t searched the thread yet but saw this and wanted to jump on it.
Only went to Munich and Salzburg. EMAW FC can add stuff I miss Munich - palace tour - marienplatz - just generally walk around old town (hofbrauhaus is nearby and it’s a great area with a market, beer gardens, etc) - we didn’t do it but dachau is a day trip - honestly we were at Oktoberfest and rushed so didn’t eat anywhere that stands out - also you can get to the Bavarian alps castles in a couple hours by car and it’s well worth a day trip if you have time Salzburg - sound of music tour is great especially if your lady is into it and it gets you out of the city into the mountains. We used Bob’s Tours and the guy was awesome - Salzburg is all vibes and amazing just to walk around. The fortress is awesome and so is the palace. A lot of Mozart sites too and a lot of places have live chamber music - we went to St. Peter Stiftskulinarium which claims to be the oldest restaurant on earth. Really cool place and food was very good. Also get yourself a bosna, it’s two sausages, onions, and curry powder in a roll, terrific street food. They also have a lot of rooftop bars with great views
Co-sign on these Dachau is easy to get to on public transportation. It was extremely sobering to see and absolutely horrific. I also enjoyed the Duetsches Museum (https://maps.app.goo.gl/nPVu4Zc3YuXeRn279) Augustiner-Keller was my favorite biergarten. It has 5000 seats and was full of locals so you know you're getting a more authentic experience vs Hofbrauhaus which is mostly touristy (https://maps.app.goo.gl/GicFnPLs17YBDfNA9) If it's nice out, make a trip over to the Englischer Gartens for a nice park day. They also have a biergarten and a cool river that's has an almost rapids section where the locals go surfing. (https://maps.app.goo.gl/UD6UNrS7MuLA96DK6)
Here’s the notes I had from last summer when we went: Augustine Keller Marienplatz viktualienmarkt - public market/food/beer garden Parkplace Augustine Keller, Wirtshaus in der Au, or Ratskeller for Bavarian German Museum Alte Pinakothek and Lenbachaus - one of oldest art museums in Europe Residenz Munchen - former home of the king. Stop on way to English Garden Eiesbach wave biergarten chinesischer turm - Chinese tower. If the weather is nice, this was our favorite Biergarden by far. Walk on the Isar Gartnerplatz
I have a wedding to attend in Frederick, MD next month. Flying into BWI, IAD or DCA are all about the same in cost and distance. Any recs for which one? We aren't leaving time for any visiting those cities, but I don't want to unknowingly choose the one with horrible wait times or traffic or whatever else
BWI (I’m biased) but IAD or DCA is fine if it’s cheaper and saves a connection. You’re looking at probably a 15 minute time difference between the three depending on which shitty traffic you get stuck in (and don’t try to guess which shitty traffic you’ll get stuck in).
It's Delta if that matters, all 3 have good time and relatively cheap tickets, only IAD is a little more expensive
For those that have done Patagonia, I'm attempting to plan a family trip down there in December of 2025. 9 people total; 5 of us younger (roughly 20-30), as well as my parents, aunt, and uncle (55-65 age range). Our group is big enough that I'm inclined to pick one spot to fly into, and aim to hike around the area for roughly 4 days, in order to reduce travel time/likelihood of something going wrong. My question, being to the below spots, are there a mix of hiking options with varying difficulties? -Bariloche (which I've already done) -El Calafete, with the goal of doing TDP. -Puerto Natales. We're also going to spend some time in one of the capitals. In terms of base city, I'm inclined to do BA over Santiago, but if anyone was blown away by Santiago I'd very much appreciate the input. Nug
My favorite town, by far, was El Chalten. You have to fly into Calafate. El Calafate is pretty meh, I wouldn't recommend. If you want to do TDP, then I'd go ahead and stay in Puerto Natales, which is kind of a meh town, but the closest to TDP in Chile. It'd be a lot of traveling to try to do TDP and El Chalten/something else in only 4 days. If you're restricted to 4-5 days, then I'd either do El Chalten or Puerto Natales/TDP the entire time. There are some sick lodges actually inside the national park, but I never looked into them because we were camping. I haven't followed Argentinian politics, but I assume it's pretty wild right now -- no idea of the safety situation, but it's probably worth looking into for your parents. Insanely cheap, but you'll need to bring like $1,000 - $2,000 in USD and exchange at Western Unions in the city. It kinda sucks that you have to walk around with just stacks of cash everywhere, nowhere takes card. Be advised.
Not sure of the star rating, but we did the Excellence El Carmen and really enjoyed it. Had a suite with a private pool for a very reasonable price.
We are looking at the family friendly version of that, excellence is adult only. Price is on the highish end but its credit card points so i'm kind of like YOLO! Good to hear you enjoyed it.
- Septime or Clamato for sure. Or both. If you cant snag reservations just chill at their wine bar. Worth the wait. I prefer Clamato but do have a shellfish addiction. - I would hit up Le Dome for a seafood tower lunch, do the streetside brasserie deal. Huitiere Regis before/after Jardin Luxembourg. - Actually the alpha move for Jardin Luxembourg is to go to Saint Germain: find you a wine shop, find you a baguette shop, find you a cheese shop. Get some light crisp Chenin Blanc, take your spouse to the park, and its one of the best meals on earth. Baguette + Salted Butter + Cheese of Choice, and maybe some Jamon. - Rooftop Brunch of Hotel Villa M in Montparnasse if good weather - Some other options in case any of the above is not geographical suitable https://www.geosmine.com/Home/Menu = could be the winner for the actual Bday Dinner https://restaurantmagma.com/ https://www.datil-restaurant.fr/ https://www.lerigmarole.com/ https://table.paris/
My goodness. Thanks for the rec. My wife is having an amazing time to celebrate her bday. View from the room and the terrace. They brought champagne up because we are diamond members, so pretty nice little first day. Thanks again.
can't second the lux gardens rec harder. going soon and half the trip going to be in st. Germain doing that and related things every day. casual slow end to a trip.
Going to Kauai in 2 weeks with the gf. Staying at the Sheraton Kauai in Poipu. Tuesday-Sunday trip and have a rental car. Planned a snorkel catamaran and a couple dinners. Curious to know which hikes I should be targeting here for the best views or that get access to cool beaches. 1/2 day hikes, nothing too strenuous. Any other activity recs welcomed.
For hikes Kalepa Ridge is probably my favorite trail in the world. Just stunning views. We got on it before sunrise our first day there because coming from the East coast we woke up at 4:00 am and had the whole thing to ourselves for the first couple hours. Polihale Beach was my favorite beach. You’re not technically supposed to go to it if you have a rental car as it’s not a regularly maintained road for about 30+ minutes once you get off the main road. We made it fine there though, just take it slow. Eat as much macadamia nut ice cream and macadamia nut pie as you can. Koloa Fish Market was the best Poke we had. I’d make sure you go up to Hanalaei Bay for a day as it will be a much calmer water experience compared to anywhere on the South side.
I think the Kalepa Ridge Trail is past the official barriers, kind of an unofficial trail. We stayed within the official barriers at the top of the Waimea Canyon drive and had a spectacular view, probably not as spectacular as going further on the trail but good enough for us. The Sheraton looks to be right next to Kiahuna Beach which is what our family agreed was the best beach for just sitting and relaxing. We did a hike from the Hyatt to Maha'ulepu Beach and had a beautiful beach to ourselves, and only afterwards did we realize we could have driven there instead of slogging in the heat around the golf course. I wouldn't recommend kayaking on the Wailua, but I would recommend ziplining in Koloa. Eat lunch at Puka Dog. Hope you have reservations for the Beach House, it's worth it, but be advised that parking is difficult. If you go to Rumfire, let me know how it went; we wanted to go but didn't get reservations in time. Edit: forgot that we had a decent dinner at Keoki's too. There's also a good gelato shop (Papalani) conveniently close by in the Poipu Shopping Village We'll be in Wainiha Bay west of Hanalei in November, our first time on the northshore
Na Pali trail to the beach is easy ish. The waterfall is great but it’s not easy. About eight miles round trip if you do it. Other trails mentioned are great too. Waimea canyon is amazing. Kauai beaches in general are not amazing but good snorkeling at salt ponds. Poipu beach is crazy busy. Others are probably about the same ish. The beach you can hike to on the Na Pali shore is nice but you’re packing in and out any and everything you bring and it’s a two mile walk
Munich, Salzburg and a day trip into the alps (st gilgen and st wolfgang. Spoiler got to Vienna today. Spent 2 hours vibing in a coffee house. Walked through the museum district in 70 degree whether during golden hour and night to dinner. Absolute elite stuff. This city is insanely gorgeous. Might end up very high on my list.
Hope the coffee house was Sperl, where my great aunt and uncle worked for decades. Eat at Figlmuller Wollzeile, Zwolfapostelkeller, or Griechenbeisl for an Austrian experience.
Cafe eiles. Going to Hummel this AM for breakfast before heating up two museums. Have a tour at the opera house for Sunday along with a show at the Konzerthaus. Saturday is going to the Grinzing wine area in the city. Home Monday. Been a great trip
Saturday sounds like heuriger day Buy your wife a nice jacket at Loden Plankl on the Michaelerplatz after having a sachertort at Demel on the Kohlmarkt around the corner
I'm going to Kyoto for a couple of weeks the 1st week of October, just winging it on this one anyone have any tips or suggestions?
Phoebe Bridgers tells me that the temple is boring so wander around the 7-11, and even if you want to take the train to the arcade with your band, don't. I'm assuming getting a call from your dad who you hate on a pay phone is optional.
We were there for a couple of days in January and loved it. Two weeks would be a long time if that’s your only stop. Can easily get to Osaka in like 40 minutes on the Shinkansen. Kyoto has so many cool old temples to wander around, but the city is a little more quiet. Our favorite sushi experience of our trip was at Sushitetsu. We live in Kansas so I’m not saying I have the finest palate for sushi, but we have such fond memories from that place.
Friend wants to hike the Dolomites. Not sure what she means by it, could be anything between Milan and the Slovenian border. Spent the afternoon putting together a potential trip around Bolzano and Kastelruth. Any recommendations would be appreciated
SeaTac still too high. ATL way too low. The place is a machine. I really like New Orleans airport, although the food leaves a lot to be desires. But it's compact and super efficient.