City Spotlight: Munich

This is the second installment sharing some of our favorite cities to visit. You can read last week here:

I arrived in Munich at 8:30am last spring on the Nightjet train from Milan. I was blessed with a beautiful blue sky day and warm weather.

The Munich train station is located like in most European cities within easy walking distance of the city center. I checked into my hotel (room was shockingly ready at 8am!!!), took a quick shower, and headed into town.

To say I loved Munich was an understatement of the highest degree. I wandered thru churches, marveled at the architecture in Marienplatz, and enjoyed the open air markets. Oh and the food, sausages, schnitzel and beer oh my!

Please look through the pictures below and soon you will start planning your trip to Munich.

One of the many churches I wandered thru.

Marienplatz. I loved seeing glockenspiel in the tower turn and play music.

The open air market was just delightful.

Views from a church steeple. Well worth the climb.

Of course, I went to the world famous Hofbrauhaus. I’ve seen pictures of my mom and grandmother here so it was a little sentimental for me to be here where they were many years ago.

So yeah, I loved Munich and can’t wait to return. What a wonderful city. As always, thanks for reading. rk

City Spotlight: San Francisco

This is the first in a new series where we share favorite cities that we love and hope you plan to visit and enjoy them too!

The City by the Bay is a beautiful city to visit. It’s one of my favorite places and has a ton of things to do. Here is just a sampling:

• Rent a bike and cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, you can take the ferry back.
• Wander Chinatown and eat here at least once.
• Coit Tower, climb to the top and watch the sunset.
• Fisherman’s Wharf. Despite all the tourists, it’s worth visiting to see all the sea lions and enjoy Dungeness crab. It’s also the departure point to Alcatraz (which must be booked well in advance if you want to go there).
• The Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park is beautiful.
• Full House fans must make a pilgrimage to the house featured in the TV show.
• The San Francisco Wave Organ is an under the radar attraction, plus it’s free. Go at high tide.
• The Palace of Fine Arts is a great spot for your instagram selfie.
• Ghirardelli Square, I like their hot fudge sundae!
• There are some great sushi bars here, I like the ones with the revolving boats.
• The Tonga Room, I love a good tiki bar and this is a great one!

Some other things to know about San Francisco.

• Sadly, the homeless situation here is pretty bad. Avoid the Tenderloin district where it seems the worst. Don’t leave any bags visible in your car or you have a great chance of having your window bashed in. I have always felt safe here so don’t let this discourage you.
• Some great nearby attractions are Napa and Sonoma Valley, Muir Woods, and Point Reyes National Seashore.

Have a great time on your visit and please comment on some of your favorites. Thanks rk

The Palace of Fine Arts

Coit Tower

Sea Lions at Fisherman’s Wharf