Münich, Hintertux & London Oh My!

We woke up early, bid adieu to our accommodations, and headed out for Hintertux.

But not before a necessary stop for coffee and some delicious pastries.

The drive to the Alps was not quite as picturesque as it could have been due to rain and fog, but it was still pretty spectacular as we approached Hintertux and the mountains began to rise around us.

[clicken der pläy button, bitte]

Eric, Rodney, and I decided to make it a spa day instead of rushing out for skiing.

Alright. There may have been a beer stop in there before the spa.

Daniel and Steve, on the other hand, chose the far more athletic option and headed straight to the slopes.

After our massages, we lounged in the sauna area and took in the fantastic views from the sky pool overlooking the valley.

The beautiful indoor pool that housed not one, but two, saunas (one clothing optional 'natch). I guess Steve did make it to the spa after that ski day.

Then the après-ski scene happened.

Too much schnapps.

Rodney later confirmed that schnapps is basically the hot dog of alcohol.

Delicious dinner at the hotel.

And then bed.

I don’t know how the Germans stay so thin, given the fact that it feels like all we do is engage in small bursts of activity that merely bridge the gap between enormous, glorious meals.

We woke up early — some would argue too early — and took the train into Munich.

Coming up out of the underground revealed a spectacular sight: the city opening up around us with its grand old buildings, church towers, and wide plazas. It’s the kind of place that immediately reminds you that Europe has been doing this whole “city” thing for a very long time.

[CLICK PLAY: VIDEO] Arriving to the first sight of Munich and the beautiful glockenspiel.

JACT: Just Another Clock Tower.

We met our tour guide and began a three-hour walk through Munich that included many historic sites chronicling the rise of Hitler and the Nazi movement — including, somewhat ironically, the epic Hofbräuhaus, where the early Nazi Party held rallies.

Angel Aloisius. The postman from God who never made it out of the Hofbräuhaus due to his love of Bavarian beer.

Life Goal #1,387: have a personal stein at Hofbräuhaus.

We ate. Again. At the Spaten bierhall.

Snackin' at the Spaten. And... the first documented appearance of Evil Steve the First.

Feet hurting, we eventually made our way to the park and then on to the Documentation Center for the History of National Socialism, a museum that chronicles in granular detail the rise of Nazi Germany.

I found it especially disturbing because of what is unfolding in America today. Walking through the exhibits, it was impossible not to notice how many of the early tactics felt… familiar.

• Vilify a minority group as subhuman.

(Example currently circulating in the U.S.: the claim that Somali immigrants are eating pets.)

• Promise the working class you have their back — and then quietly break those promises.

(Examples… unfortunately too numerous to list.)

• Simultaneously attack the media while also trying to control the narrative.

• Encourage quasi-military groups of undertrained loyalists who operate outside normal law enforcement — threatening violence and labeling critics as traitors or enemies.

• Gradually fill the judiciary with loyalists who will carry out the agenda of those in power.

History doesn’t repeat exactly, but it certainly rhymes. Walking through that museum made the rhyme feel a little too close for comfort.

[EDIT 3/3/26: I didn't think it warranted pointing out in my comparison list, but there was also the not-so-small matter of Hitler suddenly attacking Poland. The day after we visited this museum, the US attacked (some would argue rather randomly) Iran.]

"Exit Munich Before Either the Allies or the Germans Bomb You To Rubble."

Anyway… onto cheerier things.

Rodney. Finally proves that a bratwurst by any other name is still a...hot dog.

We returned to Holzkirchen, where we met Daniel’s wife for a lovely (yet far too filling) dinner to conclude the evening.

Another outstanding German meal.

Another full stomach.

Somewhere between cars, planes, more planes, more cars, and finally trains, time stopped making sense.

Steve and I flew from Philadelphia to Charlotte — Adam was supposed to join us but sadly had to cancel at the last minute — where we would meet up with Eric and Rodney on our way to our host, Daniel, who awaited us in München (Munich to you and me).

The connection time was going to be tight — about 20 minutes from deplaning to boarding — and given our most recent debacle in Montana/Dallas, I was dubious.

But the travel gods were with us today.

First, when confronted with a $75 baggage fee, I sweet-talked the agent into waiving it. 😳

Pro Tip #38: 👉🏻 Apparently if your checked baggage appears somewhere between a carry-on and a full suitcase, they can tag it for free — claiming it was gate-checked due to an oversize violation.

Who knew?

Fun Fact: When your trip starts with 3 Bloody's before noon, turns out nothing much bothers you.

Next, when we boarded (on time!), I spoke to the flight attendant and explained our tight connection time. He moved our seats closer to the exit to speed our deplaning.

Then not only did we actually depart on time, they announced we would be getting into Charlotte 10 minutes early. 😳

Things were off to a better start.

When we boarded the flight to Munich, the plane was empty.

Like 80% empty.

Like flip-up-the-armrests-and-stretch-out-across-the-entire-row-and-sleep kind of empty.

I mean… ’nuff said.

We met Daniel at the Munich airport. Daniel is Rodney and Eric’s friend and, with his wife and son, lives outside Munich.

Daniel’s one mistake was inviting Rodney over for a visit and ski trip.

Rodney then invited Eric.

Who invited Steve.

Who then invited Adam and Dave.

Pro Tip #612: Be careful who you invite to your house when you live near great skiing.

They don’t call ’em ski bums without good reason.

The Zoo Crew - European Vacation Edition: Rodney, Steve, Daniel, E Harmony and Dave. Here, in Tagernsee.

Brätwurst?! Brät best!!!

Daniel had already planned a great first day. We went right from the airport to Holzkirchen, where Daniel lives, and boarded the Euro-beautiful, Euro-efficient train to Tegernsee.

Bräustüberl Tegernsee. (Note the amount of umlauts. Wait for it...)

Bräts were enjoyed by all. (Apparently Germans joke about Americans adding ümläuts to anything they can so I will indulge this stereotype...)

At one point Rodney studied his brat for a moment, took a bite, and thoughtfully announced,

“This is almost like a hot dog.”

Which, technically speaking, is true.

In the same way that Germany is almost like Epcot.

Now, in Rodney’s defense, I will refrain from bringing up the hot-dog comment here — despite the fact that I find it beautifully hilarious and not nearly as odd as I mercilessly pretended it was at the time.

Oh wait.

I did just bring it up.

Sort of.

Drät.

When is a hot dog not a hot dog? When it's a bratwurst.

First German beers of the trip.

They were helles gut.

Back to Holzkirchen. Eric, Steve, and I hit the grocery store for creamer — which I will promptly smash all over the Airbnb’s driveway — and then discover there is no key in the lockbox.

Eventually that all gets sorted.

We get into the house with just enough time to drop our clothes and head right back out for more German vittles at the aptly — yet not uncommonly prefixed — Zum Oberbräu.

Öddly, being named Oberdoester gets you no free biers at Oberbräu.

Bed.

Sleep.

Which, for me, doesn’t come easy.

Well, tomorrow’s another day.

Unless it’s actually today.

Wait…

Is it yesterday in the States?

I dunno.

Travel, to me, is a bit like time travel.

Somewhere between the cars, planes, and trains… you lose track of which day it is.

Good night.

🫩💤 🫣☀️😢😡