This July we’ll be headed to Beervaria, Germany… our mistake. Actually, for seven days we’ll be trotting around Bavaria, the largest and tastiest state in Germany.

Most nights will be spent in the state capital, Munich, enjoying baked pretzels with mustard and the finest beers around. However, Munich also makes a great base for day trips to a variety of nearby destinations.

Here is what we will be checking out during our stay in Bavaria:

Neuschwanstein Castle – This castle may look familiar to you, as it was the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle at the Dinseyland theme park. The first stone was laid in the mid 1800s and the castle was one of the first buildings to use electricity, which the builder of the castle – King Ludwig – introduced to the German public.

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Dachau – Opened in March 1993, Dachau was the first regular concentration camp operated by the Nazi party in Germany and became a model for future concentration camps. The camp was one of the first to be liberated in 1945, but not before many political prisoners, resistance fighters, clergy and politicians were killed.

Salzburg, Austria – The birthplace of Mozart and the backdrop for a few scenes in The Sound of Music, Salzburg is a city famous for its musical heritage. You can head to the area outside of town and catch a tour guide who can show you the setting for the Von Trapp family’s wacky antics in the musical.

And now why we are really going…

The Beer Gardens - Although Oktoberfest is something one should not miss in his lifetime, there is plenty to be gained by sitting down with the locals over a few liters of beer any time of year. Quick tip – stay away from the tourist traps. The majority of first-timers to Munich will end up at the Hofbräuhaus, a huge beer hall with a live polka band and liter-sized beers. This feels like an authentic experience until you realize you’re surrounded by other backpackers and no Münchners! Try the various local beer gardens dotted around the city center, Augustiner for one.

Overall, going somewhere local will give you that bona fide German culture for which you’re (and we’re!) going to Bavaria.

Prost!

Photo Credit: Russell C. on Flickr

Chug-a-lug people. St. Pat’s day is almost here so you know what that means? Green beer, embarrassing photos, thrown worshiping and that artistic way of speaking English known as the belligerent slur. Which countries around the world pound the most creative juice each year?

According to an international survey, Luxembourg easily takes the cake for the most alcohol consumed per capita in a year: 15.5 liters. Closely followed by France, Ireland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic who all clock in over 12 liters per person per year. Very impressive!

Let us give a round of applause, or shots, to the top 5 countries while we take a gander at the 15 followers:

6) Spain
7) Denmark
8) Portugal
9) United Kingdom
10) Austria
11) Switzerland
12) Belgium
13) Germany
14) Australia
15) Netherlands
16) Finland
17) South Korea
18) Greece
19) New Zealand
20) United States

It’s no surprise that the U.S. hits all the way down at #20. The U.S is 1 of 6 countries who’s legal consumption age is over 20:

1) Fiji – 21
2) India – up to 25 (depends on state)
3) Micronesia
4) Pakistan – 21 (non-muslim)
5) Palau – 21
6) U.S. – 21

Please drink responsibly while searching through your lawn.

Photo Credit: wickenden on Flickr

Our afternoon arrival in Vienna was made enchanting by a driving tour of the city and a visit to Schonbrunn, one of the grandiose and stunning residences of the Habsburg family.

After relaxing and exploring the Schunbrunn grounds, we ventured to the hotel to either put our things down and explore or crash for a nap before dinner. Following dinner, we fixed ourselves up (and what a fabulous-looking bunch those travelers make) to attend a concert with the music of Mozart and Strauss. The concert hall proved stunning, the music transcendent, and the dancing and vocals entertaining. Intermission provided sparkling wine and the most intensely colorful sunset I’ve seen in a while, after which I may or may not have accidentally charmed a young Viennese trumpet-player. [Ladies, you'll like this story.] Accidentally, you ask? Absolutely. All I did was smile in return to his hello, and the young fellow spent the rest of his time on stage craning his neck and back to smile at me in the back of the room. He even interrupted songs to tap fellow musicians and whisper in my direction. It was a most flattering and awkward exchange for a young lady who did not realize she was so mysterious (most likely because she’s not)!

The following day was spent with a lot of free time and people chose to bike, explore the cathedrals and churches (particularly St. Stephen’s and Karls Church), or wander the open-air markets (most notably the beloved Naschmarkt) to try the vast array of foods and shop for goods from far off lands. Then we all met up in the afternoon for one final day of outings, heading first to the Schnapps Museum for a delightful tour that enlightened us to the many variations of the famed Austrian liquor. The tour guide was absolutely hysterical, making sure to note things like: “If you have this type of schnapps, you will suddenly have the funniest party ever. Even if you’re the only one at the party… (mischievous giggle).” The tour was completed with the tasting of a vast array of tasty shots, from liquor with flakes of gold to absinthe to liqueurs that tasted like strawberries & cream.

Then it was off to Prater Park for some amusement park goodness, and boy was it fun! We all ran around like children, arms flailing and cotton candy staining our fingers. We played games, rode water rides and bumper cards, and spun through the air at 100mph on a ride that I can only describe as a massive circularly-moving slingshot that just happens to never let you go.

And after our glorious afternoon of schnapps and amusement-park rides, we had one last hearty Eastern European dinner in a dimly lit basement restaurant. There was plenty of reminiscing and good Austrian drink, and the night was finished with non-stop hugs, the exchange of e-mail addresses and sad goodbyes.

This means, ladies and gentlemen, that my European exploits have come to a close.

Where to next, you ask? China, baby. I’m about to board my plane to Hong Kong, and I’m overwhelmed with excitement. I can’t wait to send word from the East, so stay tuned!