Dine. Drift. Dream.

Before we went on our road trip we decided our route from Innsbruck, Austria to Bellagio, Italy would HAVE to include the Stelvio Pass.  In the Eastern Alps it’s the highest paved road (2nd highest in the Alps) and consists of 48 hairpin turns.  By hairpin, I mean the tiny Nissan Micra we drove had to slow to practically a stop to navigate turns when there were cars passing on the other side.  The drops left me speechless (normally impossible) and I was convinced we were going to fall off the mountain.  I was not a pleasant passenger.  By far one of the highlights of our trip!

Stelvio Pass, Italy.  July 2012.

I used to focus international trips on big cities, but I slowly came to realize the small towns, and those areas in between, put a traveler much closer to the locals.  In the U.S. though, I feel most at home in urban areas and Munich felt so much like Chicago it was kismet.  I can only imagine how glorious it is during Oktoberfest, and I definitely plan a repeat trip.

We checked off Dan’s vacation bucket list item in Munich as well - “Be the only tourists in a place at one time.”  Bars aren’t open in Munich on Sunday, we found the only one that was…  those locals had been drinking ALL day.

Also they sunbathe nude in the park.  Those Germans!

Munich, Germany.  July 2012.

Ah Bruges.  I first traveled to Bruges a few years ago while looking for an interesting stop between Paris and Amsterdam, I had no expectations and came away with a love for the history, architecture, fries, waffles, beer, and chocolate.  There is nothing not to love about this town (except maybe the hotel prices).

Sadly after the most horrifying travel day of my life- delays, cancellations, 7 total hours on tarmac without movement… we arrived in Bruges 10 hours late and had to fit the Bruges experience into half a day.  Luckily we stumbled upon an outdoor concert in the Markt, a late night fast food place w/ all of the Bruges staples and the weather held up for a whirlwind site seeing expedition the following morning.

Day 1 of the trip was a success.

Lut and Bruno Setola Bed & Breakfast.  Sint-Walburgastraat 12.  Bruges, Belgium.

The Chocolate Line.  Simon Stevinplein 19.  Bruges, Belgium.  $$$

Jan de Klerk Chocolate.  Academia Straat 19.  Bruges, Belgium. $

Gran Kaffee de Passage.  Dweersstraaat 26, Bruges, Belgium.

While I struggle to go to the gym, a five week struggle currently if we’re keeping track… I am always up for some beginner mountain (hill) climbing while on vacation.  I find you always get the best views, and I get rid of a little of the general vacation guilt I seem to carry around when my only responsibilities are to eat, drink, and sunbathe.  As long as crampons aren’t needed, I’m in.  We spent the next morning hiking to the top of Diamond Head, a very quick 35 minute climb that gave us some great views of Waikiki Beach and Honolulu.  Anyone with a basic level of fitness could handle the walk and get there early if you want to find parking in their lot.  After the climb we headed to breakfast at Cream Pot, which turned out to be my favorite meal of the entire trip. 

Must order:  Souffle Pancakes and Bacon Baked Eggs.  If you’re there alone, you’ll have to get both. 

I’m sorry. 

You won’t be.

And to work off that breakfast we lounged on the beach for a few hours.  While you can’t beat the $5-for-two-chairs-and-an-umbrella deals in Rio de Jainero (and $1 cans of beer in a koozy), it was comforting to know there was a low likelihood we’d be robbed at knife point.

Dinner was at a contemporary Italian small plates restaurant called Town.  The portions were huge and unfortunately take-out is less appealing on vacation.  I still took my homemade pasta back to the hotel with high hopes for consumption, but left it the next morning when we checked out.  I just pretended the cleaning lady was enjoying it with the Kona beers we also left thanks to my absent mindedness.

Diamond Head State Park.  Diamond Head Rd.  Honolulu, HI.

Cream Pot.  444 Niu Street.  Honolulu, HI.

Town.  3435 Waialae Ave.  Honolulu, HI