After extensive traveling during my adult life, especially during the early “Dannyboy Travels” years of 2015-2019, I found staying put during 2020 and 2021 particularly difficult. Although Covid was still lurking in 2022, I decided it was time to gamble and book a trip abroad.

Since I hadn’t seen my German friends for several years - and one of them was turning 55 years old in 2022 - so traveling to Germany seemed like the logical destination. I booked my flights.

The trip was a great success, with a few “mini-trips” embedded within.

I flew into Munich, direct from San Francisco, and then took the train to Starnberg where I met up with my friend Uli. He was gracious enough to allow me to use his home as a “home base” for the next several weeks.

Our first adventure was taking the express train to Neumunster, in the north of Germany. We rendezvoused with Ulf who then drove us to his vacation home on the island of Sylt. Here we spent the next several days together celebrating Ulf’s 55th birthday, along with many of his friends and family.

Our second adventure was a couple of day hikes back in the south of Germany. These hikes in the Alps are always fun, usually punctuated by some visits to huts for beers, lunches, and card games.

Our third adventure was the obligatory Oktoberfest, or Wiesn. Again, these days at the world-famous festival are unforgettable - full of laughs and fun.

Lastly, I took my own individual adventure to Innsbruck for a week. The train ride is beautiful, so I took my time stopping at a few villages along the way for an overnight or two. I’d spend the day doing local hikes and then stroll the streets in the evening in search of a rewarding meal.

I love going to Germany and am grateful to have such fabulous and generous friends there.

Vielen Dank!