Meran/Merano

I waited to write about this place, until I had a fresh brain and a little caffeine. This is because, although we were only there for 3 short days, it was the experience and education of a life time. The main purpose of visiting this beautiful little mountain town tucked up in northern Italy near the Austrian boarder, was to visit a friend DJ had made on a previous trip to Portugal, Michel.  Michel and his girlfriend Daniela welcomed us into their home (which is gorgeous) and immediately immersed us in the BEAUTIFUL culture of Meran. Michel is a head chef at a local resort there, so to experience an Italian city with a chef, is very very lucky. 

Apart from taking us on little explorative adventures around town, like an ancient watch tower and a handful of breathtaking old churches, we drank LOTS of incredible local wine and made some good friends in the process. We ate THE BEST pizza I've ever had in my life. No one can convince me otherwise. We drank gluhwein outside in the clear cold night, under twinkling lights and beside blazing fires. But what I found most special, was on our last day we were treated to an incredible homemade meal, created by Michel, himself. Pasta, sauce, everything was made from scratch to complete the seafood pasta dish called Scoglio (which is pictured down at the bottom). All I could do was make happy sounds as we ate there together, cozy by their christmas tree, before we hopped on our next train.

The warmth and friendliness we felt from Michel, Daniela and their friends was so refreshing after the isolation we felt in Germany. The people of Meran take such pride and delight in showing you the BEST version of what they have created. Quality over quanitity every time, everywhere I went in Europe, not just Italy. There is something to be learned, in taking your time to do something right, once. Instead of crappily over and over :) 

Thank you to everyone we met while we were there, I cannot wait to visit again, but in the meantime, COME VISIT US!! love love love

Munich

After being in Ireland, adjusting to Germany was, an adjustment. We landed in Munich in the morning and caught a ride from the airport to our hotel in a taxi cab that is nicer than most cars I've ridden in, period. That was our first tip off that this place runs well and efficiently. Efficient is an understatement, Munich is like a well oiled machine and if you aren't doing your part you better get out of the way! The city was intricately beautiful and filled with a sense of pride. We were lucky enough to book a hotel right by the Oktoberfest grounds and although that wasn't going on, The Tollwood Winterfestival was in full swing and it was quite a sight. From what we learned, the festival is made up of part international handicraft booths, organic food and education with a focus on sustainability. Basically, a HUGE farmers market/saturday market combined with random entertainment and a pinch of recycled art. Purty cool. It was beautiful and delicious and very entertaining :) 

Since we were only in Germany for 3 days we were only able to experience bits and pieces, but along with Tollwood, we also experienced a Bier Haus, some amazing bratwursts and Thai food? Oh and let me tell you, there is nothing quite like the sound of bells tolling in a city square in the morning. There may be similar things...but nothing, just so.

Blarney Castle

We spent about 5 hours walking the grounds of Blarney Castle. We could easily have spent 5 more and still wouldn't have uncovered all the beautiful secrets hidden in it's walls. From the poison garden to the ruins just casually posted about, the area is filled with a certain magic that makes you slow down and just observe the space. It is an outdoor museum, like much of Europe. The gardens they have surrounding the castle are so impressive in their variety, one second you felt like you were in the tropics and the next you were standing next to Ireland's oldest cedar tree. My day was complete when we stumbled upon some horses and donkeys grazing down by the lake, luckiest animals on earth. Although we didn't kiss the Blarney stone, due to warnings from the locals that it might not be the "cleanest" place to put our mouthes, I still feel like we had our full Blarney experience. 

Limerick

 Limerick was lovely. It didn't get the best rap from some of our previous hosts, but we found it to be cozy and the people warm. Our favorite person we met in our brief stint in the little city, was Noel (while eating the BEST bangers n' mash I've ever had, at The Locke Bar. GO THERE TOO). Noel is an Irish surfer who runs  a little tiki bar in the Canary Islands during the tourist season and spends the rest of his time visiting his kids(and grandkids) or on surf adventures. It's a hard life.

The beautiful thing about going into a pub in Ireland is that you WILL make a friend in there, guaranteed and it will not be in a pushy way, it will be in an open and honest and most likely comedic way. And in that way, it is very hard to ever feel alone, even so far from home. That is the beauty of Ireland.

Caher Castle - Galway

Where to start... After a gusty night in Galway, where we were forbidden to leave our hotel due to high winds and rain, we got blown (literally) into Craughwell train station the next stormy morning and were picked up by Pete the Irishman. Stones man, fashion designer, king of his own castle and our next host via AirBnB, he informed us we'd have to stay an extra night at the castle free of charge (oh nooo, how terribleeee) because the flooding from Storm Desmond was making access to and from the area dangerous and nearly impossible. So we started the second part of our Irish adventure marooned in a castle, loving every second of it. 

Pete and his partner Eva took us in like family and filled our bellies with good food and our ears with beautiful stories. The castle has so much character and history, it's impossible not to feel apart of it. To see the place for yourself, find Pete on AirBnB Here! We explored the surrounding area the next day when the sun came out and I found all the animals a Maya could want. We might move there...eventually. Our time was so special and unique, I cannot wait to return, possibly during the dryer season?