By: Sophie-Claire Hoeller

It's one thing to bring back souvenirs so terrible that they land you on your friend's @#$% list, and quite another to tote home tchotchkes from overseas that send you straight to jail. To ensure you experience the warm fuzzy feeling that comes from hearing a U.S. Customs agent say, "Welcome home, Gianni Jaccoma", here are eight souvenirs you should absolutely not bring back with you.

More: Secrets Of The World's Elite Pickpockets



Credit: Flickr User Kashmut

1. Knockoffs

As tempting as it may be to wow your GF with a sexy Cucci bag or score a pre-release bootleg DVD of Winter's Tale, you should resist urge. It's a terrible movie. Also, under U.S. law, counterfeit items -- or anything using a federally registered trademark -- will be seized at the border, plus you could face a fine so hefty you'll never want to see another Colin Farrell movie again. Although it shouldn't take a fine for you to realize that.



Credit: Flickr User TorenC

2. Dog and cat fur

You might want to sit down for this one. Turns out some sneaky companies use dog and cat fur on their clothes and mislabel them, so that, well, you don't realize you're buying a coat MADE WITH DOG FUR! Needless to say, be wary when buying furs in China and Russia, where the practice is more common. You can also expect fines of at least $3,000 (and up to $10K) if you're busted at Customs.



Credit: Flickr User Tess Watson

3. Haggis

Pretty much the only thing people bring back from Scotland other an annoying proclivity to overuse the phrase, "It'll be graaaaaaate" in a thick Scottish brogue, is the heart, liver, and lungs of a sheep, shoved into its stomach and made into a sausage. Unfortunately, you're better off working on your accent as the American government's banned importing any foodstuffs that contains sheep's lung.



Credit: Flickr User Loren Sztajer

4. Raw Ackee

You were like, so culturally immersed during your trip to Jamaica -- rocking cornrows, swigging Red Stripe, and eating fresh Ackee every morning, and you just wanted to bring some of that magic back home. Don't. Jamaica's national fruit is basically poisonous when not prepared correctly, so even if you avoid the $300 fine ($500 for repeat offenders) you might spend the day vomiting.



Credit: Flickr User Pauly

5. Real Absinthe

Assuming you didn't get too sick downing ungodly amounts of this stuff in Prague, you should think twice about bringing the green fairy stateside; absinthe gets its potent kick from thujone, a chemical compound found in the wormwood used during distillation. Customs'll seize the bottle immediately if it contains more than 10 parts-per-million of thujone, although souvenir bottle sans thujone are both available and legal.



Credit: Flickr User Aine

6. Haitian animal-hide drums

Sorry to shatter your dreams of joining the neighborhood co-op's Thursday night drum circle in aisle 9 but, apparently, Haitian drums have been linked to cases of anthrax. Fortunately, the organic quinoa & flaxseed oil lip balm you've been meaning to pick up is still totally safe.



Credit: Flickr User Derek Key

7. Kinder surprise eggs

Apparently, American children can't be trusted to differentiate between creamy milk chocolate and hard, yellow plastic, which is why these eggs of death are banned by the U.S. government. No joke -- you're looking at a $2,500 fine PER EGG smuggled into the country. Which means Customs took in a pretty penny in 2011 when it seized more than 60,000 of them.


Credit: Flickr User Alex Brown

8. Cuban Cigars

Obviously, one of the more desired banned items from another country, even the slightest whiff of a Cuban cigar can get you slapped with a $55,000 civil fine and a prison sentence. Perhaps a stogie from Honduras would suffice?

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Follow Thrillist on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Thrillist ]]>

Adventure, going off the dictionary definition, is: an unusual and exciting or dangerous experience. Seeking those experiences is totally worthwhile, for everyone. Doing the thing you've wanted to do for ages helps you grow. Ticking off that trip or that thing which frightens you but calls out to you anyway. From getting over your stage-fright and walking onto a standup comedy stage for the first time, to riding a bike a long way. It is infinite, it is for everyone, it is worthy, it is real, and simply embracing adventurous experiences has a positive impact.

If you want to go and have an adventure, go and do it. Don't be put off by titles, or inexperience, or lack of 'the gear', or anxiety. Don't be put off by anything. Do the thing that calls out to you. If you're a receptionist - you can have an epic adventure. If you're a teacher - you can too. If you work in insurance - you can as well. And you should! I really hope that anyone reading this will at some point pursue an adventure that is close to their heart.

But how do other people view 'Adventure'. Can a single moment rise to the top of many? I asked some peeps who've chased their adventure, one thing. To describe their most adventurous moment. Their responses are fun and insightful and sometimes unexpected - enjoy, then get planning your own!

- - -

Leon McCarron:



"I've had my fair share of pretty 'adventurous' (or downright stupid) moments - listening to bears sniff at the flysheet of my tent in California, teetering over precipitous cliffs in Chinese mountains, capsizing a packraft in a remote Iranian gorge... when it comes to doing silly things in exciting places, I'm a pro. But I also know that without a doubt my most adventurous moment of all was very different from those higher adrenalin escapades.

The bravest and more daring thing I've ever done was cross the George Washington Bridge out of New York City on my first big trip. Physically there was nothing hard about it, nor logistically - there was even a bike path all the way across. Mentally, however... man, mentally it was a war zone. Every fibre of my being was terrified at the prospect of leaving behind all that I knew; swapping the familiar and the comfortable for a heavy bike, a cheap tent and an endless white line heading west. I would have found it so easy to give up right there, to turn around and make plans to fly home to the UK. Somehow - through stubbornness, stupidity and a small but growing realisation that things don't always have to be fun to be worthwhile - I pushed on over the bridge, into New Jersey, and into the adventure of a lifetime. Since then, I've never looked back."

- - -

Rachel Atherton (photo: Laurence Crossman Emms)



"I suppose people would think that racing mountain bikes down mountains at speeds of 60mph every weekend all around the world for a living was adventure enough but I disagree!

You get so used to whatever you do day to day, no matter how adventurous it may seem, so adventures to me are things that I don't get to experience, days out on the sea in boats, inflatable kayaks through quaint towns, but my most brilliant adventure that I still love thinking of was taking myself to Europe when I was injured and having a year off, I must've been 19, I camped for weeks in my tent with my bike, at lakesides and up mountains, the thunderstorms from the tent were amazing, I rode every day exploring the mountains, collecting wild strawberries and bilberries to go with breakfast, washing in the lakes and waterfalls, stealing vegetables from gardens (!!) and making friends with locals who plied me with homemade alcohol.

It was one of the most exhilarating, free, happy times I've ever had. A real adventure because I was away from the normal, away from technology, away from comfort, it was real living, being as close to mother nature as I could be, to me that is what an adventure should be."

- - -

Tom Allen:



"I was dragging my bike through a thousand kilometres of sand towards Dongola in northern Sudan. The Nile lay to my right, shimmering, tempting, as I sweated in the midday Saharan heat. I wondered what was on the other side of the longest river in the world. (Nothing, according to Google Maps.) The idea took hold, and when I arrived at the next Nubian village I tracked down the owner of a small boat and convinced him to give me a ride. And so it was about halfway across the world's longest river, outboard motor sputtering, cool water spray on my sunburnt face, that I realised that not only did I have absolutely no idea where I was going, but that this leap into the unknown was precisely what made me feel so damn alive. This, right now, was my most adventurous moment to date."

- - -

Sarah Thompson:



"To me an adventure means taking a risk. Sometimes you run into trouble, and sometimes it turns out to be the most epic moment of a lifetime. One of my most adventurous moments was whist backpacking with a friend of mine in Indonesia. We awoke early, packed our rucksacks and headed off with no idea of direction. We passed peaceful lagoons, chilled out cafes and tiptoed through local farmlands, attempting to climb coconut trees for refreshment on the way. We walked for hour upon hour until we reached what we believed to be the end of the world! A huge of bank of black sand saw the end of the ever growing palm trees and we both stopped in awe. We laughed and told stories the whole way and yet when we reached this bay of black we had nothing to say, but just sat and soaked in the love of a wonderful adventure."

- - -

Charley and Sophie Radcliffe:




Charlie: "I am constantly challenging the title of most adventurous moment but they keep having one thing in common: being somewhere I didn't know I could get - whether I'm leading a hard (for me!) rock route, or running London to Brighton across fields and country paths. The moments that get your heart rate up, make you worry, and then break through the other side."

Sophie: "For me adventure is all about trying something new, embracing the unknown and having the faith in myself that I'll get there but also knowing that failure is part of the journey. It's about sharing the highs and lows with friends, making new bonds, strengthening existing friendships, feeling like you've shared something you'll never forget. It's about the rewards and how well deserved they feel! The accomplishment, feeling of confidence, the beer and eating of cake. It's about living and feeling alive."

- - -

George Foster:




"I used to think I was adventurous but the furthest I've been from civilisation in the form of say a phone or a car or whatever would be a few days camping in Scotland or a couple of days on a mountain in the Indian Himalayas. Not exactly Ernest Shackleton. I guess I may have done adventurous things to those uninitiated with fell running or those whose definition of adventure is markedly different to mine. It's all a matter of perspective.

If it's what you're into, then all my adventures in running have been adventures of the mind. Many hundreds of people have run further or faster. Maybe not so many have done so at night, over hills, in the wind and the sweeping rain. Then again, maybe you have, in which case skip to the next guy!

This is the closest I've come to a real adventure. Something where the outcome is far from certain. Running towards the mountains without a headtorch to see what it's like. The feeling when you float up the steepness and come face to face with the moon. Uncertain starlight giving way to a flood of brilliant radiance and you are able to pick out instantly a boulder here, or there, a puddle left from the evening downpour. All that was invisible moments before, now open for your private viewing.

That doesn't have much to do with the mind on first glance. I'd argue that it's experiences like that which remind you why you race on the fells. I need reminding sometimes when I'm racing. Legs melting into screaming lungs. The challenge in a lot of these isn't to win but often just to finish. That's the mental side. The not knowing is the adventure. The not letting your body give in when you do know. I think it takes a lot of courage to run up a hill into a gathering blizzard. Courage... and stupidity.

Anyone can have an adventure, though. As I said it's a matter of perspective. When I'm 94 I'm gonna relish the not knowing if I'll be able to make it to the toilet without pissing myself. How adventurous is that?!"

- - -


Clair Marie:



"Just about a year ago I was reaching the top of an approach to a BASE jump exit in Thailand. The hike consisted of 45 minutes of bushwhacking through the tropical jungle with spiders, snakes and scorpions. The humidity was incredibly high and there were 3 free solo climbing sections all about 50+ feet high. Falling would mean serious injury in best case scenario but death was a bigger possibility.

With no direct or quick access to a hospital, taking it slow and being careful was the only option. I reached the top, dripping with sweat and itching from bug bites only to find the approach was not yet over. The top of the cliff was riddled with razor sharp peaks that stuck straight out of the ground. We had to carefully make our way, across, carefully stepping on the tip of the razor rock, only having the ability to pinch the top of the little peaks to steady myself and prevent me from falling and severely injuring myself. The rock would go straight to the bone.

Once I reached the exit point and geared up, the BASE jump was the most mellow and relaxing part of the adventure. It helped that the view was spectacular and I had the pleasure of landing on a beautiful beach at sunset!"

- - -

What is an adventurous moment you look back on? ]]>

After the Alps, we need to raise the cultural bar a bit. All dressed up (pardon my wardrobe malfunction), we embrace the French joie de vivre. Pas de problème!


A fun way to take our travelers to new gastronomic heights is to order escargots. At first the reaction was, as you can see here, "Snails!? No way!" But with a gentle but firm hand, all but one in our group ate their escargot. And they liked it.


As a guide, it's fun to introduce people to something they've never experienced before...especially if they're afraid for no good reason. There must have been six or eight people in our group who had never eaten a snail before. I managed to get all but one in our group to try one...and all responded with a yummy thumbs up. After a little coaching on fork technique, our two youngest travelers enjoyed their first (of several) escargots as well. ]]>

It's no secret that mountain bikers get a bad rap when it comes to sharing multi-user trails. Additionally, the "poaching" of illegal trails has added to the conflict. Yet, as the sport grew, it became clear that a sustainable and cooperative solution needed to be found. Enter purpose-built trails.

Purpose-built mountain bike trails are materializing across the world as riders and land managers look for an answer to satisfy the need for more trails while protecting the environment.

"The success of a trail is highly dependent on both the environmental and social sustainability of the trail. A well-designed trail should cause minimal damage to the surrounding landscape and require minimal maintenance over time," states Trail Solutions, the trail design arm of the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA). The Lower Corral Trail project in Lake Tahoe is a good example of such cooperation.

These trails aren't your average single-track, they are designed with bikes in mind, incorporating features like rolling terrain, banked turns, jumps, boardwalks over soft/sensitive areas, and uniform surfaces. In other words: they are FUN!

My first exposure to mountain biking was on a purpose-built trail at a ski resort in Park City, Utah. A ski gondola, repurposed to haul bikes during the Summer, made the shuttle up the mountain super easy. With a helmet and pads from head-to-toe, I was still anxious about downhill biking. It took me a couple of runs to finally feel the flow of the trail and relax. It had lots of fun features, but no harsh or abrupt turns. Once I let the bike do what it was designed to do, the ride was epic. If you would like to experience a purpose-built trail, here are a few locations to explore:

Copper Harbor, Michigan



PHOTO: Copper Harbor

Take in scenic views of Lake Superior while riding cedar-planked boardwalks and spectacular ridges bordered by old-growth forest.

Coldwater Mountain, Alabama

With 25 miles of backcountry red-dirt trails, riders can choose from beginner gravity routes to high-energy technical runs. There's something for every level on this 4,000-acre playground.

Valmont, Colorado




PHOTO: Valmont Bike Park, Dave Write

Designed by the industry's leading engineers and trail-building professionals, Valmont includes killer features such as dirt jumps, skill-building parks, cross-country routes, and other technical features. If you're near Boulder, don't miss this park.

Paradise Royal, California

Earn your views on this 14-mile loop designed to excite and challenge cyclists while protecting the environment. Dig deep climbing 1,200 feet up 19 switchbacks to your reward--Paradise Ridge, an overlook high above the Pacific Ocean.

Sandy Ridge, Oregon



PHOTO: Top of Communication Breakdown, Sandy Ridge, Gabriel Amadeus

Get a full dose of beauty and flow on the perfectly designed trails of Sandy Ridge. Challenge the recently added Flow Motion Trail, which plunges 275 feet through lush terrain via 15 engineered-berms. That will get your pulse up. If a view is more your speed, head to the top of Communication Breakdown.

If you're looking to experience adrenaline-pumping, heart pounding fun on trails designed to show you a good time, locate a purpose-built trail to ride. They are popping up in more places across the United States. Planning an international vacation? Countries such as England, Mexico, Scotland and Australia have built beautiful trail systems as well.

Many ski resorts have invested heavily in mountain bike trail design to capture Summer visitors. To check out a few ski resorts that offer downhill biking during the Summer, read Top 5 Downhill Mountain Biking Resorts in America.

This post originally ran on the Liftopia blog.

By Erika Wiggins, The Active Explorer (@Active_Explorer) ]]>

For over 30 years I've been taking groups into the gondolas high in the Alps. Whether filled with skiers in the winter or hikers in the summer, there's a happy energy in that glass-and-steel bubble of mountain joy--especially when the Swiss Alps are out in all their glory. (Since the gondola is packed, I'm speaking softly. Turn on the YouTube captions if you can't hear me.)

The Schilthornbahn takes us effortlessly (in four stages) to the 10,000-foot summit of the Schilthorn in the Berner Oberland. For about $50 per person (there's a double discount for the group rate and for an early morning departure) we ride up and down. Sure that's a lot of money. But when you're surrounded by cut-glass peaks and breathing fresh mountain air, it's one of Europe's great deals. From a value point of view, remember that--all over the Alps--early lifts are discounted and, because of weather patterns, the early birds enjoy the crispest views. The lesson: Pay less and see more by ascending early.


On our tours, we do whatever we can to save time. For example, room numbers are assigned on the bus as we approach our hotel. Today, we gave the mic to 12-year-old Annaleise who made sure each tour member knew exactly where they were sleeping.


On a Best of Europe in 21 Days tour, we get two days in the Swiss Alps--and the weather is critical. I remember in the early, youth-hostel days of our tour company, we'd wait until morning before deciding if we'd ride the expensive lift to the top of the Schilthorn in the Berner Oberland. It depended on the weather. I'd wake up at the crack of dawn. If it was cloudy, I'd go back to bed--and we'd all sleep in. If the weather was good, I'd wake everyone up, and we were off for the summit. Any guide knows it often clouds up by late morning. Today, we caught the early gondola, were blessed with glorious weather, and enjoyed this view from 10,000 feet.


Tour groups love group shots. I find the regimented "short people in front," soccer-team-type photos boring. And, invariably, the stranger you pick to take the photograph frames it crazily, and the shot is too much feet and sky. Lately, my antidote to that is a group selfie. For some reason, as we all try to crowd into the shot (and I hold the camera high to make our chins seem nice and tight), everyone looks as happy as we are. ]]>

-- Oyster.com

Fingerprint Scan Room Entry at Alma Barcelona



A smartly designed luxury boutique hotel, the Alma Barcelona has 72 quiet, upscale rooms with flat-panel TVs and free Wi-Fi. Unlike the nearby Majestic, the pool here is indoors, but the rooftop terrace has first-rate views of the Eixample and Sagrada Familia. Style here has a starring role: design elements include fingerprint swiping instead of room keys, and architectural features such as a minimalist light-filled atrium.
_________________________________

The Yobot at the Yotel, New York City



If this futuristic hotel wasn't cool enough, the folks behind Yotel in New York City took their technology to new heights by introducing Yobot, a 15-foot automated luggage handler. Essentially, the robot selects and moves luggage from a very large luggage rack in order to organize all of the pieces received each day during check-in.

_________________________________

Touch-Screen In-Room Consoles at The Halkin, London



This 41-room boutique hotel exudes luxury -- and spares no expense when it comes to catering to their guests. Sumptuous and spacious rooms literally offer convenience at the touch of a button, as all have wall consoles for calling the butler and other services including light switches and temperature controls.

_________________________________

Retinal-Scan Room Entry at Nine Zero Hotel, Boston



While the Cloud Suite at Nine Zero could set you back a whopping $20,000 for a two-night stay, the hotel makes sure your every wish is taken care of and that no stone during your stay is left unturned. Private jet transportation is offered, champagne and caviar are always at beckon call, as is the on-site chauffeur. And you never need to worry about losing your room key -- the retinal scan ensures you (and only you, besides the staff, duh) have access to your pricey space.

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Infrared Body Scanners at Hotel 1000 - Seattle



Upon entry into a room at Seattle's Hotel 1000, the electronic doorbell silently scans the space with infrared sensors to detect body heat so that the staff knows when you're in and out of your room -- and thus never disrupts you during your stay.

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Smart Room Service Carts at The Jefferson, Washington D.C.



Hello, room service carts of the future! When, after you're done eating, you place your cart outside your door, a microchip inside the cart alerts housekeeping to come collect it.

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Tech Butlers at The Ritz-Carlton New York Battery Park



When your technology goes awry on vacation, normally you'd be forced to seek out the nearest electronics store. But at the Ritz-Carlton Battery Park, you can just pick up the telephone. The hotel offers a "tech butler" for any hardware or software problems you might have while at the hotel. Bonus: If you're astronomically inclined, most rooms come with a top-notch telescope for catching views of Lady Liberty and beyond.

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iPad Digital Concierge Service at Hotel Beaux Arts Miami



Rooms at Hotel Beaux Arts Miami come equipped with iPads with digital concierge services. Rooms also boast rotating flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, bathrooms with TVs in the mirror, and illy Espresso machines.

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Apple TV at The Geejam, Jamaica



Aside from the 42″ flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, dimmer switches, and DVD players, all rooms in this uber-luxe Jamaican resort feature Apple TVs. Each comes pre-programmed with an impressive mix of reggae and soul music, as well as three dozen movies. Bonus: You receive a pre-programmed cell phone on arrival with all of the hotel's customer service numbers already stored inside.

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All-in-One Entertainment Unit at The Mira Hong Kong



From the pool to the rooms to the spa, everything here has an almost futuristic touch: Think colorful lighting, straight lines, and a sleek design. Most rooms are decent-sized by Hong Kong standards, and all feature Bose iPod docks, LCD TVs, wireless keyboards, and entertainment units that incorporate computers and Blu-Ray DVD players. ]]>

But at her April 5 wedding to Nathan Lazur in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, Mari was glowing and full of life. Looking at the happy couple, you'd never know all that the pair has been through.



Joy Marie Smallwood, Mari's cousin and wedding photographer, told HuffPost Weddings that the most emotional moment of the celebration was when the bride came walking down the aisle.

"Nobody knew if she would be able to walk by her wedding date or even be in a condition to make it to the wedding," she said. "So when we all saw this beautiful girl walking down the aisle, everyone was in tears!"



Mari and Nathan's relationship started as a friendship several years ago when she was his personal trainer. They went on their first official date (a visit to Seattle -- Mari's hometown -- for a Seahawks game) in the fall of 2011. In April 2012, Mari was diagnosed with brain cancer. By Christmas of that year, the couple was engaged.

Joy Marie said that Nathan has been incredibly loving and supportive since day one -- a picture of unconditional love.

"Nathan had said that he felt like he was put on this earth to take care of Mari," she said. "I can't even type that without crying because that is exactly what he has done. He sleeps by her side in the ICU. I know I speak for our family and all of those who love Mari when I say that I am incredibly grateful for Nathan and I really do believe he is an angel. The selfless love and care that he has given Mari is beyond anything I have ever witnessed."

Below are more photos from the couple's beautiful and emotional celebration.




As for Mari's health of late, Joy Marie told HuffPost Weddings that the bride began a round of chemotherapy this week. A friend of the family has set up a Go Fund Me page to help offset the high cost of medical expenses and full-time care giving. You can make a donation here.

Check out the slideshow below for more wedding photos.



Keep in touch! Check out HuffPost Weddings on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Sign up for our newsletter here. ]]>

Do you like Italy? Do you like castles? If you answered yes to either of those questions (and if you didn't -- seriously?), you'll probably be into the gorgeous Castello di Monterone in the rolling hills of Umbria. This 13th-century castle has an impressive degree of preserved medieval character, and offers a romantic setting for a true getaway. One of our Italian investigators only just visited this stunning property, and we spent quite a while ogling it in the office. You can expect gorgeous stonework, breathtaking views, battlements, and even a suit of armor (of course -- this is a castle, in case we didn't make that crystal clear). It's almost hard to believe that these insanely beautiful photos are not remotely Photoshopped (if you're new here, that's kind of Oyster's whole thing). Just be careful not to drool on your keyboard. Pinners, get ready.

-- Kelsey Blodget, Oyster.com











See (Way) More Photos of the Castello di Monterone >> ]]>

The best beer in Munich is not at the Hofbräuhaus. Beer awesomeness awaits you, but not necessarily at the places you've heard about.

Mormons gravitate to Salt Lake City, Muslims to Mecca and Catholics to the Vatican. For beer-lovers across the world, true north is Germany, the global home of beer and brewing greatness. And within Germany, Munich is widely regarded as Beer Central.

Which is why international beer-lovers and tourists in search of the perfect beer adventure flock to Munich.

But there's only one problem. They tend to lavish their love on the city's big breweries and the Oktoberfest, so they miss out on sensational off-the-grid brews.

Big Beer

With seven huge breweries, this city is high on brewing muscle, but low on diversity. A skull-flattening 6 million hectoliters, or 158 million gallons, of beer gush forth from the Augustiner, Hofbräu, Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, Löwenbräu, Spaten and Franziskaner breweries every year. Much of it is Helles (a light lager) and Weizen, the wheat-based beer that Bavarians love.

That's all good if craft beer is not your thing. But the big breweries suck up all the oxygen. They overshadow the valiant small breweries and craft beer pubs in Munich that are swimming against the beer tide. If you come to Munich in search of beer greatness, you may not even know they exist.

Oktoberfest

Likewise, the Oktoberfest, that unrivaled global magnet for beer fans that is the stuff of legend. Go if you will. But surrender your executive functioning at the gate and shed your dignity. All manner of beer-fueled lunacy lies ahead.

This is a mass event like no other, where locals and tourists join forces in a sacred mission: to down torrents of beer in a single-minded quest for the ultimate rush.

An epic 6.7 million liters, or 1.77 million gallons, of beer lubricated partygoers at the Oktoberfest in 2013. Let's just say things can get a little crazy when beer is consumed in quantities like this.

If you're tempted to participate, you can rent a bosom-lifting dirndl or a pair of clingy lederhosen to blend in with the crowd. But however you dress, know that you'll be rubbing shoulders with -- count 'em -- over 6 million other uninhibited, thigh-slapping partygoers. The count was 6.4 million in 2013.

Really?

Think of it as a marathon beer-storm. It can be fun if you're in the right frame of mind. But it's not where you go to experience authentic regional beer culture, encounter the diversity of native Bavarian beer or connect with the people who brew it.

For all its buzz, charm and hip cultural highlights, Munich is an irresistible destination. But since the beer scene is dominated by big-gun breweries and driven by the Oktoberfest, if you want to unlock the authentic German beer experience, you have to look hard.

Alt-Beer in Munich

Somewhere outside of Munich's mega-breweries and beyond the Oktoberfest, lies a beery divide that separates the mundane from the transcendent. You can't find the exact tipping point on a city map, but it's real and you'll notice that the beer definitely starts getting more diverse and flavorful when you get off the official beer grid.

Want to forage Munich's alt-beer scene for really good brews? Here are some tips.

Weisses Brauhaus

A wheat-beer champ that is a fraction of the size of Munich's big beer-makers, Schneider Weisse brews its beer in Kelheim and operates the venerable Weisses Brauhaus in Munich at a site where beer has been brewed and served since 1540. A warm atmosphere, sturdy food and memorable beer await you. Try Schneider's Aventinus, Nelson Sauvin, Porter Wheat and Eisbock if they're available when you visit and thank your lucky stars if they are. Schneider Weisse is still owned and operated by the Schneider family and some of their beers are exported.

Tal 7
80331 München
Tel. (089) 2901380

Giesinger Bräu

The Giesinger brew-house was born in a garage in a working-class Munich neighborhood and started out life as a nanobrewery. Owner Steffen Marx captured the beer Zeitgeist, used word-of-mouth and guerilla marketing to win converts and has written a new chapter in Munich brewing history in the process. He makes unfiltered, unpasteurized Märzen, wheat beer, Helles and dark beer in small quantities and will open a new brew-house in September. Until then, buy his beer at the brewery or get it at one of Munich's craft beer shops.

Birkenaustrasse 5
81543 München
Tel. (089) 65114911

Crew Republic

Bearded dudes with tats, standing around the mash tun. Portland meets Munich. Mario Hanel and Timm Schnigula invented "Craft Beer is Not a Crime" as their motto. They run a pioneering craft brewery with an outsider vibe, which leaves no doubt that they see themselves at odds with the beer establishment. They're charting new ground with a range of outsider brews that would have been unthinkable in Munich a few years ago. Try their Foundation 11, a pale ale. They also do an India Pale Ale, Stout, Summer Beer and a double IPA. It's beer-glazed grunge-glam at its best! New brewery and brewpub set to open in March 2015. Until then, the hippest venues to enjoy their beers are the Burritto Company, Augustenstrasse 74; Upper Eat Side, Werinherstrasse 15; or Goldene Bar, Prinzregentenstrasse 1 (all in Munich).

Fraunhoferstrasse 9
80469 München
Tel. (089) 411471290

Brauerei im Eiswerk

A must-visit beer destination, the Brauerei im Eiswerk is a sweet microbrewery located in a repurposed, turn-of-the century icemaking plant. Craft beer purists may balk because the brewery is operated by the Paulaner beer company, one of the city's large beer-makers. But the brewers apparently have a free hand and have been rolling out interesting, unorthodox beers, including a triple-fermented Bourbon Bock, a new twist on traditional brown beer called Josephs Spezial, and a strong fruity wheat Bock they call Weizenbock Mandarin.

Ohlmüllerstrasse 44
81541 München
Tel. (089) 39292 350 or 39292 351

Richelbräu

Founded by Günther Baumann and co-conspirators as a house brewery, Richelbräu may just be the most laid-back, quirky brewery in Munich. It's located in a turn-of-the-century building in the Neuhausen neighborhood and serves as a cultural center and neighborhood gathering place. The brewery can't serve food and isn't even allowed to sell its beer, but "tasting" is allowed. Demo brewing dates are set for July 5 and 19, August 2 and 16, September 6 and 20, October 4 and 18, 2014. You can also visit at other times, but call ahead.

Richelstrasse 26
80634 München
Tel. (089) 132584

Four other fixed stars in the Munich alt-beer scene deserve honorable mention. They're not breweries, but they have a vast selection of small-batch and specialty beers, craft beers and beers from the hinterlands on tap or in the bottle.

RedHot Amalienstrasse 89, 80799 München, Tel. (089) 20 06 17 18

Taphouse Rosenheimer Strasse 108, 81669 München, Tel. (089) 62 23 118

Biervana Hohenzollernstrasse 61, 80796 München, Tel. (0177) 17 04 598

Getränke-Oase Gabelsbergerstrasse 54, 80333 München, Tel. (089) 57 95 36 37




Beer Beyond Munich

It will take persistence, but if you ferret out some of these beer destinations when you're in Munich, you'll be doing yourself an immense favor. But don't stop there. You've only had your first sip.

Bavaria has 626 breweries, and 88 percent of them are small- or mid-size operations, with real people standing at the mash tun who turn out luscious authentic styles. Nearly all of them are located outside of Munich in the region's nooks-and-crannies.

These hidden native breweries have deep roots in the towns and villages where they're located. The beers they brew are loaded with character. They ignite passion and loyalty. Only a few of them are exported, so you have to venture to the hinterlands to experience them.

After a stop in Munich, a guided tour of the back roads of Bavaria should be on every beer-lover's bucket-list. Beer always tastes best where it's brewed, and it's magical in the Bavarian hinterlands.

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Tom Conrad will lead a small band of beer lovers, craft beer enthusiasts and Slow Food fans on a beer and brewery tour to Germany in October. Craft brewers, abbey breweries and independent beer-makers in Munich and the nooks and crannies of Bavaria are on the itinerary..

Info: Treasures of Europe Tours www.treasuresofeuropetours.com

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Delve deeper with this photo essay about Germany's beer-brewing nun Sister Doris. Read more about women brewers and craft beer in Germany.

Photo credits: Crew Republic, Rainer Kastl/bierwandern dot de; Peter von Felbert; Bierland Oberfranken e.V.; Luber Family; LWL/Maria Tillmann ]]>

Major city: New York City
Wine region: Hudson Valley (drive time is 1.5 hours)

The bucolic region of New York State is teeming with storybook towns and some of the country's oldest vineyards (winemaking here dates back to 1677). The area has a few wine trails to choose from including the Shawangunk, which sits between the Hudson River and the Shawangunk Mountains. Explore the trails on your own or hop on The Little Wine Bus (it leaves from Midtown Manhattan) and let them do the navigation for you. Use Travelzoo Local Deals in the Hudson Valley this summer to watch polo matches, horseback ride, bike and hear live jazz with a wine glass in hand -- with savings up to 55%.

City to visit: Toronto
Wine region: The Niagara Peninsula (drive time is 1.5 hours)

With 32 varietals over 13,600 acres, the Niagara Peninsula is a diverse wine region with some impressive scenery: It's surrounded by rivers and lakes, and is a short drive from the famous Falls. The area is best known for its ice wine, a sweet wine made from grapes still frozen on the vine. The production process is arduous, making ice wine rare and expensive. But you can try it for yourself during the Niagara Ice Wine Festival in January, when wineries open their doors and the towns are teeming with street festivals and ice bars. Our Local Deals in Niagara include family activities plus the chance to sample the wine making the region famous.

City to visit: Washington, D.C.
Wine region: Loudoun County (drive time is 30 minutes)

Known as "D.C.'s Wine Country," Loudon County in Virginia is filled with rolling hills, farms and more than 40 wineries. Some are found in historic small towns with no more than 100 residents, while others are perched on the Blue Ridge Mountains with beautiful countryside views. Common varietals here include Norton, a dark grape that's a native of Virginia. Sample Norton and others on one of the six main wine trails that run through the area.

City to visit: Austin
Nearby wine region: Texas Hill Country (drive time is 40 minutes)

Texas is the fifth largest wine producer in the country and probably one of the few where the tasting rooms are filled with cowboy hats. The highest concentration of wine can found on Fredericksburg Wine Road 290, a rugged highway with 13 wineries. Those who want to leave their pickup trucks behind should try the Hill Country Bike and Wine tour. It sets tasters up with bikes, a picnic lunch and appointments at the local wineries.

City to visit: Seattle
Wine region: Yakima, Wash. (drive time is 2 hours)

Located in the rural countryside, these Pacific Northwest wineries are some of the oldest and largest in the state. The tasting rooms aren't quite as rural; they're centrally located in the towns of Prosser, Richland and Red Mountain. Visit a few of them along the Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail. It's conveniently lined with more than a dozen wineries and, despite the name, is rattlesnake-free. Hyatt Vineyards is one of the most popular spots along the trail, thanks to its panoramic views of the Cascade Range.

City to visit: San Diego
Nearby wine region: Temecula (drive time is 1 hour)

Combine the rural landscape of Napa with the laid-back attitude of San Diego, and you'll get Temecula, an up-and-coming wine region 3,500 acres large. The area's unique microclimate (warm midday sun and cool ocean breezes) produces excellent chardonnays, merlots and sauvignon blancs. This ideal California weather can also be thanked for keeping the area's tasting rooms open year-round. With our Local Deals, sample the goods with savings up to 70% at several wineries. And find even more deals on our Featured Destination: California's Wine Regions page.


-- Ashley Hamilton is a deal expert based in Chicago. Travelzoo has over 250 deal experts from around the world who rigorously research, evaluate and test thousands of deals to find those with true value. ]]>

Monterosso's little main piazza was a multi-generational dance floor and, for me, this was a particularly happy moment as I thought about how the town has now fully recovered from the horrible flood of 2011.


Our group is really fond of our bus driver, Joe (center), who quietly and professionally gets us everywhere smoothly and safely. It was fun tonight (as he was completely off tomorrow) because everyone let their hair down together. Our groups always consider our driver as a friend and part of our traveling family.


A group of Norwegian girls (and one guy) had some fun with our Belgian driver.


For me, doing this tour was full of rich memories of the formative years of our tour company. Both tour guide Reid and bus driver Joe (seen with me above) have been around since the early '90s--and as we followed our route, we enjoyed sharing lots of memories. Many of our drivers, such as Joe, essentially learned their English (which is quite good now) from years of talking with our tour groups. ]]>