After a quick nap, the boys headed straight for Munich's famed Hofbräuhaus, where Bear drank his weight in beer.

The next evening was New Years Eve. The boys rang in 2019 with a couple of glasses of champagne in their room in the Munich Hilton.

New Year's Day was a perfect day to explore old Munich, starting in Marienplatz, the city's main square.

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The next day it was off to the foothills of the Alps in southern Bavaria, to see the famous castles built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Here they are at Schloss Linderhof, the smallest of his three palaces and the only one which he lived to see completed.

The boys stopped for lunch in the small town of Oberammergau, known all over the world for its tradition of mounting Passion Plays since 1634..

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From the village of Hohenschwangau, it's a long climb up the hill to Schloss Neuschwanstein. The boys stopped for some Glühwein, to fortify themselves for the long walk in the snow.

Here they are part way up the hill with the famous castle in the background. Unfortunately, there were no photos allowed inside the castle.

The boys are always a little sad to come home after a fun trip overseas. But if you have to go home, this is the way to go. Here Bow Wow, comfortably settled into his business class pod on the Air Canada 777-300, is about to dig into his appetizer.

After an absence of almost nine years, the boys made a second visit to one of their favourite European cities in late October and early November 2017.

Having a couple of glasses of chardonnay in the boarding lounge.

Checking out all the murals on the East Side Gallery, a 1316 m long section of the Berlin Wall, now an international memorial for freedom.

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Drinking beer on the U-Bahns and S-Bahns in Berlin is quite common. How civilized! Or not.

At the famous Berlin Cathedral, or Berliner Dom.

Prior to German reunification in 1989, the two German states had different forms for the Ampelmännchen, with a generic human figure in West Germany, and a generally "male" figure wearing a hat in the East.

The Ampelmännchen is a beloved symbol in Eastern Germany,"enjoying the privileged status of being one of the few features of communist East Germany to have survived the end of the Iron Curtain with his popularity unscathed." After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Ampelmännchen acquired cult status and became a popular souvenir item in the tourism business.

In the Gendarmenmarkt, with the Konzerthaus (Concert Hall) on the left and the Französischer Dom (French Church) in the background.

At Alexanderplatz in the former East Berlin, with the Fernsehturm (Television Tower) in the background.

Heading to Potsdam.

Standing on the balcony at the New Palace in Potsdam.

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At Sans Souci, the summer palace of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia (1712 -1786).

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Having a couple of beers in the hotel bar.

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The boys made their second trip to Germany in December 2008 spending a few days in Berlin, stocking up on chocolate and Glühwein.

Waiting patiently in the boarding lounge to get called for their upgrade.

The waiting paid off and the boys were finally able to relax on board in their Executive First Suites with a couple of glasses of wine and a movie or two.

The boys spent much of their first day shopping at Berlin's famous KaDeWe department store. Move the cursor over the image for a different shot.

Immersing themselves in the history of the city, the boys made their first stop on day 2 at the German Reichstag (parliament). Move your cursor over the image for the view on the rooftop.

Running to catch a tram in the former East Berlin. They were impressed with the efficiency and reliability of the transit system in Berlin.

Checking out Checkpoint Charlie, the famed U.S. Army crossing point into the former Soviet sector of East Berlin.

Here is a slide show of the boys at Pariser Platz in front of the Brandenburg Gate, in what was once East Berlin.

Soaking up the Christmas spirit and the Glühwein at the Christmas market at Potsdammer Platz.

The boys can never get enough Christmas spirit or Glühwein. Here they are at the Schloß Charlottenburg Christmas market.

Schloß Charlottenburg was the last stop before heading to the airport for the trip home. Bear and Bow Wow are hoping to make their trips to Germany part of their annual Christmas tradition.

The boys made their first trip to Europe in December 2006 spending a few days in Frankfurt and Mainz.

"Is this where we go to get more Euros?"

Frankfurter Weinachtmarkt

The boys got into the spirit of the Christmas Market.

"Do they have First Class on these things?"

"Definitely not First Class!"

Discovering Glühwein

It's getting a bit chilly.

"Is that Belgium over there?"

One last coffee before boarding the plane home.

The boys don't mind so much going home when they get to watch a movie and have some fine wine in Executive First on the way.

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