Brad Kaplan

This trip through Germany and Poland was different from almost any trip I have taken. Over two weeks, I visited places I had wanted to see for years, experienced places I felt I needed to see, and tested a style of independent travel that pushed me outside my comfort zone. By the end, I can confidently call the trip a 100% success. One of the things that made this experience so unique was traveling with a longtime friend who grew up in East Germany. He planned the itinerary, drove throughout...

My final day in Germany brought me to Munich, and I decided to focus on two things I particularly enjoy when traveling through Europe: bakeries and history. Fortunately, Munich delivered plenty of both. We arrived using public transportation, which continues to impress me. Navigating the vibrant subway system: even with local expertise, unexpected hurdles abound. The trains have been efficient, timely, and an excellent way to travel. Would I have attempted all of this public transportation...

Today was another travel day—but not quite a departure day. We moved hotels to be closer to the Berlin airport because tomorrow morning we have an early flight to Munich, the final stop of this trip. Before making that move, however, we had one more full day to experience Berlin, beginning with something I certainly do not do at home: taking a train into the city to have breakfast on top of the Reichstag. We boarded the fast train from the airport toward central Berlin, and even my...