August 2025 – Short Break in Tyrol and Munich – Summer, Friends and New Impressions

The occasion for my trip to Tyrol was a wedding invitation – and not just any, but one from dear friends. The groom, Julian, is a long-time friend of mine. His bride and now wife, Nadine, I had only met twice before – and it was she who invited me to the wedding directly. Even then I found her likeable, and I hope we will get to know each other better over time.

Several hundred kilometres of travel are no small matter, but it was immediately clear to me: for friends like these, I'll gladly take on the journey. And to be honest, it also suited me personally very well. Firstly, because I'm planning a crossing of the Alps in early September, and this way I could get a little "feel" for the mountains in advance. Secondly, because it was my first proper annual holiday – after months of project design, project work and project management. So this little break came at exactly the right time in more ways than one.

Of course, a wedding invitation as a long-term single has its own dynamic – especially when you're the only single among many couples. I was taken along by Melissa and Fabian, two friends who have known me forever. We arrived in Tyrol, had lunch together – and then the two of them simply let me go off on my own. They know I enjoy being out and about alone from time to time. I think that's something that distinguishes deep friendships: knowing when to leave someone in peace.

After lunch, I set off alone to explore the area. Unfortunately, that was the only opportunity for a somewhat longer hike, but there was a very nice reason for that, which I'll come to later. In the evening, we sat down together for dinner again, joined by Melissa's sister and her family. So it was a real family gathering, at which, thanks to our long friendship, I almost felt like part of the family myself.

To round off the evening, a small group of us watched "Kaisermania" and let the first day in Tyrol wind down to the songs of Roland Kaiser.

The next morning, we happened to meet for breakfast. Afterwards, I treated myself to a quick little hike to a suspension bridge. Time was short, as I soon had to get ready for the wedding. Weddings in summer heat and in smart clothes are a small challenge for me – especially when you're not quite sure what to wear. The shirts I had packed are actually too big for me by now.

In moments like these, my personal guiding principle helps me – which is also the name of a project I took part in: "Your body is enough." Through this project with revealing body photographs (which I've also written about on the blog), I learned to accept my body as it is. I have integrated this attitude into my everyday life – and it helps me feel at ease on occasions like these too.

The wedding, surprisingly, took place on an alpine pasture – a great idea from Nadine and Julian! And yes, I really was the only adult single. In the past, I would have reached for alcohol in a situation like that; today I handle it differently. I ask myself: "If you were drunk, what would you want to do?" – and then I do exactly that, within reason, without getting drunk. It's astonishingly effective.

And so it happened that right after the ceremony and a warm welcome, I conquered the dance floor – even before dinner. The dancing was already wild, and I helped the DJ heat up the mood.

Dinner was an experience in itself. The kitchen and service of the Stöttlalm showed themselves from their best, most human and most uncomplicated side – I have rarely experienced anything like it at a wedding venue. It suited the couple and the guests perfectly. After the wonderful meal, it was back to the dance floor for hours, and everyone joined in.

Around 11 p.m., dessert arrived: freshly made Kaiserschmarrn (without raisins!) with vanilla ice cream – that alone made the dance break worthwhile. Then, of course, the dancing continued into the early hours of the morning.

Around 4 a.m., I had a spontaneous idea: to use the small lake right next to the alm for a swim. I snuck away and dove into the cool water – between mountains and a starry sky. Naturally, it didn't go unnoticed. Shortly afterwards, a large part of the remaining guests, including the groom, jumped into the water with me. The Stöttlalm was perfectly prepared here too and brought us towels.

Afterwards, we danced together to quiet songs on the dance floor until 5 a.m. and savoured the moment. I asked the alm whether I could stay another hour to watch the sunrise in the mountains. No problem – and so the head waiter personally drove me back to the hotel around 6:30 a.m.

A second hike was actually planned for the next day – but after that night, it remained a day in the hotel room and in bed. It was worth it, though.

Since I had slept all day and only left the room for a shared dinner – at which we relived the wonderful wedding evening with plenty of laughter – I was wide awake that night. Mosquitoes kept me company on top of that, which didn't make falling asleep any easier. At some point I found some rest after all, before heading on via Innsbruck to Munich the next day.

In Innsbruck, I made a short stop and discovered: Tyrol has not only impressive mountains but also very attractive men to offer. Quite spontaneously, a short date came about, which turned out to be exceedingly pleasant and formed a fitting, unexpected conclusion to my stay in Tyrol.

Arriving in Munich, I had just under two very warm days ahead of me. On the first evening, I actually just wanted to grab a quick bite and then sleep. But then a craving for ice cream came over me – and I quickly discovered that most supermarkets here already close at 8 p.m. Munich also lacks the kiosk or late-night corner-shop culture found in other cities.

So I wandered through Munich in the evening for a while. The Isar on a summer evening is dreamlike, and time passed quickly. It was my first stay in Munich, and to be honest, I had a rather conservative image of the city beforehand. But a glance at my dating apps showed me that queer life here is thriving, relaxed and lively.

The next day, I was on my feet in Munich all day. Cities are always a blessing and a curse for me: on the one hand exciting because of the many interesting people and places, on the other hand exhausting because of precisely those crowds. I had decided not to linger anywhere for long, but simply to walk a few selected hotspots.

In total, I covered a good 20 kilometres on foot, had a look at the Theresienwiese – where preparations for Oktoberfest were already in full swing – and roamed through the city centre all the way to the English Garden.

The English Garden in particular won me over: the Eisbach with its surfers, the bathing spots along the stream and the relaxed atmosphere. You find the same feeling on the beautiful banks of the Isar – a lightness I would not have expected in Munich.

I ended the second evening with a date that is probably among the funniest I've ever had. On the third day, I'm now sitting in a busy café near the main station, waiting for my train. My image of Munich has changed completely: the rather staid notion has turned into a picture of a lively, open city.

Yes, Munich – I like you.