Travel Talk Tuesday Dispatch – December 23, 2025

by | Jan 14, 2026 | Travel Talk Tuesday Dispatch | 0 comments

1. Update on Charlotte’s ICU Condition-

Charlotte continues to improve little by little in the ICU at Kilinicum Freising. Charlotte became very ill a couple of weeks ago while on our first Christmas Markets tour from Budapest to Munich. Initially, we thought it was a cold or the flu. But as time progressed I knew it was much more than that. By the time I got her to the ER clinic at the Munich Airport, she could barely walk. (Photo below of us in Budapest on December 1st).

Charlotte was diagnosed with toxic shock septic infection and progressed to sepsis. Her vital organs rapidly shut down, and she was placed on life support. She was in a coma and unconscious for 6 days. On day 6, the intubator tube was removed, and she was breathing on her own, but with 50% O2. Charlotte was slightly aware that Jamie and I were in the room with her.

Over the last 16 days, Charlotte has done remarkably well. The doctors and staff say she is a miracle coming back from near death. Charlotte’s kidneys continue to improve. She is back on dialysis for a few days with the hope that this will be the final jolt to get them back in action. The “infection” (still unknown) is not eradicated an evident by a low-grade fever.

Many are praying for Charlotte, and believe me, we can feel your prayers. Please continue to pray that Charlotte’s kidneys will return to full function, that the infection will be eradicated, that she will stay healthy, and that she can regain her strength and mobility so we can return home soon. Please pray for me too as I remain here by her side in Freising.

2. Destination Report – Freising, Germany

I ended up in Freising not because I wanted to, but because I had to be here with Charlotte (see above).

Now that I’m here, I can’t believe I’ve missed it for the 48 years I’ve been coming to Europe. This charming Bavarian town, located just north of the Munich Airport, is one of Bavaria’s oldest settlements with a history stretching back over 1,300 years. For most of that time, Freising was a powerful and independent prince-bishopric. The Bishop of Freising was more than just a religious leader. He also held significant secular power as a prince of the Holy Roman Empire. With this, the prince-bishop controlled lots of land and wielded political authority that made Freising a major ecclesiastical center in medieval Bavaria.

Domberg Hill, with the white twin spires of the Freising Cathedral, dominates the skyline for miles.  Climbing or riding the funicular to the Freising Cathedral is a must.  The cathedral (Dom St. Maria und St. Korbinian) is dripping with impressive Baroque art and architecture.  Even if you’ve seen enough churches, this one warrants a look inside.
 
The town’s picturesque Altstadt (old town) is perfect for wandering, with colorful historic buildings, cozy beer gardens, and plenty of traditional and international restaurants. The city center is pedestrian-only and loaded with boutique shops, department stores, bookshops, banks, and pharmacies.  Everything one needs to set up camp here for a few days.
 
Freising is also home to the Weihenstephan Brewery, the world’s oldest continuously operating brewery, founded in 1040.  I’m visiting here in December.  So the outdoor biergarten is closed for the season, but the  braüstube cellar and restaurant remain open throughout the year.  
The nearby Isar River provides lovely walking and cycling paths, and if you’re interested in hops and brewing culture, the Hallertau region—the world’s largest hop-growing area—is just a short drive away. Since you’re so close to Munich (about 30 minutes by S-Bahn), Freising makes an excellent base for exploring both the tranquil Bavarian countryside and the vibrant city.

3. Airalo E-Sim – A Cheap alternative to USA Cell Phone International Data Plans

Back at the beginning of November, I suggested Airalo might be a reliable and inexpensive alternative to our USA legacy carrier’s international text, data, and call plans.  After using Airalo for a few weeks, I’m sold on it.  
 
Once I set up and funded my Airalo account online, the installation and setup on my iPhone 15 Pro Max were seamless and behind the scenes.  All I had to do was go into my iPhone settings, visit the “Cellular” tab, and select which features I wanted to use with my primary (USA) account and my Airalo account.  I chose to receive calls on my USA number and use Alralo for data roaming and texting.  
With Airalo, I paid €13.50 (~$16 USD) for 7 days of 10GB data, text, calling, and roaming in Germany.  Compare that to my ATT International Plan, which costs me $84 for 7-days ($12 per day).  An unlimited data plan was available for $26 for 10 days.  There are similar savings across all countries and regions worldwide.  
 
So far, the only draw back I’ve found is streaming services like Netflix and Parime Video eat up data quickly.  But, that can be prevented by using those service on WiFi and reserving Airalo data for texting, calling, email, maps, and social media.
 
Next time you leave the USA, give Airalo a try.  I think you’ll like it.  When I signed up, I enrolled in a referral program that will save you and me $3.  Just use the referral code “DAVID60800” when you sign up at https://airalo.com

 

Merry Christmas from the McGuffin’s!  That’s me and Jamie last weekend in Freising. 

Please note the travel details, promotions, and offers mentioned in this TTT Dispatch are timed and dated and subject to change.

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