About Us
Scott "Scotti" Stephens is US-American and is fluent in German, having studied in Germany. His undergraduate work was in German language studies and European history at Northern Michigan University. For over 20 years, Scott was co-owner of a successful manufacturing business in Michigan. Now a Diplom Bier Sommelier, he lives in Munich full time and has operated BayernTrips LLC since 2005. He is the first non-Bavarian-born-member of the Aventinus-Buam. His passion for Bavarian culture and history has made him an authority on all things Bavarian! Vonia Stephens handles the administrative work but also gets involved during the tour. She keeps everyone together, handles all the money, and often provides an alternative program for the non-beer aficionados or those who need a break. Scott & Vonia spent several years in the hospitality industry at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan. Together they own a small stake in Cedar Springs Brewing Company and have two sons —a tool & die maker and a master brewer, trained at Siebel/Doemens. BayernTrips LLC was founded in 2005 and is now headquartered in Munich.
We are extremely proud of our 35% annual repeat guest bookings! Many or our guests come back year after year and we treasure the friends we have made. Likewise, many of our german friends visit our "Alumni" guests when in North America.
I am happy to send you a list of guests who were on last year's trip - just send me an email and let me know which tour you are interested in.
You can also see some reviews of us on-line at Trip Advisor, TourHQ, Linked-in, and Facebook.
In German, Bayern means Bavaria. Germany is a democratic parliamentary federal republic of 16 states (Bundesländer). The country previously consisted of many sovereign states. Germany was unified as a nation-state in 1871. Bavaria is the southernmost land and retained its own monarchy under the Wittelsbach Family until the end of WWI. The capital of Bavaria is Munich - in German, München. The "colors" of Bavaria, retained from the royal family, are white and blue.
