Oktoberfest in Munich - The World's Biggest Party

What lures us die-hard Oktoberfest fans to Munich each and every year without fail? Why do we come back again and again to re-experience the world’s largest festival?

Is it the beer? For sure, it’s probably the best in the world. No preservatives, no chemicals, just lots and lots of pure unadulterated water, hops and yeast resulting in double the taste (and alcohol content) of a typical beer. It’s smooth. It’s flavorful. It’s wickedly deceptive in its ability to seduce you. One sip and you’re powerless to halt its consumption.

This drug-like concoction is served up by full-bosomed waitresses with elongated arms that cradle up to two-dozen liter steins of beer. They seem to defy the laws of physics by carrying more beer than their body weight. Their bosoms must somehow stabilize their cargo. I haven’t seen one topple yet.

As an added bonus, the hangovers seem less thunderous. Maybe it’s because of the purity of the brew. Then again, maybe it’s because the consumption starts up the next day before your brain has a chance to register the carnage from the day before.

Is it the food? Ooh the food. Fat aside, its appeal will bring tears to your eyes. Forget the calories, forget the cholesterol and forget about the numerous animals that have given up their lives for your gluttony. There’s the delectable ‘rubber eagles’, seasoned whole chickens broiled in their own juices as they rotate over and over before your adoring eyes. Then there are the delicious sausages, the sauerkraut that isn’t actually sour, the sauerbraten in gravy, the shwein-hoxen covered in a layers of hardened broiled fat, the radishes that uncoil like slinkies, the fragrant cheeses and the numerous sugary convections. All are designed to please your taste buds and lay waste to your wardrobe.

Is it the camaraderie? Maybe. Where else can you find six million people from all reaches of the globe united in blissful rejoicing uninhibited by language, politics, personalities or decorum. Standing on chairs and tables, raising mammoth beers, swaying and dancing to oom-pah-pah music and ancient American rock songs seems to unite cultures more than any United Nations assembly ever could. Forget about terrorism, Iraq, Afghanistan, and all the idiocies that drive a wedge between our varied cultures. Ein beer, zwei beer, drei beer and all is forgotten. We all become long lost friends forever or at least for the moment.

Is it the traditions, the parade of floats, beer wagons and costumed Bavarians parading into the Oktoberfest grounds? The children, the parents and the grandparents all wearing clothing and playing music originated by their ancestors makes us all long to be part of the festivities.

How about the beer halls and gardens, the glockenspiels, the magnificent castles and palaces, the obsessive cleanliness, the green parks, and the efficient U-bahn and S-bahns that effortlessly wisk you from one corner of Munich to another? They all to add to the magic of a culture innocently preserved from generation to generation, changed, but not spoiled by the twenty first century.

They all blend together to provide an experience unequaled by any other. A reality enhanced by consumption of good frothy beer and fabulous food, friendships that ignore borders and traditions never forgotten all seem to compel you to return time and time again to this wonderful magical land.
I am a successful semi-retired finance/management executive and real estate investor who achieved financial independence by the age of 35. I have subsequently spent the last 17 years managing my investments and traveling extensively around the world.

I have tried to help others by writing on topics including meditation, stress management, personal money management and financial and travel possibilities. I have self published a book on meditation and am in the process of writing other books on mediation/stress reduction and financial opportunities.

I have been fortunate enough to have the time to explore alternative lifestyles and to discover ways for ordinary people to physically, spiritually and financially improve their lives.

http://www.beanopportunist.com

Munich Germany -- 10 Insider Tips

Munich Germany is a city in the state Bavaria. Would you like to know what the real interesting sights in Munich Germany are? I will tell you 10 of my good ones.

If you would like to know something about the city and its history, visit my website for information about that. In this article I will let you know of 10 insider tips of this German city -– short and sweet –- so that you can print them out and easily scour the sights.

First, once you arrive in the city, go to the tourist information office. It is located at Munich Germany main station (outside) or at Marienplatz (downtown).

Also, since you already know that this city is venue of the well-known Oktoberfest, there is actually no need for me to tell you anything about that, right?

Now, shall we get started? Great! :-)

TOP 10 Bars and Restaurants

1. An absolute must-see and must-experience is the "Hundskugel" (Dogs Ball) located in Hotterstrasse in old town. This is Munich's oldest house which has the perfect ambience for original Bavarian food (e.g. "Schweinshaxe" -- knuckle of pork). Quite frankly, once you were here, your friends will become envious you were there without them.

2. The "Schuhbecks in den Suedtiroler Stuben" (Schubecks in the South Tyrol Rooms) is a tavern with notable factor. They serve original Bavarian cuisine in high quality. It is located at "Platzl" in old town.

3. Another excellent restaurant with original Bavarian cuisine is "Gasthaus Beim Sedlmayr" (Tavern by Sedlmayr). The funny and happy waiters make your time even more glamorous and jollier. Their menu has "all you ever need" once you are in Munich.

4. The "Haxnbauer im Scholastikahaus" (sorry, I'm not able to translate that yet...;-), located next to Marienplatz in Sparkassenstrasse, inspires visitors to stay longer than they might want once they enter. It's just amazing, old woody walls and tables, smelling beer and meat, just unforgettable.

5. If you are looking for a chance to see famous football stars and actors, you have to go to the noble P1. I must admit it is not easy to enter this exceptional bar, but definitely worth more than one try. You will find it in Prinzregentenstrasse. The location is, however, quite hidden. Only a small sign beside stairs refers to the legendary club discotheque. Tip: It might be a bit easier if you go in as a couple.

Sightseeing and culture

6. Stroll along Ludwigstrasse. Ludwig I. underlined the royal Munich with this classicistic boulevard. As a road of sciences, the Ludwigstrasse (Ludwigstreet) is one of the most monumental and most generous roads created in the 19th century. The monument of king Ludwig I on Odeonsplatz, created by Max Widmann, reminds of the owners and name giver who had to withdraw in 1848 after the Lola Montez affair.

7. The Maximilianstrasse (Maximilian Street) spreads still old flair while strolling through this historical street. With museums and theatres, galleries and numerous exclusive shops, this splendour road certainly belongs to the most distinguished addresses of Munich Germany.

8. Are you art and historical interested? Then walk along the Prinzregentenstrasse (Prince Regent Road). It is considered as museum mile. Prince Regent Luitpold let put on this avenue road at the end of the 19th century.

9. The Englischer Garten (English Gardens) is Munich Germany's famous 900-acre park. It is actually starting in the heart of the city and transitioning into the countryside. The park offers shaded paths for walking and cycling in summer and picturesque frozen lakes in winter. In addition, it contains four beer gardens (Chinesischer Turm, Seehaus, Hirschau, Aumeister), whose invite to stay long after sunset.

10. Marienplatz is world-wide well-known with the "new" Neo-Gothic City Hall and its "Gingle Bells" sounds. Acutally a huge square with some interesting taverns. Visit http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/munich.html for additional information and images.

By the way, from Munich Germany's main station, it is a quite short way to downtown and old town -- just a few minutes walk.

Enjoy your trip!

All the best,
Marcus Hochstadt
© Copyright www.smart-travel-germany.com All Rights Reserved

When is Ocktoberfest 2005 ?

On Saturday, September 17th, the Schottenhamel tent is where you want to be, to be apart of the official keg tapping ceremonies. At noon on the 17th of september, the mayor of Munich has the priveledge of tapping the first keg of Oktoberfest beer. Once the barrel has been tapped, all visitors will then be allowed to partake in the worlds largest party. It pays to arrive early in order to experience everything up close, it’s not uncommon to see vistors standing at the front gate @ 9am to secure good seats. The Octoberfest festival will last until Monday October 3, 2005 @ 6PM.

Beer Serving Hours
Weekdays: 10am - 10:30pm
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: 9am - 10:30pm

Daily Tent Closing Time: 11:30pm
The "Käfer Wiesn-Schänke" and the "Weinzelt" are open until 1am. Last call for alcohol: 12:15am.


The beer price will range between 6.65 and 7.10 Euros per litre.

There are 14 “Big Tents” on the festival grounds, here’s a link to a map and individual information about each one. http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/03/

Once you arrive at the Oktoberfest, you must pick a tent in which to imbibe. Where you go depends on what kind of atmosphere you want. The rowdiest and most tourist-filled tent is usually Hofbrau.

The trendiest, hippest tent is the Hippodrom, where celebrities and other VIPs come to drink. This tent also has a younger crowd, with more singles (you get the picture). The beer is Spaten Brau (although if you are a VIP, you may be drinking champagne).

Had enough of beer? A tent with a good wine selection is the Weinzelt. This tent is smaller than most, with a capacity of 1,300. It has a more subdued atmosphere, and is open until 1:00 am. The Weinzelt is also known, like the Hippodrom, for attracting famous guests
In order to be served a beer at the Oktoberfest, you must be seated! This can be a problem if you arrive late, especially on a weekend, or in the early days of the fest. On weekends, you need to get there as early as you can. On weekdays, it would be good to have seats by 3:00 or 4:00 pm, before the locals get off work and come out for an evening of beering!