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Viewing Enjoy Your First Trip to Oktoberfest in Munich, GermanyEnjoy Your First Trip to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany
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The Oktoberfest is the largest festival in the world. Although there are many imitations of this huge beer party, they do not reach the dimensions of the original in Munich. Everyone should experience this festival at least once in his or her lives. By Andrea Deffner The Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, also called 'Wiesen' (meaning 'meadow') by the locals, is the largest festival in the world. Although there are many imitations of this huge beer party, they do not reach the dimensions of the original Wiesen in Munich. Oktoberfest is celebrated every year in late September and early October. It attracts as many as 6,000,000 visitors and about 6,000,000 liters of beer, as well as an enormous amount of grilled chickens, sausages, and pretzels. These statistics may seem overwhelming for anyone with a dislike of crowds, but Oktoberfest is such an enormous event that everyone should experience this festival at least once in their lives. To make the most of your trip to the Oktoberfest, there are some essential things you should know and prepare for when you go there for the first time. The Oktoberfest was first held in 1810 when Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) of Bavaria married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The marriage took place on October 12, 1810, and on October 17, a large horserace was organized. The event was repeated, and in 1819, it was decided by the city council that the festival would take place every year, no matter what the circumstances. Since then, it has been carried out every year at the Theresienwiese (named after 'Therese' of Saxony-Hildburghausen) in Munich for two weeks in late September and early October. Preparations for the Oktoberfest start about two months before the festivities are opened. Six Munich breweries and about eighty showmen set up their beer halls and various attractions such as ghost trains, roller coasters, and a variety of fairground rides. Don't be surprised to see a real city with its own infrastructure like streets, toilets, police, post office, first-aid station, and even its own sewage system. Hundreds of people are employed every year just to work there. The Oktoberfest boosts not only tourism, but also has a major impact on the economy of Munich. Due to the popularity and scale of the Oktoberfest, it is highly recommended that you book your flight and your hotel well in advance. Prices for flights and hotels usually skyrocket during Oktoberfest. The same applies if you want to sit in one of the large beer halls, most of which are in one of the main roads also referred to as 'Bierzeltstrasse' (beer-hall road). Although the beer halls are huge compared to ordinary beer tents, the places are already booked even one year in advance, and it will be difficult to enter one without a reservation. You will probably be luckier finding a seat outside in a beer garden, which most beer halls have. This may be the better option, as the beer halls can get very stuffy, hot, and loud. The best way to get to the Wiesen is to go there on foot. It is about 15 minutes away from Munich's main Hauptbahnhof station, and is easy to find. In most cases, you do not even have to ask someone - you only have to follow the crowds. Another way of getting there is by underground: use lines No. 4 or 5, and get off at Theresienwiese; or No. 3 or 6 and get off at Goetheplatz. When you use the first option, you will be directly on the Wiesen when you leave the underground; from Goetheplatz, you will have to walk a few meters. Tram no. 19 also stops near the Oktoberfest. It is not advisable to use your private car or bike, as you will not find a place to park your car. If you come by bike, be sure to leave it somewhere safe; but this can be difficult, as vandalism by drunkards is quite common. You should be aware of pickpockets and take care of your belongings. When you use one of the fairground rides (which is better done before drinking beer and eating), it is best to have your money safely in the closed pocket of your trousers, otherwise you might lose it. Beer is consumed in large and heavy one-liter mugs. It is hard to chug down the usual portion of one liter. If you are lucky, you might be able to order 1/2-liter of Weibier (eine Halbe Weibier), but this is not the usual thing. The Oktoberfest beer is a special kind of beer that is stronger than ordinary beer - so beware. When you are not used to drinking, even one of these one-liter mugs might be too much! Everything is quite expensive on the Wiesen compared to normal prices. Although there are many toilets at Oktoberfest, mainly in the side streets next to the beer tents, you will probably have to queue up for quite a while. This causes many drunkards to pee directly on a meadow (they call it wild peeing). This is not recommended, as you will be charged if caught by one of the many police officers on patrol. So, do not be shocked when you see people peeing out in the open or lying drunk on the meadow near the main entrance. Things become worse as the evening progresses, and it is important to keep your distance when you see aggressive drunkards with large beer mugs; it can be quite dangerous to be hit by one of them. For many, the best option is to go to the Oktoberfest quite early or even better, during the week. The same applies if you want to attend one of the many popular events held during the first weekend, as you have to arrive very early to see something. On the first Saturday morning, there is a march of the Oktoberfest innkeepers to the Wies'n with their brewery horses, lead by the Muenchner Kindl and the Major of Munich. Its route is from Sonnenstrasse via Schwanthalerstrasse to the Theresienwiese. At midday, the Major of Munich taps the first barrel of beer in the beer hall Schottenhammel. On the first Sunday, there is large parade of traditional costumes and riflemen to the Wies'n that starts at the Siegestor in Ludwigstrasse in Schwabing. If you keep in mind everything mentioned here and are lucky with the weather, you will have a great time at the Oktoberfest. Just watch the people (many of them dressed in traditional costumes), enjoy the Oktoberfest beer, and have a good time! About the Author: AC Deffner is the editor of Munich Travel and Germany Travel Stock Photography websites. She is the owner of all material in this article. The material can be distributed on a non-exclusive basis. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com) More free articles: 1st Rate Articles - 1stRateArticles.com |
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