tagged w/ Oktoberfest
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Every fall, the fragrance of malt wafts over Theresienwiese (Theresa's Meadow) in Munich, where women dressed in alpine-style dirndls and men in leather trousers gather for the world's most famous beer festival.
Oktoberfest takes over Munich for two full weeks, bringing with it a unique atmosphere as revellers shrug off their daily trials and tribulations to concentrate on drinking beer.
This year, the event opens officially on September 20 with the traditional driving of a tap into the first cask of beer. By October 5, when the festivities end, around 6 million people will have enjoyed the alehouse joviality at the foot of the huge statue of Bavaria which towers over the venue which locals call the "Wiesn".
For many guests, Oktoberfest revolves around the German word "Mass". Not a reference to the Sunday church offerings, this Mass denotes the liter-sized glass tankards in which the strong beer is served -- no other kind of glass is permitted in the marquees and beer tents.
The beer served at the Oktoberfest is strong with an alcohol percentage of between 5.3 and 6.6 but the figure most partygoers are interested in is the price. This year a measure costs up to 8.30 euros (12 dollars).
For those planning a last-minute visit, however, there is still plenty of accommodation on hand in Germany's third-largest city. The city's hotels report healthy bookings and some hostelries have hiked their tariffs for the occasion "but there are plenty of rooms to be had," said Frank-Ulrich John, a spokesman for the Bavarian hoteliers' association. "It's nonsense to say that Munich is booked out." There are rooms to suit every pocketbook, he added.
A converted circus tent in the old part of Munich is one cheap and cheerful place to stay. The International Youth Camp at Kapuziner-Hoelzl and the Wiesn-Camp at the Riem Olympic Stadium are popular among young people. Visitors can rent tents which sleep up to four for around 12 euros a person. There are other reasonably-priced campgrounds at other locations in the city such as on Garmischer Straße and at Munich-Obermenzing.
Those planning to spend the Oktoberfest nights in their caravans or mobile homes in Munich may find parking difficult. The second week of the festival is particularly popular with motorized Italian tourists and space is at a premium. Those who park close to the festivities may arrive back from an evening out to find their sleeping quarters have been towed away by the police.
Every fall, the fragrance of malt wafts over Theresienwiese (Theresa's Meadow) in... more
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Saturday marks the opening of Munich's 175th annual Oktoberfest. Workers here are putting the finishing touches on the Hacker beer tent -- the quiet before the storm. Starting this weekend, people will have to wait hours to enter the fabled beer tents at Germany's most famous festival. The largest beer festival in the world saw 6.7 million guests last year, who drank a combined 6.9 million liters (1.8 million gallons) of beer. That's slightly more than 1 liter of beer per person. And that's a good thing, too, since beer in Munich is served in one-liter "Mass" mugs.Saturday marks the opening of Munich's 175th annual Oktoberfest. Workers here are... more
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All the activities start TONIGHT at 5 pm and continue through Sunday!
It all goes down at Fort Mason. Tickets are $20 ($5 for children) and may be purchased at the door or online. More information's available on the website. All the activities start TONIGHT at 5 pm and continue through Sunday!
It all goes... more
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Sein setzt dieses wieder Zeit fest! Its that time again! Last year, I had the opportunity of being in Munich for the festivities! Sein setzt dieses wieder Zeit fest! Its that time again! Last year, I had the... more
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VCC Producer Meaghan Kimball slips into the German only tent and takes us inside the real Oktoberfest.VCC Producer Meaghan Kimball slips into the German only tent and takes us inside the... more
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Anybody got any tips or suggestions on Oktoberfest? Some friends and I will be in Europe around that time and we are thinking of dropping in for few days if we can find a place to stay... things are pretty booked. Worth seeing? Too much of a circus? Tips on lodging? Best tents?Anybody got any tips or suggestions on Oktoberfest? Some friends and I will be in... more
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rnaber
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added this
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4 years ago
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