Munich Oktoberfest - oh come, all ye thirsty!
This event has traditionally marked the end of the ‘Europe combi-van summer tour’ so faithfully driven by many antipodeans year on year and when you get to the Oktoberfest you’ll know why! |
The Munich Oktoberfest is the biggest public festival on the planet attracting over 6 million beer swelling enthusiasts every year! It all started back in 1810 when Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig invited all the citizens of Munich to join in the festivities of his happy wedding day to Therese of Saxony – the tradition has continued on every year since! Nowadays Beer tents are erected by the locals for the event and we’re not talking your stock standard canvas type marques! No, they’re massive wooden structures taking 6 months to build and the largest holding 10,000 patrons a day! KEEN TO GO?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
MORE ABOUT OKTOBERFEST...What's the history? The historical background: the first Oktoberfest was held in the year 1810 in honour of the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The festivities began on October 12, 1810 and ended on October 17th with a horse race. In the following years, the celebrations were repeated later the dates were extended and moved forward into September.
By moving the festivities up, it allowed for better weather conditions. Because the September nights were warmer, the visitors were able to enjoy the gardens outside the tents and the stroll over “die Wiesen” or the fields much longer without feeling chilly. Last year the Oktoberfest was attended by 6.2 million thirsty visitors, who drank approximately 6.7 million litres of beer and consumed 104 Oxen - mostly in the "beer tents" put up by the traditional Munich breweries. At the foot of the Bavaria statue, the huge Oktoberfest grounds house a large area with carousels, roller coasters and all the spectacular fun of the fair for the enjoyment and excitement of visitors of all ages - PROST!
On Saturday the 19th September the 2009 Oktoberfest will open. With more then 10 beerhalls to choose from it’s an early start in order to secure a seat to experience this amazing Bavarian festival. At noon the lord mayor of Munich will have the honour of tapping the first keg of Oktoberfest beer and then it will be time to quench your thirst. The Oktoberfest runs from the 19th September to 4th October 2009.
No coach tour to Oktoberfest would be complete without a trip to the famous Andech's monastery. The monks have been brewing beer since the 15th century and serve the finest pork knuckles in the world. We also take the time to visit Dachau Concentration Camp just north of Munich. In total over 200,000 people from all races were imprisoned at Dachau and the death toll from Dachau murders is around 30,000. Our visit to this now peaceful place is a chilling reminder of the atrocities of war. KEEN TO GO?
ESSENTIAL INFOTwo weeks before departure, a festival fact file filled with tips, tricks and info, will be available for you to download online, be sure to know before you go! |
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