The most wunderbar time of the year

It’s time for my annual I-love-Christmas-in-Germany post. The Christmas markets opened last week, looking much as they do every year. I’ve noticed a couple new stands here and there, but for the most part everything is in its place. Now if we could just have some snow to make them even cuter, I’d be in heaven.

I’ve written several posts about the markets over the years, such as this one about the best Munich Christmas markets for pretty much everything (or you could just view all my posts about Christmas markets). One stop I haven’t talked about yet (but is worth a mention) is the Alpen Wahn, a cozy little stand outside Der Pschorr serving red and white glühwein until 11pm each night (which is later than most of the other markets are open). Look for it at the north end of the Schrannenhalle, just off the Viktualienmarkt.  » Read the full post

Tags: Bavaria, Christmas, Christmas markets, Europe, German culture, Germany, holidays, Munich

Auf Wiedersehen, Oktoberfest!

Oktoberfest ended on Monday, and we made it all the way to the end (quite literally, as we were in the Armbrustschützenzelt finishing our last maß of beer as the staff started washing down the tables for the last time). » Read the full post

Tags: Bavaria, festivals, Germany, Munich, Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest: getting your weißbier on

You may have heard that you need to be sitting inside (or on the terrace of) a tent to be served beer at Oktoberfest. This is mostly true. Indeed, it is the only way you’ll be able to get your hands on a big old maß (liter) of special Oktoberfest brew. But if you don’t mind drinking weißbier (wheat beer) in small vessels (only half liter), head for one of the many outdoor stands that serve it up. You’ll need to drink your weißbier in the general vicinity of where you bought it, but these little areas are often quite pleasant places to hang out. I tend to prefer them to the hot, loud, sweaty insides of a tent, especially on a beautiful sunny day. » Read the full post

Tags: Bavaria, beer, festivals, Germany, Munich, Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest 2011: same procedure as every year

This is our fourth Oktoberfest as locals. Since leaving my parents’ house at 18, I’ve never lived anywhere else for more than three years, so this is kind of weird for me. I’m not used to doing things for a fourth time.

But here I am, getting out the dirndl (paired with sensible shoes for dancing on wooden benches) for Oktoberfest number four. Conversations with friends all include an exchange of details about which tents we will be in on which nights. The guest room is booked for almost a month straight with various configurations of friends and family. » Read the full post

Tags: Bavaria, beer, Europe, festivals, food, Munich, Oktoberfest, Oktoberfest tents, travel

The real dance moves you need for Oktoberfest

No matter what lazy travel writers want you to believe, there’s no Chicken Dance at Oktoberfest in Munich. If anyone tries to tell you otherwise, stop taking their travel advice immediately, lest you start looking like an arm-flapping fool everywhere you go. Instead, spend your Oktoberfest prep time (only a week to go!) learning these dances, which are sure to come in handy in each and every tent. » Read the full post

Tags: Bavaria, beer, dancing, Germany, Munich, Oktoberfest, Oktoberfest tents, video

Munich: dragging our butts out of bed for the Kocherlball

The Kocherlball is one of those must-try-at-least-once-if-you-live-in-Munich kinds of things. This yearly event is a throwback to the 1800s, when the rich people of Munich were so mean that they only let their servants have free time in the wee hours of the morning, which is when said servants would meet up for some dancing and beer.  » Read the full post

Tags: Bavaria, Europe, festivals, Germany, Munich, tracht

Munich’s most delicious season

Look what opened today! Munich is already a fairytale-adorable city; toss in Christmas markets all over the place and it gets so cute it makes your cheeks hurt. I celebrated the start of my favorite time of year with some roasted chestnuts (which is probably the most Thanksgiving-like food I’ll eat all day).

You can read about my favorite Christmas markets in Munich here.

Tags: Bavaria, Christmas markets, Germany, holidays, Munich

Autumn at the Dult

Sure, Oktoberfest is long over, but that doesn’t mean Munich has lost that carnival feeling. As I’ve said before, you’d be hard-pressed to visit this city when there wasn’t some sort of festival (beer-oriented or not) going on. A couple weeks ago it was the Auer Dult, a thrice-yearly event involving rides, carnival food, and lots and lots of kitchenware. » Read the full post

Tags: Bavaria, festivals, Germany, Munich, shopping

Historisches Wiesn: Oktoberfest’s 200th anniversary celebration

UPDATE: The historical section of Oktoberfest was such a hit that it will be back in 2011, rebranded as the Oide Wiesn. Nostalgia and beer for everyone!

Entrance to Oktoberfest in general is free, but this year, in honor of the 200th anniversary of the first Oktoberfest, visitors were offered the privilege of paying for entry to a small section of the wiesn. This section promised something special: old-timey fun. » Read the full post

Tags: Bavaria, beer, festivals, German culture, Germany, Munich, Oktoberfest, Oktoberfest tents

Mad Schuhplattler

Schuhplattler at 200th anniversary Oktoberfest from zurika on Vimeo.

In honor of the 200th anniversary of Oktoberfest, a historical area has been set up next to the regular old tents and rides. It costs €4 to get into the historical area, but that €4 includes all kinds of entertainment, such as fancy historical whip-cracking and fancy historical dancing. And a nifty souvenir pin.

Judging from the looks of this dance, I’m guessing that Bavarian women living 200 years ago did not have any inner ear fluid.

Is there anyone who watched this video without thinking of Chevy Chase?

Tags: Bavaria, dancing, German culture, Germany, Munich, Oktoberfest, schuhplattler