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Drink til the Bavarian cows come home

(14 Sep 2005)

Going on holiday? – Get a great deal on travel insurance

Munich, a normally chic and well-behaved city in the heart of Germany's conservative Bavaria, is about to unleash its two weeks of misbehaviour on locals and tourists alike.

The Oktoberfest, a fortnight's celebration of beer, begins on September 17th and finishes two beer-goggled weeks later on October 3rd.

Massive tents are erected in the city's Theresienwiese, grounds in the centre-south of the city, with huge revolving beer glasses and funfair rides amongst the attractions on offer.

On entering a tent, revellers are seated at long tables with other drinkers and are served a "Mass" – a litre full of beer. "Radlers" – the English equivalent of shandy - are possible options for the faint-hearted.

Cheery Bavarian music is played and don't be overawed if everyone else in the beer tent knows the words – magically, you too will find yourself singing along after just a couple of the potent beers. "Hey baby" as featured in the film Dirty Dancing is a particular favourite, for some unknown reason.

While recovering during the day or just taking a break (the beer drinking knows no curfew), visitors can stroll the beautiful streets of Munich, taking in the old town hall in the Marienplatz or wandering through the English gardens, which has a special section for nude bathers (beer is optional).


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