Bucket List Request for 3 Older Men to Experience Octoberfest in Germany
May 5th, 2013, 02:37 PM
#21
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I wish them well on thier adventure. I've been to Munich/Bavaria a few times and love the area. There is much to see and do in and around Munich. I've found that many residence of Germany speak better English than most Americans. Encourage them to try to pick up a few key phrases in German and they should be alright. It sounds like they will have a great time.
May 5th, 2013, 04:39 PM
#22
Join Date: Oct 2005
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The Hotel Woetz zur Weinsteige is very near the hotel that I mentioned above. Hohenheimer Strasse turns into Charlotten Straße and is about 6 blocks from the Charlottenplatz Ubahn stop. From there they can take the U2 to the Canstatter Bierfest.
Use this website to research public transportation. There is a learning curve.
http://www.vvs.de/en/
Also use the Charlottenplatz station to cross under Konrad-Adenauer Straße (major city street) to the heart of town. The new and old royal residences are located right there on the other side. The shopping district is a few blocks.
Additionally, we know a couple that just moved from Stuttgart. They highly recommended the Weinstube Schellenturm (wine restaurant) on Weberstraße, which is about 4 twisty blocks from the hotel.
We enjoyed Stuttgart when we visited there in December 2009 and are going back for 4 days. I hope the other "old-timers" enjoy it as much;>
Regards, Gary
Use this website to research public transportation. There is a learning curve.
http://www.vvs.de/en/
Also use the Charlottenplatz station to cross under Konrad-Adenauer Straße (major city street) to the heart of town. The new and old royal residences are located right there on the other side. The shopping district is a few blocks.
Additionally, we know a couple that just moved from Stuttgart. They highly recommended the Weinstube Schellenturm (wine restaurant) on Weberstraße, which is about 4 twisty blocks from the hotel.
We enjoyed Stuttgart when we visited there in December 2009 and are going back for 4 days. I hope the other "old-timers" enjoy it as much;>
Regards, Gary
May 5th, 2013, 11:21 PM
#23
Join Date: Mar 2011
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I assume you looked at the (un)flattering reviews on Tripadvisor. No elevator if that is a problem, and comments on room selection are
“Book the rooms on the backside of the hotel that have the walkout balcony that overlook the small Koi pond... there is an elevator straight from the garage to those rooms and they are much bigger.”
“Make sure you request an inside room; the hotel is on a busy street. Also, smoking/non-smoking requests don't necessarily make it if you book through a 3rd party.”
“Ask for a room not facing the street.”
“take the room in 2nd floor and in the back side more quieter.”
“Ask for a room away from the street.”
Good luck...
“Book the rooms on the backside of the hotel that have the walkout balcony that overlook the small Koi pond... there is an elevator straight from the garage to those rooms and they are much bigger.”
“Make sure you request an inside room; the hotel is on a busy street. Also, smoking/non-smoking requests don't necessarily make it if you book through a 3rd party.”
“Ask for a room not facing the street.”
“take the room in 2nd floor and in the back side more quieter.”
“Ask for a room away from the street.”
Good luck...
May 6th, 2013, 04:44 AM
#24
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FWIW:
http://www.stgt.com/stuttgart/volkfste.htm
and
http://www.stuttgart.de/en/
for more local info....Enjoy!
http://www.stgt.com/stuttgart/volkfste.htm
and
http://www.stuttgart.de/en/
for more local info....Enjoy!
May 6th, 2013, 05:13 AM
#25
Join Date: Aug 2008
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If the idea is to go to Oktoberfest (the original one) in Munich, then I don't think Stuttgart should be on the radar as possible location for this. It is a beautiful area and should be visited; however, not as a "destination" for Oktoberfest. When my son and I went a few years ago we were able to get an apartment far less expensively than a hotel. We used
www.checkin-muenchen.de for the apartment. We used the metro and location was not really an issue as long as you are close. Take a taxi/bus/metro but DO NOT drive.
Also, keep in mind that entrance into the tents is difficult but worth it if you can get in. Reservations inside the tent are made at least a year in advance and requires 10 reservations. Each reservation must purchase 2 liters of beer and 1/2 of a chicken. I am not sure how much the ticket costs in addition to the beer and the chicken. LOL! Both years that I went, I was able to get into the Schottenhamel tent. Reservations to get into the tent must be done on the individual beer tent sponser's webiste.
http://festzelt.schottenhamel.de/en/home.htm
This tent is where the mayor of Munich taps the first keg on the next to last Saturday in September, usually the 3rd weekend. I was able to get inside the tent for this the last time I went. It was really neat to witness. Some random man gave me a ticket. My son had to wait outside until I could get him in. He did not care much about seeing it. You can get in the tents, you just have to wait by the doors. As people leave, people are let in.
I will caution you that once inside the tent be prepared for a few things:
1. Must be at a table to get served. Tables come with tickets, so be prepared to make friends fast. Most everyone speaks English so no issue with language barrier.
2. More than a fair share of youngsters drunk and throwing up.
3. VERY long lines for the restroom. Don't wait until it is too late. If you think you have to go, GO!
4. Security does NOT play. The beer is more potent than American beer.
5. Sing and have a great time!!! I love my experiences there! We had a blast.
6. Do NOT ride the rides after the tents. And don't walk under the rides out of fear that other's did... Ewwwww....
Good luck!!! And they should take you along...
www.checkin-muenchen.de for the apartment. We used the metro and location was not really an issue as long as you are close. Take a taxi/bus/metro but DO NOT drive.
Also, keep in mind that entrance into the tents is difficult but worth it if you can get in. Reservations inside the tent are made at least a year in advance and requires 10 reservations. Each reservation must purchase 2 liters of beer and 1/2 of a chicken. I am not sure how much the ticket costs in addition to the beer and the chicken. LOL! Both years that I went, I was able to get into the Schottenhamel tent. Reservations to get into the tent must be done on the individual beer tent sponser's webiste.
http://festzelt.schottenhamel.de/en/home.htm
This tent is where the mayor of Munich taps the first keg on the next to last Saturday in September, usually the 3rd weekend. I was able to get inside the tent for this the last time I went. It was really neat to witness. Some random man gave me a ticket. My son had to wait outside until I could get him in. He did not care much about seeing it. You can get in the tents, you just have to wait by the doors. As people leave, people are let in.
I will caution you that once inside the tent be prepared for a few things:
1. Must be at a table to get served. Tables come with tickets, so be prepared to make friends fast. Most everyone speaks English so no issue with language barrier.
2. More than a fair share of youngsters drunk and throwing up.
3. VERY long lines for the restroom. Don't wait until it is too late. If you think you have to go, GO!
4. Security does NOT play. The beer is more potent than American beer.
5. Sing and have a great time!!! I love my experiences there! We had a blast.
6. Do NOT ride the rides after the tents. And don't walk under the rides out of fear that other's did... Ewwwww....
Good luck!!! And they should take you along...
May 6th, 2013, 10:20 AM
#26
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Hotel Woetz zur Weinsteige is a four star hotel that gets 8.4 out of 10 (17 ratings) on HRS.com. I use HRS routinely and know that you must have reserved through them and stayed at the hotel to give a rating. An 8.4 rating is a good rating. We often stay in places with a ~ 6-7 rating with no real complaints. I suspect Booking.com also uses their known customers to give ratings.
Tripadvisor can not vet ratings. You can rate whether you stay at the place or not. Read their ratings with care. The person should have many posts before I take their rating seriously. I like to use Tripadvisor to get specific hints like asking for a quiet back room.
Regards, Gary
Tripadvisor can not vet ratings. You can rate whether you stay at the place or not. Read their ratings with care. The person should have many posts before I take their rating seriously. I like to use Tripadvisor to get specific hints like asking for a quiet back room.
Regards, Gary
May 7th, 2013, 06:00 AM
#27
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I read ratings from internet sources with care, knowing that over-the-top as well as don't stay here experiences need to be scrutinized. I hope I'm not naive enough to totally believe either one. However, I would be surprised if reputable booking sites are not careful with the properties they list. I'm comfortable with what I chose for my guys, so long as it's not in a sketchy neighborhood, etc. With a 5* restaurant on site, it probably is not.
Aug 8th, 2013, 10:26 PM
#28
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Please come and stay at our hotel: HOTEL BEER
Newly renovated rooms, breakfast buffet, 10 minutes from downtown Munich, easy connection to the Octoberfest, 1 bottle german beer as a complimentary welcome drink!
www.hotelbeer.de (under construction)
E-Mail: [email protected]
PS: Military discounts available!!
Newly renovated rooms, breakfast buffet, 10 minutes from downtown Munich, easy connection to the Octoberfest, 1 bottle german beer as a complimentary welcome drink!
www.hotelbeer.de (under construction)
E-Mail: [email protected]
PS: Military discounts available!!
Aug 9th, 2013, 02:33 AM
#29
I'll add #7 to the list of Catherinehaas above: don't pee on the side of a beer tent, unless you don't mind wet shoes
Seriously, 3 guys 40-70 spending $3,000 each to get blitzed in a foreign country where they can't speak a lick of the language? Can you spell t-r-o-u-b-l-e?
Seriously, 3 guys 40-70 spending $3,000 each to get blitzed in a foreign country where they can't speak a lick of the language? Can you spell t-r-o-u-b-l-e?
Aug 9th, 2013, 05:16 PM
#30
Join Date: Jan 2003
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There are literally hundreds of thousand people getting drunk at the Oktoberfest who don't speak German and don't get into trouble.
Don't underestimate two German characteristics:
1.) Germans like making money. If there are enough people who don't speak German willing to spend their money somewhere, waiters learn English (at the Oktoberfest they did so a few decades ago).
2.) Getting drunk at the local beer or wine fest is part of the culture. As long as you're a happy drunk and don't turn agressive and you don't drive, everything is fine.
Don't underestimate two German characteristics:
1.) Germans like making money. If there are enough people who don't speak German willing to spend their money somewhere, waiters learn English (at the Oktoberfest they did so a few decades ago).
2.) Getting drunk at the local beer or wine fest is part of the culture. As long as you're a happy drunk and don't turn agressive and you don't drive, everything is fine.
Aug 16th, 2013, 05:30 PM
#31
Join Date: Feb 2011
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marianne_beer on Aug 9, 13 at 2:26am
Please come and stay at our hotel: HOTEL BEER
Newly renovated rooms, breakfast buffet, 10 minutes from downtown Munich, easy connection to the Octoberfest, 1 bottle german beer as a complimentary welcome drink!
www.hotelbeer.de (under construction)
E-Mail: [email protected]
Will you have an English option on the website? I want to know more. How close to the train? We are staying in Garmsich during the festival but want to spend a couple of nights in Munich after.
Please come and stay at our hotel: HOTEL BEER
Newly renovated rooms, breakfast buffet, 10 minutes from downtown Munich, easy connection to the Octoberfest, 1 bottle german beer as a complimentary welcome drink!
www.hotelbeer.de (under construction)
E-Mail: [email protected]
Will you have an English option on the website? I want to know more. How close to the train? We are staying in Garmsich during the festival but want to spend a couple of nights in Munich after.
