MUNICH BEER FESTIVAL

One of  Europe's largest and best known festivals.  The first Beer Festival took place in 1810.  Back on the 12 October 1810 Crown Prince Ludwig was married to Princess Therese Of Saxony Hildburghausen.  The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates to celebrate the royal event.   The decision to repeat the celebrations gave rise to the tradition of the Oktoberfest. This year will be the 168th festival, with some 6 million visitors. During the festival 5 million litres of beer, plus 200,000 pairs of pork sausages will be consumed

But the Oktoberfest is much more than beer and oompah bands.  There is one of the largest amusement parks in the world, turn of the century side-shows, high-tech roller coasters, regional costumes,  parades and concerts.

Tracks offers you a choice of  4 TOURS ranging from 6, 7 or 8 days covering the whole three weeks of the festival. We also offer Group Discounts for groups of 10 or more booking and paying together.

We also have  ACCOMMODATION ONLY   packages starting from £28 per person per night.

All our tours are based at the  THALKIRCHEN CAMPSITE   in Munich, with accommodation based in twin share tents. We also provide you with a cooked breakfast whilst in Munich and operate free shuttles from the campsite to the festival ground.  We also include a free T shirt on all tours.

Whilst in Munich we also offer  DAY EXCURSIONS  to places of interest.  These excursion depart after breakfast and return early evening, they are included free of charge,  but you pay any entrance fees on the day.  Whilst in Munich you should also consider taking some time out from the Beer festival to visit the  Sights and Attractions in Munich
 

HOW TO BOOK AND PAY FOR YOUR TOUR
Once you have decided on which tour to book contact TRACKS on Telephone 020 79373028 to arrange for payment.
You can book and pay via a credit or debit card or send a cheque in to our office.

A non refundable deposit of £25 per person secures your seat with the final balance due by the 31 August 2001.

Group Discounts: Groups of 10 or more who book and pay together will receive a £15 reduction per person on the tour price.  We must have everyones full name at the time of booking.  Please note we will accept name changes once the booking is made and everyones name will be check against that of their passport on the morning of departure.

TRACKS
The Flots
Brookland
Romney Marsh
Kent TN 29 9TG

DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL TIMES
All tours depart London from Bressenden Place near Victoria Underground Station at 10:00   MAP
Please ensure you have your passport and proof of travel insurance with you to show your Tour Manager on arrival at the coach.

Travelling time to Munich is approx. 18 hours.  This includes the crossing from Dover to Calais and stops made en route for breaks and meals at motorway services.  You will arrive in Munich the following morning with time to shower and settle in before breakfast.

Departure from Munich will be early evening approx. 19:00  and you will travel back to London over night. The tours are due back in London late afternoon.
 

DAY EXCURSIONS
These are included free of charge in your tour cost.  The day excursions depart after breakfast and return early evening via the Beer Festival.   Whilst the cost of the excursion is included in your package you pay any entrance fees on the day.  These trips operate subject to demand and please note seats may be limited.
 

SALZBURG  Located just inside the Austrian border, taking just under 2 hours to reach from Munich.  You'll have a full day to explore the picturesque old town as well as enjoy the excellent shopping.  Salzburg has much to offer with a grand Cathedral, impressive Castle and numerous art galleries and museums.   The city is influenced by Mozart, you can visit Mozart's birthplace (A35) and Mozart's residence, you can  even purchase Mozart's balls (chocolate of course!)  You can take in the views from the Castle either by walking up to it or taking the cable car (A34). A visit to the castle itself if well worthwhile with its torture chamber and state rooms (A40).   Art lovers should not miss a visit to the Residenz, here you have art from the 16th ~ 17th Century Dutch and Flemish painters (AS70).  Whilst in Salzburg you can spend German Marks, but you will also find numerous places to exchange your money into Austrian Schillings (AS) should you prefer.  More information can be found at the  Salzburg Tourist Information  if this link fails try www.salzburginfo.or.at

 

NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE  You may not have heard about Neuschwanstein Castle but you will recognize it once there, for this castle is one of Europe's best known landmarks and the castle that inspired Walt Disney Fantasy land castle.    The walk up the hill (5 km) will be well rewarded with excellent views and a tour that can only be described as a "fantasy tour"  Although it was unfinished at the time of King Ludwigs death in 1886 there is still plenty to see ranging from a Byzantine throne hall to a Romanesque study and an artificial grotto.  Entrance Fee for Castle 12 DM.  You can also take in a walk around the Lake and visit yet another castle, that of King Ludwigs parents.

 

DACHAU  Everyone has read or seen pictures about the horrors that faced so many people during World War II. A visit to Dachau Concentration Camp will bring home the reality of what life was like for so many under the control of the NAZI's and you'll be able to see for yourself the conditions so many faced.  More than 200,000 prisoners  were imprisoned in the camp and more than 30,000 died here.  There is an English documentary shown at 11:30 and 15:30.  Entrance if Free.

 

ANDECHS  The Benedictine Monastery at Andechs dates back to 1445. The monk established the tradition of beer making to help with the upkeep of the Monastery.  You'll be able to enjoy a meal and a stein or two as you relax on the sun terrace.  You can also visit the church and village that surrounds the monastery.

 
THALKIRCHEN CAMPSITE
 

The Thalkirchen campsite is located in Munich, approx. 30 minutes from the festival ground.  We operate free shuttles between the campsite and the festival grounds.  These operate on a regular basis throughout the day.  Accommodation is based on a twin share basis in tents designed to accommodate 3 persons. These are all pre erected in Munich and all that you need provide is your sleeping bag, roll mat or air bed and a pillow.  The campsite facilities include: Camp mini market, camp snack bar. The campsite reception offers money exchange and postal services.  There is also  laundry facilities (washing machines and dryers) and public phones.  Shower facilities are of a high standard however you have to purchase a shower token from reception.  Please note that the campsite does not provide toilet paper.

NEAR BY:   A few minutes walk from the campsite you will find a number of restaurants and bars.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT:   The nearest public transport is approx. 30 minutes walk from campsite.  This is the Thalkirchen UBahn.

WHAT TO PACK:
The weather in Munich can be unpredictable.  We strongly advise you to ensure you have something warm to wear at night.  Whilst the days may be sunny and hot, the temperatures will drop at night.  Equally you can experience rain at any time therefore you need to be prepared for all weather types.

For the safe keeping of you money you should wear a money belt ~ preferably the type worn under your clothing.  You should ensure you keep you valuables with you at all times.  Whilst in Munich we can arrange for your passports to be keep under lock and key at the campsite reception. You should think carefully about travelling with your valuables eg. walkmans.

PACKING GUIDE:  Passport Proof of Travel Insurance Photocopy of passport and travellers cheques  Credit / Debit  card details Money belt ~ the type worn under your clothing Spending money Sleeping bag Roll mat or air bed Towel and pillow Torch Alarm clock Warm clothing to wear at night Clothing for both warm and cold / wet conditions Disposable camera Small day pack Toilet paper First Aid Kit MONEY MATTERS:  We advise that you obtain some German cash prior to departing London to cover meals and drinks en route to Munich.  You should travel with travellers cheques either in Pound Stirling or German Marks.  Whilst credit cards are useful you should not rely on these solely for funds.

MEALS
Whilst in Munich we provide you with a cooked breakfast.  You have a choice of hot drinks (tea or coffee) plus cordial.  A choice of cereals and a hot course for example; scrambled eggs, bacon and tomatoes with a bread roll.

ACCOMMODATION ONLY PACKAGE
We offer a accommodation only package for the price of £28:00 per person per night.  This covers your camping accommodation based in twin share tents, (you need to bring an air bed / roll mat and sleeping bag with you).  This also includes a cooked breakfast, free shuttles to and from the festival grounds and day excursions as offered, subject to availability.

SIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS IN MUNICH
 

Besides the Oktoberfest you may also wish to explore Munich.  The city centre is based around Marienplatz.  This lively, attractive square houses the Mariensaule (Mary Column) which was built in 1638 to celebrate the departure of Swedish forces. The Gothic new town hall - Neue Rathaus - with its famous Glockenspiel is also in Marienplatz. The Glockenspiel  plays every day at 11.00, 12.00 and 17.00.  Art Lovers should visit the Alte Pinakothek as it  houses works by the major European masters of the 14th to 18th centuries. The Neue Pinakothek just opposite features 18th and 19th century paintings and sculpture. The unmissable Deutsches Museum  is the world's biggest science and technology museum, taking up eight floors, amongst the displays inside, you find a coal mine!

Stop and sample some of the best beer in the world in one of the largest city parks in Europe - the Englischer Garten. Stroll along Maximilianstrasse, Munich's most elegant shopping street.  A short Ubahn ride has you at the BMW Museum and near by you'll find the Olympic Stadium complete with a Olympic size pool.  If the weather is fine taking in the vew for the Telecommunications Tower is a must.

OPENING WEEKENDS PARADES

Grand Entry of the Oktoberfest Landlords and Breweries  Saturday, September 22nd, 2001  Route: Sonnenstraße-Schwanthalerstraße to the Oktoberfest grounds.   Begins at 11 am and lasts about 45 minutes.   This is the official prelude to the opening of the Oktoberfest and involves about 1,000 participants, including the landlords' families in decorated carriages, the magnificent horse-drawn drays of the Munich breweries, waitresses on decorated floats and all the beer tent bands.  Oktoberfest Costume and Riflemen's Parade  Sunday, September 23rd, 2001  Begins at 10 am and lasts about 2 hours., about 7000 performers.  Route of the parade: Siegestor -Odeonsplatz - Briennerstraße - Maximiliansplatz - Lenbachplatz - Stachus - Sonnenstraße - Schwanthalerstraße - Theresienwiese  World-famous procession on the first Sunday of the Oktoberfest. The Costume und Riflemen's Procession gives an impressive insight into the fascinating diversity of customs rooted in the heart of Bavaria, in Franconia, Swabia, the states of Germany and in neighboring European countries. A varied succession of regional costume groups, "troops" in historical uniforms, marching bands, riflemen, thoroughbred horses, oxen, cows, goats, the decorated drays of the Munich breweries, floats displaying typical local traditions and historic carriages all pass by in a 7-kilometer-long procession through the streets of the city center. Ribboned trees, harvest garlands, craftsmen's tools from bygone days, harvest produce, dancers decorated with flowers, stars and crowns, trumpeters on horseback, flag-throwers and a host of other performers transform this traditional Munich procession into a brilliant highlight on the first Sunday of the Oktoberfest

 
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MUNICH PLEASE CLICK HERE