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Articles > Europe > Germany > Munich > Fairy Tale Festival and Oktoberfest in Germany
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Fairy Tale Festival and Oktoberfest in Germany
A quick trip around Germany usually isn't enough as there are more than a couple of places to go and a number of things to do when visiting this vibrant country. However, if I have to choose a couple of quick tourist getaways from the multiple fun choices Germany has to offer, I would have to go with a stop in a small idyllic town near Frankfurt, and a longer visit in Munich.
The Brothers Grimm. If you've grown up listening to fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm – and who hasn't? – a quick trip to the idyllic little town near Frankfurt called Hanau is just the ticket. When you happen to visit some time between May and July, you will be able to experience a treat for fairy tale enthusiasts everywhere – The Fairy Tale Festival. Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and other famous characters from the tales by the brothers will be performed in an outdoor amphitheater daily.
Hanau being the brothers' hometown, a bronze statue depicting these famous German figures can be found in the town square, which also holds a biweekly open-air market that caters to both tourists and locals.
The town is also the starting point of the Fairy Tale Road, which embarks on a journey following the tales from the brothers – through thick forests where Little Red Riding Hood might have passed, pass the witch's cottage Hansel and Gretel might have discovered, and other buildings and scenes reminiscent of some of the most memorable tales.
Now, if you're not one to hang out at sleepy towns and would rather spend your vacation in one of the main cities in Germany, then come over mid September to early October and experience arguably the most famous festival in Europe – Oktoberfest.
This year is especially more entertaining – if that were possible – since 2010 marks the 200th anniversary of the world's largest fair. Enjoy hearty meals of delicious meats and sausages, some traditional potato or bread dumplings, cheese noodles, or Rotkraut (red cabbage).
But of course, all that food pales in comparison to the reason of the visit to Munich: beer.
How to get there. You have three choices when travelling to the Oktoberfest – train or subway, cab, or car. Travelling by car is not advised as Oktoberfest draws a huge number of people and roads leading to the event are congested, and it is next to impossible to find a parking space. The same thing holds true with cabs, with an added inconvenience of finding one. The last and best choice is going by train or subway. During the festival, the mentioned public transport runs every 10 minutes until 2 AM weekends and until 1 AM weekdays.
The beer tents. There are currently thirty four main tents at the Oktoberfest, each with its own specialty. You can spend the festival at Armbrustschützen Zelt, a tent famous for its crossbow competition. Or you can choose to come over on the first day of the festival and witness Munich's mayor kick it off by tapping the first keg at the Schottenhammel Tent. As the magic and fun of the festival overflows into each tent, it doesn't really matter much which one you choose.
A reservation is suggested, but if you don't get a chance to make one, just make sure you come as early as possible. A full tent means you don't get a seat, and no seat equals no drink.
Whether in small quiet towns or one of the main cities in Germany, there is always something fun to do. So if you only get a limited amount of time in Germany, these are the should-never-miss places for both local and international tourists.
The Brothers Grimm. If you've grown up listening to fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm – and who hasn't? – a quick trip to the idyllic little town near Frankfurt called Hanau is just the ticket. When you happen to visit some time between May and July, you will be able to experience a treat for fairy tale enthusiasts everywhere – The Fairy Tale Festival. Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and other famous characters from the tales by the brothers will be performed in an outdoor amphitheater daily.
Hanau being the brothers' hometown, a bronze statue depicting these famous German figures can be found in the town square, which also holds a biweekly open-air market that caters to both tourists and locals.
The town is also the starting point of the Fairy Tale Road, which embarks on a journey following the tales from the brothers – through thick forests where Little Red Riding Hood might have passed, pass the witch's cottage Hansel and Gretel might have discovered, and other buildings and scenes reminiscent of some of the most memorable tales.
Now, if you're not one to hang out at sleepy towns and would rather spend your vacation in one of the main cities in Germany, then come over mid September to early October and experience arguably the most famous festival in Europe – Oktoberfest.
This year is especially more entertaining – if that were possible – since 2010 marks the 200th anniversary of the world's largest fair. Enjoy hearty meals of delicious meats and sausages, some traditional potato or bread dumplings, cheese noodles, or Rotkraut (red cabbage).
But of course, all that food pales in comparison to the reason of the visit to Munich: beer.
How to get there. You have three choices when travelling to the Oktoberfest – train or subway, cab, or car. Travelling by car is not advised as Oktoberfest draws a huge number of people and roads leading to the event are congested, and it is next to impossible to find a parking space. The same thing holds true with cabs, with an added inconvenience of finding one. The last and best choice is going by train or subway. During the festival, the mentioned public transport runs every 10 minutes until 2 AM weekends and until 1 AM weekdays.
The beer tents. There are currently thirty four main tents at the Oktoberfest, each with its own specialty. You can spend the festival at Armbrustschützen Zelt, a tent famous for its crossbow competition. Or you can choose to come over on the first day of the festival and witness Munich's mayor kick it off by tapping the first keg at the Schottenhammel Tent. As the magic and fun of the festival overflows into each tent, it doesn't really matter much which one you choose.
A reservation is suggested, but if you don't get a chance to make one, just make sure you come as early as possible. A full tent means you don't get a seat, and no seat equals no drink.
Whether in small quiet towns or one of the main cities in Germany, there is always something fun to do. So if you only get a limited amount of time in Germany, these are the should-never-miss places for both local and international tourists.
About the Author
Arthur Markham is a passionate traveler and has always loved Germany and its culture. He has been to most of the main cities in Germany as well as the little towns.
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Total views: 416
Word count: 614
Character count: 3679
Article rating: none yet
Number of votes: 0
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