The city of Munich, famous for its autumn beer festival, is now featured as a short-break destination by a number of mainstream and specialist operators.
The city’s Oktoberfest beer festival runs from mid-September to early October. During this time, tourists get to try out Germany’s favourite tipple in vast marquees that seat several thousand revellers.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, visitors can also watch the opening parade with horse-drawn carriages and folk groups in traditional costume, or try out the latest white-knuckle rides at the festival’s fun fair.
Two-night packages to the festival start from ú299 with DER Travel Service. The price includes accommodation, breakfast, flights and transfers.
Aside from its Oktoberfest, however, the city has much to offer. Thomson Breakaway Product manager Moray Shutt said the city’s main attractions are its elegant city centre, historical connections and shopping.
“Munich has got a strong historical element to it. It was the headquarters of the Nazi movement in the early 1920s, and there is the famous medieval church, the Frauenkirche, with its distinctive domed towers. The shopping is good too. Maximilianstrasse has elegant designer shops,” she said.
A two-night Thomson break at the three-star family-run Alfa Hotel costs from ú257 including flights.
Cresta has seen a growth in demand for Munich, which brand manager, cities, Julie Earnshaw attributes to the company’s repositioning of the city for 1999. “The main reason we think Munich has increased significantly is our marketing, which promotes the city as a base from which to explore the rest of Bavaria,” she said.
The operator offers a choice of day trips as add-ons, including the Romantic Road which visits the medieval town of Rothenburg and the Royal Castles tour, which takes clients to the world-famous fairytale castle Neuschwanstein. Both tours cost ú27 per adult and ú14 for children. A three-night stay in May on a bed-and-breakfast basis at Munich’s three-star Atrium Hotel, costs from ú301 per person. The deal includes flights from Heathrow.
Earnshaw said the destination attracted well off empty nesters and couples aged 35-65.
The city also attracts younger age groups, according to German Travel Centre managing director Mohamed Bhimani. “Munich attracts the 20 to 30s age group. Once people are there they discover the cafes and bars of the university district,” he said.
The operator offers a three-night break at the four-star Maritim Hotel from ú205, room only, including flights from Stansted.