Westworld Alberta
Issue link: http://westworldmagazine.ama.ab.ca/i/80542
Aida Zoldi-Gignac AMA Travel Specialist – Oktoberfest Once a year, for 16 days, the city of Munich, Germany, transforms to host Oktoberfest. This year, the festival runs from September 22 to October 7. I fi rst "oompapa'd" my way to Oktoberfest by accident in the late 1980s. My friend and I arrived in Munich at the end of September and, not realizing that Oktoberfest had begun, found ourselves without a room. We ended up travelling an hour out of Munich to a small village, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and staying at the fi ve-star Grand Hotel Sonnenbichl. To get to the festival, we took the U-bahn train (the best way to get around the city). The Theresienwiese stop is right at the fairgrounds. There are all types of amusements at Oktoberfest, from roller coasters to haunted houses, games and raffl es. The biggest attractions, of course, are the elab- orately decorated beer tents. After getting into one of the tents, we sat at a long wooden table with Aussies, Kiwis and Germans (most attired in dirndls and lederhosen), ordering oversized steins of beer and listening to brass bands pump out traditional songs. But the festival isn't just about drinking. There are stands serving hearty German dishes and desserts scattered throughout the festival grounds. Bratwurst and schnitzel seemed to be the favourites. With a family-friendly environment during the day, and a more adult appeal at night, anyone, regardless of age, will fi nd themselves caught up in the fun of this timeless festival. Planning a trip to Oktoberfest? Contact Aida at 1-888-989-8422 or email WWTravelSpecialist@ama.ab.ca. 32 WESTWORLD >> SEPTEMBER 2012