Okay I need your opinion please?

Question

I will be going on vacation soon in October so I was wondering about an event called Octoberfest in I think it's Munich can anyone tell me about this event like what type of stuff goes on? Then my other choice would be Barcelona Spain I never been to Europe before it will be my first time so your advice is important to me if you traveled alot two both places before then your a plus to me. Thank You.

Answer 1

If you are going to Munich, double check the dates of the Oktoberfest because it ends in the FIRST week of October! I haven't been to Spain, but Munich has a lot to see and do besides the Oktoberfest. I wouldn't go there just to see a bunch of drunk people in beer tents, but it's worth checking it out if you happen to be there anyway. Munich has REALLY nice areas all around it. The castle that you always see in all the posters "Neuschwanstein" (aka the Sleeping Beauty Castle) is not too far from there and there are lots of other sites to see in all directions not far from there. Munich can indeed be unfriendly at times, and I think that the people are really really rude occasionally, but it's still a very nice place to visit.

Answer 2

First of all the Oktober fest In Munich(German spelling München) ends on Tuesday the 3rd of October.
I have lived in Germany for 20 years so I can not really give a fair answer. I have been to Barcelona several times over the years for both business and pleasure. Both cities have a lot to offer a visitor, both are friendly to tourists(more to the point your money). Anyway, Barcelona is a beautiful city that you can spend days walking around, buildings are very interesting, many museums, an ugly 'Gaudi(Sp?)' catherdral that is suppose to be a work of art(all in one's taste I guess?). But, that is just the city, the surrounding country side while nice, does not have a lot to offer. Unless of course you like looking at hills and stuff? I am sure some Spainish or well traveled US Militray persons will differ with me on that point.
Now, both cities are modern in that you can use credit cards, have ATM's, good publíc transportation, and a McDonald's around the corner. Both countries also use the Euro as their currency.
If you like a warmer climate then Barcelona would be a better choice than Munich. In October Munich will be have late Indian Summer weather - somewhat warm days and cool nights, and of course rain.
I think the main reason Munich is over run with American Tourists is because; You fly into Frankfurt, hop on a bus, stop in Heidelberg to look at the castle, back on the bus to head down to Munich, have a beer there, next day get on the bus to visit the Fairy Tale Castle(It Is Really Something to See!), and then off to Salzburg, Austria to hear 'The Sound Of Music'.
My point there is that within an hour or so of Munich are dozens of things to see. And if you want to experience the 'Feel' of the Oktober Fest then visit any one of the beer 'Hofs', Hofbrau, Löwenbrau, Etc.
Check out www.theoktoberfest.com for an American's take on Munich and the Oktober Fest.
As far as comments about Munich being exspensive, I think many Americans would say the same thing about NYC or LA when comparing them to Knoxville, TN?
Which city is friendlier? Germans have a 'way' which is hard to describe? For many people it is considered rude, but at least they do not 'sugar coat' things so you know where you stand. But customer friendly have a nice day service, forget about that in Germany.
In Barcelona the people are more warm and welcoming. If you like getting hugged and smiling faces, well then Barcelona is for you. Let's put it this way, if you try speaking Spanish they will like that and be even more friendly, and unless you say something nasty about their Mothers they will not correct you. (In Germany, they WILL correct you, and LET you know - you get used to it).
Good luck with your choice - not easy, and have a good trip!

Answer 3

Guten Tag! 8)

For me, as a native German, the behavior of the people while the Oktoberfest is going on is very embarrassing. That's definitely NOT what we Germans are normally. It's fun to go there, tho. And very expensive! Be aware, they really try to rip you off! The "Hofbrauhaus" is the same. Munich itself is very busy and somewhat unfriendly. If you have the chance, try to get out of Munich, towards the Alps or towards the Bavarian Forest, e.g. There are nice little villages around Munich, where you really can meet German culture and not the tourism-pop-culture. The area is very nice, check the weather forecast and pack light!
I really(!) recommend to get a good travelers guide, like Rick Steve's books. You might know him from the TV. His shows are running on PBS. He knows, what he's doing and saying.
Here the link: http://www.ricksteves.com
You can get some useful information there.

I've been in Barcelona, but that's ages ago 8) I remember Barcelona as dirty, busy and very interesting. Have to go there some time.

Happy traveling, have fun!

Answer 4

I'm living in germany and i traveled to barcelona before. barcelona is of course a wonderful place, you can experience many of the old buildings. i really enjoid the "sagrada familia" (which means temple of the holy family), its a church which is still in the buliding-time. It looks very strange because it was planned by the surealistic artist antonio gaudi! You will love it, be sure! barcelona is wonderful, many things to experience and wonder about!
Oktoberfest in München (Munich), this is a big (very big, huge!) party in the style of bavarian traditionals. The clothes [(girls: Dirndl (a dress) boys: Lederhosen (leathertrousers)] are very unusual for the rest of germany, bavaria is a place where the people love their traditions and their roots. But believe me, you will have fun, so much fun, u cant imagine...The music is very strange but so funny (traditional, of course), but u will enjoy the food (sausages, with special mustard and "brezen", Brezeln). And of course: so much BEER! ull get a huge glas of beer, i think 3 liters, and thats usual....and u can drink as much as you can! The whole Oktoberfest is like a big amusement park, many roller coasters, many places where u can dance, but u will have the most fun in the party tents. there u got hunderts of work tables and tables, filled with food and beer, later the people will stand on the tables with u and they'll dancing and laughing, singing songs with you! You'll love bavaria and oktoberfest! people are very friendly there!

uh, hope that was enough and excuse my bad english okay?
have a nice day!
greetz from good old germany

Answer 5

Oktoberfest is a big party. Lots of drunk people from different nations sit together in tents, laughing and sometimes singing and dancing. And be sure-you always find someone to spend the night with! Miunich is a wonderfull lively city, it is worth to see ist! And foreigners love the Oktoberfest.

Barcelona is totally different to that, but wonderful, too. You cannot compare these two citys.

It is not an easy decision, but I would visit Miunich, because theres a lot more to see and go, except the Oktoberfest.

Answer 6

Oktoberfest is in Munich. It's a big festival orginally to celebrate the harvest but now it's just a big beer drinking party, mainly for tourists. I have been to Munich, it's a beautiful old city and and the local Bavarians are great people. Munich gets my vote !!!

Answer 7

Lived in Germany for many years, went to Oktoberfest every year I was there. What would you rather do? Go to a fair and drink lots and lots of beer? Or see the sites of Spain?
I would recommend Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, the Rhine River, Prague, Rome, the Alps, Ireland or Scotland, and England.
It depends on what you want to see in Europe? I highly recommend seeing the big sites in Europe, it is one thing to read about in books or see on TV, it's a whole different thing to be on top of the Eiffel Tower, or going through the Colosseum.

Answer 8

Munich is just a big city with: restaurant, nightlife and accommodation entries, with hotelbye , you can have a look. Munich is the capital town of Bavaria and the third-most populous town in Germany. For generations the seat of the Dukes, Electors, and Leaders of Bavaria, the Munich Residenz is without question one of Europe's many spectacular palaces. Laid out about seven large courts, the great resident complex comprises three major pieces: the Königsbau, fronting in to Max-Joseph-Platz; the Alte Residenz, experiencing Residenzstrasse; and the Festsaalbau (Banqueting Hall) overlooking the Hofgarten. The initial section of this large complicated to be created was the magnificent Antiquarium, built in 1579 and now area of the excellent Residenz Museum. Munich is really a city with a lot of record, make sure to investigate it whole.

Answer 9

Go to Octoberfest. It starts the last 2 weeks of September. My boyfriend went and the place is crazy. It is a huge carnival atmosphere with lots of beer!

Answer 10

I think when you are coming to Europe you specially in Oct.you must go to Munich for beer festively,it's real fun and you must see once in your life,one litter mugs of beer People drinking hole days and big ladies holding them in five in each hand and walk through the thick crowed spilling not a single drop on ground,lot of dances and music,you should not miss it. Barcelona is like normal Holiday place as usual .