The Complete Guide To: Bavaria

IN A NUTSHELL?

The southern state of Bavaria covers almost one-fifth of Germany. If the name conjures up images of dark forests, lakes, beer halls, “mad” King Ludwig and the Alps – well, that’s fairly close to the mark. The region escaped heavy bombing during the Second World War and consequently has many unspoilt towns that still have a medieval feel, with town walls encircling streets of timber-framed buildings with steeply pitched roofs covered in tiny dormer windows. It offers the best walking and cycling country in Germany and has a wealth of museums, castles and art galleries. Its capital, Munich, is said to have the best quality of life of any German city, and its excellent public transport, augmented by cycling and walking routes – some beside the river Isar – make it a pleasure to explore.

WHY NOW?

At the dot of noon on 19 September, Munich’s mayor will tap the first barrel to declare open the 2009 Oktoberfest, beginning 16 days of beer and sausage consumption on an epic scale (from 9am at weekends, 10am on weekdays). This is no Camra-style beer festival – only six varieties of beer are available, served by the litre to drinkers with an apparently unquenchable thirst.

A quieter tradition is celebrated in the mountains during September, when locals dress in national costume to mark the “Viehscheid” to accompany hundreds of garlanded cows down from their summer alpine pastures. At Oberstdorf in the Allgäu, the procession is on 11 and 12 September.

Article source: http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/the-complete-guide-to-bavaria-1775456.html