Arrive in Munich with optional private transfers to your hotel from either Munich Strauss Airport or from the Hauptbahnhof (Central Rail Station).

After checking in at the hotel, a good way to familiarize yourself with this Bavarian city is to take the Hop-on/Hop-off city tour. This bus tour gives the overall highlights of the city, including stops at the art museums, Odeonsplatz, Max-Joseph-Platz, Marienplatz/Tal, Karlsplatz (or Stachus), and the pedestrian zone and shopping areas.

End your first evening with dinner at one of Munich's famous beer halls; Paulaner Keller, popular with locals for good food, and voted best beer garden five times. Or perhaps the famous Löwenbräukeller, which has a small beer garden under the shade of the trees and a large, sunny, first floor terrace.

A few words about the Oktoberfest:

The beer tents and fairground attractions are generally open at 10am until 10:30pm. The area can be reached in a 15-20-minute walk from the historic center (just follow the throngs) or using the subway. Lines U4 and U5 will take you directly from the Hauptbahnhof to the Oktoberfest. It's just one stop to Theresienwiese. Entrance to the grounds is free, however you must have a seat in a tent to be served beer. If you don't have a reservation, your best bet is to visit early in the day, preferably mid-week.

The good news is that you will have a table reserved exclusively for Avanti guests inside a designated tent. Included is a ½ roasted chicken and 2 liters of beer. While walking through the fairgrounds, make sure you try the Brezn (pretzel) with various spreads, the Weisswurst, and other Bavarian specialties. And if a liter of beer is too much, ask for a Radler. It's half beer and half lemonade and very refreshing on a warm day.

Your tickets will be delivered to your hotel and a guide will accompany you to your table.

(Breakfast & Accommodations, Munich)

It's a free day, and you can opt for a variety of tours, including walking or biking. For the motor enthusiast, the BMW factory is always popular. If you're a military or history buff, the Third Reich walking tour chronicles Germany's dark period of history leading up to, and the culmination of WWII.

Full day tours include the royal castles of Neuschwanstein and Linderhof; two of mad King Ludwig's lasting legacy. A stop in historic Oberammergau is also included.

Haven't been to Austria? Here's your opportunity by taking the Salzburg and Lake District tour. You'll walk through this fairy tale town, famous as the birthplace of Mozart and the Sound of Music. The trip continues through the stunning Salzkammergut area, viewing Wolfgangsee and Mondsee ("see" meaning lake in German)

Other full day options are Berchtesgaden and Eagles Nest, Rothenburg and the Romantic Road, and Innsbruck combined with Swarovski Crystal World.

(Breakfast & Accommodations, Munich)

After breakfast, you may want to consider a stroll around the old town before your day of fun at the Oktoberfest. There will be music in the tents, and until 6pm, the orchestras only play quiet, traditional brass music. One famous song you will hear (probably in your sleep) is "Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit" which means translated "A toast to cheer and good times". The band leader plays this song several times to invite the guests to toast and drink. So get your voices and toasting arm in shape!

(Breakfast & Accommodations, Munich)

Sufficiently recovered, refreshed, and ready for your next Avanti destination.

(Breakfast, Munich)