http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33842 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33842 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32016 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32016 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30018 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30018 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30017 The climb is a little bit steep, but for a few euros you will get the most amazing views of Munich including Marienplatz, Frauenkirche, the old Rathaus and far away into the city. Highly recommended.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30017 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30016 Despite being many hundreds of kilometres from the nearest ocean, Munich has a reputation as a surfing hotspot. It is highly entertaining to watch the local surfers and take great photos of them riding the artificial waves. When you have had enough take a stroll in the English Garden and stop at the Chinese Tower beer garden for a bite to eat and a lovely local beer. Bliss.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30016 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29717 The place has a very contemporary feel with its high ceiling arches, tiled floor and trees growing in huge pots. It's bright and you get a sense of the vibrant atmosphere as soon as you enter. There are rows and rows of busy tables served by staff that have a great knowledgeable of the menu and speak very good English. There are also English menus available.
It was our third visit here last year and the standards of the food have remained consistent. The soups for the starters are always a little unusual but are very tasty and hearty (and there's plenty of it.) The mains are very much the same and everything tastes very fresh. The food is very creative without being pretentious. I would recommend this to any 'foodie' type whether a vegetarian or not.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29717 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27324
Within a short drive, also visit Schloss Nymphenburg - beautiful.

And if you have a bit more time, Neuschwanstein (the castle Disney used as their model) is a couple of hours away, and truly spectacular.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27324 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26705 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26705 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26587 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26587 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24299
To help you get the most out of your experience, we've assembled a list of 5 inside tips to help you get the most out of your trip to Oktoberfest.

Why should you listen to us? We lived and worked in Germany for years, and have attended the festival many times. When it comes to Oktoberfest, we are experts.

Tip #1) Know what you're drinking
The following are the types of beers you'll find at Oktoberfest:

- Märzen / Oktoberfest: This beer is brewed solely for Oktoberfest and is the most common brew sold there.
- Bavarian Lager/Helles: If you walk into any traditional beer hall in Munich and simply order a beer, this is what you’ll get.
- Hefeweizen / Weißbier: The state of Bavaria is famous for this refreshing wheat beer. This beer is unfiltered, hence its cloudy appearance.
- Dunkelweizen: Same concept as the Hefeweizen, only brewed with the addition of some darker grains.
- Dunkel: Means “dark” in German. If you take a Helles and brew it with darker Munich malts, this is the result.
- Pilsner: Referred to as Pils in Germany, this style of beer originated in the former Czechoslovakia.
- Radler: A combination of Pilsner beer mixed with lemonade or lemon-lime soda.


Tip #2) Know what you're eating
The following are the types of food you'll find at Oktoberfest:

- Bratwurst:What you’ll find at the festival is usually a short and fat variety, or the long skinny version called the Thüringer. Whichever you get, it is traditionally served on a roll called a Brötchen with mustard.
- Rindswurst: Not as common as bratwurst, this sausage is made primarily from beef and most often served with ketchup rather than mustard.
- Hänchen / Hühner: Rotisserie chicken sold by the quarter, half, or whole.
- Shweinehaxen: Pig’s knuckle roasted and/or grilled, and often served with some form of potato and sauerkraut.
- Knödelei: Traditional Bavarian dumplings.
- Schnitzel: The classic Vienna style (Wiener) is made from a fried veal cutlet.
- Sauerkraut: Fermented cabbage that comes in many varieties and colors.
- Spätzle/ Knöpfle: Egg noodle pasta that usually accompanies entrées and is often topped with gravy.


Tip #3) Tip your waitress!
You get great service at Oktoberfest the same way you do anywhere – by tipping well. 10% is a pretty standard and even healthy tip in Europe. With beers costing just under 9 EUR each, giving the waitress 10 EUR and telling her Stimmt so (shtimpt-so) is just fine.

Tip #4) Leave the bags and wallet at home
A beer-soaked Oktoberfest table is no place to set a $500 designer bag. Sure they’re cute and really match your outfit, but ladies, leave the nice bags and purses at home. There’s just too likely a chance they’ll be ruined or stolen amongst the drunken masses. Take a purse small enough that you can keep it in your lap or over your shoulder without getting in the way.

Guys, invest in a money clip or small wallet that can fit into your front pocket. Bring only what you need - cash, emergency credit card, and directions back to your hotel. This deters pickpockets, and also minimizes the damage if your drunk ass loses it.

Tip #5) Visit the ATM/Money Machine before you get to the festival
They only take cash inside of the tents! While there are ATMs at the festival, they charge exorbitant fees and often have a huge line of people waiting to use them. Be smart and get your cash before you arrive at the festival, and carry an emergency credit card just in case.

Following these 5 inside tips will help you make the most of your Oktoberfest trip.

Prost!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24299 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23875 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23875 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22383 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22383