Oktoberfest – Munich & Berchtesgaden, by Caroline Chandra

Lufthansa flight via Dusseldorf to Munich.

My flight was kindly upgraded to Premium Economy on Lufthansa. Seats were comfortable with just enough recline and a foot stand for us short people! But the best feature was the TV screen. By far the biggest TV screen in Premium Economy I have experience.

Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden, this luxe, chalet–style hotel in the Bavarian Alps is a 5-minute walk from ski lifts and a 12-minute walk from Golf club Berchtesgaden.

My bedroom: Contemporary rooms provide free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, plus minibars, and tea and coffee making facilities. All have balconies or patios; some offer mountain views. Suites add living rooms and Nespresso coffeemakers; upgraded suites feature kitchenettes and/or fireplaces. Offering an outdoor pool and an indoor pool, as well as a picturesque view of the mountains. You will find a spa and wellness center, and a fitness center. Activities including hiking, biking, skiing, golfing, etc.

There are 3 sleek restaurants and a lodge–style bar; a breakfast buffet is available for a fee. Other amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness room and a day spa, plus a kids’ club, 6 meeting rooms and a business center.

Later in the afternoon a trip to Berchtesgaden Village for Lederhosen/ Dirndl/ Accessories shopping. I was lucky enough to find my perfect Dirndl!

I did miss the HISTORY TOUR: Dokumentation Obersalzberg which I would highly recommend for those visiting here. Another must is the NATURE WALK: Kempinski Rundweg Walk

Day excursion: Breathtaking bus journey up the Kehlstein road and a luxurious brass elevator up through the rock into Kehlsteinhaus, known in English as the Eagle’s Nest. The site combines a unique example of historic architecture – “Inside Hitler’s Mountain” and a stunning alpine setting.

Afterwards, we are heading to Salzburg, only 1 ½ hours drive – the city′s attractions are loved by millions of visitors from all over the world. With a tourist-per-capita ratio higher than Venice or Florence, the city is among the busiest places of Europe all year round.

I did visit the Sacher Hotel in Salzburg located right by the river.

In the evening dinner at the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains. We had a wonderful presentation from St. Moritz by Katalin Moor whom made this trip just for us along with her staff with a nice invitation to a Swiss dinner at the unique and rustic Bergstüberl.

Warm welcome by Melanie Weiler and Roman Barthelmann at the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich. Our bedroom was not available yet but we given a changing room to change into our Lederhosen & Dirndl and get ready for our festival. The Trachtenumzug gives an impressive insight into the fascinating diversity of customs rooted in the heart of Bavaria.

Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich set in the city center, this luxury hotel is a 7-minute walk from Lehel U-Bahn station. It’s also 7 minutes from Marienplatz public square and 7 km from Nymphenburg Palace. Modern, upscale rooms and suites feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and desks. Upgraded rooms and suites add plush furnishings and Baroque murals. Suites have separate living rooms, and some have butler service. 

Amenities include a Bavarian restaurant, an elegant cocktail bar and a lounge with a fireplace. There’s also a spa, a fitness center, and an indoor pool, plus a business center. I love their main breakfast dinning which is an open kitchen concept. By far the best breakfast spread in our trip.

My bedroom was large offering a balcony with outdoor seating area.

We had some time and headed to some local beer garden to start of the festivity. In the early evening, we were driven to the Oktoberfest Schützen-Festzelt – just about 10 minutes’ drive from the hotel.

Munich’s Oktoberfest originated in 1810 as a horse race to celebrate a royal wedding. But everyone apparently enjoyed the drinking a lot more, and had such a great time they decided to do it all again the following year. The horse race is now part of history but the beer certainly isn’t and neither are those willing to drink it. Oktoberfest (with a k, not Octoberfest) is officially the world’s biggest party drawing about six million visitors a year to southern Germany. The action takes place on Munich’s fairgrounds, (officially called the Theresienwiese, informally, d’Wiesn), south-west of the city’s Main Train Station.

There are several tents. Most of the drinking is done in the 14 big beer “tents” – actually big wooden halls. You can reserve tables through www.oktoberfest.de but most sell out months in advance.

The festivities officially start in the Schottenhamel tent and often reach their rowdiest in the Hacker (Heaven of Bavaria). The new Marstall is sure to be interesting, it took the place of the bright red Hippodrom tent in 2014.

The Hofbräu tent is famed for pulling far more tourists than locals, the Augustiner might be the best for Bavarian authenticity and the Löwenbräu becomes a good option when everywhere else is full.

September 21:  Munich-Vienna

Early morning departure to Munich airport and flight to Vienna.

Upon arriving, we found our way to the Austrian Airlines headquarters where we were served lunch in their cafeteria we headed back to the airport and was given an insight into the logistics at the Vienna airport by Lufthansa Group and Austrian Airlines Representative.

VIENNA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

After a 25 minutes drive to Vienna city center we checked in to Hotel Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna.

http://www.kempinski.com/en/vienna/palais-hansen/overview/hotel-location/

Built as a hotel for the World Exhibition in Vienna in 1873, the luxurious Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna can be found right on the famous Ringstraße boulevard in the heart of the city, 10 minutes’ walk from St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

Re-opened in March 2013, it has 2 restaurants, a bar and an exclusive spa and fitness center Decorated with high-quality fabrics and carpets and equipped with a Nespresso coffee machine and an iPad, the rooms at the Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna offer views of the surrounding historic buildings or the inner courtyard. All rooms are non-smoking. A wide range of typical Viennese specialties, as well as dishes from all over the world are served in the hotel’s restaurants, which also have a show kitchen. There is an elegant cigar lounge and a lobby lounge and bar serving coffee, Viennese pastries, and delicious cocktails.

Spa and fitness facilities include a sauna area, 6 treatment rooms, a hydro pool and state-of-the art equipment for your workout. Within a 5-minute walk, you can reach the Sigmund Freud Museum and the Danube Canal with its numerous summer bars. The Baroque-style Augarten Park is 10 minutes away. Schönbrunn Palace is easily reachable by metro from the nearby Schottenring Metro Station. Families will love this neighborhood! 01. Innere Stadt is a great choice for travelers interested in live music, opera and food.

In the evening, we were treated to a very special gourmet event with the 2 Star Michelin guest-chef Hendrik Otto. Hendrink`s home is the “Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer” at the Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin – recognized as one of the best restaurants and in addition one of the shooting stars for the 3rd Michelin Star in the German capital. Executive Chef Anton Pozeg and guest chef Hendrik and they prepared culinary delights right in front of us at Chef’s Tables. There was DJ, atmosphere was relax with mix and mingle style a very innovative concept of the evening.

This morning after breakfast we met up with our guide and did the Classical city tour with focus on architecture and history.

We had lunch at the famous Café Central and had the most amazing Wiener schnitzel a Viennese specialty.

I visited the Sacher Munich Hotel and The Bristol Munich Hotel. I saw the Hotel Hilton Vienna, which was looking really good! Celebrating the 40th Anniversary the hotel is centrally located opposite the Stadpark Cathedral.

Dinner off-site at the Restaurant Kussmaul in Spittelberg hosted by Thomas Bachinger, Vienna Tourist Board.

September 23 – Return home Vienna – Chicago

Flew back on Austrian Airlines Business Class 777, brand new equipment excellent services and one of the best business class I have experience

Auf Weidersehen!!!