Oktoberfest Trip Fall 1997

Originally, I had planned to join a group of fraternity brothers on a trip to Europe. Unfortunately, not enought members signed up and the Sprig trip to Italy and France was cancelled. Not to be done out of my vacation for the year, a college buddy of mine, Mark, and I planned our own trip this Fall to Milan, Bologna and Munich during the Oktoberfest festival.

Check out the itinerary and narative of the trip below for more details.

Here are some pictures from the trip!

Day 1, September 26 - U.S. to Milan

Travel from the US to Italy via American Airlines.
It was a long sleepless night from Chicago to Milan, but we knew we had to stay up to try to get over the jet lag.

Day 2, September 27 - Milan

Arrival in Milan is at 10:15 Saturday morning. That gives us a day to rest and get attuned to the Easter Hemisphere.
Knowing that we had to do something to keep awake, we decided to check out the sites in Milan. Milan was described to us as 'the New York of Italy'. As such, it is very focused on business and theater. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to enjoy a play at La Scala, but we did see the major tourist sites of Il Duomo (the Cathedral), La Gallaria and La Scala.

Day 3, September 28 - Milan to Bologna

A day tour of Milan is on the schedule for our first full day in Italy. That evening we catch a train to Bologna for a one night stay and tour of the city.
We skipped the tour on Sunday since we had seen most of the sites Saturday. That gave us time to recoup and relax before our lunch train to Bologna. We arrived in Bologna just in time to be stopped by the police as we travelled from the train station to our hotel so that La Papa (The Pope) could make his way to the Basilica for the National Catholic Convention! We thought this was a fairly unusual and radical way to pump up the cab fare but it was interesting, none the less. After we got to the hotel, we set off on our journey through the streets of Bologna. Fortunately, we were in the 'old city' which is where most of the sites are so everything was within walking distance. We saw the Pope leave from The Basilica of San Petronio; took a walk down Strada San Donato (or Via Zamboni as it is called now); and visited the gate at the end of the street.

Day 4, September 29 - Bologna to Munich

In the morning we'll tour Bologna's landmarks which should prepare us for an afternoon/evening of walking the great city's streets on our own. That night we catch a sleeper train to Munich saving tour time and hotel bills along the way.
During our second day we searched for some of the other sites and found San Bartolomeo di Reno through Mark's instinctive directions. We also walked through the old University area and found what we think was at one time the Palatzo Chelesi, which appears to have been renamed for Joe Green (Giusepi Verde ;-). We finished up with a dinner at a local resturant (more veal!) and then made our way to the train station.

Day 5, September 30 - Munich

Tuesday, we arrive in the early morning to start our Oktoberfest celebration.
The train ride was not very restful as we had to go over the Alps, and becuase our routing took us through Austria, a country NOT included on our Eurail Pass, we had to get up a 7:00 to pay an extra $21 to stay on the train! Fortunately, we arrived safely and picked up our car. Since we didn't have very good directions to the Hotel, we opted to drive through the countryside to the tallest Alp in Germany. Then we made our way back to Munich and with a lot of help from Mark, our navigator, made it to 'the neighborhood' and from there just a quick question of a helpful local and we were there! This left us just enough time to hop on the S-Ban (subway) to go to Oktoberfest. If you've never been, you cannot imagine how big it is! It's not just a beer festival. It's more like a State Fair with rides and carnival games PLUS beer halls the size of major livestock barns filled to the rafters with happy, singing, drinking people of all ages! We opted for a more sedate biergarten (outside) for a dinner of a half a roast duck and three 'krugs' of Oktoberfest beer. Needless to say it was a long ride home on the S-Ban and an even longer night/morning.

Day 6-9, October 1-4 - Munich

While in Munich we will have a car to make day trips to the surrounding Bavarian countryside. A couple of castles and a ride on the Autoban are a must!
These best laid plans were overtaken by an insatiable need for water and rest. Wednesday was a very quiet day.
Thursday, I left Munich for a real run on the Autoban to visit my brother John's friend, Otto. I only got up to 100mph but that was all my little Fiat could probably handle anyway. Otto met me at a rest area so I wouldn't have to brave the small streets of Regensburg alone. I was a little late (40 minutes because of construction and traffic in Munich) but Otto was waiting patiently when I arrived. He was the perfect host as he lead me around one of the oldest citys in Bavaria and its capital until 1803. His knowledge about the area was great and I got a real appreciation for the region I know I never would have gotten had I gone 'on my own'. We walked over a bridge built around 836 and had lunch at the oldest 'snack bar' in Bavaria-- built for the bridge builders around 832! Then he showed me the REAL old stuff-- a tower and arch from a Roman fort built in the time of Marcus Aurileus-- around 173!!! After this, Otto took me to his home and we shared coffee with his roomate and landlady. It was so great to be welcomed by such generous people it was hard to leave but driving at night in Munich was NOT my idea of 'a good time'.
The next day was devoted to the sites of Munich. After Regensburg I thought nothing could compare but The Residenz of Franz Joseph held wealth beyond my imagination. What was truly amazing was that all the items were preserved during the war and the building, completely leveled in 1945, was rebuilt to match its original architecture and beauty-- fantastic. By the time I finished touring Munich, it was time to leave and although the trip was great, it was great to be going home.

Day 9, October 4 - Munich to Milan

After a full day in Munich and a possible visit with my brother John, we board another sleeper train back to Milan.

Day 10, October 5 - Milan to U.S.

A morning transfer to the airport from the train station starts our return to the western hemisphere and a day to rest Sunday before we return to the daily grind.
The train to Milan was another sleepless night as many Oktoberfest revelers were on the twisty-curvey ride back through the Alps. This time I had pre-paid the extra fair for Austria but there was still little rest. After a quick transfer to the airport and a two hour wait for the plane it was back to Chicago, then San Jose and home-- only 30 hours later! Needless to say, Sunday's rest was very welcome after that!

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