Official DMF non-moto travel thread

[DanTheMan]

good luck on that.
the cheapest hotel i could find that didn't require a drive into the city jsut to be able to take the u-bahn was around $150
i usually use expedia or hotels.com for hotels.


btw, have fun!
the oxenbraterie is great. get some of the ox, it's tasty.
there was also a smaller tent that specializes in duck. that one was really tasty too.


if you have some time to go see the country go to rothenburg. it's about a 2.5 hr drive NW of munich, but it's well worth it.
it's a town that still has the medeval wall and buildings. plus, you can rent a car and drive on the autobahn. just make sure you don't hang out in the left lane.

This close to Oktoberfest you may have to look in some of the small towns on the S bahn and ride into the Hofbahnhaus every day.

When we were in München in May we stayed 4 stops up the U 3 line in Schwabbing. Hotel Biederstein 18 Keferstraße, 5 min walk to the Münchner Freiheit U bahn station, 2 blocks to the Englisher Garten, lots of resturants - coffee shops - Bistros in the area.

Thanks for the suggestions and beer tips, ill probably Pm you for more first hand tips

I was able to get a place right next to the train station,Euro Youth Hotel, probably not going to be the nicest place, but it was less than 400eu for 4 nights. Single bed shared bath, traveling solo, so not that big of deal to me. 

[DesmoLu]

Straying away from the local board for a sec...
In Athens you have to go see the Acropolis.  When you get the package of tickets, it will give you passes to a bunch of things.  That should keep you busy for a full day.  Go to the market area and there's plenty of cool shops and restaurants to keep you busy.  You must get a gyro and if you can find a place, get you some loukomades.

For Istanbul, you Hagia Sofia is a must.  That is next to the Blue Mosque, which you also must see.  The spice market is awesome but insane.  It's easy to get lost.  The palace was ok but not something I would say you have to see.  The view is nice at least. 

Go check out my pics on facebook to see my trip to these two last year.  Holler at me with any more questions.  We need to meet up sometime soon!!

woah, woah, woah...hold on a minute..is that THE DomDucati that posts the above post? He is alive? Good to hear from you man, when's the bachelor party??

[sno_duc]

Thanks for the suggestions and beer tips, ill probably Pm you for more first hand tips

I was able to get a place right next to the train station,Euro Youth Hotel, probably not going to be the nicest place, but it was less than 400eu for 4 nights. Single bed shared bath, traveling solo, so not that big of deal to me. 

This link might be useful.
http://www.toytowngermany.com/forum/index.php?showforum=53

[DanTheMan]

This link might be useful.
http://www.toytowngermany.com/forum/index.php?showforum=53

oh sweet jesus.

the first few topics:
Church may open a beer hall in a side chapel 
Drinking alcohol on MVG public transport is banned 
Family-friendly marijuana maze 
XXXLutz furniture store openings 
Cocaine tablecloths seized at Munich Airport 
Man uses live swan to beat up victim 
 

[sno_duc]

I thought you would like it.
The Brit who posted on the beer in church thread was a riot.  
Check out Life in Munich and Events in Munich.

Here's the one http://www.toytowngermany.com/forum/index.php?showforum=77

[DesmoLu]

In particular, if anyone knows of any special occasion fine dining in athens, we'll be celebrating my mom's bday that night!

[DesmoLu]

I think THIS is my next vacation:
http://www.concierge.com/ideas/family/tours/501023?page=1

[Zee]

I was in Munich in April, I stayed at a place called "B&B", it is a little out of the main city, but eay to get to with the u bahn system. Takes about 10 minutes, and they seem to go every 5 - 10 minutes. from memory, the price was about 20 - 30 Euros a night. They even had Wifi.

Oh, you have to try Augustiner beer, at the Augustiner Brau. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustiner_Br%C3%A4u ). It's pretty much the best beer I have ever tasted. and you can only get it in Munich.

Also, you can try logging in to www.couchsurfing.com, and you may have some luck with a couch...

Z...

Been looking for places to stay in Munich, but having a tough time finding a reasonable priced hotel <$100. Anyone have a good website they use for finding hotels with prices? Looking to go sept 28-oct 2nd. for Oktoberfest which apparently i should have booked 6 months ago.

Or anyone have an extra couch in Munich?

<edit> just found a good site www.booking.com

[Zee]

Since I've seen a few posts asking for travel advice around I figured I'd start an official thread as we are a well-traveled group with a ton of great tips. Figured I'd start a non-moto one here for the times that we are tragically forced to travel without a bike (why are damn bike rentals so expensive  )

I'll start! Gonna be taking a Med cruise this fall to a number of popular cities that I've never been to before. Looking for tips on cool things to do aside from the major touristy stuff, getting around the cities and any hints on scooter rentals - yes, I said scooter. I'm going with my mom and she's paranoid about getting on the back of the bike with me but I've talked her into doing scooter.

Here's the itinerary - any input would be great!
Venice: 2 days
Dubrovnik: 1 day
Kotor, Montenegro: 1 day
Sicily: 1 day
Amalfi coast: 2 days - here scooter rental or good handling car would be great
Athens: 1 day - anyone been to the new museum yet?
Delos/Mykonos: 2 days
Rhodes: 1 day
Istanbul: 3 days
...also debating a trip to Cappadocia but not sure if it's worth losing the time in Istanbul

Looking forward to your travel stories!!

Venice is cool, been there a couple of times, last being April. One full day is enough, to be honest, the 2 is doable without getting bored - Assuming you are a good walker. Don't eat in St Marks square, way too $$$, try walking off the main roads, explore, go down the dark alleyways and find the little family run eateries that are hidden away. Much cheaper, great atmosphere, great service and fantastic food.

If you go to the Morano tour, make sure you go looking at any glassware you may want too buy BEFORE you got here. I found the prices on Morano inflated. Many small hidden away shops offer much better prices for stuff that comes form the island anyway.

Of the others, I've only been to Istanbul, in 2003. It was AMAZING!!! If you can, go have dinner in the old round light house at the top of the hill, I can't remember what it is called anymore, but the food was amazing. Just watch the chilies!

Istanbul has awesome food, just beware of the ice cream. It doesn't melt... Istanbul is full of seriously old buildings, step off the main roads, especially at sunset, and it is easy to feel like you have been transported 300 years back in time. Sitting on one side of the bay, eating fish whilst watching the sun set behind the Red Mosque is pretty awesome.

The spice markets and the Grand Bazaar are well worth a visit, but try to get beyond the jewelry in the Grand Bazaar. Oh, and hold on to your bags/purse/wallets in the spice markets....

In the Grand Bazaar, the when you buy things, it's about the deal, not about the item. Apple tea, haggling, apple tea, chatting, apple tea, small talk more haggling and apple tea are what it's about. Don't feel bad if you spent 20 minutes in a shop and walked out without buying anything, so long as you haggled and drank apple tea, you were trying to do a deal as far as they are concerned.

Finally, in all these places, please avoid McDonalds, Starbucks etc. The local foods are really amazing. Try them before you resort to the food you can have every day down the street.

I'll try posting some pics later.

[KnightofNi]

I was in Munich in April, I stayed at a place called "B&B", it is a little out of the main city, but eay to get to with the u bahn system. Takes about 10 minutes, and they seem to go every 5 - 10 minutes. from memory, the price was about 20 - 30 Euros a night. They even had Wifi.

Oh, you have to try Augustiner beer, at the Augustiner Brau. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustiner_Br%C3%A4u ). It's pretty much the best beer I have ever tasted. and you can only get it in Munich.

Also, you can try logging in to www.couchsurfing.com, and you may have some luck with a couch...

Z...

i agree with most of this statement.
i did find augustiner in bottles in the states recently. i nearly cried.


another great beer hall/brewery is schnieder. i suggest the aventinus. have 1 bottle of the icebok there so you can taste it but not pass out. it's on Tal in Munich.
http://www.schneider-weisse.de/index.php?lang=en&tpl=brauerei.brauhaeusser&sid=$sid


ohh and a tip for the u-bahn. you can get a round trip ticket for up to 4 people for cheaper than a standard 1-way for 2.
DON'T FORGET TO STAMP THE TICKET! if you get caught by the police on the train without a stamped ticket they might not be so nice. however, during oktoberfest they might not be checking as much (which isn't very often to begin with) so if you feel like living on the edge you can prob get a free ride or 2

[Zee]

i agree with most of this statement.
i did find augustiner in bottles in the states recently. i nearly cried.

No way!!! Damn, I love that beer. Wish someone would import it to Aus...

ohh and a tip for the u-bahn. you can get a round trip ticket for up to 4 people for cheaper than a standard 1-way for 2.
DON'T FORGET TO STAMP THE TICKET! if you get caught by the police on the train without a stamped ticket they might not be so nice. however, during oktoberfest they might not be checking as much (which isn't very often to begin with) so if you feel like living on the edge you can prob get a free ride or 2

Or get a 24 hour pass, if you are going to do lots of trips.

Z...

[DesmoLu]

Don't feel bad if you spent 20 minutes in a shop and walked out without buying anything, so long as you haggled and drank apple tea, you were trying to do a deal as far as they are concerned.

that's awesome. I love haggling at foreign markets. It somehow makes shopping a fun and cultural experience. And here in the states we have....shopping malls. Sigh.

Thanks for the good advice. Pics would be great. I'm really looking forward to all the food. I LOVE Greek and Turkish food. I plan on doing a lot of eating!

[KnightofNi]

No way!!! Damn, I love that beer. Wish someone would import it to Aus...

Or get a 24 hour pass, if you are going to do lots of trips.

Z...

the 24 hr pass never really worked for me except when i did the brewery tour.

otherwise it was go downtown in the morning, walk around and then go back to the hotel.
on fest days it was wake up, find something to eat, get on the u6 to the weisn, get hammered, then get the u6 back tot he hotel...repeat the next day wearing a different shirt.

[sno_duc]

No way!!! Damn, I love that beer. Wish someone would import it to Aus...

Or get a 24 hour pass, if you are going to do lots of trips.

Z...

He said he's traveling solo, so strip of tickets or 3 day ticket ( good till 6am on the 4th day ).
IIRC getting caught with out a properly stamped ticket is a â,¬ 80 fine payable on the spot.

My only contact with MVG employees was on Saturday, went to go get the car ( we parked it at the BMW Welt, same price as the hotel better parking),got to the Müchner Freiheit station the side that goes to OEZ was closed, go down to the other side, MVG guy at the bottom of the stairs starts talking in rapid fire german. Mustering up the little hochdeutsch I know I respond " Ich spechen ein bisschen Deutch, Ich verstahen nicht ". So he repeats himself even faster. I'd already figured out I had to the Gieslastraße station get off and get back on going north. While waiting for the next train another rider came up and ask in english if I understood.

+1 on    prost

[DanTheMan]

Yeah staying a half block from the main train terminal, which is how I'm arriving to Munich. And that also puts me about 3 block form the Oktoberfest grounds. Probably wont have to use the train too much, but ive found from my expierence last year in spain and Italy, they are easy to figure out once your there.