1. How did Oktoberfest come about anyway?

When you think of Oktoberfest, you think of Munich, which is well and good since the Bavarian capital city is also the birthplace of the fall beer fest. But how did it begin? Well, it was the brainchild of King Ludwig I of Bavaria, back when he was only the crowned and wanting to celebrate his Oct 12, 1810 marriage to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.

2. The original Oktoberfest involved horses

Beer was not the focus of the original Oktoberfest commemorating Ludwig’s marriage, however. The first celebration revolved around a horse race to which he invited the entire town — it was a 40,000 guest rager and involved so much good fun and beer that a follow-up event was scheduled the next October. Over time the horse race disappeared, but the annual festival in Munich, and the free-flowing beer element, took root, eventually morphing into modern day Oktoberfest, still held on the original city gates site. http://www.infoplease.com/spot/oktfest1.html#ixzz2x0wz0IlZ

3. Non-Octoberfest frothy fixes

If you don’t arrive during Oktoberfest, hit up the city brewery for your frothy fix
The Hofbrau Munchen is Munich’s well-known brewery and regardless of the time of year you visit it is worth a tour for historic and sampling purposes.

4. More beer tours

Munich is home to more than just one brewery, however, and to view them all on a well designed brewery crawl where you don’t have to self-navigate, join a tour with Size Matters Beer Tours http://www.sizemattersbeertour.de/home.html

5. Beyond beer – Munich’s museum scene

There is so much more to Munich than beer. The city also has a happening cultural scene. Check out Lenbachhause, which is an excellent art museum that just reopened after a four-year re-do. Also in town is Alte Pinakothek, featuring a treasure trove of European masters from the 14th to 18th centuries on display including Durer’s Christ-like Self Portrait.

6. Pedal power

To see this Bavarian powerhouse from a different perspective, join one of Mike’s Bike Tours (www.mikesbiketours.com). The cycling tours take visitors on leisurely, enjoyable and informative cycling trips around the city – best of all, guides speak English.

7. Walk Munich

Munich is also a great town for walking. Start in the emblematic central square. Don’t miss a clock strike at the neo-Gothic Neues Rathouse towers over the square — these happen at 11am, noon, and in summer, 5pm. Then wander the streets surrounding it for a quintessential urban German experience.

8. Eat Munich

The Viktualienmarkt, one of Europe’s best gourmet food markets in the heart of the old town, is well worth a wander and a great place to sample delicacies.

9. Garden time

Stroll through the English Garden, which is one of Europe’s largest city parks and is filled with picturesque ponds, paddle-boats and the sprawling Chinese Tower. The oddly named later is actually a beer garden that seats up to 7,000 party people.

10. Raise a mug

Since we’re back on the topic of beer. Head to Munich’s legendary public beer hall, Hofbrauhaus, to sip from a giant mug of frothy Bavarian malty goodness under ancient cross vaults.