Munich in September

Just as a note, we had this discussion in this very thread over the so-called "bungled" EU & German vaccination programs vis-a-vis the UK and US, and it was taken down as "off topic". As such, I won't bother going down that road again...

I will note, however, that I find it entertaining that Oktoberfest was cancelled, given that the government has been promising to have everyone (who wants) vaccinated by the end of the summer (and just yesterday doubled down on that promise again). Perhaps inability to get insurance in case of cancellation?

 

What country in Europe has the best chance to be at least semi-open by Mid-September to late October?

I am looking at scheduling my annul trip and want to try and pick out country/countries that will have bars, restaurants, museum, etc. open to at least 50% capacity.

 

I would suggest England and the UK would offer your most likely chance for this if things keep on track.

Pub beer gardens / outside spaces reopened successfully 3 weeks ago (although only around 35/40% of venues reopened as not all have outside space nor was it financially viable).

On May 17th England is on track to fully reopen pubs and restaurants indoor as well which should see any venues that have survived the various lockdowns reopen their doors.

There are restrictions on group sizes at this point but if everything keeps on track with vaccinations and no new strains normality (well it will never be the same again though) is hoping to return from June 21st.

Covid: What's the roadmap for lifting lockdown? - BBC News

Check the above for more details.

Aside from the UK you may wish to investigate the likes of Denmark and Sweden but I have no real knowledge of what's going down there but friends do post pictures from beer gardens / terraces again these past few weeks.

 

That's so funny... he asked for Europe and all he can get is UK. Do people in the UK even consider themselves part of "Europe" any more?

But unfortunately, you're absolutely correct. Nonetheless, Sweden never went into a lockdown, so all bars/restaurants are still open. Most other countries are a pass and are almost all still in some form of lockdown. I'd advise to enjoy some more home cooking and beer until at least late fall.

 

I'm rolling the dice on this trip. Going to spend a 6 days in Dubrovnik and then 6 days in Vienna. Not going until the middle of September and will have to hope for the best.

Luckily my airfare is fully refundable incase the virus is not in remission and/or if the EU changes their entry policy.

I have really good status on United so I am sure they would also allow me to change my trip to the UK if that is the only place open...

 

That close to collapse that those Nightingale Hospitals were never used. Don’t believe everything Boris tells you.

 

It's funny, last week it was all gloom and doom for this summer in the German news. Many stories on how the government screwed things up. Then, voilà, or ach du Scheiße, the elections are coming up for a new Chancellor in a few months and happy days are here again stories. The Bier Gardens are going to open (maybe) and a shot for everyone soon. They are so full of Scheiße, although a few German States will be opening up a little they say for the tourest season. The US military is giving out shots for us retirees as they get vaccine along with anyone 18 yo with a US military ID card, but the truth be told, I don't want one. The Germans are working on group three, group one and two are still not completed but elections are coming up so full steam ahead. Group three is 60 plus year old, people with health problems, food store workers, cops and fire fighters.
Still the hotels, bars (Gasthaus's) and restaurants are closed, BUT if you want to camp, you may. Some schools are open, except teachers have been calling in sick and many classes get cancelled requiring parents to scramble for child care that also isn't always open.
Drink markets have always been open, you just need to wear a mask. First any mask and then it had to be the PP mask. A few months later the CDU (Merkel's party) got busted demanding that the PP mask suppliers pay a kickback per mask sold. Two guys had to resign from the CDU and Merkel didn't know anything about it. At least that is what she says. The government gave us 60 plus yo's a coupon for free (tax payer bought) masks at pharmacies. Those PP masks sell for about 5 Euros (over $6) each but we could get them at supermarkets for under a Dollar 87 Euro cents each. Kickbacks on $6 masks are much better than $1 masks.
My wife and I enjoy our private beer garden in our back yard for now and waiting for the elections to see what happens next.

 

If things keep moving in this direction I'm pretty sure Croatia will be open. Restrictions here were less harsh than in rest of Europe and I don't think total lockdown will be an option even if things go south.

Beer wise Dubrovnik not really great, let me know if you want to meet local beer people I do have couple of friends in Dbk.

 

If you can swing it, I would suggest a couple 2-3 days in Ljubljana, (beautiful smaller city). You'll be very close while in Vienna. Vienna is a great city, but 6 days is more than enough to see everything, that is unless you have day trips planned.

Dubrovnik is a great choice, again day trips to Montenegro & elsewhere will add to the adventure.

Enjoy that wonderful sounding trip!!

 

Munich beergardens have just reopened now along with other outdoor venues. But we're limited to people from 2 households sitting together for the moment. Meet a friend basically. The vaccinations are catching up amazingly quickly here at last.

But predicting the next few months is made tricky by the new Covid strains everywhere. I'm sort of optimistic. But recent events show that it is foolhardy to predict what will happen next. Is there another wave coming in autumn?

 

Dear Beer lovers, good news. The Munich Oktoberfest has moved to Dubai, and will open October 1st, and will be open until March 30th. This is part of the World Expo, and is run with many breweries and vendors from Germany. I already made my reservation.

 

Going to an Oktoberfest outside of Munich can be fun, but it's not really "Oktoberfest". It's kind of like going to a soccer/football match. Depending on the location and teams it can be fun, maybe even better, but it's not the World Cup. There is only one "Oktoberfest". It's a unique experience that can't really be replicated elsewhere.

 

Looks like I should be embarrased falling for a story from the Bild newspaper. Could have been possible, because Germany had an Oktoberfest at the World Expo in Brisbane 1988. It was a 6 month party, and everyone including me, really enjoyed it. I apologize for the wrong information.

 

We rented a car and drove around western and southern Germany. Car rental and fuel (45 mpg diesel) was not extremely expensive, and not a problem when we visited medium and small cities on our itinerary: Rhine Valley, Nancy, France, Freiburg, Ettal, Salzburg, Austria. The countryside can be beautiful. If you are specifically going to big cities like Munich, Frankfurt, or Berlin, you won't want to have a car rental in town, and staying at a distant suburban hotel that has reasonable parking might not be a good option. Oh, and don't drink and drive!