The Independent on Saturday

Why South Africans are flocking to Munich

- BERNELEE VOLLMER Bernelee.Vollmer@inl.co.za

IT’S well-known that beer is a muchloved beverage in South Africa, with its myriad bars, beer houses, and even beer experience­s being part of the country’s tourism offerings.

With it being festival time all around the globe, South Africans are flocking to Munich, Germany, for the popular Oktoberfes­t.

Global travel search engine Cheapfligh­ts.co.za said there has been a significan­t rise in flight searches from South Africa to Munich over the festival period (September 17 to October 3) – up about 156% compared with the same period in 2019.

Oktoberfes­t might be one of the well-known tourist attraction­s in Munich, but there are many other things to explore there, including museums, the Residenz Royal Palace and the Bavarian State Opera, and if cars are your thing, BMW World.

For shopping, the Viktualien­markt is the perfect place. It’s also the city’s oldest farmer’s market, consisting of 140 booths filled with goods to soothe your soul, from tasty food to beautiful flowers. To top it off, shoppers can enjoy a beer at its Biergarten.

The average price for return economy flights to Munich from South Africa over the Oktoberfes­t period, Cheapfligh­ts said, is about R12 400. The most searched day for arrival in Munich is September 23, with the least searched being October 2. The most expensive day for flights to Munich from South Africa is September 29 – at R14 100.

The least expensive days to fly to Munich from South Africa are September 26 and October 3 (the last day of the festival), with prices of R11 400 and R10 900, respective­ly.

 ?? ?? MUNICH hosts the popular German beer festival Oktoberfes­t.
MUNICH hosts the popular German beer festival Oktoberfes­t.

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