He, too, will be wearing the lederhosen.

German beer is said to be the best in the world and you won't have to look far to find a great tasting Mass, which is served in the famous one-litre tankard.

A special Oktoberfest beer is brewed for the occasion, which is slightly darker and stronger, in both taste and alcohol. Only local Munich breweries are allowed to serve this beer in a Bierzelt. This year the price of a Wies'n-Mass is 7.85. One of the highlights of a trip to the tents is seeing the waitresses carry 10 of these Mass through the crowds in their traditional Bavarian dirndl, a long dress with a plunging neckline, decorated with a floral pattern.

The Oktoberfest is steeped in tradition.

The first one was held in 1810 for the commemoration of the marriage between King Ludwig I and Princess Therese of SaxeHildburghausen. There is seating for 100,000 people. In 2006, the six Oktoberfest breweries sold 6.1 million mugs of beer. Altogether almost 500,000 chickens and 220,000 pairs of sausages were sold. The Oktoberfest will be open between 11am and 11.30pm each day. The tents are the main attraction but the site, which is set on 31 hectares, also has great stalls, a big wheel and rollercoasters.

THE TENTS

There are over 14 massive tents at the Oktoberfest. Each tent is fantastically decorated and takes at least two months to build.

Guests will be delighted at the array of Bavarian specialties on offer. The Bavarians are big meat eaters and the dishes available in each tent are top of the range. Also, the Bavarians love their food and the portions are massive, so you won't starve regardless of which tent you stay in.

Needless to say you won't find any other kind of music at the festival other than traditional Bavarian music. A range of bands will perform in each tent throughout the days. But that's what it's all about after all.

Although the seating capacity is huge, most tents are full by midday, so if you want a seat, you are better off booking early. It is also good to buy a map of the Wiesn to locate the tents before you go to avoid getting lost.

SOME OF THE BEST

The Hippodrom The Hippodrom is very popular with the younger generations and a great place to get to know people, especially at the champagne bar. The tent was first opened in 1902. The Hippodrom offers an excellent mixture of Bavarian tradition and international flair. This means a combination of a lively but cosy atmosphere and quality service, food, drinks and entertainment. The seating capacity inside the tent is 3,200 while outside 1,000 people can find seating.

For more information and reservations visit www. hippodrom-oktoberfest. de or contact 0049 (0) 89 29 16 46 46.

The Hofbrau-Tent The Hofbrau-Festzelt is the biggest beer tents at the Oktoberfest. Almost 10,000 people fit into the tent and its garden. At 82m by 62m, the tent requires a workforce of 280 people. This year it is expecting to sell 550,000 litres of beer, 35,000 chickens, 8,500 sausages and 2,800 spare ribs.

Just like any other tent, there is music and entertainment, lederhosen and Mass beer.

Hofbrau beer was first brewed in 1592 and the world famous Hofbrauhaus is a must for any visitor to Munich. For more information on the Hofbrau tent and the Hofbrau brand visit www. hofbraeuhaus. de.

The Ochsenbraterei This year the Ochsenbraterei celebrates its 126th presence at the Oktoberfest. The feat of roasting an entire ox on a spit turned the Ochsenbraterei into a real attraction during its first years at the Oktoberfest. The cost of a traditional ox roast is 13.20, a soup will cost around 3.50 and traditional dumplings will cost 5.60. Just like any other tent, there will be lots of entertainment, singing and swaying side to side with your arms linked. The tent seats 5,900 people inside and 1,500 outside. For bookings and information call 00 49 (0) 89/511158-0 or visit www. ochsenbraterei. de.

The Kafers Wiesnschanke The Kafer's Wiesnschanke is a smaller tent, which attracts stars from across Germany and offers some of the best cuisine at the Oktoberfest. It is open until 1am. For reservations call 0049 (0) 89/4168-356 or visit www. feinkost-kaefer. de.

The Weinzelt The Weinzelt serves an array of great German wines, which can be ordered by the half litre. It is also a smaller tent and popular with an array of jolly punters. For more information call 0049 (0) 89290705-17 or visit www. weinzelt. com.

Getting there from Munich Take the S- and U-Bahn to get to the Wies'n.

The public transportation systems are the best way to reach the Oktoberfest. Even if they are very crowded during the Fest, both S- and U-Lines are capable of dealing with the enormous masses. Depending on the particular line, the train service starts in the early morning and ends shortly after midnight.

If you use the S-Bahn, use the S1 or S8 to Hackerbrucke or the S7 or S27 to Heimeranplatz, then connect to the U4 or U5. On the U-Bahn, take the U3 or U6 to Goetheplatz or Poccistrasse. Alternatively take the U4 or U5 to Theresienwiese or Schwanthalerhohe.

Visitors staying outside Munich should keep in mind that the last trains leave the town shortly after midnight. It is nearly impossible to find any parking in the vicinity of the Theresienwiese.

WHERE TO STAY

Munich will be expecting millions of visitors to the Oktoberfest so it will be difficult to find somewhere to stay. But Germany is cheaper than Ireland and generally hotels and guesthouses will offer more reasonable prices, especially if you stay further out of the city.

All hotel staff speak English and service is very good. Famous for the gastronomic delights, any visitors to a hotel or guesthouse will get a hearty breakfast to set them up for the day. The city is very accessible and the underground system is top of the range.

The Hotel Monaco . .Situated in downtown Munich, the Hotel Monaco has been chosen as one of the most popular two-star hotels in Germany in the last 10 years. Only minutes from the main station, all underground, rapid-transit train and tram lines are in close proximity. The 20 guestrooms offer plenty of space to relax. A lavish and balanced breakfast buffet ensures a good start to the day. Prices for a double room range between 55 and 220. For more information visit www. hotel-monaco. de or call 0049 (0) 89 5459940.

The Hotel Laimer Hof . . .The Hotel Laimer Hof is beautifully situated close to the Nymphenburg Palace and Europe's largest beer garden, the Koniglicher Hirschgarten (Royal Stag Garden), which is only five minutes away on foot.

Direct public transport connections . . . bus, tram and rapid-transit railway . . . to all the sights and attractions of Munich can be reached from the hotel in only a few minutes.

Each room is furnished individually and in the style of the listed hotel villa. Guests can avail of an internet station in the hotel lobby free of charge, as well as bicycle rental, minibars, cable TV and ticket sales for local transport. All room rates are under 100 per night. For more information call 0049 (0) 89 17 80 38-0.

TRYP Munchen . . . .

The Tryp Munchen hotel, in the heart of the city of Munich, is very near the Stachus business district, next to the Theresienwiese . . . site of the Oktoberfest. It is only a 40minute ride from the International Airport Franz Josef Strauss and 20 minutes to the Munchen Trade Fair. Rates are from 80 to 150 per room per night. For information on cheap rates for this and other hotels visit www. hotel-rates. com/germany/munich.

OTHER SIGHTS IN MUNICH

Munich, flanked by the Alps and surrounded by lakes, is a beautiful city to visit for a weekend trip. More expensive than Berlin, Cologne and Hamburg, it is cosmopolitan and exciting. It is known for its beerhouses and great cuisine and you won't be stuck finding a great restaurant, where prices will be slightly less than they are in Dublin, but the portions promise to be bigger.

A walk around the city, with its beautiful gardens, beautiful old squares and outdoor cafes, is a treat.

The Germans have a great transport system in place and there is a direct train to the airport. If you hire a car, you will be in Austria in less than an hour. The countryside around Munich is spectacular so its well worth it. The train connections are also fantastic and places like Salzburg, Garmisch Partenkirchen and Innsbruck are all less than an hour away.

The Olympic Stadium, which was host to the 1972 Summer Olympics, the 1974 World Cup Final and the 1988 European Championship Final, is also worth a visit and is accessible from the city centre. Sportier visitors can also take a dip in the Olympic Pool.

The Starnberger See, Munich's closest neighbouring lake, is only 27km south of the inner city and covers 57sq km, offering a view of the Alps. Apart from swimming, you can rent a boat and explore the lake or take a guided boat tour. The lake can be reached by taking the A95 Munich-Garmisch (exit at Starnberg) or by taking the S6 train towards Tutzing.

Starnberg is a quaint and upmarket Bavarian town with lots of shops, cafes and restaurants. The surrounding area is idyllic and if you stay for a weekend, it is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Oktoberfest.

The Chiemsee is the largest lake in Bavaria and has an area of 80sq km It also has three islands on which you can find Schloss Herrenchiemsee, a palace built by King Ludwig II to surpass Versailles.

After a scenic walk or carriage ride through the park you reach the impressive palace and can join a guided tour to explore its glory. Some of the best Bavarian restaurants can also be found there. Chiemsee can be reached by car on the A8 MunichSalzburg or by taking the Deutsche Bahn to Prien.

GETTING TO MUNICH

Aer Lingus: Flights from Dublin start from 69 one way Lufthansa German
Airlines: Flight start from 246 return. The price also includes taxes, fees and other charges for one adult.
Oktoberfest Guidance: 0049 (0) 89-2323900 or 0049 (0)89-50077500 Press Office: 0049 (0)89-2333-0302 or -0318 For more information on Munich, visit www. muenchen. de.