Plan Oktoberfest now! Or be the only one in class not talking about it. Your choice.

By: Ilyse Liffreing – Ilyse is going to be a senior at the University of San Francisco, and spent one semester studying abroad in Oxford and one semester studying abroad in London. If you have any questions about study abroad, or Oktoberfest, you can contact Ilyse by e-mail at [email protected]

Every year, Munich, Germany, the third largest city in the country, hosts the world-renowned Oktoberfest. Over five million people from around the world come to celebrate an age-old tradition that originated from a Bavarian royalty marriage in 1810. Today, Oktoberfest is the world’s largest fair lasting for sixteen days, known for its traditional beers and German cuisine. In the spring there is another opportunity to partake in German festivities, at the annual Springfest. The celebrations are truly gems of Germany that one shouldn’t miss when visiting the country.

Sadly to say, I was one of those who missed it. And not only once, but twice. I studied abroad last fall semester in Oxford, England, and last spring semester in Rome, Italy. I didn’t know about the Bus2Alps special tours to Oktoberfest in the fall, and watched as a couple of my new-found friends went off on their Oktoberfest adventure because they were the smart ones and planned their trip ahead of time. They came back with plenty of stories about how they met people from all over the world while they enjoyed everything Germany had to offer.

What’s worse is that I came into my study abroad program really excited about the chance to go to Oktoberfest and of course visit Germany, a country some of my ancestors are from. However, I learned too late that the price of airfare increases dramatically the closer to the actual event. By the time I even began to look at airfares and hostels in the area around Munich, the price had skyrocketed and all the hostels were filled. At that point early in my study abroad program, my friends and I were not skilled in the art of booking trips.

It wasn’t until I went to Rome and my friend suggested using Bus2Alps for an upcoming Switzerland trip that I realized how much I had missed out on for my first semester abroad. Not only does Bus2Alps make everything easy by setting up the trip and the guide in a package for you, but it allows you to book something in advance that will secure you a spot and at the same time give you a discount on a trip designed with the student, and a student’s budget, in mind.

I know what I missed out on, but at least I could write this blog to persuade you to book Oktoberfest early through Bus2Alps. It’s a trip that everyone talks about while abroad. Don’t be the last to know.

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