We visited Munich during Oktoberfest in 2016 and ended up having the most fun night of our trip. From Marienplatz to Augustiner-Keller and the festival tents, here’s what it was really like.

After exploring Boppard in Germany’s Rhine Valley, we stopped at Vineum Wine Shop for a local wine tasting featuring Riesling, Spätburgunder and Eiswein from the famous Bopparder Hamm vineyards.

A brief afternoon stop in Köln before a night train turned into repeat visits and a standing lunch tradition near the Dom.

After a day exploring Hamburg, we waited until dusk to visit the Rathaus Christmas market. Lights came on, music played, and the whole square turned into a postcard scene.

Our Hamburg walking loop takes you through the city’s most iconic sights — canals, churches, and historic warehouses. From Speicherstadt to the Elbphilharmonie, we wandered at our own pace, camera in hand, soaking up a mix of old-world charm and modern energy.