9 Fun Facts About Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is is one of the most famous festivals in the world, a celebration of Bavarian food, drink and culture. Decked out in dirndls and lederhosen, millions make the pilgrimage to Munich to enjoy two weeks of fun. Here are nine fun facts about Oktoberfest that you may not have known:

It all started because of a wedding. The first Oktoberfest was held in 1810, to celebrate the marriage of the Bavarian King Ludwig I to Maria Theresia of Saxonia.

Oktoberfest is held in September. The festival starts in late September, and always includes the first Sunday in October.

More than half a million chickens are consumed each year at the festival. Also 120,000 paris of pork sausage, 40,000kg of fish, 70,000 pork knuckles, and the equivalent of 119 oxen.

There are 24 tents at Oktoberfest, which range in size from 60 to over 10,000 people. They tend to have different atmospheres, ranging from relaxed and sedate to raucous and rowdy.

"Prost!" is the traditional toast at Oktoberfest, translating to 'to your health'.

The beer is stronger than you think. While most American beers range 3-4% alcohol, Oktoberfest brews have a minimum of 6% and often higher. This leads to the appearance of 'Bierleichen' (beer corpses) of those passed out from overindulgence.

Unbelievably, beer was not available at the first Oktoberfest. Patrons had to purchase outside the venue. Fast forward to today, when roughly 7 million litres are sold at the festival each year!

72% of the 6.5 million annual visitors are German.

Oktoberfest celebrations are held in cities worldwide. Popular events are held in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Cape Town (South Africa), Blumenau (Brazil), Hong Kong, and Villa General Belgrano (Argentina). The largest is held in Cincinnati, Ohio, and attracts roughly 500,000 people each year.

(Image from Georgey Boy.)

5 Controversial Kinds of Travel

Most of us travel for the same reasons: to see a new place, relax and unwind, or do something that we enjoy. But in the 21st century, with any worldwide destination no more than a day's journey away, people are travelling for entirely new reasons. Some of these are quite controversial, and come under fire from various groups.

We've compiled a list of five controversial kinds of travel that for the most part didn't exist last century. Here they are:

Medical Tourism - Sure, buses of pensioners head from the US to Canada to get cheaper medicine, but would you go abroad for a major procedure? One of the most popular kinds of medical tourism is plastic surgery: those with the cash can hop on a plane, spend a month relaxing in a resort, and come home with a tan and a new nose!

Controversy: It's hard to gauge the quality of facilities in other countries, and there are horror stories floating around of scam artists in back-alley clinics using unsafe equipment and techniques.

Medical tourism destinations: Belgium, South Africa, Mexico

Dark Tourism - Also called 'black' tourism or grief tourism, Dark Tourism involves travel to places that are associated with death and suffering. Well-known examples include former Nazi concentration camps, Chernobyl, and gruesome attractions like the London Dungeons.

Controversy: While most people agree that it is important to remember atrocities and genocides in order to ensure they never happen again, some argue that promoting them as tourism destinations glamorises violence.

Dark tourism destinations: Germany, Ukraine, Cambodia, Rwanda

Voluntourism - While many of us choose to use our vacation time to relax or visit family, some are opting to donate their time to charity and volunteer with charities or non-profits as they holiday in exotic destinations. Volunteers pay their own way, but spend part or all of their holiday working with conservation groups or aid organisations.

Controversy: While there is a definite 'feel good' aspect to voluntourism, many argue that a steady stream of unskilled volunteer labour denies jobs to locals and benefits poor communities less than funding skilled, long-term workers.

Voluntourism destinations: Brazil, Tanzania, Malaysia

Suicide Tourism - In most countries euthanasia is illegal, so some people with terminal illnesses opt to travel to countries that allow the practise to end their lives legally and painlessly. While there are infamous places that attract high numbers of suicides (the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and the Aokigahara Forest in Japan, for example), suicide tourism is focused on assisted suicide.

Controversy: The controversy over the practise of assisted suicide is hotly debated in many countries.

Suicide tourism destinations: Switzerland, Belgium, Cambodia, Oregon

Antitourism - Some people just don't like to be told where they can't go. In fact, a small number of travellers find a thrill in going to places that they shouldn't, that no one else will visit. The State Department's Travel Warning list reads like a bucket list to these adventurers. Also known as 'macho' tourism, antitourists purposefully seek out dangerous destinations for unique experiences and bragging rights.

Controversy: There's an obvious danger factor, and many consider antitourism unnecessarily reckless. Adventurous travellers who get into trouble cost government money and resources to assist.

Antitourism destinations: North Korea, Bahrain, Iran

5 Surprising things that are illegal in other countries

Over the weekend, a rather dim Canadian tourist was arrested in Berlin. His crime? Giving the Nazi salute while posing for a photo in front of the Reichstag. While he had to know that his pose was in poor taste, it's true that most tourists don't know that it is illegal to do the salute in Germany.

It pays to do a little research before you visit another country, or you may find yourself in a lot of trouble for something you didn't know was banned. The website DumbLaws.com has some rather funny examples, but there are a few that you might want to know about. Here's our list of 5 surprising things that are illegal in other countries:

Driving a car shirtless in Thailand. If you rent a car on your holiday in Thailand, better remember to throw a top on after you leave the beach or you may find yourself in a prison uniform.

Kissing on railways in France. So much for the city of love! While I'm sure this silly law gets broken all the time, it's probably best to restrain yourself on the Paris metro. Funnily enough, it is legal to touch a woman's breasts on a train (with her consent, of course)!

Valentine's Day in Saudi Arabia. If you want to be romantic around February 14th in Riyadh, best find a non-traditional way to do it, as red roses, wrapping paper, teddy bears and hearts are removed from the shelves by authorities. Oh, and remember not to kiss or hold hands in public either.

Publicly removing bandages in Canada. We know Canadians are polite, but apparently they're also squeamish. Although maybe they do have a point... who wants to see that? Do it in private.

Flushing the toilet after 10pm in Switzerland. The Swiss just love regulating things. They have rules about when you can hang your laundry, mow the lawn, wash your car, and also flush the toilet. This law applies to anyone staying in an apartment or flat. Oh, and guys? You can't urinate while standing after 10pm either. Love to know how they enforce that one...

Photo by Stewart

Travel Movie: Eurotrip

Okay, so this isn't the most mature travel movie ever. But it pretty much epitomises what every American teenager imagines when they dream of a trip to Europe: sex, drugs, crazy people with accents, beautiful sites, and the most memorable times of their lives.

Four teenagers take a whirlwind trip through London, Paris, Amsterdam, Bratislava, Berlin, and Rome, in order for one to find the girl of his dreams.

Negative stereotypes notwithstanding, the movie has some pretty funny scenes, including a robot dance-off, an impromptu Sheena Easton singalong in a London pub, and one of Matt Damon's best cameos to date.

Top 5 Christmas Markets

It's the holiday season, and we've taken a look at the best Christmas markets from around the world! Here are our favourites:

USA: Bryant Park Holiday Market (New York City)

This pretty park in New York City is bound to put you in the holiday mood. Situated around a large ice skating rink, there are lots of activities for kids including magicians, carriage rides, a reading area and carousel. A 50-foot Christmas tree lit by 30,000 lights adds to the holiday spirit. The market is open 11am-8pm Monday to Friday, 10am-9pm Saturday, and 10am-6pm Sunday through January 2nd.

Germany: Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt

Though Germany is famous for its abundance of Christmas markets, the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt has accumulated over 400 years of experience and now draws visitors from all over the globe. The Old Town is saturated in Christmas spirit with lights and decorations, and the scent of mulled wine and gingerbread fills the air. The children’s area even features a steam-powered merry-go-round! The market runs 9:30am-8pm Monday to Thursday, 9:30am-10pm Friday and Saturday, and 10:30am-8pm Sunday through December 24th.

Czech Republic: Prague Christmas Markets

It’s hard to choose just one Christmas market in Prague, as the city boasts four festive areas within walking distance of each other! The markets at Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, Havelske Trziste and Namesti Republiky offer life-sized nativities, carol singing, children’s entertainment and hot food and drinks to warm you as you browse the stalls! The markets run daily throughout December.

South Africa: Adderley Street Night Market (Cape Town)

Cape Town’s famous flower market in the heart of the downtown area blooms with holiday cheer with the addition of hundreds of stalls filled with gifts and goodies of all kinds. The Adderley Street Night Market has entertainment for the whole family including magicians, face painters, trapeze artists and live music. The market is open from 6:30-11:30pm December 17th through 30th.

France: Noel a Lille

One of France’s most popular holiday markets, the Noel a Lille draws nearly a million people every year due to Lille's location on the Eurostar rail line. Along with the sumptuous decorations (including an 18 metre Christmas tree) and the sound of Christmas carols, the market boasts a 50 metre ferris wheel where you can get the best views of the city. The market is open 11am-8pm Sunday to Thursday, and 11am-9pm Friday and Saturday through December 30th.

Win a Trip to Germany!

Here's where we let you know how to win trips to all the fabulous destinations featured in Word Travels!

Today's contest is from McDonald's who will send you to Germany for your crazy MacRib story.

Entry form and info here.