3 Popular Destinations in Munich in Fall – An Island Trader Vacations Review

Oktoberfest is right around the corner, and while it may be a little late to get enough to time to visit Munich this fall, there is always next year. Now is the time to start planning . Beer is an important culinary and cultural heritage in Munich and these traditions are held in their beer halls and beer gardens througout the city. So in a place that has been serving giant steins of brew for centuries , where is the best place to grab a frosty one?  Island Trader Vacations reviews some of the best destinations for a drink in Munich with you.

A must see and obviously have a cold one is Waldwirtschaft, more easily referred to as Wa-Wi which is located in the southern suburbs of Munich. It is quite a cozy establishment. When the weather is nice hang out in their outdoor space. They offer big band sounds with live jazz bands and have traditional German food stalls. If you are looking for a more traditional place, that is not very touristy, stop in at Augustiner Braustuben. This beer hall has a great atmosphere and the booze and food are cheap, always a major selling point.

Augustiner Keller has an indoor beer hall as well as an outdoor beer garden. The outside area can hold up to 7,000 people. That is why you always see the cocktail servers carrying armloads of steins. Although it is the most popular of the beer halls in Munich, Hofbrauhouse is also one of the most traditional. This beer house shaped the beer culture of this city and should at least garner a brief stop. Hirschgarten is the largest beer garden in the world. It can hold up to 8,000 people. It has been part of the Munich beer scene since 1791.

Beer has been part of the cultural heritage of Munich for centuries. Don’t think that just during Oktoberfest they are to their capacity; you will find them so many other times of the year. If you start doing weighted arm curls now, you will have enough time to build the strength to hold one of the giant steins for next Oktoberfest, or any other time you visit.

What Makes A Luxury Hotel Luxury?

To most, the term luxury is directly related to the number of stars or diamonds or whatever it has received. From country to country, these standards will vary but one thing most have in common is that 5 of whatever they are giving is all that they will give. 

In the United States, most hotels and travelers go by the AAA ratings of hotels which rate on a scale from 1 to 5 diamonds however, to even qualify for a 1 diamond ranking, the hotel has to meet their minimum ratings. To be approved by AAA, the establishment has to be clean, comfortable, hospitable and all during an unannounced inspection. If they pass this test, they may then move up the ladder in terms of diamonds.

Each of these ratings has specific requirements which include:

1. Budget-oriented, essentials only, no frills accommodations, basic comforts and hospitality.
2. Affordable, enhanced attributes and design elements and added amenities.
3. Multifaceted accommodations, distinct style, enhanced amenities and luxury comforts.
4. Refined and stylish, upscale attributes and quality. Extensive amenities and hospitality services and attention to detail.
5. The ultimate in luxury and sophistication. Extraordinary attributes and extensive personal service and amenities in addition to impeccable standards of excellence. 

This year the Wynn Tower Suites, Las Vegas, Nevada was named a Five Diamond hotel, one of only 6 for the year. Featuring luxury suites and exclusive packages, other features unique to this establishment include fine dining, live shows, exotic nightclubs, shops, spas, salons, fitness centers, pools, golf, and concierge in addition to a casino.

The Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai claims to be the world’s first 7 star hotel. So what does this actually mean? What are its perks? Its shape and the fact that it has been rated as the worlds most luxurious hotel has led them to actually consider themselves not a 5 or 6 but 7 star. The amenities of this luxury resort include 202 luxurious duplex suites

• Personalized butler service
• Eight world-class restaurants and bars
• Four swimming pools (two outdoor, two indoor) and a private beach
• Talise Spa
• Rolls Royce, Mercedes and helicopter airport transfer service
• Complimentary access to Waterpark for the duration of your stay

What do you think? Is a 7 star really a 7 star? Share your opinion.

Island Traer Vacations Reviews Warwick Castle

Referred to as Britain’s ultimate castle, Warwick Castle is known for its extensive history, in addition to the myths and stories of princesses, knights, battles, kings and more. Ideal for any lover of Britain’s long and sometimes sordid history, each day throughout the season, visitors can explore this castle on their own in addition to enjoying a number of living history experiences and more. 

The history of this now popular cultural and tourist attraction dates back over 1,000 years to the times when battles still raged between kings, kingdoms and families including the master of this castle, William the Conqueror. First built in around 1060 by William in the town of Warwickshire, the castle was rebuilt during the 12^th century and then further fortified again in the 14^th century. Used as a stronghold until the 17^th century, it was later converted into a country house and owned by the Greville family until it was bought by the Tussauds Group in the 1970’s and transformed into one of the top attractions in Britain today.

Visitors to this unique attraction enjoy a variety of activities, events and sights including not only the stunning landscapes surrounding the castles and its interiors but the many events and attractions featuring period actors and events which help to tell the story of the castle and ancient Britain. From jousting events to guided tours and programs retelling historic tales of the knights and kings of the time, there is plenty to suit any interest. Try to pull the sword from the stone and learn about King Arthur, visit the Bear Tower so named because of the bears once kept there, see the world’s largest Trebuchet in action or even visit the stables and the gardens to find out what it was like to live here so long ago. 

Throughout the year, special events offer visitors a number of unique experiences in addition to those which take place on a regular basis including lunches and dinners, history events, secret tours and even romantic Georgian suppers as well. Unlike any other castle you have ever seen, if you love castles and enjoy exploring and even reliving history, take a closer look at Warwick Castle, a top destination for travel.

Island Trader Vacations Reviews Lord Howe Island An Amazing Destination For Travel

A UNESCO World Heritage Site located just off the east coast of Australia, Lord Howe Island is widely recognized as one of the most beautiful islands in all of the South Pacific. Nicknamed the last paradise, the island is known for its amazing natural features as well as its history and culture. With the majority of the island still untouched and undeveloped, the majority of the roughly 300 permanent residents live in one area and cater to its major economy, tourism.  Home to a number of endemic species, the island is recognized as an outstanding example of an undeveloped island ecosystem. A great place to begin your journey to the sea, the Marine Park offers a whole other experience for travelers in the vast underwater world as well.

As remote and wild as much of the island remains, there are fine accommodations for those wishing to spend some quality time on this amazing island destination. Apartments, lodges and guest houses offer up to 400 visitors a place to sleep for the night. Dining is also enjoyable as much of the cuisine features sophisticated menus of freshly caught fish and local grown and harvested produce as well.

While visiting the island, there are a number of must see locations including:

• Mt. Gower – The highest mountain on the island, great for a day of hiking
• Ned’s Beach – known for its clear waters and millions of sea creatures
• Ball’s Pyramid – Located just off the island, it is the world’s tallest sea stack and known for its nearby diving
• North Bay, Erscott’s Hole, and Blinky Beach are just a few of the many other sites of interest located around the island. A natural wonder catering to sustainability and tourism, Lord Howe Island is one must see destination that should not be missed. 

What to Know

The climate of Lord Howe Island is mild year round making anytime a great time to visit. The most popular time to visit however is between September and June making accommodations a bit more difficult during this time.

To get to Lord Howe Island, you will likely need to fly. Flights depart to the island most days from Sydney and are around 2 hours long.

There is a weight limit on checked baggage per person when flying to the island which must be adhered to.

Island Trader Vacations reviews invites you to explore this and other amazing destinations for travel in the U.S. and beyond. We welcome you to review tips, news and information about travel with us again. Become a more informed traveler with Island Trader Vacations reviews.