Munich Offers A Welcome Break For Tourists

Despite being the third largest city in Germany, Munich has the strongest economy and the lowest unemployment rate for a major city. It houses the headquarters of many large companies and is a world famous destination for tourists. Munich's popularity is such that it is twinned with seven cities worldwide - including Cincinnati, Bordeaux and Kiev.

Every year, people from around the world descend on the German city to discover its rich culture. The operas and orchestral works by great composers of Europe is regularly exhibited in many theaters of Munich and music. Famous composers such as Wagner and Strauss spent most of their lives inspired by the city, like the Queen singer Freddie Mercury.

The Isar River flows through Munich and the Deutsches Museum is located on an island in the river. In 2006, the focus of the Earth was on Germany as it hosted the World Cup and Munich Allianz Arena is one of 12 sites selected for the tournament. The German team and two professional sports teams in town - Bayern Munich and 1860 Munich - play their home games in the Allianz Arena.

Depending on who the home team is in any journey, the color changes from stage to match your band - white for Germany, red for Bayern Munich and blue for Munich 1860. Before the Allianz Arena, opened in 2005, the Munich clubs played their home games at Olympic Stadium - which was specially built as the main venue for the 1972 Olympic Games.

The festival, which took place the first time in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Prince Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen, lasts 16 days and ends on the first Sunday of October traditionally.

Oktoberfest is known as fair of the world's peoples in the world, with 6.2million visitors in 2007 drinking around 1.74million liters of beer. Munich's famous beer brewed on site, especially their wheat beers that are known worldwide.