The Backpacker Co.

Highlights

17th of September night (18th early morning) : we depart from Mumbai airport for Munich and are all set for the our backpacking adventure.

18th of September
Check in to our city centre Munich hostel is throughout the afternoon (after 2pm). After checking in you may like to head into the city, meet the rest of the tour group across the road at the Augustiner beer hall for a hearty feed or simply relax before the big day tomorrow. Meet your tour leaders this afternoon at the hostel bar (between 6-9pm) to receive your welcome packs and tour t-shirt and then join us at the welcome party at the Augustiner Keller beer garden, only short walk from the hostel.

19th September: Munich
OPENING DAY OF OKTOBERFEST
After breakfast we will make our way to the Oktoberfest grounds which is a short 5 minute walk from our hostel accommodation. We will arrive in plenty of time to take in the opening parade at 11am before the midday opening of Oktoberfest. Welcome to the 'Wiesn'!

20th September: Munich
Breakfast is again on offer at the hostel this morning providing your hangover does not keep you in bed! Today is another opportunity to enjoy the Oktoberfest and a great chance to check out all of the beer tents, fun fair and the fantastic food on offer.

21st September: Munich – Paris
* The Eiffel Tower — Of course you have to see the symbol of Paris…all 370 meters of it! Great views from the top (and even midway up). I would definitely recommend going to the supermarket to buy some wine, cheese and a baguette and have a picnic in front of the tower (Champs de Mars).
Tip: Entry fees vary depending if you take lift and/or stairs. You can save some money if you take the steps to the 1st or 2nd level of the tower, then pay to take the lift from there. There are also shorter queues.

* Sacre Coeur — This is a stunning church perched on top of hill and is in walking distance from our accommodations. You will find beautiful views of Paris from the top and it's a great place to sit on the steps and enjoy a bottle of wine with friends. The best part is that its FREE. But don't just stay at the church, wander the small cobblestones street to the left of the chuch. You will find small cafes, artists, souvenier shops and crepe stands...Dont forget to eat a delicious crepe whilst in Paris and, if you're brave, try some escargo!
Tip: You can take a funicular up instead of the stairs for €1.40. Beware of men that may try to approach you to make you a bracelet…they will then ask for money.

* The Louvre (and Tuileries Garden) – Paris’ most famous museum housed in a magnificent palace where Louis IV used to live. See the Mona Lisa by DaVinci, Venus de Milo, Wings of Victory and so much more! They say, if you were to view each piece of art for 1 minute in the Louvre, you will be there for over 6 months! And again, another great place to just stroll and have a picnic.
Tip: Consider buying the Museum card if you expect to go to many museums. It offers discounts and, sometimes, priority admission.

* Arc de Triomphe and walk along the Champs-Elysees — The World’s most famous triumphant arch built by Napoleon as a monument for the French army. Names of battles and soldiers engraved in walls. Great Views from the top. Then walk from the Arc down the famous Avenue des Champs-Elysees…Paris’ most famous tree-lined avenue with high-end shops and cafés.

* Notre Dame Cathedral — Your jaw will drip when you see this famous 12th Century Gothic Cathedral where Napoleon and Henry VI were coronated.

* Hotel des Invalides — HOUSES NAPOLEON’S TOMB...need I say more? The Invalides was created under Louis XIV to come to the aid of old soldiers and became home to a number of wounded soldiers.

* Musee D’Orsay — If you like Impressionist art, you will love this museum that houses Monet, Renoir and many other famous impressionists.

* Place de la Concorde — One of Europe’s most magnificent and historic squares, covering over 20 acres with a large obelisk in the center. The guillotine used to be in this square where over 1300 beheadings took place (including the beheading of Louis XVI).

* Musee de Rodin — Here you will find the famous statue of The Thinker and one of my favourite art pieces, The Kiss by Gustav Klimt.

* Fat Tire Night Bike Tour — You can't leave Paris without doing this tour! It's a 4½ hour tour that gives you a chance to see the highlights of Paris. You will bike around the city and see the Notre Dame, the Latin Quarter, The Louvre, the Ile de la Cite, you will enjoy ice cream at the Berthillon (the most famous ice cream shop in Paris), and you will go on a boat cruise along the Seine River...with free wine!

1. *Also don’t forget to make a daytrip out to the Versailles Chateau and Monet’s House and Gardens. There is so much to do and see in Paris that it's difficult to choose a Top 10 so give yourself enough time here.

22nd September: Paris ( free day to explore on your own )

23rd September: Paris ( free day to explore on your own )

24th September: Paris – Bruges

* Beltower. 83 meters high, 366 steps. They used to organise cat-throwing here up until the 18th century. Belgians...weird people.On your way to the top, you will discover the Treasury Room, an impressive clock mechanism and a carillon of 47 different bells. After completing the 366 stairs, your efforts will be rewarded with a breathtaking view over Bruges and its surrounding countryside

* Daytrip to Gent. If you love medieval cities and villages like Bruges, Prague or Cesky Krumlov then Gent is an absolute can’t miss. At least as nice as Bruges, maybe even better, and only 30 to 45 minutes by trains, 2 direct trains per hour. A ticket there and back is only 10 Euro(Approx)! Get off at Dampoort station , NOT at St Pieters!!! Romantic and historic Gent has enormous town square with two churches and a third tower, cool castle just at the border of the town center. Great nightlife as well! Traditional cafe worth special mentioning is ‘Waterhuis aan de Bierkant’:The Waterhouse On The Beerfront...

* Brewery Halve Maan. Traditional brewery that dates back to 1546. If you wish to learn more about the production process and the history of the brewery, you can join a guided tour and try the beer. The tour lasts for 45 minutes and costs 4,00 euro per person, which includes tasting the beer.

* Church of Our Lady. It is difficult to miss the Church of Our Lady, with its 122 metre-high spire: quite literally a towering achievement of the bricklayer’s art. Sadly, it cannot be climbed but the church does contain a marvellous collection of art. The absolute ‘top-of-the-bill’ is the ‘Madonna and Child’ by Michelangelo. Also: 16th century tomb of Mary of Burgundy and Charles the Bad.

* Daytrip to Antwerp. Cosmopolitan yet traditional Antwerp combines the medieval sites of Bruges with the laidback atmosphere of Amsterdam. Love that nightlife, especially the funky Kaaiman club south of the city centre is worth visiting. 1,5 hours by train, a ticket there and back is around 30 € (Aprox)

* Minnewater (Lake of Love). The name says it all, very romantic lake. In the nearby Minnewaterpark in summer open air concerts take place here regularly.

* Daytrip to Leuven, another monumental town. Vibrant student city. 1,5 hours by train, a ticket there and back is around 30 €. According to the city itself Leuven has the world’s longest ‘toag’, a rectangular shaped town square with just bars, bars and bars. So many that a pubcrawl through all of them is impossible, any attempt would render you comatose.

25th September: Bruges ( free day to explore on your own )

26th September: Bruges - Amsterdam

things to do in Amsterdam

* Anne Frank House. In this little house two Jewish families tried to hide from the Germans for one and a half years. Little 13-year old Anne Frank wrote her diary about her life here, house and diary are two of world's most important lest-we-forget-memorials of the second World War. To see it and to walk through it is both claustrophobic and compelling. Huge lines, so go in the evening.

* Coffeeshops. Not that special according to the locals but this is what people mainly come to Amsterdam for. Oh well. Grasshopper and Bulldog are the most famous, but Rokerij is worth special mentioning, off Leidseplein in Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 41. Just don’t take "anything" into Germany!!!

* Boom Chicago Comedy Theater. Hilariously funny improv-comedy shows daily at 8:15 pm, on Leidseplein.

* Red Light District. Even though Prague with it’s ten thousand brothels and strip clubs has overtaken Amsterdam’s position as the no.1 stag-party city in Europe, the red light district, ‘the Wallen’as the locals call it, is still world famous. Prostitutes range from dog-ugly to voluptuous glamour models - don’t take pictures or their pimps will smack you!!

* Rijksmuseum. Houses enormous collection of 17th century Dutch art. Most famous piece is Rembrant’s ‘Compagnie van Frans Banninck Cock’ better known as the Nachtwacht or Nightwatch. Even though museum seems under permanent construction they always make sure you can see this one.

* Vincent Van Gogh Museum. This museum contains the largest collection of paintings by that painter that cut off his ear in a rage of absynth. Just behind Rijksmuseum.The museum entrance is at the Paulus Potterstraat 7. It can be reached by tram numbers 2 and 5 from the Central Station and by tram numbers 3 and 12 (crossroad Paulus Potterstraat-Van Baerlestraat). Looks even more amazing when on drugs apparently.

* Paradiso. Former church now turned into a concert venue and club. Still has coloured glass windows. Just off Leidseplein. U2 in '81, Guns N'Roses in '87, Nirvana in '91, Rolling Stones in '95 and Jack Johnson in ’05 are just a few of the acts that played there thorugh the years. Concerts daily. Usually clubbing afterwards. Thursday nights they have Noodlanding (‘crash landing'), great club night with ALL kinds of music, midnight 'till 4am, 8 €(Aprox).

* Vondelpark. Enormous citypark where the locals and the tourists get together when the weather is nice. Students, backpackers and well, everyone actually. Vondelpark has two bars: one is called Blue TeaHouse, looks like a blue and white UFO that just landed, other one is called Vertigo, based in a monumental former movie museum at the border of the park. They’re both open till midnight in summertime!

27th September : Amsterdam ( free to explore on your own )

28th September: Amsterdam ( free to explore on your own )

29th October: Amsterdam – Berlin
* Checkpoint Charlie museum. Built in 1962, it contains Berlin Wall history, memorabillia, artifacts, escape tactics etc. Original relics from successful escapes (cars, suitcases). Old Russian/American checkpoint.

* Eastside gallery. Longest stretch of wall remaining, running along the river Spree. Has been painted over by graffiti artists commissioned to help take away the darkness and gloom of the wall, but to still have a reminder, and to tell the story of the turmoil.

* Straße des 17. Juni/Unter den Linden/Brandenburg gate. Long, straight road with the old east/west gate situated in the middle. Home to book burning riots, the Love parade, fashionable people. Free

* Topography of terror. Open air museum situated on the old gestapo/SS/third reich head quarters. Displays the interrogation tactics used by the gestapo. Is in German but English guides (free) are available.

* Reichstag. German parliament building. Where Hitler assumed power over Germany, and the battle of the Reichstag spelt the end for Hitler. There's a glass dome with a spiral ramp which offers fantastic views over the city.

* Jewish Monument. Recently opened (May 2005) this is a unique open air monument. Huge slabs of cement in various shapes and sizes, the pathways are uneven, sloped and curvy to create a sense of dis-orientation, as experienced by the fleeing jews.

* East Berlin nightlife. Fantastic clubbing scene. From punk bars with old East Berlin memorabillia on the walls, to tiny pubs where half a litre costs you €2.00, to underground clubs where goths, punks, hippies, retro and yuppies hang out alike. East Berlin still had its underground scene during the days of oppression and therefore they know how to drink and party! In the vicinity of the hostel you can find plenty of bars to suit your style. Make sure you go for a felafel or kebab on the way home.... Berlin has the highest Turlish population outside of Turkey and the kebabs in Berlin have the authentic flavour!

* Zoo (west Berlin). Take the U-Bahn (underground) out to Zoo for culture, shopping, picnics, the zoo, walks/bike rides and fantastic beer gardens! Along Kufürstendamm (3.5km street) you will find fantastic shopping, restaurants, bars, and the bombed out church (Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche). Nearby is the tiergarten, a huge park area with walking trails and beergardens. The zoo is where the first bomb fell on Berlin... It's casualty being the only elephant in the zoo. Metro: Zoo.

* Sachsenhausen. Sachsenhausen is a concentration camp 35km north of Berlin where over 100,000 people lost their lives during the holocaust. After the end of WW2 the soviets occupied the area and it housed German, Polish, Soviet (and other nationality) POW's, where thousands more died over the following five years.

* TV Tower (Fernsehturm). The second highest structure in Europe, the tv tower is affectionately known as the 'toothpick'. Take the elevator up to the 'disco ball' for amazing views stretching up to 40km over Berlin. Afterwards enjoy a meal in the revolving restaurant.

ESSENTIAL:
Insider walking tour or bike tour, and the pub crawl. Or a combination of them!

PRACTICAL:
S-Bahn/U-Bahn are the names of the public transport system. A single ticket is €2.10 valid for a single journey in one direction including transfers. A day pass is €5.80valid until 3am the following day. Make sure to validate tickets.

Most museums and sachsenhausen closed on Mondays.

Don't j-walk in Berlin - you risk a heavy fine

30th September: Berlin (Free to explore on your own)

1st October: Berlin ( Free to explore on your own )

2nd October: Berlin - Mumbai