Oktoberfest is a 16–18 day festival held each year in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, running from late September to the first weekend in October. It is one of the most famous events in Germany and the world's largest fair, with more than 5 million people attending every year. The Oktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture. Other cities across the world also hold Oktoberfest celebrations, modeled after the Munich event. The Munich Oktoberfest, traditionally, takes place during the sixteen days up to and including the first Sunday in October. In 1994, the schedule was modified in response to German reunification so that if the first Sunday in October falls on the 1st or 2nd, then the festival will go on until October 3 (German Unity Day). Thus, the festival is now 17 days when the first Sunday is October 2 and 18 days when it is October 1. In 2010, the festival lasts until the first Monday in October, to mark the 200-year anniversary of the event. The festival is held in an area named the Theresienwiese (field, or meadow, of Therese), often called Wiesn for short, located near Munich's centre. Visitors eat large amounts of traditional fare such as Hendl (chicken), Schweinebraten (roast pork), Schweinshaxe (grilled ham hock), Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick), Würstl (sausages) along with Brezn (Pretzel), Knödel (potato or bread dumplings), Kasspatzn (cheese noodles), Reiberdatschi (potato pancakes), Sauerkraut or Blaukraut (red cabbage) along with such Bavarian delicacies as Obatzda (a spiced cheese-butter spread) and Weisswurst (a white sausage).

Temple Bar is an area on the south bank of the River Liffey in central Dublin, Ireland. Unlike the areas surrounding it, Temple Bar has preserved its medieval street pattern, with many narrow cobbled streets. It is promoted as "Dublin's cultural quarter" and has a lively nightlife that is popular with tourists. After dark, the area is a major centre for nightlife, with many tourist-focused nightclubs, restaurants and bars. Pubs in the area include The Porterhouse, the Oliver St. John Gogarty, the Turk's Head, the Temple Bar, Czech Inn (in the former Isolde's Tower), the Quays Bar, the Foggy Dew, Eamonn Doran's and the Purty Kitchen (formerly Bad Bobs). Meetinghouse Square, which takes its name from the nearby Quaker Meeting House, is used for outdoor film screenings in the summer months. Since summer 2004, Meetinghouse Square is also home to the Speaker's Square project (an area of Public speaking) and to the Temple Bar Food Market every Saturday. The Cow's Lane Market is a fashion and design market which takes place on Cow's Lane every Saturday.

Speyside is home to over half of Scotland's Malt Whisky distilleries, not all of which are open to the public. The Malt Whisky Trail is a local marketing initiative (theme route) established to promote the region's Whisky heritage and encourage tourism. Eight distilleries and a cooperage form the Malt Whisky Trail in Scotland's Speyside. This does not include all the distilleries in the area. The trail itself is well-marked at the roadside at various points and the distilleries can be visited in any convenient order. Some are popular with coach parties, but others are more esoteric. A tour of Cragganmore for example requires prior booking via the Cardhu distillery visitors' centre. There are many more Speyside distilleries not on the trail, and many allow visitors to tour the production areas. However, the trail makes a good starting point. The trail consists of the following Speyside Single Malt distilleries and a cooperage. Benromach Cardhu Dallas Dhu Glenfiddich Glen Grant The Glenlivet Glen Moray Speyside Cooperage Strathisla

Evidence exists that winemaking in this Portuguese region has been ongoing since the end of the Roman Empire in the 3rd or 4th century, A.D.. The Douro region, located along the Douro River in the northeastern corner of Portugal is thought to be one of the premier producers of Port wines in the world but also is responsible for some world class wines in other styles. The nearby city of Porto, the 2nd largest city in Portugal, provides easy access to the estates that produce extraordinary wines in this sliver of Europe. As you tour the region, absorbing the magnificent viticulture landscapes, you will experience the traditions and processes that are engrained into the locals’ winemaking way of life. Tours may be arranged that include over night stays at some of the wine estates in addition to visiting cellars for tasting. The names given to the ports (ruby, tawny, vintage) will depend on the blend of grapes and how they are aged (in the bottle or in wood). True oenophiles interested in visiting the premier wine producing regions of the world will want to include a trip to Douro, Portugal on their list. Visitors to this hotbed of wine production can choose from a variety of modes of transportation when moving from cellar to cellar, including on the backs of Portugese Lusitano horses. Now that’s an idea that could just be your dream come true.

The Mai Tai has all the makings of a Polynesian drink, however, it was actually created in the 1940s behind the bar at Trader Vic’s in Oakland, California. Although the Mai Tai’s origin is in the United States it is a classic Tiki-style drink. A perfect and refreshing summer cocktail that compliments a beach bound day in Bora Bora. The Mai Tai is a delightful tropical cocktail that shines in a Polynesian backdrop. The drink is fairly simple to make containing just a few ingredients: rum, limejuice, orange Curacao, simple syrup, and orgeat almond syrup. At the base of the drink is quality rum since the Mai Tai was created to highlight rum. Unfortunately, theWray & Nephew 17-year-old Jamaican rumused in the original drink is no longer produced. However, there are still plenty of delicious rums available that work remarkably well in this cocktail. It was first served in a double old-fashioned glass, but due to its Tahitian style it’s also served in a Tiki cup. Regardless of how the tropical cocktail is served it’s best enjoyed sipped through a straw.

First made in Japan about 2,000 years ago, sake (callednihonshuin Japan) is a drink rich in history. Many of the early batches of sake were first made by communities and enjoyed mostly by the upper class. Over the years drinking sake has become an intrinsic part of Japanese culture. Besides being enjoyed with family and friends, it is also plays a role in the Shinto religion such as an offering to the Gods and a drink of sake is even consumed by a bride and groom during their wedding ceremony. Sake is a clear alcoholic beverage made of rice and water that has about 10 to 20 percent alcohol content. Some of the clearest water in Japan can be found in Kyoto, which is imperative for making good sake. No wonder sake companies leave barrels of it as an offering of thanks to the Gods at the Matsuo-taisha and Umemiya-taisha shrines in Kyoto. Sake can always be found at festivals held in Kyoto. In particular at the thanksgiving festival held in April. If you can’t make it to one of the festivals the best place to drink sake in Kyoto is in a Japanese-style bar called an izakaya. Sake is served hot (astsukan) or cold (hiyazake) in a tokkuri and poured into an ochoko. It’s meant to be drunk with family or friends so never fill your own ochoko with sake instead lift it up so the person you are drinking with can refill it and do the same for them.

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail (sometimes informally shortened to "the Bourbon Trail") is a program of the Kentucky Distillers' Association (KDA) to promote the bourbon industry in Kentucky. The trail is 152-mile loop from Louisville to Bardstown to Frankfort and back to Louisville. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail was launched in 1999 by the KDA. At the time, it included seven of the eight distilleries in the region. In 2008, an eighth distillery, the Tom Moore Distillery, joined the Trail program. However, the Tom Moore Distillery was then purchased by the Sazerac Companythe following year, and at the end of that year both the Tom Moore Distillery and the Buffalo Trace Distillery, which was also owned by the Sazerac Company, withdrew from the KDA. The two Sazerac distilleries continue to host public tours, and a Sazerac spokesperson stated that they still feel that they are "very much a part of the Bourbon Trail", but stated that Sazerac wishes to promote its distilleries independently of the KDA. The program sends free T-shirts to people who mail in a promotional "passport" which has been stamped by all the participating distilleries. The eight current primary Bourbon Trail destinations are: Kirin Brewery Company's Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg Heaven Hill's visitor's center in Bardstown Heaven Hill's Evan Williams distillery in Louisville Beam Inc.'s Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont Beam Inc.'s Maker's Mark Distillery in Loretto Alltech's Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company (Town Branch Distillery) in Lexington Campari Group's Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg Brown-Forman's Woodford Reserve Distillery near Versailles The members of the Bourbon Trail "Craft Tour" are: Barrel House Distillery, Lexington Corsair Artisan Distillery, Bowling Green Limestone Branch Distillery, Lebanon MB Roland Distillery, Pembroke (Christian County) Old Pogue Distillery, Maysville Silver Trail Distillery, Hardin (Marshall County) Willett Distillery, Bardstown

It’s a region in France, tucked against France’s eastern border with Belgium and it’s a method for making sparkling wine. The mere sound of the name, Champagne, invokes feelings of romance and happiness with just the utterance of the word. The elixir that comes from this region and this region only has the same effect when sipped from a flute. Champagne-Ardennes, the regions formal name, is located 90 miles east of Paris making for an easy day trip. A Benedictine monk, Dom Perignon, is said to have accidentally discovered the process for making the namesake wine of this region and some other well known wineries are located in Champagne, also produce the fruit of his serendipity. Among these familiar names to appreciators of fine wine are: Epernay, Bollinger, Piper Krug, Moet & Chandon, Tattinger, Mumm, Piper Heidsieck and Veuve Cliquot. For wine enthusiasts that want to experience the full spectrum of winemaking and grape farming operations a visit to Champagne is a dream come true. In addition to tasting excursions you can visit a Champagne Cave, located deep underground in chalk rock, walk the vineyards and tour exquisite chateaus where champagne is a way of life. Including a trip to Champagne to witness the ancient art and traditions of winemaking in this inimitable style is worth including on any wine lovers list.

The Great American Beer Festival (GABF) is a 3-day annual event hosted by the Brewers Association held through October in Denver, Colorado. The GABF brings visitors from around the world to sample more than 2,000 different American beers. Over 100 beer judges from the United States and abroad evaluate beer in the associated competition, ultimately judging 3,300 beers entered by almost 500 domestic breweries. Gold, silver and bronze medals in 78 beer-style categories are awarded, though not every medal is necessarily awarded in each category. Started in 1982, the GABF was created by Charlie Papazian in Boulder, Colorado. The original GABF had 22 participating breweries and the 2009 festival had 457. In 2012 the festival expanded to have more then 110 breweries pouring their beers in the hall - over 2,700 beers in the festival hall—the biggest selection of American beers ever served. In 2012 the festival sold out in 45 minutes during the public ticket sale.

Santiago de Tequila is a town and municipality located in the state of Jalisco about 60 km from the city of Guadalajara. Tequila is best known as being the birthplace of the drink that bears its name, “tequila,” which is made from the blue agave plant, native to this area. The heart of the plant contains sugars and had been used by native peoples here to make a fermented drink. After the Spanish arrived, they took this fermented beverage and distilled it, producing the tequila known today. The popularity of the drink and the history behind it has made town and the area surrounding it a World Heritage Site. It was also named a "Pueblo Mágico" (Magical Town) in 2003 by the Mexican federal government. The name “Tequila” is derived from Nahuatl and means “place of tribute.” The coat of arms of the municipality was officially adopted on 31 December 1983 by the municipal council. It contain the Latin phrase ALMA LAETA NOBILIS, meaning “great and noble soul.”Its representative symbols include the tower of the main church in the town of Tequila, the chimneys of the distilleries, the agave plant and Tequila Mountain.

The Peruvian city of Iquitos hosts the annual International Amazonian Shamanism Conference and is home to a number of lodges that cater to inquisitive foreigners seeking the experience of ingesting the potion, Ayahuaska, hoping for spiritual growth and development. The word “Ayahuaska” is from the ancient Inca language and means “rope of the soul”. The drink “Ayahuaska” is made from a blend of rainforest ingredients and is thought to provide access to spiritual planes not otherwise reachable, according to the teachings of the Shamans. Ayahuasca ceremonies are performed at night and can last for hours. During the Ayahuasca ceremony the Shaman leads the participants through Shaman songs said to be first given by spirits of nature. Upon consumption of the sacred drink, Ayahuasca has been reported to have a profound action on the body, mind, emotions and spirit that is said to allow the participant to confront and conquer their most intrinsic fears, reinvigorate life energies and ultimately awaken a higher level of consciousness. The ceremony is believed by practitioners to open a connection to spirituality that will last a lifetime. Ayahuasca purportedly does not produce any sort of dependency but is thought to heal bodies, minds and souls. Some unpleasant side effects of the ceremony have been reported that Ayahuasca can cause vomiting, diarrhea, swelling and other effects of the purification process. If your dreams include the discovery of an ancient potion that has provided spiritual discovery and development during a ceremony that has existed for centuries then a trip to Peru to participate in the Ayahuaska ritual may be a mandatory addition to your list. Start your research now to find the right Shaman to guide you on your quest.

Known for having some of the best beer in the world a visit to Brussels wouldn’t be complete without at least sampling a few beers. In Belgium beer is taken seriously, the bottled beverage has a long shelf life and most Belgian beers have a personalized glass designed to enhance the flavor of the drink. In addition to the intense flavor that can be found in Belgium beer, it’s also known for its high alcohol content – ranging from 7 percent to 12 percent with weaker beers having about 5 percent. For a little context most other beers around the globe only have about 3.5 percent alcohol content. Selecting which beers to try is the challenge since there are a plethora of styles served. That said; definitely taste a Trappist beer made by monks even if you have to take a ride out to an Abbey to experience it. Here are some of the styles available in most cafés and pubs: Lambic:Within this family of beer are quite a few subcategories including Faro, Geuze, and fruit flavored Kried (cherry) and Frambozen (raspberry). These beers can be a bit sour and are often infused with fruit to make it a bit more drinkable. True lambic beers will also have the term Oude Geuze on the bottles. Wheat Beers:Often referred to as “blanche” or “wit,” they are light in color, have a hint of citrus or spice, and are refreshing to drink. Brown Ales:A blend of old and young brews, these beers balance sweet and sour flavors. Red Beers:Dark in color these beers can be a bit sour, heavy, and quite flavorful. Saisons:These are seasonal beers that are brewed in the winter months and meant to be drunk in the summer months. Belgian or Golden Ales:One of the lighter style of beers, these Pilsner type brews have a copper color and a fairly low alcohol content level for being produced in Belgium. Trappist/Abbey Beers:For centuries Belgian monks have been brewing Trappist beer named after a monk in the Cistercian Abbey. These beers tend to have the highest alcohol content and are quite flavorful. For example, the Abbey of St. Sixtus in Westvleteren consistently produces beer rated among the top in the world and it’s only available at the abbey. A trip to the abbey to sample one of its brews is definitely worthwhile, but make a reservation first.

Umqombothi is a traditional African beer is made from mashed up maize (corn) or sorghum, malt, yeast and water. Also known as mahewu and mechow in other languages, thisbeer has a heavy, slightly gritty andisdistinctly sour aroma and is very rich in Vitamin B. The beer is usually low in alcohol content, less than 3%.Traditionally it was made by the women and drunk almost immediately. You can buy it in cartons and isconsiderably less expensive than traditional "clear" beer, that is, beer brewed from barley- look for Joburg Beer.

Vodka is a staple in Krakow, as it should be since Poland is well situated in the “vodka belt,” which spans across Eastern Europe, the Nordic and Baltic States. The country has been producing vodka since the early Middle Ages. There are plenty of well-known and high-end vodkas exported from Poland including Belvedere and Chopin. That said, when visiting Krakow that’s likely not the kind of vodka you’ll be drinking. Instead, to drink like a local consider trying some of the flavored vodkas served at the bars. There are a few varieties worth sampling. The most common style is the cherry-flavoredWiśniówka, which also happens to be one of the cheapest flavored vodkas available. For something sweeter try Krupnick, which is made from honey and herbs.Żołądkowa Gorzka is a type of vodka with medicinal properties and has a sweet spiced taste. Perhaps one of the oldest Polish vodkas is Żubrówka. It’s smooth, sweet, and when mixed with apple juice it’s called a “tatanka.” Many restaurants in Krakow offer “nalewaka,” which is vodka infused with herbs and fruits – usually a family recipe. Tasting the different types of vodka is an experience, but don’t try to drink like a local or attempt to keep up with them drink for drink. Polish vodka consists of about 40 to 45 percent alcohol content. It’s served chilled and straight in glasses a bit larger than a shot glass. It is drunk like a shot with just one gulp and followed by a piece of herring or a sip of water and then promptly refilled. Pacing and skipping rounds is advisable. Finally, don’t order vodka mixed with any other beverage. In Krakow vodka is not an ingredient in a cocktail, it’s a drink that stands on its own.