It's "Oktoberfest" although most of it takes place in September, an "Angel" on a hiatus from heaven attends every year, one Mayor opened it shouting "I'zapt os" instead of "O'zapft is", (it's tapped); and that was before any beer was consumed. Oktoberfest Fun Facts.

Colorful School Cones, filled with small gifts and candy, help make that first school day even more memorable for first graders in Germany. A custom that began in the early 19th century, Schultüten are as popular as ever and could be a fun idea and new tradition for your own family and friends.

German Lebkuchen, that special German gingerbread, whatever you create with this recipe it will always be delicious. Anything from spicy ginger cookies, Oktoberfest or Valentine's Day Hearts, Witches' Cottages and Gingerbread Men, to Halloween Ghosts, Christmas decorations or aromatic Lanterns.

Every change of season means "Makeover Time" for Germany's window boxes. Carefully tended, colorful plant filled containers are everywhere. A bizarre mixture sometimes but wonderful sight on door stoops, window ledges, trailing down from apartment balconies and walls of ancient farm houses.

German beer has its own day, "Tag des Deutschen Bieres" - Beer/Fluessiges Brot, liquid bread, is "Food" in Bavaria - even the smallest region has a brewery, and remember it is important to raise one thumb when ordering. Germany's beer has a culture of its own.

Waldkindergarten...nature's preschool for children where classroom walls are replaced by fresh air, the natural world and exploration. Whatever the weather. A system of education that began in 19th century Germany and is increasingly popular, so schools have long waiting lists.