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March 19, 2010

Top Ten Places to Visit in Germany

Filed under: Travel And Leisure — Tags: , , — kuru @ 12:59 am




If you’re looking for a place that’s rich with remnants of the recent past, then Germany’s the place for you. As you may well know, Germany was a key player in the previous world wars. Thus, it filled Germany with monuments to the stories of our grandfathers about times long past but never forgotten.

1.) Berlin Wall

There’s no other place in Germany that’s more suffused with charged up emotions than the Berlin Wall. You can just imagine the tears and the blood shed over this very wall. This remnant of the wars stands as one of the greatest monuments to democracy known to man - a sign that freedom will always come out victorious.

2.) The Romantic Road

Driving through the Romantic road would be one of the most pleasant drives you’ll experience in your whole life. This road is flanked by scenic landscapes on both sides. Occasionally, you’ll pass through a picturesque town, a beautiful gothic church, and sometimes, a quaint countryside inn.

3.) Augsburg

Passing through the Romantic Road will lead you to Augsburg, a town founded by the Roman Legions and named after the esteemed Roman emperor, Augustus. This picturesque town contains such historical places as St. Anne’s Church, the place where Martin Luther took refuge, and Dom, a very unusual Cathedral. You can also find here the Renaissance Golden Room, a sight that will make you squint with its shine.

4.) Neuschwanstein Castle

Did you know that Walt Disney used a castle found in Germany as his inspiration for the castle of Sleeping Beauty? It’s true, those alabaster walls and those high towers and wide parapets were all based on the Neuschwanstein Castle. It is now hailed as one of the most popular tourist spots in Germany.

5.) The Castles of Fussen

Like most of Europe, several castles are littered throughout Germany. It contains the other two of Ludwig’s castles, the first one being the Neuschwanstein Castle. This is a must-see for all those families who are traveling through Germany because the place literally looks like it’s been torn out of a storybook.

6.) Lake Constance

Lake Constance is both a tourist spot and an essential source of life for the Germans. Several areas in the country rely on this very lake for their drinking water, and this large lake is also a great place to swim and to go bird watching. Indeed, if you’re one for beautiful natural sceneries, then Lake Constance is not to be ignored.

7.) The Black Forest

The name looks like it has been taken from one of the fairy tales, doesn’t it? The Black Forest - it sounds like a place where evil witches reside and cursed trees grow, but don’t let that deter you though. If anything, the Black Forest can hardly be related to its name as it’s a sunny forest with tall and sturdy firs. It’s a great place to go hiking and a great place for picnics.

8.) Cologne

When you hear the word, Cologne, what comes into your mind? A beautiful fragrance, right? Well, meet the town that’s called Cologne for a reason, and indeed, the town of Cologne has its own peculiar fragrance that’s very pleasing to the nose. Also, there you will find a beautiful view of the River Rhine and the Cologne Cathedral.

9.) Dachau

Take a break from the fairytale castles and mystical forests and go to the place called Dachau. Dachau is a concentration camp - a remnant of Germany’s dark past where you can just imagine the horrors that took place in this very spot. However, you will also find there a statue bearing the inscription, “Never Again”, a solemn promise of the German people that they will ‘never again’ commit such unspeakable acts - another true victory for peace.

10.) Oktoberfest

The Oktoberfest - technically, it’s not a place, but it’s just too good a festival to leave out of any ‘top ten list’ that concerns tourism and Germany. This fun-filled festival in the town of Bavaria is guaranteed to leave you intoxicated and euphoric. You can spend days on end just drinking authentic German Ale and just letting yourself loose.

March 17, 2010

Frankfurt Germany — 12 Insider Tips

Filed under: Travel And Leisure — Tags: , , — kuru @ 11:42 am




In the city with its international airport 650,000 humans live. It is a very modern large city and became the ‘ turntable of Europe ‘. In Frankfurt important industrial enterprises and wholesale dealer are resident like also many banks. Not only the German Federal Bank, but also the European Central Bank (ECB) resides here.

Famous ‘Kaiserdom’ (emperor cathedral), which documents loved ‘Roemerberg’ (Roman mountain) and the historical ‘ Paulskirche ‘, in which the first freely selected German parliament met, besides the political meaning of this fascinating city.

Yes, Frankfurt is a metropolis and full surprises as well as contrasts. Skyscrapers are directly apart from half timbered houses; culture and commerce form here a unit. In addition, Frankfurt is a fair city, a literature city and above all a culture city: here the cradle of the German jazz scene with many small music taverns, in which you cannot only ease, is appropriate but also into the night much fun to have canned. The moreover one you find many museums.

Frankfurt, because of its skyline also ‘ Mainhattan ‘ mentioned, is a large city in the country, between the mountain courses by ‘Taunus’ and ‘Spessart’ and surrounded by a wreath/ring of world-well-known health resorts, popular holidays areas and trip goals.

In the following I will give you 12 insider tips. Before I do it however you do the following: print out this side, so that you have it immediately available, if you come to Frankfurt. It is nearly impossible, everything that I wrote here to keep in the head and it would be unfortunate, if you are in Frankfurt and get to face only the ‘normal’ points of interest.
Besides that after your arrival you should go immediately to the tourist information. It is in downtown, near the ‘Roemer’. The road calls itself ‘Auf dem Roemerberg’ (on the Rome mountain) and the telephone number is: +49-69-21238800. Ask them for a city map. Without a city map you will lose yourself in this big city, and with the city map you will find everything I mention here.

Bars and restaurants

1. One of the best cocktail bars in Frankfurt is the ‘Strandperle’ (beach bead). Particularly the Caipirinha is unique! In the summer the bar surface expands to a terrace caf? high over to the river ‘Main’.

2. The smallest jazz restaurant of Germany is the ‘Mampf’. Since more than 30 years there are free concerts to German meals. Apart from jazz also Blues, Swing, Latin and Flamenco are played. Simply enjoy the good mood and fun inheres.

3. One of the few popular apple wine restaurants with yard garden is the ‘Lorsbacher Tal’. It is in the quarter ‘Alt-Sachsenhausen’ (old axle living) and has a very cosy ambience and solid German meals.

4. The restaurant ‘Pilar’ is at the same time a bar. Fine noodles, salads and original Mediterranean creations will be served. On the side panels of the restaurant hang sumptuous baroque paintings, which offer an interesting contrast to the simple Design of bar, leather seat and wood table.

5. In the elevated ‘Villa Merton’ (Mansion Merton) you find meals of the all-finest. If it permits your travel budget, go here. The employees speak English and recommend to you gladly the specialities of the house.

Sightseeing and culture

6. In the Goethe house and Goethe museum Goethe was born in the year 1749. He lived here until 1775. The house was outstanding reconstructed and contains paintings, handwriting and diagrams of the large German poet.

7. On the ‘Roemerberg’ (Roman mountain) regularly highlights and meetings take place. It is a long stretched, five-angular place and is gladly visited by humans. At this place is the ‘Frankfurter Roemer’ (Frankfurt Romans), the famous city hall of the city. It was reconstructed after the war. In the festival room of the Roemer pictures of German emperors are to be admired.

8. In the ‘Pauluskirche’ (Paulus church), which was established between 1787 and 1833, the first German national assembly met in 1848. It is a place of historical building method and historiography.

9. The ‘Senckenberg Museum’ is the largest scientific museum in Germany. You find here a descriptive collection of approximately 500,000 exhibits, which arrange for you an overview of the development of our animated nature over millions of years. It is simply impressing.

10. The ‘Palmengarten’ (palm garden) shows a domestic, tropical and subtropical Flora. The emphases of the 20 hectares large park are over 300 orchids, ‘Bromelien’ and about 1,600 different cactus species. Concerts also often take place here.

11. In the ‘Frankfurt Zoo’ approximately 6,000 animals (650 kinds) live together in extensive outdoor installations and houses. If animals interest you, you must go here. Plan however at least five hours for your attendance.

12. When it becomes evening, you absolutely MUST go to the ‘Berger Strasse’ (Berger road)! On 2 km (1.3 miles) you find taverns, Bars, Caf?s and restaurants for each taste! Here you surely will NOT become boring. If I am in Frankfurt, this road is a must for me, again and again.

Enjoy your trip!

March 11, 2010

A Trip to Germany - Small Towns

Filed under: Travel And Leisure — Tags: , , — kuru @ 7:55 am




When traveling to Germany one should not miss the famous German towns. I mean exactly towns, not the cities. Especially interesting are towns not larger than 50 000 of inhabitants. I think, there will be no surprise for each country that life in small towns and cities differs very strange but in Germany it is a really fantastic difference.

Life in big cities is a topic of a separate article, so even the comparison with them would take too much time, so we shall take a look from the point of view of a traveler at these marvelous towns in, let’s say, north-western part of Germany.

I wouldn’t be wrong if I would say that Germany consists mostly of such towns. No, of course there are such great cities as Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Dresden and many others, but if you take a look at this country flying in a plane that has not climbed very high yet or is going to land in Germany, yo will barely find a place without those famous small houses in small groups. Sure, there are forests in this country, and of course there is a highly developed agricultural infrastructure, so there are lots of farming fields, but if you just look from a plane - you would share my opinion. The sight is great: accurate houses with mostly red roofs scattered in small groups all over the horizon. By the way, if you would build a house in Germany, at least in western part of it, you would receive a list of requirements from the local town authorities and one of them will be the color of the roof. And I am 95% sure that it will be red, and not only red, but of certain hue and saturation. Only in towns where were already built some houses with black roofs, you will probably be granted a choice between black and red colors. But I’ve never seen any other colors of the roofs if we talk about personal living houses for a family or two.

If you are traveling with a car through the area, you would probably have a similar impression. Especially if you are using not the famous autobahn-roads, where you don’t see anything, just fly at speed sometimes limited only by the abilities of your vehicle, but regional roads, where the usual speed limitation is 100 km/h. Actually, you won’t be driving 100 because of the mentioned towns that the road goes through and you will have to slow down to 50 km/h. And this will give you the possibility to have a closer look at them.

These towns are at the same time very similar to each other and very unique, each one having it’s interesting and rare history and sometimes moments of unforgettable beauty. Almost each of them has been founded long ago and has it’s historical traditions, personal holidays, festivals and events.

Of course, to live a whole life in such a small town is a lifestyle. You should be a kind of person, loving peaceful and quiet life, but there are lots of people of such a kind, aren’t they? And they are usually very proud of their towns and would with pleasure tell you about the history of the place and toe most interesting moment to pay attention to. Some of them would be pleased to take you to a tour through the most interesting places or even invite you to a dinner at home. Actually, there is a great difference between people living in cities and small towns. In cities, people are cold and are placing an instant polite barrier between them and a traveler. In small towns they would greet you with German “hallo” and a friendly smile even if they don’t know you.

And of course, if you plan such a trip through German towns, you should better choose end of summer of the very beginning of autumn, because of the weather, that is normally good only in summer in Germany, and the variety of local autumn holidays and festivals in small towns. Such events are not always taking place in cities and of course, each town has it’s own set of events that are almost always worth to have a look at. Have a nice trip to Germany.

March 7, 2010

Public Transportation in Germany

Filed under: Travel And Leisure — Tags: , , — kuru @ 3:02 pm




Once you arrive in Germany, if you are American, you will notice that the German public transportation system is much more efficient and cost effective than that of America. There are many more options and for the most part, you can get anywhere any time. Keep in mind that you can purchase a train ticket from your current location to your destination and this ticket is valid for the train, bus and street car. ie. Take a train from Darmstadt to Hanau then use the same ticket for a bus from Hanau to Frankfurt.

Taxi Cab: Taxi cabs can be found around any airport or public location. If you walk up to a taxi parking area and there is a row of taxi cabs go to the front vehicle first. The price varies but can be expensive at times. The weekend taxi fees are generally more expensive than the fees on a weekday. If you can avoid using a taxi cab I would recommend it. If you are relatively pleased with the service provided by the cab driver a one or two EUR tip would be sufficient.

Street Cars (Trolley): Street cars were the first mode of public transportation in Germany. Street cars make frequent stops and have a map layout of each stop. Check the route and be sure the stop you want is close enough to your destination, if not you may want to take the U/S Bahn, a bus or a taxi. Street cars are relatively fast, about the same speed as a normal car in the city.

Train: The European rail system is set up to be a very cost effective and efficient means for international European travel. With a vast number of inner-city trains running constantly during the day, the German train system is just as effective. When entering a train station (Bahnhof) you will need to purchase a ticket from the machine. You can only buy a train ticket with EUR but you can use any denomination below 20 including coins or bills. Simply select your destination from the list shown, enter the destination number and push the ‘Einzelfahrt’ button. Your change will fall along with your ticket to the tray. If you are planning to travel by train from Frankfurt to Paris, for example, you may choose to use the ICE train. This train is designed to get you from point A to point B much faster than a normal train. ICE trains are a little more expensive but may be the smart way to travel if you are planning inter-country travel in Europe.

U/S-Bahn: The U or S Bahn would be the equivalent to the subway in the States. The U-Bahn covers city areas where as the S-Bahn covers city areas and up to 60 kilometers outside the city. Normally you will only find U/S Bahns in bigger cities. The U/S Bahn normally makes more stops than trolleys making them the smarter choice for inner city travel.

You can also purchase an all day ticket which is good for trolleys, buses and the U/S-Bahn by pressing the Tageskarte button instead of the Einzelfahrt button. It is possible to board the train or trolley without purchasing a ticket but you will be fined 60 EUR minimum and these checks do occur regularly. You can purchase train tickets online from the official homepage of Deutsche Bahn at http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en.

February 27, 2010

Neuschwanstein - Germany’s Most Recognized Castle

Filed under: Travel And Leisure — Tags: , , — kuru @ 8:20 am




Creative geniuses are seldom appreciated during their lifetime, as was ‘Mad’ King Ludwig of Bavaria. Now, his famous castle enchants the millions of tourists who visit her gates. Neuschwanstein, Ludwig’s most well-known realized dream, was never completely finished before the king was untimely carted off and labeled as ‘incompetent to rule’. Even today, the circumstances around his death are still highly questionable, giving the castle a mysterious air of deception and betrayal.

With visions of grandiose operas dancing around in his poetic imagination, Ludwig II began the construction of Neuschwanstein in 1869 where two smaller castles laid in ruins. He moved into the unfinished palace 15 years later. Truly a man born out of time, Ludwig’s new castle was to be his world of an era long past. His obsession with composer Richard Wagner and the Middle Ages fueled his creativity as he decorated the rooms - dazzling royal blue and reflective metallics, starry nights painted on the ceiling of his bedroom where the stars really twinkled, knights, the Holy Grail, corridors made to look like they had been carved out of the stark rock face of the mountainside, an indoor winter garden that could be enjoyed at any time of the year, and swan accents at every imaginable spot. Ludwig had hoped to enjoy Wagner’s work in the castle’s ‘Singer’s Hall’, modeled after the Banquet Hall at Wartburg Castle. Sadly, not a single note of the composer’s music would reverberate off of these intricately detailed walls until after the king’s death.

Originally called ‘New Hohenschwangau Castle’, the name was changed to ‘Neuschwanstein’ (New Swan Stone) after Ludwig passed. Many tourists know it as ‘The Cinderella Castle’ as Walt Disney used the spires as the inspiration for his storybook palace. From here, visitors can gaze down over Hohenschwangau Castle, Lugwig’s boyhood home where he spent his days fantasizing about the fairytale-come-to-life he’d one day build on the jutting cliff in the clouds. The Marienbrucke (Mary’s Bridge) is also a stunning site from the arched windows of Neuschwanstein. The brave can hike to the bridge where they are rewarded with a breathtaking view of this world-famous castle. Walk the dizzying span over the deep gorge while the chilly wind burns your cheeks as you wonder ‘how many camera-toting tourist *can* this bridge hold?’

Tragically, the shy ruler only lived in this exquisite dream for about 120 days before he was ousted as king and committed for his supposed mental illness. Since then, rumors have woven colorful stories of every imaginable scenario for his removal. From government conspiracy, being drugged to fake his mental state, double murder or murder ******* and even speculation on his sexual orientation, Neuschwanstein literally oozes with secrets and her walls maintain their silence. Perhaps part of the castle’s magical air is taken from these ‘what ifs’ that we may never know the answer to…or that by stepping inside these halls is the only way to truly appreciate Ludwig’s eccentric soul.

February 25, 2010

Germany Has it All

Filed under: Travel And Leisure — Tags: , , — kuru @ 2:15 pm




Some of the most wonderful scenery in the world can be found in Germany; the place is simply stunning. From charming rustic villages to sophisticated city this country has it all. The history of this country changed the world, and today the people of Germany are at the heart of Europe. Germany has been the home of some of the most influential humans in history. Beethoven was born in this part of the worlds and so were Neitzsche, Kant, Karl Marx, Bach, Kafka, and Mozart; as well as many more.

It is impossible to imagine the world today without Germany bit it didn’t actually exist as a country until 1871; prior to this the land was part of the Holy Roman Empire. After the Second World War it was divided into East and West Germany only to be unified again in 1990. Today there are over 80 million people living in the Federal Republic.

A place that all tourists to Germany must see is Heidelberg; this is a university city and the scenery surrounding it will take your breath away. The city lies on the banks of the river Neckar. This is the home of universities and castles and is considered one of the most romantic places in Europe. Nearly four million people visit the city each year and most of the local population are involved in the service industry; a lot of this dealing with tourism. The city is home to some world renowned art festivals, and is considered a great city of learning.

Berlin was one of the most important cities during the last century and for many decades it was the place where Russia and the United States fought their cold war. The city was divided during this time by the Berlin Wall and when this fell in 1990 the whole world looked on in amazement. As well as being the home of political intrigue Berlin has also produced some great music. David Bowie moved there for a few years, and U2 recorded one of their albums there.

Another city in Germany that has had great impact on the rest of the world is Hamburg. This is where the Beatles first became famous after leaving their homes in Liverpool. For three years they played three shows a day and this is believed to be the reason why they became so good. It could easily be argued that without Hamburg there would have been no Beatles and the world of modern music would be a lot different. Hamburg is a northern industrial town that is well worth a visit because it offers a different view of Germany.

Freyburg is another part of Germany that is well worth a visit. This had been described as the Tuscany of the North and is the part of the country devoted to producing wine. The city contains some quaint architecture and the nearby scenery makes a visit worthwhile. If you enjoy wine then this is the place to go because of the many wine festivals there each year.

February 23, 2010

Mainau: Germany’s Garden Island

Filed under: Travel And Leisure — Tags: , , — kuru @ 3:53 pm




Mainau is Germany’s garden island, hording seven kilometers worth of space from the Bodensee. Bursting with radiant color and exotic fragrance, this little oasis on the lake beckons anyone looking for quiet tranquility. Although only royalty live on this isle, all are welcome to visit for the day.

Easily reached from Meersburg, Germany or other ferry ports along the Bodensee (also called Lake Constance), Mainau is a relaxing thrill. Each visit offers beautifully manicured gardens that beg to be leisurely strolled through, the Palm House which protects the tropical trees from the elements while little chirping birds hide in the coarse leaves, every imaginable - and unimaginable - species of roses, and a view of the stately castle that overlooks the grounds. The castle itself cannot be toured but its adjoining chapel is accessible to the public. It’s even possible to enjoy live musical performances among the serenely perfect surroundings.

Vicki Landes describes this getaway in her book, “Europe for the Senses - A Photographic Journal”: “Get lost in the gardens to truly appreciate every single detail waiting patiently to be discovered. Explore the Butterfly House, a simulated paradise for hundreds of silent winged bugs in all stages of life. With its high temperatures, almost stifling humidity, waterfalls, brilliant flowers and exotic plants - step through a curtain of bamboo and you are immediately transported into a rainforest! Study the hanging cocoons where caterpillars await their rebirth or sneak up on a six-inch butterfly feasting on a dish of plump orange slices. Slip behind a waterfall for a cool break from the humidity or rest on a bench and wait for something to land nearby!”

See pictures of Mainau and more of Europe’s hidden treasures in “Europe for the Senses - A Photographic Journal” by Vicki Landes. Available at Amazon.com and other major bookseller sites.

www.EuropeForTheSenses.com

10 Reasons To Visit Berlin Germany

Filed under: Travel And Leisure — Tags: , , — kuru @ 3:15 am




You want to see ‘Spree-Athens’? It surely is Berlin, the German capital, lying on the course of the Spree River, in the northeastern Germany. Often compared with Athens, the Germany’s “grey city” - Berlin has always been a major center of European history, culture, art, politics, sports, and science. It is home to world-famous universities, research institutes, sporting events, orchestras, museums, and historic sites.

Berlin is one of the most popular top tourist destinations in the world; certainly, one of the most-visited tourist destinations in Europe. It is widely known for its numerous museums, palaces, historic sites, cafes, clubs, bars, and vibrant nightlife. Surely, you can pick numerous reasons to visit Berlin Germany, but here are top 10 reasons to visit the magnificent city.

Reichstag, the magnificent edifice with crowning glass dome, is one of the primary reasons to visit Berlin. Located near the Brandenburg gate building, the German parliament is the city’s top tourist attraction. It has been the seat of the German parliament since 1999, after it was redesigned by British architect, Sir Norman Foster. Queues at entrance are often lengthy, but you can sneak in thru the side entrance, having lunch at the Dachgarten Restaurant.

Berliner Funkturm or Funkturm Berlin (Radio Tower Berlin) is another worthy reason to visit Berlin. It is 150 meter high transmitting tower, with open-air observation deck 124 meter above ground. Often nicknamed “der lange Lulatsch” (”the lanky lad”), the tower was built between 1924 and 1926 by Heinrich Straumer. Standing on the Berlin fairground in the Charlottenburg, out of city center, the lofty tower is one of the best-known points of interest in Berlin.

Fernsehturm, a 368 meters high television tower in the heart of city, close to Alexanderplatz, is one of the most celebrated landmarks, in Berlin. Easily visible throughout the central districts of Berlin, the iconic tower was built between 1965 and 1969 by the former German Democratic Republic (GDR). Its image was used as a symbol of Berlin by the GDR administration. The tower has an observation deck 204 meters above ground.

Siegess?ule (Victory Column), a 60 meters high historic monument with panoramic view in the very center of the city, is one of the famous sights in Berlin. Designed by Heinrich Strack after 1864 to commemorate the Prussian victory in the Danish-Prussian war, the Column on its top features an 8.3 meters high magnificent bronze (weighing 35 tonnes) statue of Victoria, designed by Friedrich Drake. On a polished red granite base, the column sits on a hall of pillars with a glass mosaic designed by Anton von Werner.

Berlin Wall, a 1.3km long stretch of intact historic Wall known as the East Side Gallery, is one of well known sites of Berlin, Germany. Located to the east of the city centre along the River Spree in M?hlenstra?e near the Oberbaumbr?cke, the East Side Gallery is an international memorial for freedom. On the painted east side of the Berlin Wall, the Gallery features approximately 106 paintings by artists from all over the world.

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, also known as the Holocaust Memorial, is one of the well known sites of Germany. It is a recently opened (2005) vast abstract artwork covering an entire block near the Brandenburg Gate, including an underground museum narrating the terrifying tale on the Holocaust. Designed by architect Peter Eisenman and engineers Buro Happold, the Holocaust Memorial features comprises a grid of concrete pillars with a disorienting concrete maze at the centre.

Berlin Zoo or Zoologischer Garten Berlin (Berlin zoological garden) is one of major tourist attractions of Berlin. Located in Berlin Tiergarten near the S-Bahn and railway station in the city center, the Berlin zoological garden is one of the biggest zoos in Germany, with largest number of species of the world. Opened on August 1, 1844, Berlin Zoo was the first zoo in Germany. The zoo boasts approximately 14,000 animals from 1500 species, and a marvelous Aquarium.

Tierpark Berlin is another fine reason to visit Berlin. It is another great zoo in Berlin. Founded in 1954, the zoo is one of the major tourist attractions of Berlin. Located in Friedrichsfelde, on the former grounds of Friedrichsfelde Palace, Tierpark Berlin, with 160 hectares of total area, is one of the largest zoos of Europe. You can watch numerous rare animals and species in the Tierpark Berlin.

Berlin Museums give you every reason to visit the city of Berlin. The German capital is widely known for its very wide array of museums and galleries; the city offers over 50 state run museums. Featuring Pergamonmuseum, Altes Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie, Bodemuseum, and Neues Museum, the Museuminsel (Museum Island) is the best known area for art lovers. Some other notable museums include Deutsches Historisches Museum, J?disches Museum, Gem?ldegalerie, and Neue Nationalgalerie.

Berlin Churches are also one of the major attractions of Berlin. The city has many historically interesting and architecturally remarkable churches. Some of the notable churches of Berlin include - Kaiser Wilhelm Ged?chtniskirche, Marienkirche, Nikolaikirche, St. Hedwigs Kathedrale, Berliner Dom, and Friedrichswerdersche Kirche.

February 20, 2010

Famous Places In Germany That Grab Your Attention

Filed under: Travel And Leisure — Tags: , , — kuru @ 12:36 pm




Smack in the middle of Europe and bordering nine countries, Germany is the ideal hub for entrance into other nations. Its landscape is varied, from castles sitting in the crevices of capped mountains to medieval villages bursting with life.

Famous places in Germany revolve around many major cities, like Munich where the annual Oktoberfest celebration is held. Berlin, Frankfurt, and Hamburg also make up some famous places in Germany, each with its own distinction as unique and telling a story.

One “can’t miss” city in Germany is the capital of Berlin, which is well known for its past wall separating the socialists from the democrats. In 1990, the wall was torn down and a re-emergence occurred with the capital rebuilding itself as modern with more than 100 streets reconnecting to join a less modern city from the East and a towering, 21st century city to the West.

Besides this, Berlin is a cultural hub for international tourists and residents alike with many museums, theatres, and galleries like the Berlin Philharmonie concert hall to the Picture Gallery with an impressive collection of 18th century art. Its nightlife is also incredible along with parties taking place all year, including jazz concerts in November and dance parties in July.

Another famous place in Germany is the second largest city of Hamburg. This one is considered as the German version of Venice, Italy with its major ports and canal networks along with bridges and two lakes that make up close to 10 percent of the entire city.

Given its water, Hamburg is a city lush with parks and gardens along with 21st century buildings nestled in between classic Renaissance architecture. The harbor and seaside areas make up the cities largest tourist attractions.

For added camaraderie, there is a Red Light District called the Reeperbahn as well where revelers can engage in “quick fun.”

One final famous place in Germany is the southern wonder of Munich, arguably the most popular tourist destination with close to 6 million people taking part in the two-week long Oktoberfest festivities year after year. The city is well known for its breweries and beer halls along with an impressive selection of art galleries, museums, and both Gothic and Baroque architecture.

For a taste of winter sports, tourists would be pleased to know that Munich lies in close proximity to the Bavarian Alps which is a skiers paradise.

All in all, any of these top attractions are capable of fulfilling your travel wishes.

All the best,

Marcus Hochstadt

Founder of MyGermanCity.com

February 14, 2010

The Historical Rhein Valley In Germany

Filed under: Travel And Leisure — Tags: , , — kuru @ 9:56 am




The Middle Rhein Valley consists of a 65-km stretch of magnificence castles and vineyards continuously amazing people. It has served as one of the most important transport routes in Europe for two millennia and continues to exchange between the Mediterranean region and the north.

In the Upper Middle Rhein Valley the physical beauty consists of the steep hillsides that vault up from the river, the dense forests, and near the southern end of the landscape lays Lorelei. The combination of the history, architecture, water traffic and beautiful physicality and view of the River make it a place that appeals to everybody.

When many people hear about the Rhein Valley, the first thing that comes to mind is Lorelei. Lorelei is a 435-foot-high slate rock that vaults out of the river marking one of the narrowest and most difficult sections to see. Because of where the area it is located, in history it has been regarded as a treacherous part of the river.

The legend is that there was once a beautiful young woman named Lorelei. She threw herself from the top of the Rhein Valley into the river in despair over a faithless lover. Upon her death she was transformed into a siren and from that time on has been heard singing on the rock along the River, near St. Goar.

Her singing drew sailors’ eyes up to hear her enchanting songs during crucial times. The ending result was many boats crashing and men dying because of the very rock that lies on the southern end of the Upper Middle Rhein Valley. It is because of this legend that the rock of Lorelei has become so feared yet so historical over time.

On a brighter note, one of the most beautiful parts is the vineyards that owe their existence to the Rhein River. The vineyards flow past the wide fertile valley of the Baden vineyards, and produce some of the finest quality wine and grapes in the world. Aside from the wine and grapes that are produced, the vineyards put a sense of ease to the soul and provide an enchanting and peaceful feel to the overall essence of the Rhein Valley.

While there are a number of tourist attractions in Germany because of the hundreds of castles that lie throughout, the Rhein Valley has much to offer in a small stretch. From the castles to the historical towns, the Lorelei to the amazing vineyards, this amazing destination has every bit to offer you plus some.

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