The largest country in Central Europe, with great global economic powers and strong influences culturally, Germany is of the finest countries in the world for a traveler. The Germans gained recognition in the world for its distinctive engineering and high-tech products. However, the country is equally lauded by visitors for its old-world charm. If you have preconceived notions of Germany as plain homogeneous, it will amaze you with its many historical regions and local diversity.
How to reach:
There are a variety of options to get into Germany. From neighboring European countries, a drive in the car or a train ride is feasible; visitors from further away should stick to air travel.
By plane-
Frankfurt, Munich, Dusseldorf have the main airports for international flights. If you book a little in advance, flights could be the cheapest way to travel to Germany. You will find budget flights from literally any city in Europe to Germany.
By train-
Deutsche Bahn, operates a popular train service, regularly connecting Germany with all neighboring countries. Basic rail fares are quite high, but there are some special fares and discounts available.
By boat-
There are international ferry services available. Some of the most popular services are Lübeck and Sassnitz, Kiel, Rostock, Travemuende, and Puttgarden.
By bus-
Most neighboring countries offer bus services to Germany. Eurolines, along with its German partner Touring offer long-distance bus tickets.
Where to stay:
Germany offers almost all options for accommodation, including hotels, B&Bs, hostels, and camping. You might also consider staying with members of a hospitality exchange network. The advantage is that you are more likely to meet the locals and get a hint of the German way of living.
A sign saying “Zimmer frei” indicates a B&B with a room available. If you are looking for a simple, no-hassles, budget accommodation and don’t mind shared rooms, hostels are for you. You can also befriend other travelers. In Germany, as in many countries, two varieties of hostels exist- international youth hostels and independent hostels.
What to see:
Cultural and historical attractions-
The Romantic Road will take you through beautiful villages and castles with breathtaking beauty. The most iconic of these castles is the Neuschwanstein Castle. For a medieval appeal, visit the walled city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Natural attractions-
The German landscape changes drastically in the inner areas of the country. Here, you will find hilly rural regions coupled with several large agrarian fields, a few larger cities, and forests. The most attractive of these places are- the Black Forest, the Ore Mountains, the Bavarian Forest, Saxon Switzerland and the Harz.
What to eat:
German cuisine is very authentic in its approach to blending different tastes. Schnellimbiss’ means ‘quick snack,’ and is what you will see on the sign of German stalls and small shops that sell sausage (Wurst) and fries (Pommes Frites) primarily. A very good place for beer and Bavarian food is the Biergarten of “Kloster Andechs” close to the Ammersee. If you are staying at a hostel, you may even be guided by the locals to the best restaurants around.
My name is Sadio and welcome to Bare-foot my personal travel blog