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Destinations

Germany - Planning your trip

If you love visiting a good castle, you won't be disappointed by the huge selection waiting to be discovered in Germany. By huge selection, we mean, around 25,000 castles! Some of these cultural heritage and architectural jewels are also UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Perfectly preserved Old Town with stunning Medieval architecture make every traveler dream come true while satisfying your need for speed in the impressive Autobahn. If you are a nature lover, all you need to do is visit Germany. About a third of the country is covered with forests, If you want to marvel at Icelandic-style geysers, lilac blossoms, turquoise lakes and many other wonders, all you need to do is come to Germany. From Berlin to Frankfurt to Munich you will be surprise by the variety of attractions in this beautiful country.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Fussen in germany

What you need to know before you go

Transportation - When the topic is travel across Europe, Germany’s has set the standard for generations, the entire country has rebuilt itself for sustainability with big investments in solar power and bike-friendly cities. With some of the best public transportation in the world, all the cities and larger towns have networks integrated: one ticket gives you access to buses, trams, U-Bahn (subway), and S-Bahn (above ground train), with fares determined by zone. You can buy one-way fare and the best option if you planning to getting around a lot, is getting a day pass.

Trains are separated into four categories, serving different purposes but booked identically. They are: ICE ( high-speed Intercity-Express) IC( Intercity), Eurocity (EC) and regional trains. Link bellow.

Buses are the cheapest way to get around Germany. Flixbus or Postbus are two bus companies with super cheap prices.

German is also a great country to explore by car, with the impressive Autobahns, widely known for having no speed limit. If you enjoy driving, this is the country to explore by car.

Accommodation - German lodging standards are very high, and visitors can generally expect clean and comfortable rooms with breakfast included for an affordable price. In the main cities you can choose between ultra-modern hotels or charm historic properties. If you’re on a budget, Germany’s lodging options include hotels, B&Bs, and hostels that are among the best in the entire Europe. The German countryside has many attractions andl give you the chance to experience the gasthofs or gasthauses, which are generally managed by the owners and serve great local food.

Weather - May through September, which is summer, is the best weather with very long days (light until 9pm). During fall, visitors can enjoy wine and beer festivals and beautiful fiery colors. #Oktoberfest. During winter, there is no crowds, but some accommodations and sights are either closed or run on a limited schedule. The weather is cold and it gets dark early. The snow turn German towns and landscapes into wonderlands with extra points for December where the famous Christmas markets become truly fairytales.

Food - If you think about sausage, sauerkraut and beer, you are correct! You'll find these 3 items everywhere around Germany. However, Germany has a long culinary history with distinct dishes across the regions. The traditional dishes are heavy with meat in almost every meal, even in the breakfast. Some dishes you must try when traveling in Germany are:
1. Bratwurst - the grilled sausage with mustard on top and of course, a portion of sauerkraut on the side.
2. Schnitzel - they use mainly pork as the meat of choice.
3. Brezeln -Pretzel! Goes very well with beer.
4. Rouladen - Beef Rolls. They are delicious.
5. Schweinshaxe - Pork Knuckle - this is a meal for the entire day!
For dessert...Apfelstrudel - Apple Struedel! SO Germany!

Interesting facts about Germany culture

  • Germany is the second most popular destination for expats in the world. In 2019, 1.5M people moved to Germany and around 400,00 of these people were students. Immigrants are attracted to Germany because of our robust economy and well-developed education system.
  • Germany sells around 6 million cars a year, making it one of the largest car producers in the world.
  • Berlin, the capital of Germany, is 9 times bigger than Paris and has more bridges than Venice.
  • German is the most common native language in Europe and is 11th on the list of most widely-spoken languages in the world.
  • Because there are so many different dialects in Germany, people may have problems understanding those from different regions – subtitles are shown in most German films.
  • The German football team has won 4 World Cups.
  • Berlin has the largest train station in Europe.
  • 65% of the highways in Germany have no speed limit.
TIps for first visit

1. Visit the Oktoberfest – Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer celebration. Even though you can celebrate Oktoberfest all over the world, the official event is in Munich, Germany, where the first Oktoberfest was held. The festival includes massive beer tents from different Bavarian breweries, but much more than an event to drink, there is activities to entertain the entire family. The party typically draws over six million visitors over its three-weeks. If you are in Germany September, you cannot miss the Oktoberfest.

3. Drive the romantic road – The Romantic Road, or Romantische Straße is one of the most popular scenic routes in Germany. The route spans about 460 kilometers, including 29 dreamy cities from Würzburg to Füssen. From UNESCO world heritage sites to fairytale castles and medieval towns, this is a trip to never forget. No matter if you have 3 days or 1 month, make sure to add the Romantic Road to your Eurotrip.

1. Drink beer and try a few sausages – According to statistics from the German Butchers’ Association, the Germans consume the equivalent of around three kilos of sausage per person every year. In addition, Germany is the second largest beer consumer in Europe, 2.55 billion gallons are consumed per year. When in Germany, you need to try Bratwurst sausages with Weihenstephaner beer. Prost!

Germany map

Essential Information

Passport and Visa – Germany is a party to the Schengen Agreement. Citizens of many countries do not need a visa to visit Germany for stays of up to 90 days.

Currency – Euro. The currency of Germany has been the Euro since 2002.

Language – The official language of Germany is German. You will be able to speak English in most cities, but your Google Translator will be very helpful in the small towns.

Tax Free – In Germany the amount paid for merchandise includes 19 % value added tax (VAT). The VAT can be refunded if the merchandise is purchased and exported by a customer whose residence is outside the European Union.

Tipping – Service and VAT are included in the menu price in restaurants AND bars all over Germany. Still, it is typical to “round up” the amount of the bill.

Population – The current population of Germany is 84.5M. The country shares borders with nine other countries. Denmark, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

Economy – The German economy is the largest national economy in Europe and the fourth-largest in the world. The country is is one of the largest exporters globally. The top exports of Germany are vehicles, machinery, chemical goods, electronic products, electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, transport equipment.

Interesting facts about Germany beer

  • Germany is home to the biggest Beer Festival in the world, Oktoberfest in Munich, where the standard glass of beer is 1 liter!
  • In Germany, there are over 1,200 breweries that produce over 5,000 brands of German beer.
  • In the state of Bavaria, beer is actually considered a food!
  • The Weihenstephaner Brewery in the north of Munich has been operating since 1040, making it the world’s oldest brewery.
  • 6.7 million liters of beer are consumed at Oktoberfest, which ironically takes place in September.
  • Germans order their beer very differently. You must raise one thumb to order a single beer, or your first finger to order two beers.

Useful Links

Germany Travel –The German National Tourist Board

ICE, IC, and EC trains

German autobahns

Romantic Route Official website

Official website to buy tickets toNeuschwanstein e Hohenschwangau castles

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