Germany What to Expect

If you have kids, visit the extensive play area of wood constructed activities in Erlebniswald. If you are lucky, you might see a wild boar in the surrounding forests.

Heidelberg, Germany, was and is a famous university town ever since the Protestant Reformation in Germany. But facts like these only give you a background. More fun are the sights and sounds of the town. I came from Strasbourg, France and had to transfer trains at Karlsruhe. Upon arriving at the town, you will exit and see the ultra modern side of the city, including this strange statute that looks like it had been assembled from giant pieces of children's toys. To see the old town and where most tourist sites, take a bus eastwards. The cost was negligable and it takes 20-25 minutes. You will go through the heart of the city before reaching the old town. The first stop is the marketplace with the golden statue of the madonna. Just around the corner is the street leading to the Altebrucke (old bridge) and the gate. Just before the gate is the golden moneky with a mirror. From the bridge, you can see most of the city since the river under the Altebrucke divides the city into two. Up on one hill is the castle that once protected the city. On the other side are terraced hills. Be sure to go to the top of the hill called Konigstuhl via cable car. From the top of this hill, you can see the entire river valley, the city, and the bridges below. The total time was about 4 hours. Still, it is a beautiful city with plenty of modern and renaissance German architecture.

Take a trip to nearby laboe and visit the mariners monument. There is a WWII submarine you can climb inside and visit, great for the kids. Visit Kiel town hall - does the tower remind you of anywhere? venice perhaps? Inside is an unsusual revolving wooden lift called a Paternoster.

The first time I was in Germany on my own for business, I met my old roommates ex-boyfriend who happened to be German and lived outside of Heidelberg. I was in Mainz/Wiesbaden and did not speak German. I took the train but missed the one Marcus had expected me to be on. As I had never met Marcus before I didn't know what he'd look like. He picked me out of a crowd, (must have looked very American in my shorts - - it was a warm day of 80 and being Californian that means SHORTS.) We drove into the little area of Heidelberg and I was just amazed at the old castle which had been bombed by the allies during WWII and was never repaired and the bridges across the river. We had coffee at some little cafe in town and walked around. There were young college kids everywhere, which was nice. Three young musicians from Riga, Latvia were playing saxophone and violin and clarinet just off the bridge - which was lovely. Really added to the atmosphere. Of course, being a marketing manager it was cool to see where the first King James version of the bible was printed too! It's a must see. If I only had more time, we could have done a short river cruise.

I live here fro 3 years when I was a kid - it's mostly a farming community nestled in a small valley with lots of vineyards around.

In Münster you should visit the Aasee, there is a swan called Petra (it's not clear if male or female) who fell in love with a paddleboat shaped like a swan. Just look for the paddleboat and you'll find her!

I love shopping in Berlin. Great quality clothing.

You can't miss the "Kunsthof"

I loved this city. Easy to travel for biginner backpacker. Artistic, historical but also modern. Transport is easy, punctual and clean but expensive. Nice people. Breakfast in St. christpher's Inns was pretty good.

Berlin is an amazing place full of wonders and hidden beauty. You'll need more than a weekend to fully explore the place, but it'll be worth it. Don't forget to get a kebab, the best kebabs in Europe are to be found in Berlin.

I went to Germany not expecting to fall in love with it. I thought it would be cold and antiseptic and, well, Germanic. And my first stop, in Trier, wiped the slate entirely clean. Trier has been occupied since Roman times (the most notable evidence of which is the Porta Nigra, a former city gate). It's a lovely city for wandering about, and its cathedral is, if you're into ecclesiastical architecture, a marvel of Romanesque style, blunt but elegant and haunting in its austerity. The surrounding countryside is what stole my heart, though. The Mosel river, to me, tops the Rhine in scenic value. The slate bluffs are ideal for growing the grapes that go into the incredible white wines of the region (this is an ideal place to go for an on-site education in Rieslings, Gewurtztraminers, Eisweins, etc.). Come to Trier and you will leave enchanted.

I love shopping in Berlin. Great quality clothing.

You can't miss the "Kunsthof"

I loved this city. Easy to travel for biginner backpacker. Artistic, historical but also modern. Transport is easy, punctual and clean but expensive. Nice people. Breakfast in St. christpher's Inns was pretty good.

Berlin is an amazing place full of wonders and hidden beauty. You'll need more than a weekend to fully explore the place, but it'll be worth it. Don't forget to get a kebab, the best kebabs in Europe are to be found in Berlin.

I went to Germany not expecting to fall in love with it. I thought it would be cold and antiseptic and, well, Germanic. And my first stop, in Trier, wiped the slate entirely clean. Trier has been occupied since Roman times (the most notable evidence of which is the Porta Nigra, a former city gate). It's a lovely city for wandering about, and its cathedral is, if you're into ecclesiastical architecture, a marvel of Romanesque style, blunt but elegant and haunting in its austerity. The surrounding countryside is what stole my heart, though. The Mosel river, to me, tops the Rhine in scenic value. The slate bluffs are ideal for growing the grapes that go into the incredible white wines of the region (this is an ideal place to go for an on-site education in Rieslings, Gewurtztraminers, Eisweins, etc.). Come to Trier and you will leave enchanted.

Dresden is a town with a historic past. Completely distroyed during WWII it has been rebuilt. The "Zwinger" and the "Semper" opera are musts to see. A very efficient public transport system with modern trams. And old steamboats on the Elbe River. Eat the Dresdner Stollen, mainly at Christmas and buy some of the famous Meissner porcelaine.

Hyvä mesta varsinkin yöllä.

This place is great if you go to the Baths. Careful on the back "massage" which actually takes off all your dead skin. It can hurt, but boy does it feel good after. Really worth the money. You feel great afterwards and in this city, you feel like the rich and famous!

Blankenloch is a small town north of the main center Karlsruhe. It is possible to use the trams to get there or using bikes or even run. Its only about 10-15 km away. Once you arrive there are a few restaurants which are typical of most places, Italian, kebabs, a couple of pubs with German food and bakeries. I visited friends who lived there and passed through when on cycle tours. There are also nearby lakes which are free access for swimming in summer.

Rheinfelden is a really nice little town, great to relax in solöe uno, a salt spa!