Introducing Germany
Beer or wine? That sums up the German conundrum. One is at the heart of a pilsner-swilling culture that draws kegloads of visitors annually, is the very reason for one of the world’s great parties (Oktoberfest) and is consumed with pleasure across the land. The other is exported worldwide, is responsible for gorgeous vine-covered valleys and is enjoyed everywhere, often from cute little green-stemmed glasses.
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And the questions about Germany continue. Berlin or Munich? Castle or club? Ski or hike? East or west? BMW or Mercedes? In fact, the answers are simple: both. Why decide? The beauty of Germany is that rather than choosing, you can revel in the contrasts (except maybe with the car question…). Exploring this country and all its facets can keep visitors happy for weeks.
Berlin, edgy and vibrant, is a grand capital in a constant state of reinvention. At the other end, Munich perches atop Bavaria, the centre of national traditions. Half-timbered villages can’t help but bring smiles as you wander their cobblestoned and castle-shadowed lanes. Cities of all sizes boast some of Europe’s best clubs, as you’d expect from the home of techno. Enjoying the outdoors, from skiing Alpine peaks to hiking carefully preserved forests, is essential. And compare the ancient traditions of the east, as beautiful Dresden adjusts to the 21st century, with Cologne, where decades of prosperity burnish its grand heritage.
Last updated: Jul 16, 2010
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Thorn Tree forum discussion
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Germany
Our Top Picks For Germany
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1 Berlin
Visit world-class museums by day and bustling bars, pubs and clubs by night
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2 Rügen Island
Explore the many faces of this fascinating island, including its rugged chalk cliffs, windswept beaches, Romantic-era spa architecture and tree-lined country roads
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3 Dresden
Explore the treasures and grand buildings of this baroque beauty bisected by the majestic Elbe River
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4 Cologne
Visit Cologne's magnificent Dom (cathedral), which dominates the city skyline
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5 Hamburg
Let your hair down on a tour of this vibrant city's eclectic bar and pub scene
Fast Facts about Germany
- Most famous civil criminal
Fritz Haarmann (allegedly killed 26 people and drank their blood, 1925)
- Capital
- Head of government
Chancellor Angela Merkel
- Area
357, 045 sq km
- Coolest museum
- Famous for
sausages, Oktoberfest, culture, cars, Kraftwerk, Friedrich Nietzsche, Love Parade, Nico
- Population
83 million
- German phrases
Guten Tag (good day); Auf Wiedersehen (goodbye); Ja/Nein (yes/no); Danke (thank you); Sprechen Sie Englisch? (Do you speak English?); Du leidest wohl unter Größenwahn (your ego is out of control)
- Year first Volkswagen Beetle manufactured
1938
- She said it
A man would prefer to come home to an unmade bed and a happy woman than to a neatly made bed and an angry woman. - Marlene Dietrich
Related Groups
Our favourite Germany Blogs (beta)
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Buying Air Tickets – How to find the best flights and cheapest fares
Blog: My Little Nomads - 29 July 2010
Tips, advice and great web sites for finding the best airlines and cheapest prices for your next vacation.Read more: Buying Air Tickets – How to find the best flights and cheapest fares Most popular post: The 5 Best Greek Islands for Kids and Families Most emailed post: Preventing Malaria When You Travel
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Rüdesheim am Rhein, Germany and the Rheingauer Riesling-Route
Blog: Dotted Route - 29 July 2010
The Rhein river area is probably my favorite area in Germany. It is vastly different from the new restoration boom of Berlin and the bustling metropolis of Munich.
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Visiting Munich's Modern Art Museum and Discovering Neo Rauch
Blog: MuseumChick - 27 July 2010
I just remembered to fill you in on a really intriguing exhibit I saw on my trip in Munich, Germany last June. I also figured you might need a short departure from my château extravaganza. While staying in Munich it was difficult not to spend another day traveling to the amazing Bavarian Alps but I decided to explore Munich's art scene instead and found my way to the Pinakothek der Moderne (Modern Art Museum) and the new Neo Rauch Exhibit. I'm really glad I did because I got to discover an artist's dynamic work that I've never seen before in...
