Monday, August 8, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Berlin, Germany
Wonderful Germany Part 1
Wonderful Germany Part 2
Deutschland-The best country
Germany Heart of Europe
Hazelnussomeletten
Ingredients
3 tbsp. flour
1 cup milk
1 egg, separated
1 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. hazelnuts
grated salt
2 tbsp. butter
Directions
Combine flour and milk. Stir in egg yolk, fold in sugar and hazelnuts then stiffly beaten egg white. Add salt to taste. Melt butter and fry omelet until it is golden brown on both sides. Serve with stewed fruits or berries.
Enjoy!Bayerische Semmelklösse
Ingredients
10 hard rolls (Kaiser rolls)
1 1/2 cups warm milk
1/2 cup Diced Canadian bacon
1 Tbsp. Softened butter
1 small diced onion
1 Tbsp. parsley flakes
3 eggs
Salt and pepper
Directions
Slice hard rolls thinly and place in a large bowl, set aside to dry overnight. Bowl large kettle of salted water.
Soak bread in warm milk. Bread should be moist, but not soggy. Fry onion and bacon in butter until onion is tender. Stir onion and bacon into moist bread. Add parsley flakes, eggs, salt and pepper to bread.
Stir all ingredients together. Shape into large dumplings. Drop into boiling water. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes or until dumplings rise to surface.
Enjoy!
Traditional German Christmas Foods & Drinks
The "Classics"
 | 1. Christstollen or Weihnachtsstollen - A dry cake shaped like a loaf of bread filled with marzipan and raisins and covered with powder sugar. You can find this bread in any supermarket in Germany during the Christmas season. 2. Lebkuchen (Gingerbread) - Served in all different shapes, sizes and toppings. |
3. Weihnachtsgebaeck (Christmas Cookies) - Christmas cookies are made in many different variations and flavors throughout Germany. You are sure to find some that suite your taste buds. Here are two of the more popular types:
- Zimtsterne: These are star-shaped cinnamon cookies and they are THE traditional german Christmas cookies.
- Spekulatius: Traditional spicy Christmas cookie.
4. Weihnachtsgans (Christmas goose) - This dish traditionally consists of a stuffed goose (prepared just like a Thanksgiving Turkey,) potato dumplings, red cabbage and a wine flavored sauce. There is no special technique in preparing this dish but the sauce consists of wine, the juices produced while cooking the goose and a gravy. You can find this at many German restaurants during the Christmas season and many German families make it as well.
5. Gluehwein - Hot red wine seasoned with cloves, cinnamon sticks, peel of a lemon or orange and sugar. This is a very popular drink in Germany during the Holidays, served at all of the Christmas markets in all parts of Germany.
6. Weinachtspunsch (Christmas punch) - Hot black tea spiced with cloves, lemon juice, orange juice, sugar and red wine.
7. Fondue - Can be prepared in different ways:
- Cheese Fondue: use forks to dip bits of food (i.e. bread) into the warm and thick liquid sauce (usually a cheese mix).
- Meat Fondue: spike raw meats (i.e. chicken, beef, pork) on a long fork and fry it into hot oil until done. Usually eaten with other dips (i.e. Garlic Sauce, Ketchup etc.)
8. Raclette - Frying slices of cheese and lunch meat on tiny pans, which sit on a small, round stove that sits in the center of the table. There are typically 6 or more of these small "pans." Each person has their own pan. Food is cooked and eaten by each individual.
9. Rehruecken (roast saddle of venison) - Deer meat, usually served with slices of pears, spaetzle and Brussels.
10. Kartoffelsalat mit Wurst (Potato salad with sausage) - A classic and fast recipe for Christmas. There are many different ways to fix the potato salad. Sausage can be any kind, but usually smoked.
Not "Classic" but still Authentic
1. Karpfen (carp) - Baked Fish served with boiled potatoes and some steamed vegetable (low fat Christmas food.)
2. Bratapfel - (baked/roasted candy apple) - Pitted apple, not peeled. The hole in the middle will be filled with raisins, honey and chopped almonds. Bake in oven for 20 min's.
3. Heisse Maronen - Hot or roasted chestnuts.
4. Marzipankartoffeln (marzipan potatoes) - Ball shaped marzipan, rolled in Cocoa powder.
Pictures of Germany
Enjoy the beautiful German culture in pictures. All of the pictures below were taken by either my sister Dana Spaulding, my wife Claudia Spaulding or myself. If you would like to use any of these pictures for personal use be my guest. If you would like to use these pictures for your own website go right ahead but be sure to place a link back to this site along with any picture you use.
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| The Schloss Johannisberg Castle/ Restaurant in Aschaffenburg, Bavaria | A shot of the Black Forest Country side in Baden-Wurttenberg |
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| The BMW main headquarters located in Munich, Bavaria | A picture of the Autobahn taken in Frankfurt, Hessen |
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| The Hofbraeuhaus in Munich, Bavaria | Another view of the Frankfurt am Main Skyline |
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| A shot of Frankfurt, Hessen in the banking area | Das Neues Rathaus (New Townhall) in Munich, Bavaria |
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| Der Ochse und der Bulle (The Oxe and the Bull) in front of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange | The 'Roemer' Rathaus, a German Courthouse in Frankfurt, Hessen |
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| A public German Train in Frankfurt am Main, Germany | Die Katharinenkirche, A church in Frankfurt am Main |
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| A German Kino (movie theater) in Frankfurt am Main | A small town in the Black Forest |
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| Schloss Wernigerode Mediaeval Castle in Wernigerode, Germany (Former East Germany) | Another view of the historical Schloss Wernigerode Castle |
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| A nice view of a River in East Germany taken on top of a Dam that was built before the wall came down. | Another shot of a River in the Former East Germany |
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| A shot of the Frankfurt Skyline in Hessen | Germany countryside near Vilseck Bavaria |
Germany Christmas Markets
 | In Germany, Christmas Markets (Weihnachtsmarkt,) are a traditional Holiday gathering, which attract Germans and tourists from all around to celebrate with music, drinks, food, shopping and holiday spirit. You will find a Christmas Market in the center of just about every German town, big or small and just about every one of them will have the same characteristics. They generally start on the last weekend of November and end on the 23rd or 24th of December. |
You could compare a German Christmas Market to a fair in the U.S. A big area with lots of stands, but instead of games these stands are little shops with Christmas items like clothing, ornaments, "Nutcracker" Soldiers etc. You will also find some rides, just like at the fair in the U.S. but these rides are typically in the larger cities and not a main attraction.
There are also many food and drink stands where you will find most of the traditional German Christmas food and drinks, including, but not limited to, Gluehwein, Christmas punch, gingerbread and Christmas cookies.
Gluehwein (a warm, red wine served in a coffee-type mug) is by far the most popular drink at the markets. You will find many gluewein stands throughout the markets with crowds of people around them drinking and socializing.
The overall experience of a Christmas Market in Germany is really like no other. It tends to truly bring out the Christmas spirit in all who attend with the "Christmasy" smells, sights and sounds.
As soon as you arrive you smell a mix of the the roasted chestnuts, the sweet Gluehwein and a variety of other Christmas goodies. You hear cheerful Christmas music, which really lifts your spirits, even if you don't understand German.
I've visited many different Countries in the past decade and I can honestly say that German Christmas Markets provide one of the best Christmas experiences you'll find.
Christmas in Germany
 | The Christmas holiday in Germany begins December 24th and ends on the 26th. On the 24th (Christmas Eve), most Germans work a half day and shops are open until the early afternoon. Gifts are usually opened on the evening of the 24th. Christmas day is a little different. Unlike the U.S., Germany celebrates two Christmas days, the 25th and the 26th. Christmas weather in Germany is usually around 28-40 degrees fahrenheit. Snow is not very common during this time. You may |
get lucky if you are visiting a town which is located at a higher elevation.On average Germany probably gets snow one out of five years in lower areas. Christmas in Germany may be one of the most unique Christmas experiences you ever have.
With the famous Christmas markets in almost every town you come across, you are sure to have the time of your life. Whether you visit Germany during the Holiday Season for business or pleasure, you will have a lot to talk about when you return home. The way Germans celebrate this holiday is not much different than the way Americans do.
The tradition of the Christmas tree with the presents underneath is of course the main tradition. You will find lights all over the place as you will in the U.S. Stockings are traditional as well, as they are hung and filled with goodies for the kids. Santa Claus (Weihnachtsmann) is no different. The big-bearded man dressed in red, who rides in a slay pulled by rain deer.
Children are always excited to see what Santa left them under the tree. Lets talk about some of the things you will experience during the Christmas holiday in Germany.
Christmas Markets (Weihnachtsmarkt) - Possibly the number one attraction during Christmas time in Germany. These exciting functions usually start toward the end of November and end on the 22nd or 23rd of December in bigger cities like Frankfurt, Berlin and Munich. In smaller cities they are normally held on one weekend in December.
Each town holds their own Chrismas market so it is not uncommon for them to be held on different weekends. Traditionally, the Mayor of the town opens the Christmas market by lighting an enormous tree. They are a place you can go with your family to enjoy the Christmas season and take in every wonderful thing this season brings. Markets are usually held at the city center in a public, open area. You just walk up to the area and enjoy. You may not want to drive to the markets though.
Germany has very limited parking spots during normal months and it is almost impossible to get a parking spot anywhere close to a Christmas market. There is one option if you wish to drive, you can park in a garage and pay approx. 2 EURO/hour but I will warn you, the Gluehwein tends to sneak up on you ;-). There are several things to experience during these fests. Below are just a few of the more traditional ones.
- Gluehwein (Glow Wine) - This is a very popular alcoholic drink during the Christmas holiday in Germany. Gluehwein is a warm red wine that is served out of small shacks at these fests. Gluewein is normally only served during the Christmas season but you can purchase it year-round at a German liquor store.
- Gingerbread (Lebkuchen) - The traditional gingerbread that you will see is covered in chocolate. You will see several shapes and sizes, decorated or not as you wonder through the fest. The city of Nuremberg provides the most famous gingerbread that can be found all over Germany during the holiday season.
- Nutcracker Soldiers and Drummers - These famous figurines can be found throughout any fest you visit as well. They range from miniature sizes to extremely large and there are several different styles to choose from.
- Chestnuts (Maronen) - Just like the famous song, chestnuts are 'roasted on an open fire' and served to you very warm. You will notice many people munching on these goodies throughout the fests as well.
Mountains in Germany
Bavarian Forest Mountain Range
The Bavarian Forest (German: Bayerischer Wald) is a low mountain range in Bavaria, Germany. It extends along the Czech border and is continued on the Czech side by the Sumava (Bohemian Forest). Geographically the Bavarian Forest and Bohemian Forest are the same mountain range.
The highest mountain is the Großer Arber "Great Arber", 1456 m. The main river is the Regen, which is formed by the conjunction of White Regen and Black Regen and leaves the mountains toward the city of Regensburg.
Part of the Bavarian Forest is occupied by the Bavarian Forest National Park (240 km²). Founded in 1970 and was the first national park in Germany.
Black Forest Mountain Range
The Black Forest (Schwarzwald) is a wooded mountain range in Baden-Württemberg, southwestern Germany. It is bordered by the Rhine valley to the west and south. The highest peak is the Feldberg with an elevation of 1,493 meters (4,898 feet). The name Black Forest comes from the general dark color of the numerous pine trees that grow in this region. The Black Forest gateau originated from this region.
Geography - Geologically, the Black Forest consists of a cover of sandstone on top of a core of gneiss. During the last ice age, the Würm glaciation, the Black Forest was covered by glaciers; several cirques such as the Mummelsee are remains of this period.
Rivers in the Black Forest include Danube, Enz, Kinzig, Murg, Neckar, and Rench. The Black Forest is part of the continental divide between the Atlantic Ocean watershed (drained by the Rhine) and the Black Sea watershed (drained by the Danube).
Administratively, the Black Forest belongs to the following counties; in the north: Enz, Pforzheim, Rastatt, and Calw; in the middle: Freudenstadt, Ortenaukreis, and Rottweil; in the south: Emmendingen, Schwarzwald-Baar, Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, Lörrach, and Waldshut.
The forest mostly consists of firs; the main industry is tourism. Dialects spoken are Alemannic and Swabian.
This forest has suffered serious damage from acid rain and is only a fraction of the size it used to be; however, the storm Lothar knocked down hundreds of acres of mountaintops in 1999, leaving some of the high peaks and scenic hills bare, with only primary growth shrubs and young fir trees.
Many people say that they call it the black forest mountains because when on the mountain, in the wooded areas, is seems dark from the shadows of all the trees.
| Quick Fact: The highest mountains are the Feldberg at 4,898 ft., the herzogenhorn at 4,642 ft., the belchen at 4,639 ft., the Schauinsland at 4,212 ft., the Kandel at 4,072 ft., the Blauen at 3,822 ft., and the Hornisgrinde at 3,819 ft. |
Eastern Alps
Eastern Alps is the name given to the eastern half of the Alps, usually defined as the area east of the Splügen Pass in eastern Switzerland. North of the Splügen Pass, the Posterior Rhine forms the border, and south of the pass, the Liro river and Lake Como form the boundary line.
The Eastern Alps include parts of Switzerland, most of Austria and of Liechtenstein, as well as parts of southern Germany, northern Italy and of Slovenia. The eastern border are the Wienerwald (Vienna Woods) and the Viennese basin which is the transition zone to the Carpathian mountains.
The Eastern Alps are traditionally divided according to the Alpenvereins-Einteilung (arrangement of the Alpine Club) into several dozen small regions, each assigned to the Northern Calcareous Alps, the Central Eastern Alps or the Southern Calcareous Alps. Fuller details are given on those pages of the regions they contain.
The highest mountain in the Eastern Alps is Piz Bernina (4052 m) in Switzerland, followed by the Ortler (3905 m) in Italy/South Tyrol and then Großglockner (3798 m) in Austria.
During the Würm glaciation, the Eastern Alps were drier than the Western Alps, with the contiguous ice shield ending in the region of the Niedere Tauern in Austria. This allowed many species to survive the ice age in the Eastern Alps where they could not survive elsewhere. For that reason, many species of plants are endemic to the Eastern Alps.
Elbe Sandstone Mountains
The Elbe Sandstone Mountains (German Elbsandsteingebirge, Czech Labské pískovce) is a mountain range. It straddles the border between the states of Saxony (in south eastern Germany) and the Czech Republic. The name derives from the sandstone which was carved by the river Elbe. The holiday region of Elbe Sandstone Mountains (Saxon Switzerland), one of the most unique regions of natural beauty in Germany, is right on Dresden`s doorstep: the wildly romantic rocky landscapes of Elb Sandstone Mountains Roaring streams in craggy gorges, trees perched on promontories of rock jut out from the surrounding forest to form a unique backdrop for tourists and hikers alike. Places of interest include fortress Königstein, Fort Stolpen, Fort Hohnstein, Kuckuckstein Castle, and Weesenstein Castle. There are some 14,000 climbing routes via which mountain climbers can conquer 1100 free-standing peaks. Visitors can experience the spectacular natural scenes on the asphalt Elb cycle path, or on board a steam paddle boat that is part of the oldest fleet of its kind in the world.
In the Elbe Sandstone Mountains you find numerous facilities for cure, rehablitation and the likes. The region has a tradition of many years. E.g. in the year 1730 there were discovered the first ferrous and sulphurous sources in Bad Schandau, what caused a brisk demand for this place as a health resort and let to the build of swimming baths.
Sandstone: Sandstone is a bedrock from rounded to sharp-edged grains, whose diameter lies in between 0,063 mm to 2 mm according to the DIN 4022. The term sand thus describes a defined grain size interval. In contrary to most other rocks the sandstone is not defined by a certain mineral constituent. Quartz is generally regarded as the main mineral. The various grains of sand, the components, can also consist of other minerals or rock fragments. A sandstone, whose components consist to more than 90% of quartz grains, is called quartz sand stone. If a sandstone component leads, whose diameter exceeds 2 mm, then it is called conglomerate sandstone (e.g. OLSBRUECKER SANDSTONE). Sandstones with portions of grain sizes under 0,063 mm or 0,002 mm are called silty and/or clayey sandstones.
Genesis: Sandstones are deposit or sedimentary rocks, resulting from the solidification of loose sand, the sediment. After CORRENS sediments are regarded as deposited products of mechanical and chemical decomposition after transport. Means of transport are essentially water, wind and ice. The deposit of the sand takes place due to the force of gravity via mechanical sedimentation. All components of a sandstone set off mechanically after transport are called detritus. Characteristic for all sedimentary rocks is the layering. It results from changes in the sedimentation conditions, e.g. the supply of materially different detritus or the change of the grain size of the depositing substances. The banking which can be observed in sandstone sequences is to be due to repeated sedimentation interruptions. The emergence of sandstones is possible in different deposit areas. The deposit of sand can take place within by streams nerved lowlands, within the muzzle range of rivers (delta levels) as well as within the sea range in direct proximity of the coast or on shallows. The diversity of the deposit areas mentioned with their specific deposit conditions, which experienced their unmistakable development in the temporal succession of earth-historical procedures, lead to different sandstones, which arrive into the trade with a large sort-variety.
Layer sequence in the sandstone
Today the sandstone of this region shapes the landscape which was the sea bottom millions of years ago. Large rivers rinsed sand and decomposition debris into the Cretaceous sea. Rough quartz sand, clay and fine marl sank and solidified themselves layer for layer. A compact sandstone plate developed, about 20 x 30 kilometres wide and up to 600 meters thick.
1. Bohemian massif
2. Lusatian-Saxonian block
3. Elbe Sandstone territory
4. Rhenish massif
5. Prehistoric sea of the Cretaceous period
When the sea left approx 80 million years ago, the mountainforming decay began. At first bursts developed. From the north coming the Lusatian granite massif pushed itself gradually onto the sandstone plate. From the south the lifting mountains of the today’s Erzgebirge caused counterpressure – which slanted the brittle sandstone plate and bursted it. From the nearly right-angled break lines later the typical, cuboid-like fissure of the Elbe sandstone developed.
Estergebirge
Estergebirge is a small mountain range in Bavaria. It is classified either as part of Bavarian Prealps or larger chain of Northern Limestone Alps. The range stretches for about 15 kilometers, from the west is bordered by valley of river Loisach, from the east by Walchensee lake and valley of river Isar. With highest peak Krottenkopf (2086 m) the highest part of the range just excedes 2000 m level.
Prominent peaks are Krottenkopf (2086 m), Bischof (2033 m), Hohe Kisten (1922 m), der Hohe Fricken (1940 m). Standing few kilometer away is Simetsberg (1.836 m).
The range is of limestone. Treeline is around 1700 m.
As only the peak Wank (1779 m) is accessible by cable car, and most tourist and mountaineers are attracted to nearby higher ranges Wetterstein, Karwendel and to highest peak of Germany Zugspitze, Estergebirge stays relatively calm, with the exception of Wank.
Estergebirge offers various trekking and mountaineering possibilities both in summer and winter.
Fichtelgebirge
The Fichtelgebirge is a mountain range in northeastern Bavaria, Germany. It extends from the valley of the Red Main River to the Czech border, where it is continued by the much higher Ore Mountains.
The highest mountain is the Schneeberg (1051 m). Rivers rising from the Fichtelgebirge are the White Main (German: Weißer Main) , the Saxon Saale, the Ohře (German: Eger) and the Fichtelnaab which later joins the Waldnaab. Cities on the edge of the mountains include Bayreuth and Hof.
While the mountains slope gradually away to the north and the south, there is a steep slope to the west, where the Red Main forms the boundary of the mountains.
The Fichtelgebirge attracts many tourists both during summer and winter, mainly for hiking and skiing, but also to see the large rock formations.
Frankenwald
The Frankenwald is a mid-altitude mountain range in Northern Bavaria, Germany. It is located in the district Oberfranken and forms the geological connection between the Fichtelgebirge and the Thuringian Forest. It is a broad well-wooded plateau, running for about 45 kilometers (30 miles). in a north-westerly direction, descending gently on the north and eastern sides towards the Saale, but more precipitously to the Bavarian plain in the west, and attaining its highest elevation in the Döbraberg near Schwarzenbach am Wald (794 meters). Along the centre lies the watershed between the basins of the Main and the Saale, belonging to the systems of the Rhine and Elbe respectively.
Harz
The Harz is a mountain range in northern Germany. The northernmost mountain chain of Germany, it straddles the border between the states of Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. The name Harz derives from a Middle High German word meaning "forest".
The Harz has a length of 95 km (southeast to northwest) and a width of 35 km. It occupies an area of about 2000 km², and reaches its highest point at the Brocken (1141 m), situated in Saxony-Anhalt. The Wurmberg (971 m) is the highest peak in the Lower Saxony part. 600,000 people live in towns and villages of the Harz mountains.
The Harz is divided into the Upper Harz (Oberharz) in the northwest and the Lower Harz (Unterharz) in the southeast. The Upper Harz has a higher elevation and features fir forests, while the Lower Harz gradually descends towards the surrounding land and has deciduous forests mingled with meadows.
The settlement of the Harz began only 1000 years ago. In ancient times dense forests made the region inaccessible. 968 saw the discovery of silver deposits near the town of Goslar, and mines became established in the following centuries throughout the mountains. The wealth of the region declined after these mines became exhausted in the early 19th century. People abandoned the towns for a short time, but prosperity eventually returned with tourism. Between 1945 and 1990 an international border ran through the Harz, the west belonging to the FRG and the east to the GDR. Today the Harz forms a popular tourist destination for summer hiking as well as winter sports.
The Harz National Park is located in the Harz; it covers the Brocken and surrounding wilderness areas.
Hunsrück
The Hunsrück is a low mountain range in Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate), Germany. It is bounded by the river valleys of the Moselle (north), the Nahe (south) and the Rhine (east).
The Hunsrück is continued by the Taunus mountains on the eastern side of the Rhine. In the north behind the Moselle it is continued by the Eifel. To the south of the Nahe, the Pfalz is to be found.
Many of the hills are not higher than 400 m. There are several chains of higher peaks within the Hunsrück, all bearing names on their own: the (Schwarzwälder) Hochwald, the Idarwald, the Soonwald and the Binger Wald. The highest peak is the Erbeskopf (816 m). Notable towns located within the Hunsrück include Simmern, Kirchberg, and Idar-Oberstein, Kastellaun and Morbach. Frankfurt-Hahn Airport, a growing low-fare carrier and cargo airport is also located within the region.
The climate in the Hunsrück is characterised by rainy weather. Slate is mined in the mountains.
The German TV drama trilogy Heimat, directed by Edgar Reitz, examined the 20th-century life of a small fictional village in the Hunsrück.
Lusatian Mountains
Lusatian Mountains (Czech: Lužické hory, German: Lausitzer Gebirge), a mountain range of Europe, on the southeastern border of Germany and the Czech Republic, east of the Elbe River, a continuation of the Erzgebirge which is west of the Elbe. The Lusatians themselves are an extension of the Sudeten Mountains of Bohemia and Moravia, and which join the Carpathian Mountains. The adjacent portion in southeastern Germany is called Lusatia.
The highest peak is Luž (Lausche) 793 m. Other notable peaks include Pěnkavčí vrch (Finkenkoppe) 792 m, Jedlová (Tannenberg) 774 m, Klíč (Kleis) 760 m, Hvozd (Hochwald) 750 m and Studenec (Kaltenberg) 736 m.
Ore Mountains
The Ore Mountains (German Erzgebirge, Czech Krušné hory) are a mountain range in Germany and the Czech Republic. They form the border between both countries for 150 km, extending from the western border of Saxony to the Elbe river.
The western portions of the Ore Mountains have the highest peaks. The Klínovec (1244 m) on the Czech side and the Fichtelberg (1214 m) on the German side are the highest mountains of this range. In the west the Ore Mountains are continued by the much lower Bavarian Fichtelgebirge. In the east the Elbe Sandstone Mountains on both banks of the Elbe river may be regarded as the easternmost extension of the Ore Mountains. East the Elbe, the mountain chain continues as the Lusatian Mountains. The Ore Mountains slope gently away to the north, where the cities of Zwickau and Chemnitz are located on the foothills, but the southern incline is extremely steep.
The Ore Mountains were virtually unsettled during the Middle Ages and covered with dense forests. In the 15th century the discovery of silver and tin deposits led to the settlement of the mountains and the foundation of cities. The name is derived from the richness in mineral resources. Segmented Erz-gebirge, the name takes Erz- from the Tuscan city Arezzo, which produced such fine metal that its name became the German word for metal. Gebirge are "mountains." Today the mountains are also a popular winter sports resort.
The Ore Mountains are famous for many Christmas traditions. During the decline of silver and tin deposits, former miners had to look for new ways to feed their families. Besides lace making and woving, they went into wood carving. Nutcrackers, Smoking Men, Pyramids (carousels with figures of the Christmas story or from mining) and Schwibbogen (wooden arcs with candles in the windows, symbolising the opening of a mine) are just some of many Christmas items of the Ore Mountains. Seiffen in the East Ore Mountains was a centre of the wooden toy industry.
Orlické Hory
The Orlické Hory (Polish Góry Orlickie, German Adlergebirge) are a mountain range located mainly in northeastern Bohemia, Czech Republic, forming a subgroup of the Sudetes. They follow the border with Poland for 25 miles (40 km). The mountains are mainly composed of crystalline rocks, consistent with the makeup of the northern rim of the highlands of Bohemia. The highest point in the range is Velká Deštná, at 3,658 feet (1,115 m).
Rhön Mountains
The Rhön Mountains are a group of low mountains in central Germany, located in the states Hesse, Bavaria and Thuringia. They are the product of ancient volcanic activity and are separated from the Vogelsberg Mountains by the Fulda River and its valley.
These mountains are a popular tourist destination. Hikers come for the nearly 6,000 km (3,750 miles) of tracks through the picturesque scenery, and gliding enthusiasts have been drawn to the area since the early Twentieth century. More recently, farmstays are flourishing in the region.
Since 1991, UNESCO has declared the Rhön a Biosphere Reserve on account of its unique high-altitude ecosystem.
The peaks of the Rhön include:
SpessartThe Spessart is a hill chain in northwestern Bavaria and southern Hesse, Germany. On three sides it is bounded by the Main River, which describes a long curve. Two large cities are located at the foot of the Spessart: Aschaffenburg and Würzburg. Although the Spessart is a roughly circular hill country, the main ridge extends from the southwest to the northeast. It is continued by the Odenwald in the southwest and by the Rhön in the northeast. Its highest peak is the Geiersberg (586 m). Apart from the edges, the region is sparsely populated. Two nature parks called Bavarian Spessart and Hessian Spessart occupy large portions of the hills. SudetesThe Sudetes, also called Sudeten or Sudety is a mountain range in Central Europe. It stretches from eastern Germany to Poland and Czech Republic. The highest mountain is Sněžka-Śnieżka in Krkonoše/Karkonosze Mountains on the Czech-Polish border. It reaches up to 1,602 m. The Sudetes are divided into: 1. Western Sudetes 2. Central Sudetes Especially Krkonoše Mountains are facing growing tourism for winter sports during the past ten years. Its skiing resorts are becoming a serious alternative to the Alps. Some of the famous towns in this area are Zittau (Germany), Karpacz (Poland), Szklarska Poręb (Poland), Špindlerův Mlýn (Czech Republic), Harrachov (Czech Republic) The name Sudetes has been derived from Sudeti montes, a Latinization of the name Soudeta ore used in the Geography of Ptolemaios (Book 2 Chapter 10) ca. 150 for the present-day northern Czech mountains. Ptolemy said that they were above the Gabreta Forest, which places them in the Sudetenland. Ptolemy wrote in Greek, in which the name is a neuter plural. Latin mons, however, is a masculine, hence Sudeti. The Latin version is likely to be a scholastic innovation, as it is not attested in classical Latin literature. The meaning of the name is not known. In one hypothetical derivation, it means Mountains of Wild Boars, relying on Indo-European *su-, "pig". A better etymology perhaps is from Latin sudis, plural sudes, "spines", which can be used of spiny fish or spiny terrain. The exact location of the Sudetes is not very clear, as it has varied over the centuries. For example, the name was used before World War II to describe the German province of Sudetenland. The Germans living there were called Sudeten Germans. They were heavily clustered in Bohemia. Hitler redefined the term to mean the entire mountainous periphery of Czechoslovakia, and under that pretext, got his future enemies to concede the Czech defensive border, leaving it helpless. The Germans soon overran Czechoslovakia. The ancient Sudetanland certainly did not have that meaning. It meant at least the northwest frontier of today's Czechoslovakia, probably extending to the north. By implication, it was part of the Hercynian Forest mentioned by many ancient authors. TaunusThe Taunus is a mountain range in Hesse, Germany that composes part of the Rhenish Slate Mountains. It is bounded by the river valleys of Rhine, Main and Lahn. On the opposite side of the Rhine, the mountains are continued by the Hunsrück. The mountains themselves span the districts of Hochtaunuskreis, Main-Taunus, Rheingau-Taunus, and Rhein-Lahn. Not to be confused with the more famous and high Feldberg in Black Forest, the highest peak is the Großer Feldberg (880 m above sea level), which was also used for the Feldbergrennen hillclimbing contest and rallying stages. It is followed by the Kleiner Feldberg and the Altkönig (798 m) with the remains of a late Iron Age hill fort (La-Tène A, ca. 400 BC) near the summit. The Roman Limes was built across the Taunus. The Saalburg, a restored Roman castellum, now houses a museum. After the fall of the Limes (in 259/260 AD), the Alamanni settled here. For this reason there are some Alemannic cemeteries in the southern foothills of the Taunus (Eschborn). This area became Frankish after the Battle of Tolbiac. |
The Black Forest (Germany)
The Black Forest, located in Baden-Wuerttemberg Germany, close to the French border, is home of the original Cuckoo clock. The famous Cuckoo clocks are all hand made and carved into many different beautiful designs.
If you plan to visit this beautiful area be sure to visit the 'Mummelsee' (Mummel Lake) where you can find a swarm of small shops selling cuckoo clocks, Black Forest meats, souvenirs and many more interesting items.
The Mummelsee is approximately 1,055 meters above sea level. While visiting the Mummelsee you can jump on a small boat for a small fee and enjoy the beautiful Black Forest scenery but remember being 1,055 meters above sea level can become pretty chilly. Mid summer would probably be the peek time for this attraction but any time will be enjoyable.
Points of Interest
The cities of Freiburg and Baden-Baden are popular tourist destinations on the western edge of the Black Forest; towns in the forest include Bad Herrenalb, Baiersbronn, Freudenstadt, Gengenbach, Schramberg, Staufen, Titisee-Neustadt, and Wolfach. Other popular destinations include such mountains as the Feldberg, the Belchen, the Kandel, and the Schauinsland; the Titisee and Schluchsee lakes; the All Saints Waterfalls; the Triberg Waterfalls, the highest waterfalls in Germany; and the gorge of the Wutach River.
The Vogtsbauernhöfe is an open-air museum that shows the life of 16th or 17th century farmers in the region, featuring a number of reconstructed Black Forest farms. The German Clock Museum in Furtwangen shows the history of the clock industry and of watchmakers.
Black Forest Geography
Geologically, the Black Forest consists of a cover of sandstone on top of a core of gneiss. During the last ice age, the Würm glaciation, the Black Forest was covered by glaciers; several cirques such as the Mummelsee are remains of this period.
Rivers in the Black Forest include Danube, Enz, Kinzig, Murg, Neckar, and Rench. The Black Forest is part of the continental divide between the Atlantic Ocean watershed (drained by the Rhine) and the Black Sea watershed (drained by the Danube).
Administratively, the Black Forest belongs to the following counties; in the north: Enz, Pforzheim, Rastatt, and Calw; in the middle: Freudenstadt, Ortenaukreis, and Rottweil; in the south: Emmendingen, Schwarzwald-Baar, Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, Lörrach, and Waldshut. Dialects spoken are Alemannic and Swabian.
The forest mostly consists of pines and firs, some of which are grown in commercial monoculture; the main industry is tourism. Due to logging and land use changes the forest proper is only a fraction of the size it used to be. Moreover, it has suffered serious damage from acid rain. The storm Lothar knocked down trees over hundreds of acres of mountaintops in 1999. This left some of the high peaks and scenic hills bare, with only primary growth shrubs and young fir trees.
Many people say that they call it the black forest mountains because when on the mountain, in the wooded areas, is seems dark from the shadows of all the trees.
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Boatrides in Frankfurt on the Main River
If you fly into Frankfurt International Airport on your trip to Germany you might as well look into some of the boatrides Frankfurt offers. Frankfurt boatrides can vary from small ferry's to large cruise liners depending on what type of trip you are looking for and how long you would like your trip to last. Below is an example of some of the trips you can partake in on the Main river.
Ruedesheim and Bingen (day trip)
Price: Approximately 20 EUR
On the Main you first pass Hoechst Industrial Park, but soon you can see the first vineyards near Hochheim the place responsible for the term "Hoch", coined by the Victorians. Short after the Kistheim lock you reach the Rhine. You pass Biebrich Castle and numerous small towns embedded in vineyards of the "Rheingau", and finally you reach the most famous "Drosselgasse". Here you can stroll through those narrow and picturesque streets and sample the local Riesling wine.
Loreley (day trip)
Price: Approximately 30 EUR
A trip to the Loreley - made famous by the song is an experience you will not soon forget. On the Lorely or Rhine Valley you will see various castles and a beautiful view. You go as far as Ruedesheim. There you can transfer to a ship which takes you to St. Goarshausen. Your journey back can be by train and the cost is usually included in the cruise price.
Coffee and Cakes at the Rheingau
Price: Approximately 17 EUR
Let yourself be abducted by taking a cruise to one of the most beautiful areas in Germany. You will sail past some enchanting wine-grower's villages toward the "Rheingau" whilst enjoying excellent snacks amidst this romantic scenery.A short Cruise through Frankfurt
Price: Approximately 6 - 10 EUR depending on the time you select
Get an unusual view of Frankfurt. On board a ship the skyline of the city seems even more impressive. While we chug along the river Main you will discover sights the "land lovers" will never see. This little cruise is not only a good idea for all the visitors of Frankfurt looking for a special photographic motive, it is also an ideal short trip for small groups or even the whole family. Or just let it be your very special lunch-break. If you would like to make the trip an overall pleasure you can usually grab some exquisite food, selected wines, cold beer, lemonade, coffee and cakes etc. so you do not have to leave the ship with an empty stomach.
Seligenstadt (day trip)
Price: Approximately 18 EUR
In touch with history this trip takes you up the Main river, past the historic Gerbermuehle where Goethe already used to be a frequent visitor, then via Offenback to Seligenstadt.
Aschaffenburg or Seligenstadt (day trip)
Price: Approximately 21 EUR
The impressive architecture of the Aschaffenburg Castle can be seen as it rises above the banks of the Main river long before you have reached the town. The ship glides past the historic "Pompeiianum" before docking in the "Raft harbor". From here it is just a short walk to the beautiful castle grounds. King Ludwig I used to call Aschaffenburg "the Bavarian Nice". (This town in lower Franconia is already part of Bavaria.) Passengers who prefer to explore the romantic jewel of Seligenstadt may also do so. The ship will pick them up again after their tour.
German Oktoberfest
The History of the Oktoberfest
The Oktoberfest isn't just for Germans anymore. People have flocked to Germany from all parts of the globe to participate in the world's largest annual festival for nearly 200 years. In addition to the two-week celebration in Munich, the Bavarian capital where the tradition began, Oktoberfest is enjoyed in one form or another in cities and towns worldwide.
The Royal Party
Wondering how this great celebration got started? Prince Ludwig of Bavaria, who was later crowned King Ludwig I, wanted his people to share in the celebration of his marriage to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810. Ludwig organized a horse race and invited all the people of Munich. The royal party drew about 40,000 guests a major rager, by ordinary standards, but only a small fraction of the 6.4 million people at Oktoberfest in 1997. A good time, and copious amounts of beer, were apparently had by all that first year. It was decided that the horse race would be held again in 1811, this time in conjunction with the state agricultural show.
The Modern Munich Celebration
Although the horse race was eventually abandoned, many characteristics of the early Oktoberfest celebrations have been retained, if not expanded upon. Munich's annual celebration is still held on the original site, Theresienwiese ("Theresa's fields"), in front of the city gates. The agricultural show continues to be a feature, though it is only held every third year now. The tradition of beer and food stands, begun in 1818, continues today and is perhaps the most significantly developed aspect of Oktoberfest.
16 Days, Millions of People and some Big Tents
The modern celebration has replaced the small tents with giant brewery-sponsored beer halls that can hold up to 5,000 people apiece. The party has also grown in length, to become a 16-day extravaganza ending the first Sunday in October.
The Oktoberfest in Munich has been cancelled at times in the past due to war and cholera. The festival opens with a grand parade of the Oktoberfest "landlords" and breweries, and features traditional dancers and costumed performers, the Riflemen's Procession, music and, most definitely, beer!
Oktoberfest Facts
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Cheap Flights to Germany
Both business and recreational travellers flock to Germany, a world leader in science, business and technology that boasts a stunning natural landscape and abundant tourist attractions. German-based airlines including Lufthansa and Air Berlin offer inexpensive options for international travel, so you can fly easily into one of the country's major cities without breaking the bank. Flying between German cities can also be a low-cost method of travel, as well as the ever popular rail and road network. In this brief article, we explore some of Germany's most popular tourist attractions and more importantly, how to find the best deals on flights to Germany.
Berlin
The capital city of Germany has a world-class visual and performing arts scene with museums, art galleries, theatres and orchestras galore. Berlin is also one of the world's leading convention destinations. Two airports, Tegel and Schoenefeld, serve travelers to the city. Tegel is the larger and busier of the two and is a hub for Air Berlin, which provides discounted fare offers from different cities around the world to various German airports. Lufthansa and a host of other airlines including British Airways also operate out of Tegel. Domestic airlines like Germanwings, a no-frills company owned by Lufthansa, and Air Berlin as well as international airlines like easyJet operate out of Schoenefeld. Given the convenient transport links from both Berlin's Schoenefeld and Tegel airports to the city centre, it's worth comparing prices and browsing the available last minute deals on flights to Berlin.
Cologne
This historic city straddles the Rhine River and features stunning medieval and Renaissance architecture, vast bridges and significant landmarks like the Cologne Cathedral. The Cologne/Bonn International Airport is nestled beside the Wahner Heide nature reserve, and is a hub for low-cost Germanwings. Germanwings offers bargain airfare from many international and domestic cities to Cologne and other destinations within Germany. Domestic airlines like Air Berlin, Lufthansa and TUIfly also offer round-trip service as does international carriers like easyJet.
Dresden
Known as the Jewel Box for its baroque and rococo architecture, Dresden is famous for its castles and palaces including the Dresden Castle and the Zwinger Palace. Modern and postmodern constructions also dot the landscape, one of the greenest in Europe with many parks and forests. Dresden International is the city's airport and a few airlines operate out of it. Air Berlin, Lufthansa and Germanwings are the top carriers.
Frankfurt
This city of skyscrapers is Germany's financial centre and is home to the European Central Bank and the German Federal Bank. Frankfurt also contains many cultural attractions such as Saint Bartholomew's Cathedral, Alte Oper (or the old opera house) and Saint Paul's Church. Frankfurt Airport is one of the world's busiest and Germany's largest airport, and is a hub for Lufthansa and Condor Flugdienst. Air Berlin and a multitude of other domestic and international airlines service this airport, including British Airways and United Airlines.
Hamburg
This popular tourist town offers a pleasing landscape that features waterways with over 2300 bridges, gardens and architecture spanning several styles. The city also puts on many festivals and fairs throughout the year such as Hamburger Dom, a funfair staged three times a year. Many domestic and international airlines serve Hamburg Airport including Air Berlin, Lufthansa, easyJet and British Airways.
Munich
The capital of Bavaria is a popular destination for tourists, especially around September and early October, when they arrive to help celebrate Oktoberfest. Besides the abundance of local beer and the city's culinary delights, Munich is also a cultural centre for art, literature and music. Germany's second-largest airport is Munich Franz Josef Strauss International Airport, a hub for Lufthansa. Domestic airlines including Air Berlin, Condor Flugdienst and TUIfly also offer service as does international carriers like easyJet and United Airlines.
German Holidays
| Name of Holiday | Date | English Translation |
| Neujahr | 1 January | New Years Day |
| Drei Konige | 6 January | Three Kings Day (in Catholic areas) |
| Karfreitag | Friday before Easter | Good Friday |
| Oster Montag | Monday after Easter | Easter Monday |
| 1. Maifeiertag | 1 May | German Labor Day |
| Christi Himmelfahrt | 40 days after Easter | Ascension Thursday |
| Pfingsten | 7th Sun. and Mon. after Easter | Whit Sunday and Whit Monday |
| Fronleichnam | Thursday after Trinity Sunday | Corpus Christi |
| Maria Himmelfahrt | 15 August | Assumption Day (in Bavaria and Saarland) |
| Tag der Deutschen Einheit | 3 October | German Unity Day |
| Allerheiligen | 1 November | All Saints Day (in Catholic areas) |
| Volkstrauertag | 2 Sundays before Nov. Advent | National Day of Mourning |
| Weihnachten | 25 and 26 December | Christmas |
The Flag of Germany
The flag of Germany was adopted in its present form in 1919. It was readopted with the new constitution of 1949. It is a tricolor, made of three equal horizontal bands coloured black (top), red, and gold (bottom).
The Use of the National and State Flag
- The national flag is the German civil flag. It is also used as state flag by the non-federal authorities (e.g. the authorities of the German states use the German national flag together with their own state flag).
- The national flag is further used as state flag by the highest federal authorities (Bundestag, Bundesrat, Bundesversammlung, Chancellery, Constitutional Court) to show their connection to the German people. The other federal authorities use the Bundesdienstflagge as state flag.
- The national flag is used as state ensign by the non-federal authorities. The federal authorities use the Bundesdienstflagge as state ensign.
- The national flag is also used as civil ensign.
- The Bundesdienstflagge is also used as war flag. The German Navy uses the Bundesdienstflagge as war flag on land and the Flag of the German Navy as war ensign. The Flag of the German Navy is also used as Navy Jack.
Origins
There are several theories regarding the origins of this colour scheme and its inherent meaning. The first theory holds that the black and gold combination relates to the colours on the semi-official coat of arms of the Holy Roman Empire. These two colors would find their way into the flag of the Austrian Empire, created in 1804 by the last ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, Francis II. Within two years, and following Napoleon's victory over Austria at Austerlitz, the Holy Roman Empire ceased to exist. From that time onward, the two colors would be closely associated with Austria's Habsburg Dynasty, which appropriately became known as the "Black and Gold Monarchy."
The German relation to black and gold surfaced in the radical 1840's, when the black-red-gold flag was used to symbolize the movement against the Conservative European Order that was established after Napoleon's defeat. The area known today as Germany was carved into a loosely-knit German Confederation and republicanism was suppressed. This system preserved peace and maintained order in Europe, smothering the nationalist and liberal tendencies brought to life during the Napoleonic Era.
Only after harsh economic conditions struck in the 1840's did the radicals and nationalists get their chance to usher in change. During the Springtime of the Peoples, radicals took power and a National Assembly was finally formulated after serious deliberation. Nevertheless, the movement fell apart within a year, as the economy leveled out, radicals lost support and monarchists regained power. Also, internal disputes and numerous disagreements plagued the new government, although it had succeeded in drafting a constitution that declared "Basic Rights for the German People."
Still, the liberals failed in their efforts to create what is often referred to as a "Greater Germany". The Frankfurt Parliament had declared the black-red-gold as the official colours of the German Confederation, with the red in the tricolour most likely a referencing the Hanseatic League and the gold and black symbolizing Austria, as its Empire, considered to be "German", had an influence over (what would become) southern Germany. There are many theories in circulation regarding the origins of the colour scheme utilized in the 1848 flag. It has been proposed that the colors were those of the Jena Student's League, one of the radically-minded Burschenschaften banned by Metternich in the Carlsbad Decrees. Another claim goes back to the uniforms (mainly black with red facings and gold buttons) of the Lützow Free Corps, comprised mostly of university students, and formed during the struggle against the occupying forces of Napoleon. It is during the mid nineteenth century that red became synonymous with revolution and Karl Marx's socialist vision. Whatever the true explanation, these colours soon came to be regarded as the national colours of Germany during this brief period, and especially after their reintroduction during the Weimar period, they have become synonymous with liberalism in general.
There are a number of reasons why the Revolutions of 1848 failed, but partisan support was low to begin with, while painfully slow deliberation, conflicting political views and varied economic interests doomed the experiment altogether. Conservatives, such as the Junker class, emerged as the winners. There were other factors involved, including Prussia's startling growth which, coupled with Austria's gradual decline, increased the frequency of power-play politics in Central Europe. Still, it was Prussia's Friedrich Wilhelm IV - not the Austrians - who rejected the proposal to become Emperor of the Frankfurt liberals' Germany.
At the same time, Austria's status as a multiethnic empire complicated the dream of a united Greater Germany - the grossdeutsch solution. Eventually, Prussian leadership, largely influenced by Otto von Bismarck, settled for a Germany that excluded Austria. An important step towards this kleindeutsch solution was the Austro-Prussian War in 1866. Interestingly, the South-German States aligned with Austria, including Bavaria, Baden and Württemberg are said to have flown the black-red-gold flag, further illustrating the distinctions between the present day colour scheme and the northern, Prussian tradition. This direction was finalized after the conflict, as the German Confederation was officially disbanded and Prussia went on to form its unofficial successor, the North German Confederation, in 1867. On June 25 of that year, the coalition adopted a flag that blended the colours of its largest and smallest member Prussia (black and white) and the Hanseatic League (red and white) into a new black-white-red (schwarz-weiß-rot) horizontal tricolour. This flag would also be the national flag for the subsequent German Empire from 1871 to 1918, which finally replaced the German Confederation.
Following Germany's defeat in World War I this Imperial flag fell into disuse and the new Weimar Republic officially reinstated the black-red-gold sequence on August 11, 1919. Throughout the days of the Weimar Republic there was a debate on which flag to use, causing strong controversy, with monarchists and conservatives in favour of re-adopting the black-white-red flag. In 1926 the old black-white-red flag was once more admitted to use, but only for Germany's diplomatic missions overseas. When the Nazis came to power in 1933 the black-red-gold flag was entirely removed and replaced with the black-white-red, though they would eventually, on September 15, 1935, replace virtually all German governmental flags with designs based on the swastika flag that had been their party flag. It featured the same colours as the Imperial flag, but it was arranged as a red flag with a white disk in the centre containing a black swastika. The old black-white-red flag was then banned by the Nazis as "reactionary". (See flag of Nazi Germany.)
After the defeat of Germany in World War II, Germany was occupied by the Allies. The Allied Control Council banished the existing national flags, and issued an humiliating order designating the international signal pennant representing the letter "C" (minus a triangular cutout) as the provisional civil ensign of Germany: "C" stood for Capitulation. The Council stated that this "C-Pennant" (German, C-Doppelstander) "shall not be honored, and shall not be dipped as a salute to war and merchant ships of whichever nation."
After some debate, the black-red-gold flag was once again adopted as the federal flag for the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) on May 9, 1949. The German Democratic Republic (East Germany) had initially used the same flag, but on October 1, 1959 it introduced a communist emblem to the centre of the flag: a hammer (symbolizing the workers), and a pair of compasses (symbolizing the intellectuals) inside ears of grain (symbolizing the farmers). This remained almost until the territory of the former GDR was reunified with the Federal Republic of Germany in 1990 (the GDR formally removed the emblem shortly before reunification). The flag of the GDR was banned, and any use of it considered a criminal offence, in West Germany during much of the Cold War.
Currency in Germany
Here is some general information on Germany and the national currency (Euro) that I hope will be useful for anyone planning a trip here.
One of the first things you will need to do when planning your trip to Germany is convert your national currency to the Euro. To do this you can either get it prior to your departure at your local bank, or get it at the arrival airport in Germany at a currency conversion table. When converting currency at the airport table keep in mind that most are not open 24/7. Do not be surprised if the denomination of your converted currency is much less than that of your local currency. In recent years the Euro has been doing extremely well.
Another way to get Euro while in Germany is to use your ATM card. You can find an ATM at any bank. Most accept foreign ATM cards but not all. If your ATM card is rejected you will probably get a “card not in network” prompt on the screen. You can expect a foreign ATM charge of anywhere from 2 to 4 dollars, depending on your card provider, per transaction.
Do not be totally dependant on your foreign credit card. A lot of businesses in Germany do accept American/British/etc. credit cards but not near as many as in your local Country, for example, VISA is accepted in most gas stations but only a few restaurants. It is a good idea to take Euro cash along anytime you go on the economy in Germany. Some American based companies/restaurants take U.S. Dollars, for example, all McDonalds in Germany take American Dollars.
If you plan well and spend your money wisely Germany will prove to be a GREAT vacation experience. If you are planning a trip to Germany, Great choice and have a great time!
Driving in Germany
While chatting with an old friend the other day about my stay in Germany I was asked “Isn’t it weird driving on the left side of the road all the time?” Trying not to laugh I informed him that it is not weird because I do not drive on the left side of the road. This inspired me to right this article and hopefully shed some light on the ‘Basics’ of driving in Germany.
I will start off with some ‘common sense’ information like your drivers license. Of course if you are not a German citizen your drivers license may not authorize you to drive in Germany. You will need to contact your local license branch (BMV) and find out the steps you need to take to receive an international drivers license. I have not personally done this because I have a European military drivers license but from what I have heard it is not too hard to do or terribly costly.
Next of course is having a car to drive when you arrive in Germany. This is pretty obvious. Coordinate with any INTERNATIONAL car rental service and they can have a car ready and waiting for you at your arrival city. Another option is to rent the car in Germany, which is a pretty easy process as well. Most service representatives speak English and will be happy to help you out.
Now you will need to know the ‘meat and potatoes’ of driving in Germany, the traffic laws. If you are an American, or have driven in the U.S., you will find that driving in Germany is not much different. Without telling you every single travel law written in Germany, I will try to shed some light on some of the major differences:
Traffic lights: When pulling up to a traffic light you will notice that unlike the U.S. traffic lights which go from green to yellow to red and then directly back to green, German traffic lights will go from red to yellow and then green. This is nothing to worry about. I guess they just want to make sure you have it in gear and your ready to take off. The second thing, but extremely more important, is the ‘right on red’ rule we have in the U.S. This rule DOES NOT EXIST in Germany. If you try to make a right turn when the traffic light is red you may find yourself in a lot of pain and in a major lawsuit.
Autobahn: If you are thinking that the autobahn is the paradise for people with a lead foot you may end up with a speeding ticket. Although there are some stretches of the autobahn that have no speed limit there is a recommended speed limit of 120 kilometers per hour that you should obey. Granted, most do exceed this speed recommendation but now you know you CAN be ticketed.
Accidents: If you are the first on the seen of an accident in which someone has been injured you are required by law to provide assistance. Whether you simply stop and call an ambulance (112) not (911), or you provide medical aid, you must do something to help the casualty.
Where is Ausfahrt Germany? No Ausfahrt is not a city that seems to pop up everywhere you go. Ausfahrt is the German word for exit.
Public Transportation in Germany
You have decided to spend your vacation time in Germany. You reserved your plane and hotel, now you need to figure out how you will get around on your trip. You can always rent a car but it may be costly and you are an inexperienced driver in Europe. Now you need to learn more about public transportation.
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 by clickin.
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