Travel

You can travel to and through Germany by train or air, stay in luxury hotels and even castles and enjoy modern light cuisine at star-rated restaurants.

From adventure to relaxation, a last minute weekend break or a well-planned journey there is something to look at in every town across Germany, and a beer waiting at every local tavern.

If you re in for adventure travel, one thing I recommend is to hike the Teutoburg Forest. covering more than 2,500 km of bike trails or even surf (clothing optional) throughout the South.

Another tip is to spend some quality time in the Black Forest during winter and enjoy skiing and/or sledding extensively. Or, in summer, vacation in the Eifel and Bergisches Land regions to do in summer what one can do in winter sledding on one of the various Sommerrodelbahnen (Summer Sledding Tracks).

Seeking more upscale culture and trade? Wine tours in the South, Romanesque architecture tours in the middle and city tours in the North are also on offer. Naturally, you ll want to see Mainhattan , Stuttgart or Hanover if you are traveling for business purposes.

Even more appealing is that traveling to and throughout Germany won t break the bank. Budget travel in Germany is possible by making a few plans in advance and eventually joining up with local travelers along the way. Budget travel tickets are a competitive market in this country, and even travelers with deep pockets won t have to shell out big bucks for airfare.

Even if you decide to travel to Germany on the spur of the moment (I m also a fan of spontaneity ;-), last minute travel is easy. There are many ways to get around and places to stay and visit that do not require advance bookings.

Most countries provide direct or near-direct air travel to Germany ; plus, one can take a domestic flight to just about anywhere in under an hour. You can plan your trip out of any of the major German international airports in Frankfurt am Main. Berlin. Munich or Dusseldorf .

Flying within Europe is very convenient and, if you re traveling on a budget, even cheaper, as low-cost carriers like Germanwings compete with Ryanair on routes. If quality is more important to you (same with me), then I strongly recommend Lufthansa as this is the best company to air travel with.

Few countries outside the European Union require a visa to enter Germany and you can stay up to three months without one. It is, however, a good idea to check with your travel agent or local German Embassy if you have any queries or wish to apply for a work visa.

You can also get around using the public transport system. It is probably the most advanced worldwide. There is an extensive route network providing stops in each and every corner, literally. Within the cities, this can be a bus, tram, trolley or subway.

Prices are modest, and means are up to a very high standard. And if you stay longer and will use public transportation more often, there are tickets for various circumstances available such as for certain time frames (ex. 24-hour, 3-day, week, month, year) and life cycles (family tickets, senior tickets, student tickets, etc).

Some tourists even fly in just to experience car travel German style, zipping between destinations with ease and speeeed. The regular highway system and the well-known German Autobahn make driving a pleasure rather than a chore.

In addition, some car rental companies offer special prices or discounts when renting a car over weekends or for longer than just a few days consider weeks or even months if you stay that long. Just ask the clerks, and you may be surprised by the prices they ll offer you. -)

If you don t want to try driving and find traveling by bus rather thorny, there is always the train. By traveling by train to and through Germany you will experience the efficiency and comfort of the high-class German Rail system. In short, traveling through Germany by train is one of those experiences you will remember for the rest of your life. -)

Trains leave on time, move at high speeds and offer comfortable seating. There are also many seasonal and promotional passes to make train travel in Germany an even better deal. Plus, connecting from one European city to another is a real pleasure nowadays.

Germany is country of animal lovers. And while we have plenty of regulations regarding pet travel to Germany. the system is designed with the safety of people and animals in mind.

Of course, seeing the whole country should take more than one day of running from place to place. Fortunately, the hotel scene in Germany is one of the best kept secrets in Europe providing both first-class services and competitive rates. Plus, check in and check out times are flexible in many hotels, and breakfast is often included.

Staying longer or looking for something different? Hire a holiday home and live independently or stay in a cheap local hostel (often at luxurious places) or comfortable cozy bed and breakfast.

Of course, one thing you may need to consider when you travel to Germany is learning a little, or brushing up on, your German. You will find that most people speak English, French and even a local dialect and the people are friendly and happy to help you out if you are lost. Buy a good, simple language guide or audio program and carry it with you on your trip.