Travel to Germany

The castle Neuschwanstein is one of the most famous palaces ever created. It is located in southern Germany, and it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Germany. Germany is known for their cold winters and mild summers, but the Republic of Germany has a rich history too. It dates back thousands of years to the Germanic tribes that lived in the region during the Roman Empire. In more recent times, Germany saw the completion of several castles during the 19th century. While Neuschwanstein Castle is the most famous castle in Germany, there are other castles you can visit too.
 

Dachau Palace: This castle was first established around the year 1100 in the German state of Bavaria. It was occupied by the Count of Dachau until 1182 when the last count died. The original castle was demolished in the late 1300s. In the 1500s, Duke of Bavaria William IV and Albert V ordered a new castle to be built at the same site. The castle was completed in 1577. It was occupied by the rulers of Bavaria for hundreds of years. Today, it is open for public viewing, and it also hosts public events throughout the year.

Schloss Hexenagger: Unlike the castle Neuschwanstein, this castle is not open to public viewing on a regular basis. It is open for public events at select times of the year. It has been mentioned in historical documents dating back to 982. It was destroyed during the Thirty Years War of the 1600s, and then it was rebuilt. Today the castle is privately owned, and visitors can see it during special events throughout the year.

Linderhof Palace: King Ludwig II never got to see the completion of castle Neuschwanstein, but he did get to see the completion of Linderhof Palace. As luck would have it, the Linderhof Palace was the only one of the castles that King Ludwig II saw to completion. It is smaller than some of the other castles, but it is still a site to behold! The castle was very private, and only a handful of rooms of the palace had any real function.

Neuschwanstein Castle: This is easily the most famous castle in Germany. Tourists who come to tour the palaces of Europe always make the castle Neuschwanstein part of their travel plans. Millions of visitors come to the castle every year to see the magnificent architecture and vibrant colors included inside the castle. It was never finished before King Ludwig died, but he did stay here for the last couple years of his life. This magnificent palace is open to the public daily.

Be sure to check out the castle Neuschwanstein and the other castles when you plan your European holiday. International travelers need to make sure to book their tickets ahead of time. If you are visiting in the winter months, you should plan to go skiing at the Zugspitze mountain. During the summer months, there are many hiking trails you can walk. For the best accommodations, be sure to check out the awesome füssen hotels and resorts directly in the city of Füssen.

Germany is a Federal Republic made if up of sixteen states. These German states are:


- Schelswig - Holstein

- Mecklenburg - Vorpommern

- Hamburg

- Bremen

- Brandenburg

- Berlin

- Lower Saxony

- Saxony - Anhalt

- North Rhine - estphalia

- Thuringia

- Saxony

- Hesse

- Rhineland Palatinate

- Saarland

- Bavaria

- Baden - Wuttemberg


Each of these states have a wealth of potential in the number of attractions for tourists in addition to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

The city of Berlin, which is a state on its own, is usually the first place tourists want to visit when they come to Germany. The German Parliament and the Brandenburg Gate are both national symbols of unity. The path of the Berlin Wall is clearly marked and there are few small segments of the wall still standing so you can gain some essence of what it used to be like. The Berlin Wall Museum will give you information about the people that often risked their lives to cross over this wall.

In Schleswig-Holstein you will truly experience the culture of the northern part of Germany. There are many whole villages that have been designated as museums. Lubeck is a city that has been designated as a World Heritage Site and contains a Museum Harbour of Baltic ships. There is a total of 260 museums in this state and there are numerous jazz and music festivals throughout the year.

Every city of Saxony has something new to offer visitors. Visit the Baroque Village Church in Seiffen and spend some time Erzgebirge Toy Museum. See the Pinge in Altenberg, which is a large crater formed by the collapse of mining shafts in 1620. In Oberweissenthal, you can visit Martin Luther Church. This church is the setting for a large Nativity scene at Christmas time.

Hamburg has so many sites to see and things to do that you will have to devote an entire vacation to this city alone. It is an easy city to navigate and from which you can take a tour of the Alster Lake. Make sure you visit the Sunday Fish Market, which is a city legend. The noon three-organ concert at St. Michael Church is sure to thrill you to the core.

Relax in a resort on the shores of the Baltic Sea when you visit Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. See the stone giant in Altentreplow, a town that dates back to the 13th century. If you want to take a bicycle trip into the mountains, there is no better place to start than the town of Hagenow.

Follow the trail of castles, walk the storybook trail of the Brothers Grimm and take a cruise on the Rhine or one of the other rivers of Germany.  The rail system connects all parts of the country and the highways are very modern if you wish to drive your own car. There are many types of accommodations, ranging from five star hotels to camp grounds. Experience authentic German cuisine or stay with your normal food in the many different restaurants offering food from all over the world.

Berlin: city of a new era
Today Berlin is a creative, dynamic place to visit with museums, theatres, many bars, cubs and restaurants. A city which was at the grim heart of 20th century European history, the Berlin of today has a tendency not to take itself too seriously.

Transport: how to get there and around
To reach Berlin by air, you will probably have to make a connection through Amsterdam or Frankfurt. Not many direct flights arrive in the city. The Train service in Germany is extremely efficient, you can get to Berlin from other European countries this way. The bus is also an option. The city itself has an underground system to help you get around, it is also cycle and pedestrian friendly. The East part of the city is served by a tram.

Weather
Berlin winter is between November and March and can be cold below zero. Throughout the rest of the year, rain is often a possibility.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Berlin.

Attractions & Events

Munich: Sophisticated capital of Bavaria
Munich creates images of ledehosen and beer, but this is a very incomplete picture. The city is sophisticated and has many cultural attractions including art galleries and museums.

Transport: how to get there and around
European flights are served by the Franz-Josef-Strauss Flughafen in Munich. From further a field you need to make a connection with Frankfurt airport. The train also serves many European cities. The city is served by buses and underground trains, which make is easy to get around. Munich is also a cycle friendly city.

Weather
You can catch some Munich sunshine during months April - May and also September - October. The coldest time of year is between November and March.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Munich.

Attractions & Events

Frankfurt: with a heart for art

Frankfurt is not as formal and business like as you might imagine. The city loves art and has many attractions at its museums. And its spectacular skyline is a work of art in itself. What's more, Frankfurt is Germany's most cosmopolitan city which adds to its pizzazz.

Transport: how to get there and around Frankfurt can easily be reached from all over Europe and beyond with it’s major airport and train station. The bus is also an option as Frankfurt links with many major cities. Like most other German cities, Frankfurt has excellent public transport, you are spoilt for choice, which is fortunate as walking is not really an option in the city.

However there are plenty of bicycle lanes for the cyclist.

Weather
Winter here is very cold and often has storms. For the best months come to Frankfurt between June and August.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Frankfurt.

Attractions & Events

Munich is the third largest city in Germany. But just because it does not have as many people as other cities does not mean that it does no good. Even though Munich may only be the third biggest city in Germany, it still has approximately 1.3 million people. This is enough to ensure that Munich is one of the most financially profitable cities in the country. Munich is also the capital of the state of Bavaria.

The city of Munich is located on the River Isar, and offers breathtaking views to visitors and residents alike. When it comes to the cities in Europe with the best views, Munich is also mentioned near the top of the list. The atmosphere alone draws in thousands of tourists on a yearly basis. The tourism industry is one reason that the city of Munich is so profitable in terms of money.

If you are a tourist the weather in Munich may leave something to be desired. Since it is located near both the Alps and the sea precipitation can be quite heavy regardless of what time of the year it is. For residents, the precipitation is no big deal because they deal with it every day of their lives. But tourists can often times get stuck in bad situations when the weather suddenly changes, and the rain starts to come down in buckets. For this reason it is important for visitors to always be prepared for the worst. During the summer months the average temperature in Munich is about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. But when the winter months roll around the cold temperatures are close behind. The winter months in Munich see low temperatures in the 30s as well as snow on a regular basis.

The city of Munich is home to several churches that have been standing in the area for quite some time. They are architecturally gorgeous, and are very popular attractions of tourists to the area. Munich is also the home to castles and theaters that also fall into the architecturally beautiful category. The Alte Hof is the most frequently visited castle in the area, and is a treasure to the city of Munich. The nightlife in Munich is among the best in Europe. The bottom line is that even if you are the biggest partier it will take you quite some time to frequent all of the hot spots in the city. These hot spots include dance clubs, bar, breweries, and restaurants just to name a few.

Servicing Munich through the sky is the Franz Josef Strauss International Airport. This airport has only been around since 1992 making it one of the most modern in all of Europe. Dont think that just because Munich is not the biggest city in Germany that there is nothing to see. If you get caught up in this trap you will end up missing some of the best attractions in Europe. Even if you only get to spend a day or two in Munich it will be well worth the trip.

Germany is home to thriving cities with endless beautiful natural landscapes to explore. Holidays in Germany are extremely popular especially with visitors from neighbouring European countries throughout the year. The country is home to the towering Alps as well as the Bavarian Plain famous for its gothic churches, medieval houses and bustling modern cities; it is easy to see why so many people enjoy holidays in Germany. Berlin and Munich are two of the more popular places to enjoy city breaks due to the abundance of tourist attractions including numerous World Heritage Sites, museums, international airports and world class football stadiums.

Discovering Munich

A huge part of Munch's tourist magnetism lies within its unique culture where visitors will find historic buildings dotted between contemporary skyscrapers offering an eclectic mix of old meets new. The arts scene is vibrant with world-renowned operas through to theatrical performances that can be seen here regularly. 

City breaks in Munich offer visitors the opportunity to taste local specialties such as weißwurst that are served with sweet mustard and pretzels but be warned that these should be consumed before 12:00 if you want to keep up to date with the local traditions. The largest festival in Germany, Oktoberfest, is held in Munich and attracts millions of beer guzzling visitors from around the world who come to taste various beers that are served in tents. 

The markets in Munich are another major tourist draw and the Viktualienmarkt is the oldest and most popular market that sells fresh foods every week. The local market women dress in traditional costumes and dance during the Fasching Carnival held in the square where the Viktualienmarkt is located. Christmas markets are another popular attraction in Munich. Over the festive period, thousands of visitors spend their holidays in Germany searching for the ideal Christmas gift. 

The nightlife in Munich is lively to say the very least and there are more than 6,000 establishments to enjoy in the bustling city where everyone from students to office workers can be found. On the outskirts of the city there are many natural landscapes to explore and these include the famous English Garden where a Japanese teahouse, a Chinese pagoda and a Greek temple can be seen.

Exploring Berlin

City breaks in Berlin attract millions of people every year and it lays claim to being the third most visited city in Europe. Its tourism sector is thriving and there are more than 700 hotels to choose from, boasting over 100,000 rooms to cater to the tastes and budgets of every visitor lucky enough to stay in Berlin. There are many waterways in Berlin that can be traversed by one of the 979 bridges in the city.

Berlin is famous for many of its noteworthy attractions. Here is a list of the top landmarks and must-see places:
 

With such varied tourist offerings, it is no wonder that millions of visitors flock to explore Germany's cities everyyear. The transport systems in both Munich and Berlin are of high quality allowing visitors to get around with ease. From parks and gardens through to museums and top restaurants, why not enjoy your next city break in one of these interesting cities in Germany.

Germany may not be the first place to go to when pampering is your primary concern but think again. Flying to Germany and using a car hire firm can be the perfect way to relax and recuperate after a hard week or even a hard couple of months. With a wealth of locations with striking scenery and charming villages, it really can be the ideal place to travel.

Using a hire car it is possible to visit many of the three hundred and fifty spas and beauty resorts in the country. The choice is exceptional with treatments ranging from traditional massage to far eastern methods such as Qi Gong Chinese energy exercise therapy. It is guaranteed that you will feel refreshed and raring to go when you jump in your hire car by the end of your break.

Driving down to Bavaria in southern Germany is something that everyone should do at least once in their lifetime. If looking for relaxation you need not look any farther than out of the hire car window, the scenery in this part of Germany is truly breathtaking, with glimmering lakes, picturesque Bavarian towns, lush pastures and commanding mountains the landscape oozes tranquility and peace.

Bavaria possesses some of the best spas in Europe and it is well worth hiring a car and visiting some of them. Treatments such as pine forest mud baths, deep breathing salt chambers and milk and honey baths ensure you will be feeling and looking your best by the end of your stay.

As well as Bavaria it is worth taking a hire car to Saxony, it offers the old time well being of sea air and the benefits that being by the sea can bring. With almost fifty dedicated spas and wellness resorts it offers great variety for whatever type of health holiday you are looking for.

With Saxony's varied range of landscapes, using a car hire a company is definitely advisable in this diverse region, the opportunity to tour its highland areas and coastal plains is too good to pass up.

If the mountains are your thing Baden Wurttemberg is the ideal location, here having a hire car gives the ability to go out and find the most tranquil mountainsides and find spots that offer majestic views and complete isolation, apart from the odd cowbell. Baden as the name suggests is the home of natural springs and mineral waters.

With fourteen separate springs in the region choice is paramount. These springs offer the chance to endure the harshness of outdoor unheated pools to the naturally hot springs, all with the benefits that mineral waters bring your skin and general wellbeing.

Whether going solo or taking company touring the spas of Germany in a hire car is heavily advisable, German roads offer little of the stress of those in Britain whilst the famous German efficiency is present throughout the nation's resorts.

It makes holidaying here a true pleasure, knowing that everything is being organized for you, and being organized well is such a bonus and allows you to switch off completely and totally enjoy your stay.

As you walk up to the car hire desk, hand your keys back and head to your plane it is clear that you will not be away from the German spas for long. With so much to see and do holidaying in Germany is an utter pleasure and with the way Germans go about their business relaxation is paramount.

As you hear the auf wiedersehen from your airline crew, being completely relaxed from your trip you will find it difficult not to return in the near future.