Travel to Germany

Germany has plenty of touristic attractions that can fascinate even the pickiest visitor. It has great history illustrated through great monuments and castles, it has one of the finest arts from all over the world, that can be admired both inside museums and outside, in the open air, it has modern buildings and great shopping opportunities, it also has beautiful natural landscapes that will awe any tourist, it has great cuisine and warm people, ready to help you when you need a hand. Germany has all that and much more, it is a complex touristic destination which needs to be discovered.

One of the best ways in which you can discover the essence of this country is by visiting it along the Romantic Road. This road is partially a commercial route that dated back from the Romans and which has reached its fame in Middle Ages. The medieval style and atmosphere has been largely preserved in the cities and villages across which this road passes, so that if you love history, this route will be an enchantment to your soul and mind.

The road starts in the south with Fussen, the city which hosts one of Germany's most spectacular castles, Neuschwanstein. Although left unfinished by King Ludwig II, this castle is a work of art, both on the inside and on the outside, a masterpiece which is worth your attention. Fussen is filled with touristic attractions, so besides the castle, you will have plenty of other things to see and do before leaving it.

Your next stop on the Romantic Road should be at Pfaffenwinkel or the Monk's Corner, a place well known for its beautiful churches. Here you will be able to discover all kinds of churches, built in different periods and different styles, from Gothic and Baroque to Rococo, a real enchantment for the eye.

Then, you will have to visit Rothenburg, the best preserved medieval town from Germany. You will see there the way in which people lived back in the medieval period and will have the opportunity to see some of the finest medieval buildings from the entire Germany.

Creglingen Region, Weikersheim and Würzburg are other obligatory stops on the Romanic Road. Other beautiful buildings and spectacular attractions are waiting for you to uncover their mysteries. The road ends at Würzburg from where you can head to Frankfurt for your next German destination.

The Romantic Road is probably one of the most spectacular touristic routes from Germany. In order to say that you know this country you have to go on this road for at least one time as here is hidden a large part of the German medieval history and culture.

There are millions of things which can be said about Germany. In fact, this country is probably one of the most interesting places and it is worth to see, no matter of your age or interests. You probably heard about the splendid landscape which surrounds you no matter where you choose to go, about the history which is preserved and shown with pride by the local community and about the joyous festivals which are held almost every month in one or another region of Germany.

Yet, in addition to the well-known German sites and the common activities, few know that Germany is also a great place for water activities. Yes, with the so many rivers, lakes and even a border with the ocean, it is quite likely to find a lot of activities which will attract watersports lovers and people who love adventure.

The most important river in Germany is the Danube. If you want to spend a day in nature you can go down the river and admire the wonderful sights and the beautiful architecture of the monasteries, churches and castles which were built on the river banks. It will be a pleasant way to pass the time. You can also go fishing on the river, as there are many species of fish going up and down the Danube. If you are a skilled and patient fisherman, you have great chances of making a great catch.

Lake Constance is the best known lake from Germany. Fed by the River Rhine, the lake is one of the most popular touristic attractions in Germany, especially because it is one of the longest lakes in Europe. If you like windsurfing, then this is the perfect place to go. You can rent a board and enjoy! There is also the possibility to go fishing in the lake or simply go swimming.

Then there are the shores of the Baltic Sea and North See. You can enjoy the sand and the water to get some moments of relaxation. Also, if you love water sports, there are a lot of possibilities to satisfy your passion. Who says that Germany is a boring country is so very wrong! In fact, this country is one of the most exciting and full of adventures. Try its lakes, rivers and sea shores for a great experience on water. After that, you will see how fun and relaxing Germany can be. So, take your friends and family and book a place to stay in Germany as soon as possible and enjoy all the things it has to offer.

History has not been in favour of German real estate investment, as the fallout of reunification was sluggish for the property market for a long period of time. However, the German property market is back with a vengeance and is gathering momentum on a daily basis! It took the Soccer World Cup of 2006 to revive the fortunes of the laidback property scenario within Germany.

Germany a late entrant in the real estate business is destined for higher plateaux. Though the country is considered as much more technologically advanced than most of its European counterparts, it is the housing segment that requires cosmetic work to bring it back to the forefront of the world's property stage.

Salient Features of Germany from Investment Point-of-View

Any prospective German real estate investor must ponder over the following features of the country before making up his mind -

Legal Position of foreigners owning property in Germany

The German government has not imposed harsher limits on the foreign ownership of real estate in the country. Non-Germans can also buy, own and sell an unrestricted quantity of land and homes. They can also hold property as landlords, and even develop property after satisfying certain simple rules and regulations. Buyers from EU countries have an added advantage of access to residency and labour rights as set out in EU law. The Non-EU investors must consult the local embassy regarding their rights in Germany.

A legal professional is required to carry out all the paper work in Germany for the real estate investors. This is because most of the administrative work requires to be executed in German, and despite your best knowledge of the language, you'll be ill at ease while handling German authorities. The German Banks are also offering low interest rates on mortgages. Most banks will lend up to 70 per cent of the purchase price, though you will have to fulfill certain conditions. The maximum mortgage terms are 30 years on a rate of fixed interest. See our page on getting a mortgage in Germany

Any property purchase in Germany is susceptible to Property Tax as per different rules of the different regions. However, the rates are not too prohibitive. Even the rental income is chargeable under Income Tax. It's better that you hire a local solicitor to guide you through the possible taxes regarding your property in Germany. In addition to offering property for sale in different locations in Germany we also have at your disposal a list of other useful tools to help in your decision making when considering buying a property in Germany :

- Buyers Guide to Germany - A useful article on the buying process when buying a property in Germany

- German Country Guide - A detailed guide to Germany including information on health, economy, business, travel, things to do, excursions and much more

- Locations in Germany - A current list of locations that have property for sale in Germany

- Airports in Germany - A guide to the main airports in Germany, where they are and how to get there

- Attractions in Germany - A list of popular tourist attractions in Germany

- Estate Agents in Germany - a directory of estate agents in Germany and a list of real estate agents selling property in Germany

- News Articles on Germany - A useful resource for learning about the country, what's happening and useful information on Germany

- German Shopping - A directory of useful resources to assist in your purchase or travel to Bulgaria including; Flights, Accommodations, Car Hire, Mortgages in Germany , Holidays, Lawyers and much more.

- Useful Resources - a list of useful resources that you might find of general use.

Germany continues to attract tourists from across the world every year thanks to the breathtaking landscapes, scenic beauty of the natural surroundings, best accommodation offerings. The hospitality of the German people adds to the tourism importance of Germany. 

There are some Germany tourist attractions that are a must see for the foreign tourists. The tourist attractions  appeal to the budget travelers thanks to the cheap and comfortable accommodation facilities that Germany boasts. The Top ten Germany Tourist Attractions include within its domain some internationally acclaimed names.

The Black Forest: The Black Forest located in the Southwestern Germany and is famous for originating the cuckoo clocks. Camping, hiking and skiing are the favorite activities that the tourists can indulge in at Black Forest.

The Frisian Island: This popular island surrounds the countries such as German, Denmark and Netherlands. Sylt and Amrum are two major islands of the Frasian Islands that are hot tourist spot with serene beaches, panoramic views and a quite retreat from the bustle of the city life.

Munich: Munich, the capital city of Bavaria, Germany is located on the River Isar which is on the northern side of Bavarian Alps. Munich is a popular tourist destination of Germany primarily because of the Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest is popular worldwide for the celebration of the Bavarian Beer.

Berlin: The city of Berlin is one of the most popular Cities of Germany. The place has a historic value that attracts the tourists from across the world.

Neuschwanstein Castle: This Castle is located near the border of Austria and is well known as a place that boasts a number of architectural marvels. The popular castle inspired by the concept of the Sleeping Beauty Castle is the most popular of all castles of Germany.

Lake Constance: Fed by the River Rhine, the Lake Constance is one of the longest rivers in Europe and is a famous and picturesque tourist attraction in Germany.

The Romantic Road: The Romantic Road is one of the most picturesque tourist attractions of Germany that goes winding from the River Main in the north towards the southern part of Alps crossing the scenic villages and towns.

Cologne: Cologne in Germany is another popular tourist attraction that is actually located upon the River Rhine. The picturesque city of Cologne is gifted with awe inspiring natural beauty and its own style of beer making.

Heidelberg: Heidelberg is picturesque town with a mind blowing skyline and a beautiful castle.

Dachau: Dachau is another tourist spot in Germany that offers a picture of the horrors that took place there. A guided tour is available that will take the tourists all around the concentration camps in Dachau. Visit Germany and enjoy the various tourist attractions that keep on attracting the nature lovers towards its domain. Germany has a lot of things to offer ranging from the history to art to culture to natural wonders.

Berlin rentals are very popular in this region of Germany. Berlin is a vacation paradise for holiday lovers throughout the world as this place is abundant in some of the most popular historical and cultural landmarks such as pergamon museum where the tourists can enjoy their holiday vacation to the fullest by exploring incredible artifacts inside the museum.

If you are ever planning for a self catering holiday to Berlin, then you must pre plan the top things that you must try doing in Berlin. Following is the brief description of the top five things that the visitors from across the world must try doing in Berlin-

Exhilarate yourself with sightseeing
Tourists must not miss to visit the spectacular historical sites of Berlin such as Haus der Wannsee-Konferenz, KZ-Sachsenhausen and Berlin Wall. It is advisable for the tourists to check out the religious sites of Berlin such as Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church where the tourists can do meditation in the calm and pure atmosphere of the church.

Tourists can make their pleasure trip an educational one by exploring the educating sites and libraries of Berlin such as Academy of Arts and Haus Amerika-Gedenkbibliothek.

Academy of arts offers arts exhibition for the tourists so as to make them explore the fantastic artifacts of Berlin region. Berlin is abundant in amazing museums such as DDR Museum, Pergamon Museum, Haus der Wannsee-Konferenz and Topography of Terror where the tourists can explore the amazing artifacts and historical equipments such as war remnants stored inside the museum.

Go for water sports
Water sports are the most in demand holiday activity for tourists coming to this place. One can enjoy water sports such as snorkeling and kayaking at the beautiful beaches such as Strandbar Mitte in this region. Tourists can enjoy water activities such as boating in the attractive lakes such as Mueggelsee and Schlachtensee in this region.

Try the outdoor land sports
Land sports are a must try holiday activity for all those coming to Berlin for a vacation. One can enjoy outdoor land sports such as biking, hiking and walking so as to check out the beautiful landscapes and wild animals such as beer in Berlin. Some of the most popular outdoor land sports destinations in Berlin include Schlachtensee, Tiergarten and Potsdamer Platz.

Enjoy shopping
Tourists can get full enjoyment in the Berlin holiday by going out for shopping at popular shopping destinations such as KulturBrauerei. One of the most alluring features of shopping in Berlin is that tourists can get interesting discounts on all the shopping items such as clothes and jewelry at shopping venues such as Brando 4. In order to get world's best collection of menswear, one can go shopping in specialty shops such as Tools & Gallery.

Don't miss the night fun
Berlin is one of the most popular tourist's destinations as it offers unmatchable night fun to the tourists in its world class night clubs such as Bar am Lutzowplatz. Tourists can get to taste best wine and beer brands in the popular bars of Berlin such as The Badeschiff.

This place is abundant in bars such as Laugh Olympics where the tourists can laugh like crazy by enjoying the comedy shows organized for the guests. Families and couples come to Berlin and its region of Germany to rent holiday accommodation giving them the freedom to explore this diverse and splendid area.

The self catering home gives them the option to visit beautiful markets and cater for themselves or sample an abundance of restaurants locally, world class dining experience in the efficient eating places of Berlin such as Cafe Einstein offering delectable food to the guests.

Rhineland Palatinate is a magical state for all those people who want to have leisure filled time during vacations. Rhineland Palatinate is a federal state of Germany and is regarded as one of the most visited states of Germany. German rentals are very popular in the Rhineland Palatinate region. This is because there is lot in store to explore here.

Be it museums, cultural sites or amusement parks, it has everything one can ever desire in a destination. The travelers can view beautiful castles and old mills that were used in the ancient times. All these cultural heritage sites give an edge to Rhineland Palatinate and history buffs always get fascinated while visiting them.

Rhineland Palatinate is basically an assortment of traditional villages and bustling city life. Despite major advancements in technology and infrastructure, Rhineland Palatinate has preserved its culture and history in historical monuments and museums in a beautiful way. When one travels here, it is unthinkable to miss top rated attractions including cathedral of St Peter and roman monuments to name a few.

If you are true connoisseur of wine and want to taste the world's best wines, then here this is the ultimate place that can cater to your taste buds. Nahe and Moselle, located in Rhineland Palatinate are the major producers of wine all over the world. Both these terrains are incredible wine producers ranging from red to white wine.

These wines are exported worldwide and Rhineland Palatinate also organizes wine festivals wherein you can have a wide array of wines. This festival is attended by thousands of people from all over the world. Holiday rentals in this state give a visitor a true feel of the German way of life.

Rhineland Palatinate is best suited for all those travelers who want to be in shopping spree. This is because Rhineland Palatinate has a wide range of shopping malls, retail outlets, markets and shopping complex.

These shopping places have various kinds of designer wears including Gucci, Levis, lee copper and Spykars; art and craft displays such as antiques and collectibles of 18th century watches, paintings, wall papers, and vases; hi-tech gadgets like computers, iPod, water game machines and mobiles.

Rhineland Palatinate is a treat for all those people who have craze for the sport of golf. Golfing activity is widely spread here as we have hundreds of golf courses dispersed all over Rhineland Palatinate. These golf courses are maintained using the latest technology, to which you can enjoy vast views of lush greenery. These golf courses are generally visited for their serene landscapes that captivate hearts and provide peace of mind.

Spas are the new watchword that attracts thousands of visitors here. This is because spa treatment offered in Rhineland Palatinate help in rejuvenating body, mind and soul in an exotic way. The exclusive range of spa treatments provided in the resorts make the whole experience absolutely rocking.

So, embark upon this beautiful destination and gather memories for life time as Rhineland Palatinate entertains all age groups in a mesmerizing way.

The diversity of the Rhineland Palatinate region make it a very popular area for self catering holidays, giving the visitor the time and frredom to explore the culture, food, shopping and scenery and make it a truly great holiday.

Berlin is the largest city of Germany and boasts of many tourist attractions and places of interest. Berlin offers some of the best exclusive hotels to its visitors where you will find the best of hospitality and warmth.

Berlin hotels offer good budget accommodation making Berlin City a popular destination for those visiting. Your stay in Berlin becomes quite an experience, when you check into any of the Berlin Hotels. Promising exceptional service and facilities, accommodations in Berlin are easy to find. There are as many Star Hotels in Berlin as there are cheap hotels. Besides putting up at Hotels in Berlin, Inns, bed and breakfast accommodations and apartments are good options as well.

Attractions

The nightlife of Berlin remains active even during the wee hours of night. From thumping discotheques to somber cafe and pubs, Berlin's nightlife boasts of it all. So, whether or not you are a night animal, Berlin has something to offer you. Shopping is another activity that one can indulge in to unwind. Among the renowned malls in Berlin are 'Arkaden am Potsdamer Platz' and the Europa Center. Well equipped with modern facility and globally acclaimed brands, the shopping malls of Berlin provide a pleasant experience to the shoppers.

List Of Renowned Berlin Hotels

Full of attractions and beauty, Berlin also has many picturesque places to visit along with first-rate Berlin Hotels. Below are some renowned hotels in Berlin that will definitely give you a taste of the dynamic city Berlin.

- Hotel Athlon Kempinski Berlin

Athlon is the best known hotel in Germany with more than 100 years of history. Entering the hotel you will feel an atmosphere inspired by its illustrious past. With amenities and facilities that will meet the desires of even the most demanding guests in comfort and service.

- Hotel Palace Berlin

Located in the centre of the city between the Memorial Church, Kurfürstendamm and the KaDeWe department store, and just a few minutes from Potsdamer Platz and the Brandenburg Gate, Hotel Palace Berlin is a "Leading Hotel of the World", has 282 rooms and suites, furnished and equipped with everything today's traveler needs.

- Q! Hotel Berlin

Located centrally on the Kurfürstendamm in Berlin the Q! Hotel has won several awards including the travel and leisure design award. This 5 star hotel with 72 rooms’ offers exceptional design and high level of personal service has set new standards in Germany. Make your visit to Berlin truly memorable by staying in this luxury design hotel.

- The Mandala Hotel

The Mandala Hotel at the Potsdamer Platz offers an experience in design, light and aesthetics. Enjoy the high level of service and amenities in the heart of vibrant Berlin. With 166 luxury suites with functionality and in pure designs, the Mandala sees luxury as attitude rather than extravagance. This results in pure vitality, magnified by the attentive service and sophisticated atmosphere.

Cheaper Accommodation Hotels

In Germany, besides staying in 5 start hotels, you can also opt to stay in a hotel of the GDR epoch and plunge in the atmosphere of that time. The most popular hotel of this type is the Berlin hotel "Ostel" with people almost staying in queue to stay there. The cost of accommodation is rather democratic here: 35 Euros per person in four-roomed GDR-apartments for five people, and from 38 Euros in the standard single room.

Hotels in Berlin are very easy to find. With the array of different kinds of accommodation varying from luxurious Berlin Hotels to GDR hotels you may simply choose among the many that best suites you budget and taste.

Mecklenburg Vorpommern, also known as Mecklenburg Western Pomerania, is a state of northern Germany which comprises of two regions, Western Pomerania and Mecklenburg. Because of its long and difficult name, it is also abbreviated as Meck-Pomm or even MV. The coastline of the Baltic Sea along with its islands, the Mecklenburg Lake District and the cities are quite popular among the tourists.

Being one of the least densely populated states of Germany, it is full of farmland dotting and natural beauty. The major cities of the state include Schwerin, Greifswald, Stralsund, Neubrandenburg, Rostock and Wismar. German rentals are very popular in the Mecklenburg Vorpommern region.

The first thing you will find very interesting in the state is to explore its architecture. It has been characterized by Hanseatic style of architecture which is also prevalent in other areas of Northern Germany including Lubeck and countries such as Tallinn, Estonia, Riga and Latvia. One of the several features of several towns in the state is churches made up of gothic red brick which date back to Middle Ages. Old towns are generally built around the market places with a town hall or a church.

Usually, towns were built at Baltic Sea, a river of a lake for trade related reasons. The state attracts a large number of tourists as it has to offer more than 2000 castles, manor houses and palaces where concerts, functions and festivals are regularly held.
The second activity that most visitors enjoy in Mecklenburg Vorpommern is enjoying its art, theatres and museums.

Several cultural events are held here throughout the year and apart from several art galleries and museums, the Stralsund also offers popular German Maritime Museum and German Amber Museum. During the summer season, several operas and open air concerts are held in the state. The Music festival of the state known as Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern attracts a large number of audience as classical concerts performances are held in several castles, churches and parks of the state.

The paintings of Caspar David Friedrich, a popular romanticist painter from Greifswald, have decorated several parts of the state that are worth a view. The old towns of Stralsund and Wismar are listed among the UNESCO world heritage sites and they feature late red brick gothic architecture typical of the Hanseatic cities.

The third thing that is most enjoyable in Mecklenburg Vorpommern is its foods and drinks. The state has its own traditional dishes including beef, pork and fish. A special kind of bratwurst is available in Rostock known as Rostocker Bratwurst. The markets and restaurants of this region make a self catering holiday very easy especially with a nice glass of German wine. Being a state of a thousand lakes, it is characterized mainly by its original nature.

Its varied coastline provides peninsulas like Fischland Darss Zingst and islands such as Rugen, Usedom and Hiddensee. Several lakes in Mecklenburg Lake District are popular among the sailing and fishing lovers and thus this is the fourth activity that most people enjoy in the state.

The fifth activity is a treat for the sports lovers. Major sport attractions of the state include the Bundesliga football club, Hanse Sail and Hansa Rostock. It has also bid for the Summer Olympics 2012.

The diversity of the Mecklenburg Vorpommern region make it a very popular region for a self catering holiday, giving the visitor the time and freedom to explore this area , its food and culture.

At the heart of the EU, Germany is a federal republic comprising sixteen 'Bundeslander' (states). Re-united in 1990 after forty five years of separation into the Soviet controlled East Germany and West Germany, the country has borders with France, Luxembourg, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Poland.

It also has a North Sea coastline to the north west, and Baltic Sea coastlines to the north east.

To the south are the Bavarian Alps. Almost a third of the country comprises forest and woodland.

Germany is a major industrial nation with major interests in car manufacturing and engineering as well as in service industries such as insurance and banking. It is the world's largest exporter and the second largest importer. It is also the UK's second largest export market, after the US.

The Foreign Office reports that more than a decade after reunification, there are still differences in living standards between the eastern and western Bundeslander with unemployment still a key issue in the east.

According to the Foreign Office there is a general threat from terrorism in Germany. 'Such attacks could be indiscriminate, including in public places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers'. However, 'most visits to Germany are trouble free', it said.

UK citizens do not require a visa to enter Germany. However, those intending to stay three months or longer must register with the German authorities (the Einwohnermeldeamt) within seven days of arrival.

Those staying in Germany for a short visit are not normally required to register. Hotels are legally obliged to register guests and this information is passed automatically to Einwohnermeldeamt. There is no longer a requirement for EU Citizens to apply for a residence permit.

British investors are free to purchase property in Germany without restriction.

German people have a long tradition of renting their homes while the tax system mitigates against property speculation and buying costs are relatively high - around six to eight per cent of the purchase price plus an agent's commission of approximately six per cent plus VAT. The upshot is that the property market is relatively slow meaning that investing in Germany should be for longer term capital growth.

In the interim, buy to let investors looking for rental returns can benefit by German property prices not having moved ahead at the same pace as EU partners and by strong rental demand from long term tenants.

Rental yields are said to be as high as ten per cent in major cities although this is often in poorer areas where property values are expecting to fall - more realistic expectations in nicer areas would be between four and six per cent.

With many Germans moving from the poorer east to the more affluent west, there is a housing surplus in the east - much is in a poor state and earmarked for demolition or renovation. Germany also plans a major home building programme over the next few years, so shortages are quite unlikely.

When purchasing property there is usually no pre-completion contract. The terms and conditions of the final contract - which must be signed before a notary (who acts for both sides) are for agreement between the parties. Buyers need to employ their own lawyer, and should have contracts translated if necessary, they are also recommended also to employ a tax accountant.

Buyers must also satisfy themselves on the condition of the property they are purchasing. Mortgage financing is available, for up to seventy per cent of the purchase price. Long term fixed rate terms at relatively low rates of interest are on offer.

Capital gains tax applies when properties are held for less than ten years - although the tax may apply to all properties from 2008.