|
|
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Get exclusive travel deals, trip reviews, and unique adventure travel ideas monthly.
|
|
BerlinFor most of the latter part of the 20th century, Berlin has stood as a symbol of the division between East and West, split by the infamous fortified wall erected to separate the socialist sector from the democratic district. When the Berlin Wall was pulled down in 1990 the city discovered that it suddenly had two of everything, most notably two very distinct societies separated both socially and economically. The past decade has seen Berlin embracing unification and rebuilding itself as a modern European capital.
More than 100 streets have been reconnected, and signs of
the Wall's existence have all but disappeared. Years of division are still reflected in the new city's architecture, however, with a modern city of skyscrapers, retail centers and urban developments in the West contrasting with most of the pre-War city that remains in the East.
For nearly 30 years the Wall sealed off the imposing Brandenburg Gate from the West, but now traffic passes through it freely. Similarly Alexanderplatz, which was one of the main centers of 1920s Berlin, and later post-war East Germany, has once again become one of the city's focal centers. The site of the infamous Check Point Charlie with its threatening monitoring tower erected to ensure no one crossed over from East to West, is now a museum, and while the tower no longer stands, visitors can see the East Side Gallery, a surviving chunk of the real Wall, now decorated by local artists.
Berlin is once again a vibrant center for the arts, with many museums, galleries and theaters. At the Kulturforum visitors will find a number of impressive museums and concert venues from the spectacular Berliner Philharmonie concert hall to the complex's Picture Gallery, which houses a vast collection of European paintings from the 13th to 18th centuries.
Berlin still boasts a fantastic nightlife, and while tastes have changed since the height of the cabaret halls of the 1920s and 30s, there is a vast array of venues catering to all tastes. Berlin's calendar is also packed with festivals and parties from the Christopher Street Day gay and lesbian parade in June to the massive Love Parade dance party in July and the Jazz Fest Berlin in November.
Getting Around: The Berlin public transport system is efficient, if expensive, and the combination of buses, trams, ferries, the U-Bahn (underground) and S-Bahn (commuter rail) reaches every part of the sprawling city and its surrounds. The U-Bahn and S-Bahn are the best ways of getting around; buses cover the parts of the city that cannot be reached by train, and East Berlin has a network of modernized, pre-war trams. One type of ticket is valid on all forms of transport and fares are divided into three color-coded tariff zones. A number of passes are available, including daily, weekly or monthly tickets. The Berlin Welcome Card is valid for 72 hours and gives unlimited travel for an adult and three children, plus discounts at many museums, theaters and tourist attractions. Driving in Berlin is easier than in most big cities, but in general is still not recommended, as traffic is heavy and parking difficult. Taxis are plentiful, but it is cheaper to hail one in the street than to call ahead at one of the many call stands around the city. Cycling is also recommended, especially in West Berlin, which is well-equipped with cycle paths and trains have special cars where bicycles can be carried.
MunichThe Bavarian city of Munich, center of southern Germany, is one of the country's favorite tourist destinations, offering a unique combination of modern flair and traditional charm, all mixed together with a heavy helping of 'Gemutlichkeit', the special German term for hearty, happy, healthy togetherness.
Traditionally the city, famous for its breweries and beer halls, conjures up images of jolly red-cheeked, portly men in lederhosen, downing steins of beer. There is plenty of this fun to be had, but Munich and the Bavarian region has plenty more to recommend it to visitors. The city has numerous great museums, art treasures, hi-tech industries and gems of Gothic and Baroque architecture. It is also the gateway to the Bavarian Alps, drawing winter sports enthusiasts from near and far.
Munich itself was founded in 1158 on the River Isar, and acquired its name, Munchen (home of the monks) from its first monastery. It was the monks that started the beer brewing tradition for which the city is now world famous, particularly since it started celebrating an annual beer festival in 1810. Today close on six million people visit the Oktoberfest every year, and consume more than five and a half million liters of beer during its two-week run.
Getting Around: Munich's city center is a pedestrian zone, so many of its attractions can be reached on foot. The city's efficient and integrated public transport system is excellent for getting around beyond the center; it consists of buses, trams, the U-bahn (subway) and the S-bahn (suburban train) that operate from about 5am to 1am, with hourly buses and trams servicing main routes throughout the night. Tickets must be validated on entering stations or on boarding, and are transferable between all forms of transport, and valid for two hours after being stamped as long as one travels in the same direction. Fares are zone based. There are various day passes available as well as the München Welcome Card, which covers all transport within the city and includes discounts to the main attractions. Taxis are safe and convenient, but expensive.
FrankfurtVisitors to Germany do not find much to make them linger in the sprawling city of Frankfurt on the River Main, unless their purpose is business rather than pleasure. For most visitors to the country, however, Frankfurt's huge showpiece airport is the point of arrival and departure. The city is a major transport hub and an industrial and financial metropolis that ensures it is the economic powerhouse not only of Germany, but central Europe. Frankfurt is home to Germany's central bank, the Bundesbank and Europe's most important stock exchange, which has been trading since 1585.
For tourists Frankfurt does offer some sights, some intriguing restaurants in the Nordend, a variety of artistic and cultural events, and excellent shopping opportunities. Sightseeing opportunities are mostly confined to the historical core of the city, known as the Romerberg, where Charlemagne erected his fort in medieval times. Most of the original buildings were destroyed during World War II, but some have been reconstructed, including the home of Goethe, Frankfurt's famous son who became Germany's greatest writer. For shopping it is hard to beat the Zeil, Germany's equivalent to New York's Fifth Avenue.
With its excellent rail connections and Autobahn system, Frankfurt is the natural hub for travelers wishing to explore the surrounding towns and countryside. It is also the venue for numerous trade fairs, exhibitions and congresses, drawing about 12-million visitors a year to these events. The largest and best known is the annual International Book Fair, which is attended by thousands of publishers.
Getting Around: Public transport in the city is expensive, but efficient, consisting of an integrated network of fast, modern underground U-Bahn lines, S-Bahn city trains, trams and buses that operate from 4am to 2am. Several night bus routes also operate from 1am. Fares are standard and are based on a zone system; most tickets are valid for an hour and can be used for any amount of transfers between all modes of public transport within that time. A variety of tickets can be bought from machines at most stops including hourly and daily passes, and tickets must be bought prior to boarding; single ticket fares are more expensive during rush hours. The Frankfurt Card (available from the tourist office) is good value allowing for unlimited travel within greater Frankfurt, plus airport shuttle transport and half price admission to museums. For those attending a conference in Frankfurt, the tourist office has a one-day Congress Ticket valid for unlimited travel in the city and to the airport. Taxis are safe and plentiful, but expensive. Driving a car in the city involves rush hour congestion, expensive parking lots and confusing road systems so it's best to park and use public transport while in the city.
The Black ForestThe Black Forest (
Schwarzwaldin German) covers a range of birch and pine studded hills along 100 miles (161km) of southwest Germany's border with France. The forest is renowned as a holiday mecca with its picturesque fairy-tale villages, spa-bath resorts, hiking trails and ski resorts. The first famous holidaymaker to enjoy rest and recuperation in the Black Forest was the Roman emperor Caracalla who stopped at the natural spring waters, at what is now the town of Baden-Baden, around 2,000 years ago. Since then the Forest has been the chosen destination of the rich and famous: everyone who is anyone from Napoleon to Mark Twain has come to take the waters and enjoy the forest's natural beauty.
In medieval times the local people developed the traditional skills of woodcarving, glass-blowing, jewelry-making and clock-making, and these are still followed today to the delight of tourists with spending money in their pockets. The Black Forest has also become known for its local delicacies like Black Forest ham and cherry cake.
The most central town in the Black Forest is Freudenstadt, which is the starting point for hundreds of miles of hiking and ski-trails through the nearby hills. Most visitors, however, prefer to find accommodation in guest lodges in the small villages sprinkled throughout the region, exploring by car, on foot or bicycle.
HamburgHamburg is a watery city, geographically, historically and atmospherically. It is Germany's second largest city and lies on the Elbe River, for centuries a major port and trading center for central Europe. The city has a network of canals that rival those of Venice (it is said to have more bridges than Venice) and is centered on two artificial lakes that take up eight percent of its total area. Probably because of all the water, Hamburg is also known as Germany's 'green city', sporting 1,400 parks and gardens. Modern buildings sit cheek by jowl with historic Baroque and Renaissance architecture, and by night the neon lights dazzle all-night revelers, particularly in the city's notorious red light district, the Reeperbahn.
Hamburg was founded in 810 by Charlemagne and earned its place in history by becoming the most strategic port in the Hanseatic League of North German cities which controlled trade in the Baltic and North Seas between the 13th and 15th centuries. A great fire destroyed much of the city in 1842, and a century later World War II bombing raids again laid it waste, but Hamburg bounced back with style, thanks to the wealth garnered from its position as a trading center. The city's tourist board claims that Hamburg is now home to more millionaires per capita than any other city in Europe.
Most of the sights of interest to tourists in the city are centered on its maritime traditions, particularly in the harbor area, where the 'Warehouse district' has been transformed into an entertaining destination offering several attractions. Further afield Hamburg is the gateway to the seaside and spa resorts of the Baltic and North Sea coastline.
Getting Around: Hamburg's extensive public transport system consists of the U-Bahn (subway), the S-Bahn (suburban train), buses and harbor ferries, and makes getting around without a car pleasurable. The U-Bahn is excellent and serves the whole city center; it connects with the S-Bahn that services the suburbs, and this train network is the fastest way to get around the city. Buses are also convenient and night buses operate in the downtown area. The Hamburg Card allows unlimited travel for a day on all public transport as well as discounted rates or free admission to museums, on city tours and lake cruises. Taxis are less expensive than other German cities and are available at all hours.
Next Page »
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
Related Germany Content
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Germany City Guides:
|
Concierge.com Insider Guides:
|
|
Germany Community:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.jpg "A Castle")
