German Tourism

If you mix holiday escapades with shopping sprees, then you are a natural born traveler. You see, it is innate for travelers to explore new environment, while at the same time, purchase certain things that will help remind them of the place they have visited.

So, where exactly is the top destination to do shopping? Where else but Germany, the shopper's idea of paradise. In my previous post, I explained that many tourists love to explore the various shopping establishments in Germany because the country is among the cheapest shopping spots in the world. I really have no explanations why shopping in Germany is not a form of extravagance. It is much better to take advantage on such a cool fact and start some serious shopping in the numerous establishments found in the cities of Germany.

Of course, when you go shopping in Germany, it is must to carry with you the right currency for your shopping expenses. Remember that just like another country in Europe, Germany uses Euro as their currency. As you start your shopping escapade, head to the cities' center districts and there you will find all kinds of shopping establishments. You will find everything you need in hundreds of stores in Germany's prime cities, particularly in Berlin. Now, if you wish to have some serious shopping escapade while traveling, Germany is the first place for you to visit.

If I will put into one word my whole vacation experience at Cologne Germany, the word would be "fascinating." I was there two months ago, because I had to accompany my sister in her new dormitory. What can I say? The city is truly a magnificent blend of uniqueness and glamor that sets it apart from Germany's major cities. I was instantly captivated by the attractive tourist destinations of Cologne and my memories of my stay will always be with me.

Located near the famous River Rhine of Germany, Cologne has a unique dialect and superb means of making or producing beer. Aside from that, the city is also regarded for two important tourism factors: the city's noted fragrances and popular cathedrals. The city's name was coined after an Italian retailer who first marketed a very popular water fragrant in Germany. I guess that is quite a name for the city.

The largest edifice in the whole region of Germany is none other than the Cologne Cathedral. The construction of the building took place almost 600 years ago. Due to immense size of the cathedral, several construction pauses took place between years 1248 and 1880. Cologne Cathedral's towers stood magnificently in the sky. Found inside the cathedral is the Sarcophagus of the Magi, which is a known treasured artifact of Kolner Dom.

Germany that is once associated with the Axis power in World War I is now one of the pleasurevilles in Europe. Actually, it does not even compare to the carnage and truculence once attached and labeled to the German leader, Adolf Hitler. The towns personify a more quiet and progressive scenery in this fast-changing world.

A tourist in Germany may spend plenty of time in a strand of endless sight-seeing. We often hear about their famous landmarks and musuems situated in different cities. You may also take part in numerous events and holiday celebrations. But with all this fun, your body may also wear out from fatigue and so much excitement. So why not visit a resort spa and have a German holiday with your health?!

Verdant and serene, Baden-Baden resort spa is a fitting refuge for rest and meditation. Relax your body and free your mind from wearineess. Sitting at the foot of the Black Forest mountains, you mights as well indulge yourself in hot springs that contains salt and radon, and with a basking temperature at 70°C with. Mild, warm and reflective- these will surely enhance your circulation and flow.

In itself, it is natural health paradise for it also offers various treatments in musculo-skeletal and cardio-vascular illnesses; and gynaecological problems; nervous system disorders; psychosomatic fatigue as well as convalescence and infirmity. Who knows, that could also be a soul-enhancing experience!

Is there a real Black forest? The answer lies in Frieburg. The forest we are talking of here is not a cake, but a real forest land with green pastures found in the aged city of Frieburg. It could be reached on the southernmost part of the forest near France and Switzerland. Small as it may see, it has an approximate population of 200,000.

Frieburg is renowned for its Albert-Ludwigs university, gigantic cathedrals, and medieval heritage. It has a high population of students that seem to give Frieburg a bohemian character. The people of Frieburg has an abundant cultural display that includes artists, musicians, theaters, and concerts.

Frieburg was greatly affected by the war initiated by the German tyrant leader. But its people painstakingly reconstructed Frieburg, and years after, they have successfully created an array of historical buildings in Altstadt and a cathedral with a tower that offers a scenic view of Frieburg. Also, the canals were made to flow once more while the vineyards in Breisach flourished again after the massive destruction.

Frieburg also holds a fair on the month of May that lasts for more than a week. A month after, it celebrates Zeltmusikfestival, a musical festival, and Weintagen or wine festivities. Meanwhile, the wine makers in Frieburg hold Weincost or wine tasting festivity during August.

I am not a classical music fanatic, but I would like to experience the grand festival for Mozart. Aside from being a genius in the music world, his symphonies have reached the farthest corners of the earth, thus making him the icon of classical music genre. I wonder if the participants in the said celebration are required to dress like Mozart. That would be exciting.

This grand celebration is almost similar to that of the Beethoven music festival, only, included in the program are ballerinas, audio presentations of the life of Mozart, and huge balloons sculpted in the image of Mozart. All these fantastic acts will be done in a single grand stage set up until May 20.

The main highlight of the celebration will be held from May 12 to May 28. During this time, the famous conductor Bruno Weil will conduct "Tafelmusic Orchestra" to perform four of the most important masterpiece of Mozart during his Salzburg years.

I admire the people of Augsburg for having the music and memory of Mozart preserved after all these years. It is worth mentioning that Renaissance buildings could still be seen in Augsburg. All the world could feast its eyes and float with the great symphonies come the special event. I wish I could go to Augsburg. It would be an awesome experience to be with the celebration.

Fairy tales, if you dare ask me, is true. How come I was able to say so? I might even take digital pictures of these fairy tale characters and wave the proofs in front of you. No fancy, there are fictional characters roaming around on corner of Germany. Do not get fooled, man; they are there for no less than for purposes of tourism.

On the lighter side, let us pay tribute to the Brothers Grimm. If you remember, their movie was released earlier this year. The film featured almost all the fictitious characters they have invented. I find it amusing, really, to go to a place where time stops and wherein you are taken to another world. Mind you, the princesses in that story land are prettier than ones pictured in the tale books.

The whole thing is called a route to the Fairytale in Germany. Approximately, it covers a 600 kilometers. A friend of mine told me that the most fascinating about the route is not the fairy tale theme, but the showcase of German culture from the past and the not so distant past. True, the whole place is an illusionary country, but the real deal with the route is that it clearly portrays the artful German life. This could be seen with the fantastic landscapes in some fairy towns. Add to that the pleasant woodlands and colorful flower gardens that were amazingly crafted for the route. Again, I remind you my friend, that the route is a real thing. There, visitors can eat fairy tale cuisines and even feast with banquets. Museums also exist in the fairy tale land.

Are you familiar with the castle in Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty? The original castle is the famous Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. This fairytale-like castle was built by King Ludwig in 1869 in neo-late romanesque style. You will enjoy the castle's interior styles with Byzantine, Romanesque, and Gothic designs.

You can witness the true beauty of the castle as well as the 45-meter waterfall from the Mary's Bridge. During its construction, more than hundreds of craftsmen worked to build this splendid castle. Neuschwanstein Castle has stunning murals and woodcarvings. It took about four and a half years to finish the woodcarving in the bedroom of King Ludwig, with 14 good carpenters worked all together to complete the room.

Visiting the Neuschwanstein Castle and other top attractions in Germany is really a fantastic experience. In fact, there are other castles and palaces around the world, specifically in Europe, but this one is the most enchanting because of its fairy-tale style of structure. When you see the castle personally, you will feel that you are one of the mentioned characters in the Walt Disney's fairytale.

The Romantic Road is among the most famous attractions or routes in Germany. It is a beautiful 220-mile road that stretches from the River Main until the Alps. Yet, it is the journey through the famed route that is most interesting. For, Germany's Romantische Strasse offers to all travelers some interesting sites such as castles and medieval towns, panoramic views, and the peaceful environment sought by all tourists.

Romantische Strasse also possesses a historical value since it served as one of the principal trade routes during the middle ages. As such, this long stretch is ideal for visitors who would like to have a glimpse or taste of how German life was during the medieval period. One of the highlights of the journey could be experienced at Noerdlingen's Ries Crater. It was here where the American astronauts had trained before setting out for their historical space flight to the moon.

There are three towns along the road that merit the attention of travelers. They are Rothenburg, Dinkelsbuhl, and Nordlingen. Among the attractions of Rothenburg is the Crime and Punishment Museum that houses the severe forms of laws and enforcements used during the middle ages. Meanwhile, Dinkelsbuhl boasts of its medieval towers that have been perfectly preserved through centuries. Yet what makes Nordlingen as interesting as the rest of the towns along the route is the fact that it stands at the center of a 30-mile meteor crater. The Gothic church, which is its main attraction, is located at the very heart of the wide crater.

Cologne is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The place is not only gifted with breathtaking sights, but it is also richly gifted in terms of history, culture, and art. If art is your passion, then the city is a perfect destination for you.

There are various museums all over the city that feature important art collections not only from Germany, but from other countries as well. Among them is Wallraf-Richartz-Museum. The museum is considered as one of the most important art buildings in Cologne.

The most valuable collection of the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum is a group of paintings that date back to the medieval and modern times. Aside from these, the art building also features a Baroque collection that includes the works of Rembrandt, Rubens, and other famous painters. Other attractions are a few collections of realist and impressionist paintings including several sculptures.

The museum has expanded in 2001 through the Corbaud painting collection that includes around impressionist and neo-impressionist works. Two of the most important art collections in the museum is "Weltgericht" or "Judgment Day" and "Mutter Gottes in der Rosenlaube" or "Virgin in the Rose Arbour" by Stefan Lochner.

Are you fond of drinking wine, or are you just interested on how the wine is being produced? In Germany, you get to see the wine maker's vineyards, and the wine making process itself. There are several wine regions in Germany, not everything on the road is all wine, you know, there are other things that you can see while headed to the wine regions.

On the way to the German wine regions, you'll see many sights that seem like you're looking at postcard pictures. There are old ruined castles, valleys, marvelous German landscapes, beautiful houses, and of course the acres and acres of wine vineyards, that stretches out to the horizons. When you get to your destination, you have already enjoyed the wonderful sceneries, that are all just fascinating! You have got to love everything about Germany!

Munich is usually the most visited place in Germany, the most happening events always take place in Munich, so, if you've got 3 hours to spare, explore one of the best places in Germany, Munich. There are several ways to tour around Munich, you can be chauffered around in a limousine, or you could join a coach-tour. This tour would last for 3 hours, you'll get to see the wonderful and ancient Nymphenburg Palace, wherein you'll get to learn the details of the Bavarian history.

Of course, the tour in Munich would not be complete without going to the modern side of the city, the Olympic Grounds, you'll see where the important events take place. Don't you worry about the German language, if you're not that familiar with it. You can choose the language of your choice, or the guides would translate everything for you, hey, there are multilingual tour guides just for you!

No, I'm not talking about the cake although that sounds quite appetizing, doesn't it? The Black Forest mountain range between the Pforzheim and Basle mountains is just a paradise waiting to be discovered. Well, technically, it has been visited by many tourists and locals for many years now.

There are all kinds of activities you can do; you can try kayaking, biking in the mountains, there's cross-country skiing, and even wake surfing! The fresh air, the wild flowers and the green pastures just make this place a haven for relaxation and leisure fun!

You may not be aware of it, but Germany has the most fantastic river sceneries. The Middle Rhine Valley just celebrated its 200th birthday, last 2002. It's regularly visited by tourists and even the locals cannot get enough of it. The river exudes calmness and relaxing vibes; it's therapeutic, really.

The sometimes tranquil, sometimes wild waters of the Middle Rhine Valley is perfect for those who just wants to enjoy nature, the sound of water, and the fresh, cool air breeze in this wonderful valley river. It just puts anyone in a relaxing mode, whether you're beat up with city life, or you just want to be one with nature. And if you're into photography, this is one scene you shouldn't miss to take!