Backpack Europe and Budget Travel: Travelling in Germany
Travelling in GermanyTravel: Accommodation: Transportation: |
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Travelling in Germany
Germany is a wonderful country, with great culture, history, and of course, beer.
Travel Germany - Quick Facts
Local Language: German isn't as difficult as you might think - many words are quite similar to English, as English is a Germanic language. Most people speak some English, especially younger people but it's helpful to learn a few phrases.
Visa Requirements: Canadians are allowed in Germany for 90 days without a visa.
Health Risks: None
Costs: Germany can get pretty expensive - Especially if you make a point of sampling all the beers and checking out the night life. Restaurants are getting more expensive now too, since the Euro came in. Budget $50 Canadian a day.
My Travels in Germany
Good old Germany...Where to begin! I lived in Germany for almost two years and have been to just about every corner of the country. I've had both good and not so good experiences there, but overall it was a really great experience. From Berlin's crazy Love Parade in July, to Munich's Oktoberfest, and any number of music and beer festivals the people here certainly know how to have a good time.
Sure the old stereotypical German mentality of 'following the rules' certainly still exists, especially among older people but you get the best of both worlds. When if comes to work and business, Germans are extremely formal. When it comes to letting loose and having a good time, Germans are extremely laid back.
The second world war destroyed Germany. Most of the old historic architecture and cities were destroyed, with few exceptions. Many buildings have since been re-built but even now you'll find construction sites repairing buildings that were destroyed in the war and of course many buildings which were neglected by the communists in the former Eastern Germany.
I strongly recommend going to Germany if you get the chance, at the very least check out Munich or Berlin.
Hotels and Hostels in Germany
Germany has a very extensive hostel network and you shouldn't have much trouble finding one. Definitely make a reservation in the major cities though, as they can fill up quickly especially if there's a festival going on. Munich and Berlin fill up quickly especially in the summer months.
For hotels in Germany, check out the links below:
Berlin and Munich
Berlin is a huge city full of history, culture, and contrasts. You can almost immediately tell when you've crossed into the former East Berlin and the Soviet war memorials and former nazi buildings around the city make sure you don't forget the past.
You'll quickly notice a number of construction cranes all over the city, re-building and renovating Berlin's many buildings and housing complexes. Many of the site in Berlin are very close together in the centre of the city, and you won't have trouble walking between them (but take the U-Bahn if you can).
One place where everyone takes a photo is at "Checkpoint Charlie" which was one of the few crossings between the former East and West Berlin. It's here where American and Soviet tanks were ready to face off at any given moment. Other historical sites include the former Gestapo headquarters, or at least what remains of it. Around the building are photos and information detailing some of the Nazi's various atrocities.
If you're in Berlin in July, be sure to be prepared for the Love Parade. I had never heard of it before I arrived in Berlin one afternoon to find over two million people crowded in the streets and dancing around to heavy techno beats. I'm not a big fan of techno music but just the whole experience of being in a crowd with so many people with so many piercing's, tattoos, and body-paint made me forget all about the music! It was a lot of fun, and it gets bigger each year. Be sure to book your hostel way ahead of time otherwise you might be stuck on the streets (but don't worry - the party lasts all night).
Munich is another great German city. Most people will generally agree with you that the further south in Germany you get, the more laid back the people are. In the north people are much more reserved than the people in the south. They even have their own dialect of German, Bavarian. It's German but with a heavy accent. I like to call it "Newfy-deutsch" because it's the same as going to the east coast here in Canada where many people have their own sort of accent.
Anyhow - The sites are great in Munich, including the old centre of town and the Englischer Garten. The Deutsches Museum is great. It's like the Louvre of technology, with several floors of airplanes, submarines, and rockets. You'll find old world war two fighter planes, the first jet powered fighters, V2 rockets, the inside of a submarine and so on. Check it out. They've even got an Imax theatre and a planetarium.
Once you're done with that, have a walk down to the most famous beer hall, the Hofbrauhaus. Pick up your "Masse" (a litre of beer) maybe order a side of chicken and sing German folk songs until the wee hours of the morning. There are other, less touristy, beer halls but if you want to meet other backpackers and travellers than you'll definitely enjoy the Hofbrauhaus. Good beer, good food.
Just outside of Munich you'll find Dachau - the first concentration camp set up by the Nazi's. It's an eye opening experience to say the least when you realize the sheer scale of the Nazi's atrocities. It's one thing to see it on the tv, but when you see it in real life you'll never forget it. Modern day Germany has come a long way from those dark days half a century ago.
For German and European travel guidebooks, check here:
Germany and European Guidebooks
Trains to Berlin and Munich
Germany is covered by Eurail passes and has an extremely good and efficient train system. Sure sometimes they're late but it's not usually too bad. The ICE trains are great to get from one end of the country to another, but you'll have to pay a special fee of a couple Euro. It's worth it though, when you can get to Berlin, Hamburg, or Munich from Frankfurt (the main travel hub) within about three hours travel time.
For more information about the German rail system itself, click here:
http://www.bahn.de
Flights to Germany
Germany has many airports in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Frankfurt. Frankfurt is the biggest, and the second largest in Europe so you'll probably end up there. Flights to Frankfurt can be found pretty cheap if you go at the right time, and from Frankfurt you can also to connect to pretty much anywhere else in the world.
German Language
German is one of the best languages for you to know if you're travelling through Central and Eastern Europe. Many people in Germany speak some English, though many are reluctant. Pick up a few words and it'll get you in with the locals for sure.
Canuck Abroad's German Travel Dictionary
Remnants of the Berlin Wall, Germany
Germany Travel Links
Germany Tourism - The official Germany tourism website
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