Germany Travel Information

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the subsequent German Reunification are the main events of recent German history. The reunification process has overall been seen as one of Germany’s greatest success stories and October 3rd is celebrated as "German Unification Day".

German Language

The official language of Germany is, of course, German. Standard German is called "Hochdeutsch" (High German). This can be understood by all mother-tongue speakers of German and spoken by almost all when necessary. However, every region has its own dialect. This is usually noticeable only on travel to Germany in the south, and in rural areas of the north and east. When travelling in Bavaria, Saxony and Baden, you are stepping foot in places where dialect remains a strong part of the local identity. The general rule is that the south of the Main River divides north Germany from the south in both language and local culture. All Germans now learn English at school, though proficiency will vary depending on where your German vacation takes you, so it’s a good idea to at least dust off that high school German before you go.

Top cities to visit on a German Trip

Berlin

When you travel to Germany, you can expect a completely different experience in Berlin, a city unlikely to be found anywhere else on the planet. While architecturally an odd mismatch of sterilized apartment blocks, post-modernist glass and steel structures, and some historic leftovers, it has a laid-back atmosphere and a culture of internationalism that accepts everyone as a "Berliner." Its turbulent history gave rise to an enormous wealth of historical attractions, among them the Berlin Wall, the Brandenburg Gate, the Bundestag, Checkpoint Charlie, Fernsehturm, the Holocaust Memorial and the DDR museum. But do not miss out on the Prenzlauer Berg neighbourhood if you want to feel like a true Berliner. 

Find more information on Berlin Vacations and Tours here

Munich 

When on German vacations, you should visit Munich, the third-largest city in the country after Berlin and Hamburg. It is famous for its beautiful architecture, culture and its annual Oktoberfest beer celebration. Munich's cultural scene is second to none with museums even considered by some to outrank Berlin’s. The city’s architecture is stunning with its mix of historic buildings and modern architecture. Although it was heavily damaged during World War II, many of its historic buildings have been rebuilt and the city centre appears mostly as it did in the late 1800s including its largest church, the Frauenkirche, and City Hall, the Neues Rathaus. The Munich Residenz is the former royal palace of the Bavarian Monarchs. It is the largest city palace in Germany and is today revered for its architecture, room decorations and displays from former royal collections. One cannot forget Munich’s very important beer festival on travel to Germany, Oktoberfest. Despite its name, most of Oktoberfest occurs in September.  For two weeks, Oktoberfest attracts millions of people visiting its beer tents. The Hofbrauhaus, possibly the most famous beer hall worldwide, is located in the city centre.

Find more information on Munich Vacations and Tours here

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is the financial centre of Germany and Europe as a whole. It is known for its futuristic skyline and Germany’s busiest airport. It is a city of contrasts. Wealthy bankers, students and creative types coexist in a city that has some of the highest, most avant-garde skyscrapers in Europe next to well-maintained old buildings. If spending time here on German tours, consider visiting some of the following. The Romerberg is the busy market square located in the Old Town. Attractions located on the square include the Old Town Hall, St. Nickolas Church, the Ostzeile (half-timbered old houses) and the Frankfurt History Museum. Frankfurt Cathedral, also known simply as the Dom, is an imposing old Roman Catholic Gothic church located in the centre of Frankfurt. The original opera house in Frankfurt is now the Alte Oper (Old Opera), a concert hall and former opera house. Destroyed by bombing in 1944. It was rebuilt, slowly and in 1981, opened again. The Frankfurt TV Tower began in 1974. At its completion five years later, it became the tallest free-standing structure in the Federal Republic of Germany. The top of the tower can revolve and provides a panoramic view of the Rhine-Main area. Frankfurt is a handy starting point for travel to Germany, especially to visit neighbouring tourist attractions such as Heidelberg and the Rhine Valley.

Other must-visit German cities

Hamburg is an economic and cultural powerhouse with the second busiest port on the continent. The fashion city of Dusseldorf, the Alps at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the media hub of Cologne, and the motor industry in Stuttgart each represent a flourishing sector of Germany’s economic and cultural identity, and time permitting, are all worth visiting on your German vacations.

What are the best places to visit in Germany?

Germany is a vast and diverse country with 16 culturally unique states that only formed a political union in 1871. Some of the main tourist areas include the following. 

The Rhine

The Rhine is the longest river in Germany. Between Bingen and Bonn, the Rhine flows through the Rhine Gorge, a stretch of the river which is known for its many castles and vineyards. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known as "the Romantic Rhine" with more than 40 castles and fortresses from the Middle Ages and many quaint and lovely country villages. 

The Romantic Road 

Ideal for self-drive German tours, the Romantic Road is a famous scenic route along which one can experience romantic castles and picturesque villages. This includes fairy-tale like Neuschwanstein Castle, the walled city of Rothenburg which has a beautiful medieval centre that seems untouched by the passage of time. Similar German towns can be found elsewhere in the country.

For more things to do in Germany click here.

 "Globetrotting with Goway" blog articles

For some additional reading, the following articles are from our blog “Globetrotting with Goway”….. a great source of information for those people who are, or who want to be, world travellers!

Planning a Germany Vacation? Here are 7 Cultural Quirks to Expect in Berlin

If You Liked Paris, You’ll Love Berlin, Germany!

Let Munich Captivate You on a Germany Vacation

Hamburg is a City With So Much to Offer on a Germany Vacation

Six Cities You Should Visit on a Germany Vacation (That aren’t Berlin or Munich!)

Four Perfect Days for Your Berlin Vacation

Top Natural Beauty Spots to See on European Tours

Unusual Museums of the World (Part 1)

Best Value Cities for Budget Travellers to Add to Their Europe Vacation

Add a Festival to Your European Vacation (Part 2)

Goway’s Top 5 Experiences for an Ideal Germany Vacation

Coburg, Bavaria: The Romantic Link Between Germany and Britain

Road-Testing the World’s Most Liveable Cities for 2016 (as Travel Destinations!)

Where to Find Europe’s Best Beer

The Intimacy and Accessibility of European River Cruises

My European Vacation Favourites – Part 1

Ecotourism Destinations: Europe

Our Guide to Museum Hopping in Berlin, Germany

Extend your Stay

Consider an additional stopover to your German vacations at one of Goway's other European destinations. You can choose from a Paris vacation, a London vacation or an Amsterdam vacation. This can be done stopping over en route to or from Germany.