Einstein’s birthplace, famed for cutting-edge automobile inventions on one hand and fairytale castles on the other, and bordered by the Baltic Sea and the Alps – this is Germany – the second-most populated city in the European Union. Land of the brave Bavarians and mouth-watering cakes and confectionery, Germany packs wholesome fun and adventure for the entire family. History, architecture, culture, sports, modern and medieval – there is something to satisfy every interest. While a cross-country trip is most advisable for a German escapade, even if you can touch important historical and landscape landmarks, you will still carry home a balanced package of what Germany is all about. So, if you are all set to create some new travel memories, here’s a vacation plan to help you pick the best places to stay so that you can go ahead with your flight itinerary, hotel bookings, and travel insurance, and jump-start your German adventure!
The Rhine River is a must-visit like no place else. Meandering over a course of over 1300 kilometers, the river runs from Switzerland right up till Netherlands. Within the Rhine’s 65-kilometer German stretch, the river nestles 40 castles and over 60 towns. You can explore these towns independently, by booking a seat on a river cruise. You can also travel into Switzerland where the Rhine ends in a brilliant waterfall at a height of 75 feet.
The Rhine River is also home to Europe’s largest cathedral – the Cologne Cathedral – a magnificent masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The structure took 600 years to complete and embeds the relics of the Three Kings of Milan. Book a guided tour of the cathedral to touch upon noteworthy highlights in the cathedral premises, namely the stained glass works in the Three Kings Chapel, the precious artefacts stored in the cathedral’s Treasury, and the panoramic landscape view from the top of the South Tower.
The Black Forest is – yes, you guessed it right – where the delectable Black Forest cake comes from, and also home to the world’s largest cuckoo clock! Steeped in a massive dense cover of trees and wilderness, the forest is a hiker’s paradise. If you want to really explore the region to its fullest, take up lodging at any of the several towns bordering the forest. Freiburg, Baden-Baden, Donaueschingen, Titisee, and Triberg are generally recommended for the best places to stay. In fact, staying at Titisee and Triberg have their own advantages for being the site of a scenic lake and Germany’s highest waterfall respectively.
The Schloss Neuschwanstein Fairy Tale Castle located at Fussen, is one amongst Europe’s oldest and most picturesque royal castles built by King Ludwig. If you are reminded of the castle logo of Walt Disney, or the castle-like structure of Disneyland, then you are absolutely on target, for the Neuschwanstein is the source of both! Engage with guided tours to explore the castle’s interiors, which will take you around ancillary and functional rooms as well as the Singers’ Hall and the Throne Hall.
The Marienplatz located in Munich’s capital Bavaria is an industrial hotspot dating back to the 12th century. A place once famed for jousting sports, trading, and business, it now teems with trendy cafes and boutique stores, making it a shopper’s paradise. From point of view of local attractions are the Neues Rathaus and Altes Rathaus town halls, the monument of Virgin Mary, and the 19th century bronze fountain Fischbrunnen.
Insel Mainau, better known as the Flower Island, is located within Lake Constance in Germany’s south-west region. Completely dedicated to local flora and fauna, and migratory seasonal birds, this lush luxurious garden has been safeguarded by human activities quite successfully to date. You can visit the island via boat or a pedestrian bridge. The garden is home to rare flowers, plants, and trees as well as common vegetation such as tulips, roses, and dahlias. The park is open all year round, with only specific entry and exit timings.
Similar to the Flower Island is the Museumsinsel or Museum island located in Berlin. Perfect for history buffs, Museumsinsel is a district in its own right, housing the city’s oldest museums, which date back to the early 1800s. Of the five museums located on the island, the Old Museum is the most popular for it was built specifically to display and safeguard royal treasures. Equally significant are the Bode Museum where you can find antique collections and the Pergamon Museum where buildings of Middle Eastern origin have been replicated in miniature forms.
Miniatur Wunderland – as the name speaks for itself – is a unique tourist attraction that will take your breath away! Located on the Hamburg Port, this wonderland is filled not with amusement rides or fun parks, but a collection of real-world sights and inventions in miniature form. Keep a special look-out for the world’s largest miniature railway track covering 9.5 miles, complete with trains, railway stations, lighting systems, and passengers. Other fascinating miniatures include detailed airports with working aircrafts, cityscapes, rural scenes, shipyards, and harbors. While in Hamburg, also take time out to explore the real harbor with a boat tour as well as the Promenade.
The Frauenkirche located in Dresden is a church with a uniquely different history than what you might be accustomed to hearing. Originally constructed in 1743, Frauenkirche was completely destroyed in World War II. But the town locals along with help from government authorities preserved and catalogued its remains. Following the reunification of Germany, they undertook a major project to reconstruct a replica of the church in original form blending the war remnants with new surface compositions. So, take a guided tour of the church to relive its complete unabridged saga, and also be sure to attend the nominally charged music concerts conducted by world-renowned musicians, while you are there!
