AP Photo/Christof Stache
Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle
Germany Travel
Welcome, or Willkommen, to the land of Oktoberfest, the Berlin Wall, and lederhosen (knee-breeches). Although relatively small in size, this European nation boasts the second-largest population on the continent, making it a lively and bustling place to visit. Known to natives as Deutschland, Germany has a plethora of tourist attractions, museums, festivals, art galleries, and architectural sites. This Web guide offers resources to help you plan a German holiday.
Expand All Guide SectionsGermany Travel Basics
Germany has much to offer visitors, so it will help to get a broad overview before you decide which specific cities, sites, and attractions to include in your itinerary. This section includes Web sites to give you a better grasp of Germany, and to help you begin planning your getaway.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Many Web sites offered in this guide are German in origin. The links we've included should take you straight to the English versions of those sites, but if you ever find yourself staring at German text, simply look for a British or American flag at the top on the main page. Clicking on the flags or an "English" link will take you to the site's English version.
- Using the word "Germany" in a search engine can result in many travel Web sites that don't necessarily specialize in German vacations, but just want to sell you a travel package. Be cautious and cross-check information with multiple Web sites. We recommend sticking with the sites in this guide.
- In Germany, they have mastered the use of the Internet in much the same manner as we have in the United States. As you navigate the recommended Web sites, those ending with the distinction ".de" signify a site whose home base is Germany. The ".de" comes from the first two letters in the word Deutsch.
- Check out general travel Web sites like Frommers.com or Fodors.com for travel tips that are specific to German destinations.
- Most travel Web sites provide info on transportation and accommodations but for more exhaustive information, breeze through the "How will I get to Germany?" section of this guide.
Dulcinea's Picks
For an overview of Germany ...
The German National Tourist Board
runs the quintessential Web site for discovering Germany. The site offers top-10 lists, cultural events, an interactive map of the country, and a personalized travel planner. Spend some time at their "Info Center" and you'll feel better prepared for your trip.
About Germany
helps a traveler get acquainted with the country before departure. This incredibly well-rounded Web site boasts first-rate facts on Deutsch culture, cities and regions, and living and traveling in Germany. Click on the "Learn German" link to discover how well you speak the language before you travel to the country.
CountryReports.org
is one of the best Web sites for thorough information on a particular country or region of the world. From the main page, find the "What Country Do You Want To Learn About?" section, then select Germany from the drop-down menu. Here you will find history, a photo gallery, national symbols, "Did You Know" facts, a current events page, and even a glossary of German terms.
For Germany's best spots ...
Concierge.com
is a good place to start for Germany's best spots. The site highlights three of the most-visited Deutsch cities with "Insider Guides" on Berlin, Dresden, and Hamburg. The simplistic map is great for getting your bearings, and the slideshow will whet your appetite for German destinations. Click on the "Maps" link for editors' picks.
Muenchen.de
, Munich's official Web site, will get any traveler excited about visiting this capital city of Bavaria. The site is offered in eight languages and has extensive info on city life, sightseeing tours, and general Munich tourism. Check out the sections on "Oktoberfest," "Public Transportation," and "Eating Out."
Newseum
is a tech-savvy interactive news site that hosts a fantastic Web site for learning about the most famous of German destinations, the Berlin Wall. Before you book your trip, see "The Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall" to make your visit to this historic site even more meaningful.
Koeln.de
plays host to the official Web site of Koeln, or the better-known English translation, Cologne. This well-organized site is packed with info on festivals, museums, and architecture in Germany's oldest city. (Beware: it's also packed with lots of ads.) Be sure to click on the red "Tourism" link on the left-hand side of the main page, and cast a glance at their brand new Cologne international news link.
Oktoberfest.de
is the official Web site of one of the most famous festivals of all time, Oktoberfest. A fun and colorful site, its pages include FAQs, photo galleries, and a running countdown until the next festival. Don't miss the "Dictionary" link, which familiarizes non-natives with important Oktoberfest terms.
Hamburg Tourismus
needs to be translated by clicking on the British flag in the upper right corner but once converted, this site offers plenty of information on tourism in the fashionable destination of Hamburg. This site does a nice job of blending travel information with fast facts for the curious vacationer. Utilize their "Accommodation" section on the main page to search through hotels, bed and breakfasts, apartment rentals, youth hostels, and camping.
Berlin.de
is home to information on nearly 200 art galleries and museums, as well as an A-Z index of popular places in Berlin. While the notorious Berlin Wall garners most of the attention, the "Most Visited Museums" section is worth a visit to see where fellow travelers have been treading. This Web site is also great for general travel info on Berlin.
The Romantic Road
was a popular trade route in medieval Germany and remains a well-traveled path by historians, tourists, and families. This vibrant and somewhat overwhelming Web site presents history, information, and pop-up pictures of The Romantic Road. Pass your mouse over the map for a glimpse of each city along the Road.
Who knew?
Panorama-Cities.net
provides an amazing collection of panoramic and 360-degree views of German cities. Click on any city in the left-hand column for a brilliant and colorful way to get acquainted with Germany.
Travel Requirements for Germany
Before you book your flight and make a decision on motels, spend some time getting to know Deutschland. Information on Germany is readily available online, and the majority of Web sites are user-friendly for travelers. In this section, findingDulcinea has filtered through the flab to find the best facts and figures on German history, German customs and traditions, and your safety and health while traveling in West-Central Europe. The wide variety of Web sources gives explorers a good idea about what to expect on their journey.
Dulcinea's Insight
- As is typical when it comes to Internet research, the four sources listed in the history portion of this section are all very different. Use them to gain a well-rounded perspective of Germany.
- Most historical Web sites offer chronological timelines accompanied by pictures. If you are limited on time before your trip, this is a more efficient way to take advantage of the valuable info on these sites.
- German Culture, a Web site included in this section, offers a long list of links categorized by subject. The best way to utilize a site like this is to pick a few links that interest you. Because history spills over into all sorts of subjects, picking a few will give you plenty of background info on Germany.
- Web sites offering information on safety, health, travel restrictions, and visa information are updated frequently. Check these sites often, and definitely stop by for a visit just before departing on your trip.
- For general tips on what you should know before traveling to Europe, visit the findingDulcinea Travel Guide.
Dulcinea's Picks
For a crash course in German history ...
German Culture
is a comprehensive Web site where explorers can take in everything from German recipes and wine to German politics, geography, and media. This site is a highly recommended place to start your Deutschland education-just don't mistake the Google ads for actual site content. Browse through the links in the left-hand column to pick your favorite subject.
The German Historical Institute
in Washington, DC, is a bit overwhelming at first but it is a wonderful stop for anyone looking to find in-depth information on the European country. Use the "German History in Documents and Images" link for a period-by-period guide to Germany from the 1500s to the present.
The Jewish Virtual Library
presents the Virtual Jewish History Tour, offering a unique standpoint on the history of Germany. Although the content comes from a Jewish perspective, the information can help a traveler obtain a well-rounded look at Germany. Read through the "German Jews in the Modern World" section to get an inside view on contemporary German culture.
Germany Travel Guide
presents this concise and easy-to-read Web page on Deutsch history. Don't worry about scrolling through hundreds of pages of dense historic terminology and boring scholarly works. This page has filtered the junk and prioritizes the most important details. Head here if you're in a hurry.
For German customs and traditions ...
LifeTips
is a must-see resource before heading to Germany. Their insightful section on German daily life helps a traveler know when to make phone calls, how to celebrate holidays, how to set a German table, and how to buy beer at a bar. Make sure to read the tips on how to behave at the post office.
Watzmann.net
brings you this barebones yet informative page on German customs, traditions, holidays, and "cultural oddities." Give this guide a read-through to learn about the Karneval season, Deutsch wedding traditions, and German curfews.
The German Way & More
, a jack-of-all-trades Web site, is an excellent guide for the interested explorer. Browse the main page to find the sections "Famous Germans" and "When in Germany...." There is also a free forum to which visitors can subscribe to learn more about German daily life.
NationMaster.com
is a bit cluttered with information but their categorized "Facts and Figures" on Germany are certainly helpful for vacationers. Browse through topics like crime, religion, transportation, and environment. The site is definitely worth a quick visit before packing your bags for Deutschland.
For safety, health, and politics ...
The U.S. Department of State
provides an online Consular Information Sheet with important travel tips for Germany. The highlight of this Web page is the small box outlined in gray at the top of the main page. It lists links to articles that tourists are highly encouraged to read.
Germany.co.za
gives a brief yet informative rundown of the most vital health information travelers will need when traveling to Deutschland. Scroll to the bottom of the page to read about health emergencies.
Facts About Germany
won't win any design awards but it hits on some significant details a traveler may want to know before heading overseas. For example, scroll down the page to see a summary of German politics and government, or go all the way to the bottom to read about Germany's economy.
Let's Go
, a popular travel publisher, has an instructive Germany page with information to make you a safer, more informed Germany traveler.
Travel.org
provides a great Web page on cell phone use in Germany. Read this brief article in less than five minutes and feel better informed about international communication while traveling through the country.
Getting to Germany
Due to Germany's land-locked position in Central Europe, most travelers fly or drive to Germany. Of course, if you are coming from the United States, your best option is to fly. This section focuses on providing vacationers the best (and hopefully cheapest!) options for getting to Germany safely and soundly.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Most tourists choose to visit Germany during the late spring or early summer. However, many Web sites offer travel deals for off-season flights. Look for seasonal packages and discounts on the Web sites included below.
- The Frankfurt and Munich airports cater most often to foreign travel and have comprehensive Web sites that are regularly updated.
- If you are flying to Germany, you can log in and check your flight status at the airline's Web site.
- The sites recommended in this section offer great deals, but be sure to comparison shop for flights and packages before divulging the digits on your credit card. You never know when a particular Web site is running a special.
- More information on booking flights and finding travel deals can also be found in the findingDulcinea Travel Guide.
- Accommodations and transportation for your stay in Germany are addressed in the next two sections of this guide, "Where will I stay when I'm in Germany?" and "How will I get around while I'm in Germany?"
Dulcinea's Picks
For flight booking and airport information ...
Lufthansa
is the most frequently used airline for getting to Germany. Their user-friendly Web site allows to you navigate with the dual criteria of "My Country" and "My Language," making it easy to find flights to Germany while reading in English.
The German National Tourist Board
has a great Web page for traveling to Deutschland by plane. Read this brief article on German airports before planning your trip. For even more info, use the "Map of major German airports" link at the very bottom of the page.
Frankfurt Airport City
is a significant source of information for all travelers flying into Germany through the Frankfurt Airport. As it is the most commonly used airport for foreign tourists, chances are you'll need to take a look at this helpful site. On the main page, browse the "Quick Infos" section for flight details and airport maps.
Expedia.com
, a well-known and oft-treaded Web site, has a helpful subsection that starts you off with an interactive map of Central Europe. Choose one of the major German cities to compare prices, or simply select one of the other travel tabs ("Packages" or "Flights & Cars"). While you're there, take a peek at the useful info provided under "Discover Central Europe."
For travel deals and packages ...
Come to Germany Now
says it all in the name. This proud Web site wants you to come now "for the trip of your lifetime!" More importantly, the site has a refreshing variety of travel options. Don't miss their "Hot Deal Spotlight" and read up on the "Package Tours." For an alternative experience, peruse their section on "River Cruising."
Go-today.com
allows a traveler the luxury of picking from a long list of German travel packages. Tourists have several methods for booking their trip: browse through their pre-set packages, search by city, or build a trip by "type," such as "scenic," "ecotourism," "safari," or "sun & beach."
Germany Travel Direct
is a small but specific Web site that offers specialized travel deals listed by season and activity. Look for summer and winter tours, skiing tours, and bicycle tours. Or how about a traditional Christmas market tour? Each tour is listed with a full itinerary and cost.
Germany Hotels
Germany is home to dozens of hostels, hundreds of bed and breakfasts, and thousands of hotels. The Deutsch receive a very diverse collection of tourists each year, and the Internet has caught on to this fact rather quickly. This section offers sites for everything from five-star hotels to places to pitch your tent.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Browse the many Web sites in this section to see that Germany has a nice variety of lodging. If you hate hostels or love camping, rest assured that there is the perfect accommodation for your trip.
- For more information on safety while traveling in Germany, read the "For safety, health, and politics ..." subsection under the "What should I know before I go to Germany?" section of this guide.
- Occasionally, hostels and B&Bs do not have online booking or cannot process credit cards over the Internet. The best option is to call the business first. Also make sure all international purchases are over a secured Internet connection.
- Consider booking a travel package that combines your lodging with your flight or in-country transportation. Check out the "How will I get to Germany?" section of this guide for more info on package deals.
- The findingDulcinea Travel Guide also recommends a great variety of accommodations for travelers heading to Germany.
Dulcinea's Picks
Venere.com
is a trustworthy and professional site for booking European travel. Their vast database of hotels, B&Bs, and apartment rentals gives travelers plenty of options. Search by city on the main page, or scroll down to follow the "Germany hotels" link under the "Hotels in Europe" section.
Hotel.de
is the German version of our U.S.-based Hotels.com, and is a fabulous one-stop shop for securing lodging in Deutschland. Type in your criteria to pull up a long list of inns, motels, and hotels. The site also offers specials for short trips and business accommodations. Take advantage of Hotel.de by subscribing to their English newsletter.
Marcus' Hostel-List of German Independent Hostels
is perfect for those looking to travel on the cheap. Click on the "Browse List Online" to see a comprehensive list of independent German hostels not belonging to the German Youth Hostel Association. Marcus has included each boarding house's contact info and price, and when they are open for business.
Five Star Alliance
is your site if luxury is the name of your game. Pay a visit to see the fanciest and most expensive of the world's accommodations. To search an impressive variety of hotels, click on "Europe" from the main page. The next page offers a "Germany" link, where tourists can search by city or browse recommended sights.
Camping Germany
is best for travelers looking for inexpensive places to pitch a tent. This supportive Web site explains the different types of camping in Germany and gives hints on what to bring. Be sure to take a look at the gold, silver, and bronze campsite recommendations.
4walls.org
is a great escape from the busy Web sites overwhelming you with travel deals. Hunt through their "Top Destinations" or click on a German city to get started. The multi-lingual site also lets you book your reservations online.
Bed & Breakfast-Ring Germany
gives vacationers their choice of a wide variety of privately run B&Bs in every state in Germany, making it a valuable resource for booking travel. German bed and breakfasts are also a great way to save some money.
Getting Around in Germany
German public transportation has a great reputation. The subway systems are reliable, the trains are far-reaching, and rumor has it that the buses come almost every five minutes. Tech-savvy Germans have set up accessible Web sites for online ticket purchases, car rental reservations, and bus schedules. Finding a local Internet café or utilizing the wireless at your hotel is an easy way to take advantage of the World Wide Web to get around Germany more efficiently.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Conveniently, tickets can be purchased online for both major rail systems that service Germany-the Bahn and Rail Europe. Look for links that say "Purchase tickets online."
- Subway systems are not available in every city but most towns have bus service. All of the Web sites offered in this section have helpful hints for mastering transportation, whether you're going five minutes or five hours away.
Dulcinea's Picks
For public transportation in Germany ...
Bahn.de
is the homepage for the German rail system, or the Bahn. This is one of the most popular ways to travel in Germany and tourists and natives alike utilize the well-coordinated trains. At this site, you can map out itineraries, purchase tickets, or find handicapped train stations.
Rail Europe
is a trusted form of cross-country transportation through the entire European continent. Use this Web site to book train tickets for a multi-city tour, or for traveling from one end of Germany to the other. The main page's "Most Popular Rail Passes and Tickets" features two sections on Germany.
Virtual Tourist
offers this reassuring Web page on the rather smooth operations of German public transportation. Read excerpts from fellow travelers, post questions, and save articles to your personal travel planner.
For maps ...
Germany Travel Guide
is a superb site for German maps. From the main page, click on "Maps of Germany" in the left-hand column. Not only are you provided with four enlargeable country maps but there are also city maps available for all major metropolitan areas. Aside from the maps, this all-inclusive Web site has everything from health tips and visa information to golf course locations and German media.
Hot-Maps.de
isn't the easiest site to navigate but the information is valuable. From the main page, click on "Map of Germany," then use your mouse to move to the section of the country to which you are traveling. The zoom bar is most useful, allowing you an up-close-and-personal look at any region in the country.
For rental cars ...
Auto Europe
's section on Germany is extensive and navigable. The site gives guests useful hints about renting a vehicle, while also offering online booking options. Scroll to the bottom of the page for a vast city-by-city directory of rental depots.
Germany Travel Blogs and Forums
The country of Germany is well-traveled by families, tour groups, historians, and students. This, combined with the power of the Internet, gives new tourists the advantage of reading about fellow travelers' experiences before they book their own trip. The Web is the best place to get fast and free advice through blogs, chat forums, reviews, and trip ratings.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Many low-budget vacationers enjoy visiting Germany because the country has many inexpensive activities and travel accommodations. The "Eurotrip" link in this section is a great resource for discovering Germany on the cheap.
- Remember that every traveler has a different experience. While chat rooms, forums, blogs, and reviews can be helpful, they are not always picturesque and accurate. Try not to rely on one Web site's forum or one blogsite for all of your information.
- Travelogues are the public online version of a travel diary. They are best used to avoid repeating mistakes other travelers have made.
- For a long, detailed collection of travel reviews, skim through the findingDulcinea's Travel Guide.
Dulcinea's Picks
For traveler insight ...
TripAdvisor
gives travelers neutral reviews of German destinations, posted by other travelers like you. Visitors to the site can join forums and ask questions about Germany's hot spots.
RealTravel
's section on Germany travel blogs is a wealth of helpful information provided by fellow travelers. The well-rounded blogs cover everything from major destinations (Berlin, Munich) to lesser-known cities (Dusseldorf). Here you can read about renting a car, mapping out the subway, and experiencing Germany's famous Love Parade.
Travel Library
contains travelogues that provide impartial information and insightful stories from tourists who have been to Germany. Read about visits to Berlin, the Rhine Valley, and Munich, along with lesser-known cities and destinations.
TravelBlog
is a frequently visited site that offers over 2,000 blogs on vacations and explorations to Deutschland. Stop at this spot to brush up on German basics and read about travelers' trips. While you're visiting, browse the "German Travel Forum" and check out the "German Travel Photos."
Eurotrip
's free online forum is home to over 17,000 users, making it the largest community of Internet travelers. From the main page, visit the "Eurotrip Forum" link to find discussion after discussion on European destinations, including plenty on Germany. Signing up for the free Eurotrip newsletter isn't a bad idea, either.
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
