After centuries of war, conflict and discord, Germany today is a fascinating place for travelers. A cheap flight to Germany means retracing one’s ancestry or reminiscing in the same spot where the Berlin Wall once stood. A flight to Germany often conjures images of castles and gardens maintained by Europe’s most elite, or small brick buildings and hidden stairways used to hide Europe’s most discriminated against parties. Flights to Germany mean a pilsner of beer and late-night clubs for the young-at-heart, and sidewalk cafes and conversations for the relaxed traveler. The sights of Germany are mainly dependent on what time of year you travel. The summer season hosts hundreds of outdoor festivals and concerts. In the winter, Germany’s little villages are lit up like a Christmas tale.
No matter why you travel to Germany, it’s bound to be an experience you’ll never forget. Grab a beer and a brat and kick back in one of Europe’s most diverse countries. Germany’s castles are as welcoming as its picturesque villages. What Germany lacks in style is makes up in charm. From pagan festivals to Oktoberfest, and lots of leiderhosen in between, there’s something for everyone in Germany.
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Germany has a temperate climate, and the inland areas see distinct seasonal changes. Winters are cold and wet and the temperatures vary from west to east; western temperatures are near freezing and eastern temperatures drop well below freezing. The fruit trees and flowers are in full bloom by April and May. The summers are typically warm, with occasional cloudy and rainy days. Summer temperatures range from the high 60s (Fahrenheit) to mid-80s. Indian summers are not uncommon and the fall foliage is beautiful.
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Peak Season:
The busiest season for flights to Germany is May to late October. The weather is at its best, there are lots of tourist events and folk festivals, and prices are at their highest. In the more popular areas, such as Heidelberg, Germany flights and hotel reservations need to be made in advance, and reservations for Frankfurt’s September auto show and October book fair are booked years in advance.
Although winter generally brings fewer visitors, it is becoming a popular time, especially for the ski areas in the Bavarian Alps. Christmas and New Year are typically busy, and Berlin’s Green Week in January is a big draw.
Off Season:
Spring and fall are pleasant times to fly to Germany. Cheap flights to Germany and discounted resort packages are easily found during the off season.
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Germany has an excellent rail and bus network for getting around the country, as well as major and regional airports. Another option is a cruise on the Rhine or Main River.
Some cities have areas that are best explored on foot, such as the historic districts in Berlin and Frankfurt. Public transportation is the best way to get around a city. Berlin in particular has an excellent public transportation system. Taxis are also available.
Although driving is possible in the cities, public transportation is better as the rush-hour traffic is frustrating. In Berlin, parking is a problem, especially since parking restrictions are not always clearly marked. When parking in a garage, pay before going to your car. Insert the ticket into the machine, pay the amount, then retrieve the ticket. Go to your car and when you exit insert the ticket in the slot to raise the barrier. Rumor has it that there’s no Autobahn speed limit, but drivers have been stopped and ticketed. The German government recommends a speed limit of 80 mph.
The following chart gives approximate journey times from Berlin (in hours and minutes) to other major cities and towns in Germany.
| | Air | Road | Rail |
|---|
| Cologne | 1.05 | 6.00 | 4.25 |
|---|
| Frankfurt | 1.05 | 5.30 | 4.10 |
|---|
| Hamburg | - | 3.00 | 1.30 |
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| Munich | 1.10 | 6.00 | 6.15 |
|---|
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- Germany’s cultural center is Berlin, with its museums, opera, dance, and theater. The galleries, studios, shops, and bookstores make shopping irresistible. Berlin is also an architectural treasure trove: restored historic buildings, the Corbusier House apartment building on stilts, and the Hansaviertel rebuilt with designs from 50 world-renown architects. The nightlife abounds with cabarets, bars, parties, and quiet cafés.
- Hamburg is a multi-faceted city. Its lake, Alster, is surrounded by stately hotels, stores, cafes, and mansions, and its infamous Reeperbahn red-light district parties all night. For the arts, stroll the Art Mile or take in the ballet and opera. Nearly destroyed by fire and then by WWII bombings, Hamburg is now a cosmopolitan, cultural city and the greenest city in Europe.
- Frankfurt provides more support to the arts than any other European city, ensuring you’ll see excellent exhibits and performances. Even the nightlife features jazz musicians from all over the world. The city also hosts festivals, music events, and fairs. WWII bombings destroyed nearly half the city, and Frankfurt rebuilt itself with skyscrapers and has Germany’s most spectacular skyline.
- One of the cities not leveled during WWII, Heidelberg’s Middle Ages and early Renaissance buildings are still standing. A university town since 1386, Heidelberg has produced poets, writers, composers, and philosophers. The markets have glass, crystal, and handcrafted goods, and the nightlife reverberates with student enthusiasm. A popular destination, even Mark Twain came for a day and stayed for three months.
- Surrounded by forests and Germany’s largest wine-growing region, Stuttgart is nearly two-thirds parks, gardens, and woodlands. Although historic landmarks and buildings did not survive the WWII bombings, today Stuttgart is a major industrial center, home to corporations such as Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. Stuttgart’s cultural attractions include the famous Stuttgart Ballet, opera, symphony, and an abundance of theaters, festivals, and museums.
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The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that, in principal, allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. Also required are onward or return tickets, sufficient funds to provide financial support, and documents for further travel.
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U.S. citizens require a passport for travel to Germany. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days (per half year). If the stay exceeds 90 days, a visa can be obtained after arrival.
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