Archive for the ‘Dream Trips’ Category

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Tour Munich By Classic Car

Monday, June 28th, 2010

Germany offers many unique driving experiences for visitors, from the Porsche test track to the opportunity to cruise the Autobahn. As a lover of German cars, then, how could I not share this latest driving adventure opportunity with you?

Of course, to be technically accurate, you won’t be doing any driving. No, no — not with these cars! These are classic BMW Cabriolets which are being temporarily pressed into service as tour vehicles for those wishing to have a special trip around Munich

You will definitely notice them as they tool around the city, driven by professional drivers, thank you! After all, these are BMW 326 and 335 Cabriolets that date back to the 1930′s, with a 502 Cabriolet from the 1950′s and a 3200 CS Cabriolet also available as options. Their unique and highly polished shape stands out against more modern cars.

As a guest, you can ride in the back of these open air classic to see Munich between now and October 2010. That’s it. After that, these classic cars will be retired back to their home in the BMW Museum.

Tours of the city actually start and end at the BMW Museum, stopping by a number of BMW attractions in the city as well as cruising the ring road and other local sites before returning. The registration for the tours is through the information desk at the museum (+49-1802-118822) and you are advised to register well in advance.

The tours are 90 euros per person, and the experience lasts about three hours. Though this may seem expensive for a chauffeured tour, remember that the euro (alas!) is at four year lows, so this special BMW experience is more affordable to overseas guests than locals (again, alas!).

Germany is going to be beautiful this summer after all the moisture this winter, and southern Germany is truly lovely. Why fight the average tourist in the street to see Munich, when you can tour in style?

—Marcus

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Rent A Car To Explore Germany

Monday, April 12th, 2010

I told you about the Porsche test track for a special driving treat in Germany, but you should also look into regular driving in Germany. Germany has many famous routes to drive over and above our notorious Autobahn. Why not rent a car and experience them for yourself?

Renting a car in Germany has a reputation for being challenging. I don’t know if this is the language barrier at work or if something else is contributing to this reputation, but I want to correct it now. To rent a car in Germany is actually easy as pie, and driving in Germany is definitely an adventure!

First, you will need to make a reservation. There are many different companies that offer rental services in Germany, including international firms like Hertz, Avis, Sixt, and Enterprise. Just as in other countries, you can reserve a car by phone or online and the best cars go to those with the earliest reservations.

Generally, if you do not have a German license, you will need an international driver’s license to rent your car. There are very few exceptions to this rule, and some companies also require that you be more than 25 years of age. Do your research and you will be able to navigate these humps easily.

Once you have checked the policies, simply make your reservation directly with the company. You can also go through your favorite travel service, but direct bookings often get your the best deal and eliminate the possibility of mis-communication between the booking agent and the rental company.

Check out the sizes of the cars available, and be sure to decide for automatic or manual transmissions. Many German cars are manual cars with diesel engines. If you haven’t driven a manual transmission before, please don’t use my beloved streets as a training ground! Traffic is tough enough without stalled tourists ;-)

All joking aside, do a bit of extra reading when you book to be sure you are getting a car that will be comfortable for you to drive. Then you will be free to sit back and enjoy the view as you tour Germany in high-speed, and you will be able to have happy memories of car rentals in Germany.

—Marcus

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Come Play On The Porsche Test Track

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

It’s no secret that German cars are some of the best vehicles in the world. I may seem biased because I’m German, but you can ask anyone. ;-)

Combining speed, elegance, and the latest innovations from German engineering geniuses, driving a German car is a real pleasure.

You can take that pleasure to the next level by making a trip to one of the test tracks in Germany. For those who love speed, the Porsche test track is a must-visit destination. The company builds nearly 200 cars each year for premium racing events, and their test track is where the rubber meets the road–literally!

Located in Leipzig, the test track event package includes a tour of the factory grounds and the chance to take the latest models out for a spin with a professional co-pilot. The on-road track is FIA certified, and there is an off-road track experience available as well, complete with hills, canals, and mud pits.

Currently, the event package features the Cayenne, Boxster, Cayman, 911, 911 Turbo or Panamera models for test driving on-road, and the Cayenne for driving the off-road track. The Panamera isn’t available in the North American market, so if you’re interested you have to come and see it in its native environment.

The co-pilots come from the BMW Driver Training facilities in Munich, so you are in good hands for coaching as you take the wheel.

Pushing the top speeds, doing spins, and shalom racing are all encouraged. You can even do skid pad slides and re-enact driving stunts seen in popular commercials.

The overall cost of the experience is less that you might imagine for hours on a top track and coaching from world class drivers. Four hours with some of the best cars in the world will cost between €650 and €940 (approximately between US$910 and US$1,316), with expansion packages available and group events also on offer.

It will certainly be a one-in-a-lifetime experience — don’t you think? :-)

—Marcus

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Wahre Winterfreuden — True Winter Delights

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

What for some people can be stressing can be a dream for others.

If getting to your job every day equals getting through a mass amount of snow (and, eventually, passing transverse trucks) you may feel overwhelmed and stressed at times. Same holds true if you simply don’t like coldness.

For others, however, it can be very pleasing and relaxing walking through snow and experiencing true German winter — including its coldness it provides in 2009/2010.

Note: That (below) is not a piece of cake (click to enlarge)… ;-)

Balcony in German Winter, Berlin 2010

And these bike seats below are not that high in summer… ;-)

Bikes in German Winter, Berlin 2010

The kids like it, too… :-)

Berlin Winter with Kids, 2010

Here’s the Berlin Reichstag…

Berlin Reichstag in Winter, 2010

And, finally, the majestic Brandenburg Gate (again, click on it to see the large version)…

Brandenburg Gate in Winter, 2010

Hope you have a chance to enjoy the German winter this time.

If you’re still thinking about visiting Germany this winter, don’t delay… it’s incredible this time! Entire Germany is white these days providing us with countless of opportunities to do the things we like to do in pure white snow.

So get on that airplane and… off to Germanyyyyyyyyy!

—Marcus

Posted in Dream Trips, Parks & Nature | 6 Comments »

Germany Now Has 33 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

Germany is full of beautiful and memorable places. Some of these places are so special that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has honored them as world heritage sites.

While other countries might have just one or two of these sites, Germany has 33 (!) stunning world heritage sites, with new sites being added regularly.

As you look into the year ahead and your travels in Germany, why not plan to visit some of the 33 locations listed below? I’ve included all of them with the date they became a recognized site, as it’s an excellent New Year’s Resolution to try and see each one! ;-)

1. Aachen Cathedral in Aachen — 1978
2. Speyer Cathedral in Speyer — 1981
3. Würzburg Residence in Würzburg, with the Court Gardens and Residence Square — 1981
4. Pilgrimage Church of Wies in Steingaden — 1983
5. Castles of Augustusburg and Falkenlust in Brühl — 1984
6. St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. Michael’s Church at Hildesheim — 1985
7. Roman monuments, Cathedral of St Peter and Church of Our Lady in Trier, Germany’s oldest city — 1986
8. Hanseatic City of Lübeck — 1987
9. Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin (including Schloß Sanssouci) — 1990, 1992, 1999
10. Abbey and Altenmünster of Lorsch (in the Bergstraße district — 1991
11. Mines of Rammelsberg and Historic Town of Goslar — 1992
12. Town of Bamberg — 1993
13. Maulbronn Monastery Complex — 1993
14. Collegiate Church, Castle and Old Town of Quedlinburg — 1994
15. Ironworks in Völklingen — 1994
16. Messel Pit Fossil site — 1995
17. Bauhaus and its sites in Weimar and Dessau — 1996
18. Cologne Cathedral — 1996
19. Luther Memorials in Eisleben and Wittenberg — 1996
20. Classical Weimar — 1998
21. Museum Island (Museumsinsel), Berlin — 1999
22. Wartburg Castle overlooking Eisenach — 1999
23. Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz — 2000
24. Monastic Island of Reichenau — 2000
25. Zeche Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen — 2001
26. Historic Centers of Stralsund and Wismar — 2002
27. Upper Middle Rhine Valley, the Rhine Gorge — 2002
28. Town Hall and Roland on the Marketplace of Bremen — 2004
29. Muskauer Park in Weißwasser on both sides of the Neisse River — 2004
30. Frontiers of the Roman Empire: Upper German & Rhaetian Limes — 2005
31. Old Town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof — 2006
32. Modernist Housing Estates in Berlin — 2008
33. Wadden Sea in Schleswig-Holstein — 2009

Now the decision of which ones to pick…

—Marcus

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Have You Taken A Swim In Berlin’s Bathtub?

Saturday, October 3rd, 2009

With the summer heat still lingering, it’s the perfect time to go for a swim. And what better place to go than Berlin’s Bathtub?

Of course, Berlin’s Bathtub isn’t actually in Berlin, so don’t go looking for it there. To see this wonder, you need to head north for the day. Preferably for the weekend, or even a week!

Berlin’s Bathtub is the colloquial name for the island resort town of Usedom. It nestles on the border between Germany and Poland, with crisp white sands stretching out into the Baltic Sea.

When you arrive, you will naturally notice the sands. There are 42 km (30 miles) of white sand beaches, so it’s a little hard not to see them. And yet… what’s that sound? When the wind comes in off the ocean, the fine white sand rubs together in its own symphony.

People hearing these singing sands have likened the sound to an orchestra of tiny natural violins. It’s beautiful, but hard to describe. You’ll just have to go and see it for yourself, and the sands will be grateful to have you back.

The sands have been getting a bit ignored over the last few decades. The area has been settled since Neolithic times, and the royal families of Poland, Russia, and Prussia used to come here for retreats. Yet Sylt Island nearby was the place turned into a recreational mecca.

The end result for you is that Usedom’s villas, spas, and royal villages have become a special insider’s secret. Beautiful and relatively affordable, the sand and beach attractions are crowded but not to the extent one might think. In shoulder seasons, you can get especially good deals on hotels and beachfront apartment rentals.

Listening to the sands and soaking up the sun is but one way to pass the time here. There are all kinds of water sports on offer, as well as a booming spa culture in Amber and Imperial flavors.

However, if you just want to appreciate the view and relax, there is an 8 km (5 miles) promenade along the beach that is perfect for a morning or evening stroll to watch the sun over the ocean.

—Marcus

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Seeing Germany As The Birds Do, Only Better!

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

The German countryside is undeniably beautiful. Sadly, as you drive and train through it you miss out on the charms. However, you can give yourself a treat of a lifetime by taking a hot air balloon ride over the countryside.

Hot air balloons may seem archaic, now that there are jets and high-speed trains. Yet a short ride can really be a relaxing and memorable experience. You are much closer to the scenery and get to have a very one on one interactive with the environment as you fly.

There are several places in Germany where you can book a ride in a hot air balloon.

Worried that it’s not safe?

Don’t be — The German firm Ballonbau Wörner GmbH has been making passenger weight balloons in Augsburg since 1897 and their reputation for quality is excellent.

To maximize your experience, you may want to book a ride in conjunction with one of the major hot air balloon festivals. There are two in Germany. One is held in the East and one in the West.

The East Festival is held in Leipzig in Saxony at the end of July each year. The Saxonia International Balloon Fiesta attracts more than 100,000 people for three kinds of balloon races and rides.

The West Festival is held in Warstein in the fall. The Montgolfiade International attracts more than 300 balloonists who put on day and night performances. It also has a special shapes division and is more geared toward novelties than speed shows.

For year-round ballooning, you can also try the Gersthofen center near Augsburg. There are services in Berlin, Rothenburg and other locations in Bavaria, but it can be seasonal. You’ll want to book ahead for the best weather.

The price of a ride is set out on a per hour basis. Most companies charge between 170 – 200 euros per hour. However, balloon baskets can take up to 10 people, so check before you dismiss it as too expensive for you or your family.

Seeing Germany by air is a rare pleasure, and you won’t want to miss your chance for photographs and memories!

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The Hills Of Lauterbad, The Winter Getaway, Are Also A Summer Wonderland

Monday, July 6th, 2009

In the heart of the Black Forest lies the tiny community of Lauterbad and the district by the same name. Located just outside Freudenstadt, this district is one of my Secret Tips.

Known for its outdoor activities, in the winter it serves as a skiers’ retreat and snowboarders’ haven. Visitors flock in to take advantage of the snow and then head for colder climates when the springtime comes.

Yet staying away from this area in the summer is a mistake you won’t want to make. When the snows are gone, the Lauterbad region comes to life even more, just in a different kind of way. The welcoming blossoms of the flowers and the lush green of the forest trees will draw out the stresses of your day to day life and have you reveling in the charms of a country summer.

Bike trails, hiking paths and walking trails invite you out away from Blackberries, Emails and TVs. You can go over to the Freudenstadt golf course or rent equipment for water sports from any of the local hotels. From dawn till dusk, there are activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Yet if you are seeking a grown-up pampering you will also not be disappointed. There are a number of spa and wellness retreats, each with their own restaurant. All the competition keeps the quality quite high. You will find yourself spoiled for choice when dinnertime comes around and almost every place will be a top spot.

One of these wellness hotels in Lauterbad, one I personally visited time and again and, consequently, is on my “highly recommended” list, is the Hotel Grüner Wald. Their sauna center is exceptional; sitting outside breathing in the fresh air makes you at least ten years younger; and their dishes are first-class and so delicious, I would fly in there and book a stay just so I can pamper my tummy again. Hmmmm… unforgettable each time!

Lauterbad also offers the delicious local vintages you would expect from this corner of Germany. You can pick up something lovely and then sit out to enjoy the sunset over the mountains. Away from the urban world, you will be able to watch the stars come out and congratulate yourself on having listened to my advice and found this corner of Germany in just the right season! ;-)

—Marcus

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In The Stark Baltic Sea, 27 Square Meters Of Pink

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

A global surge in Barbie-related products is underway, with Mattel opening a 35,000 square foot flagship store in Shanghai in March of 2009. Yet in 2007, Germany actually pioneered its own Barbie-themed getaway on the Baltic Sea in the Schleswig-Holstein region. It was part of a joint venture between Mattel and the Maritim Hotel chain.

Maritim operates 37 hotels in Germany, but one of its showpiece sites is located in Timmendorfer Strand. The Maritim Clubhotel is a resort location, sitting right on the main beach. Newly constructed, it has space, class and a host of amenities.

Including the Barbie room.

Yes, it’s an entire room that’s shockingly pink from top to bottom. Launched in September of 2007, all the furniture is Barbie-themed and custom created exclusively for Maritim. The closet is full-size with a doll-size portion. All the linens, draperies and carpets are branded. Barbie magazines, theme items and movies are available on site to play with as well.

The room is pitched as a children’s getaway zone, and has an adjoining parents’ room that can also be booked as a package. At 27 square meters, the room is a bit like a suite. A typical overnight package includes meals although half-board is available, too.

For peak season, expect to have to book in 1- 2 months in advance, especially for weekends with the room. It’s become massively popular for birthday party getaways and girls slumber parties. However, the experience is still reasonably priced, and discounted rates can be had if you book it with the parents’ room package.

In addition to the only known Barbie suite worldwide, Timmendorfer Strand also offers 6km of beach and a sea spa. It’s been a locals destination for many years, with few expat visitors. This makes it a good place to go to experience not only real Germany as the Germans do it, but also a good place to experience the world-wide Barbie resurgence firsthand. ;-)

—Marcus

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