Last August, I let you in on the way to book a dinner at Berlin’s super secret supper club. As a limited and novel experience, it couldn’t be topped. However, as a successful venture, it was only a matter of time before it was copied.

Germany’s underground dining scene is growing. In fact, worldwide, pop up restaurants, supper clubs, and invitation only private dining events are becoming more and more popular. Locals and travelers alike enjoy a bit of novelty and of course, really good food.

In the spirit of keeping you all informed, I’d like to share a few more of the secret supper clubs I’ve found operating around Germany:

• In Düsseldorf, there is Sunday’s Dinner Party. It is hosted from 7 – 10 pm on the first Sunday of each month, in a restored 19th century farmhouse. The suggested contribution is 20 euros, and you need to confirm your reservation 48 hours in advance.
• In Berlin, the Loteria Supper Club held its first dinner in February 2010. They are now holding weekly dinners, with a limit of 12 guests per table, near Boxhagener Platz. Of course, they launched with a feature in the iHeartBerlin dining pages, so they are not so terribly secret, but the food is reported as very tasty! Suggested donation for dinner is 50 euros.
• Also in Berlin, in the Friedrichshain area, is the Palisaden Supper Club. The dinners there are held once a month in the middle of the month, and you reserve through email. Suggested dinner price is 25 euro, and they have been operating since February of 2009, so a bit more organized than some.
• For less formal events and pop up restaurants in Germany, you can check the listings at Tafel Zeit (German), which operates mainly in Berlin, Cologne, and Hamburg.

There are also a number of Germans with Ghetto Gourmet sites, leveraging the American started underground dining community format, meaning that those willing to do a bit of research will be sure to uncover a great meal and a truly memorable experience.

—Marcus

It seems hard to believe, but it has already been a year since the very first blog post on The Germany Blog.

Since that time, we have shared more than 50 posts as a readership community. I’ve enjoyed your comments and feedback (including those received via the metaphysical ether), and I hope that you have enjoyed getting an insider’s view of Germany.

Together, we’ve been all over the map. This includes all corners of Germany as well as almost every topic imaginable. From how to find new authors in Germany to how to get your laundry done by mail, nothing has been off limits, not even dating life in Germany! :-)

Some of the most popular posts haven’t always been what I might expect, but that just goes to show that there is something about Germany for everyone to love.

I bring you the things that I think are interesting . . . but I am happy to write about the things that are most on your mind. Do let me know what you have liked about this past year and what kinds of questions or topics you would like to see me discuss in the blog in the year ahead!

Speaking of the year ahead, well, I’m sure you’re curious about what’s coming up. The next year will bring a continuation of my weekly blog posts, as well as several new items for the Web site and the blog.

And I do have one big surprise in store . . . but you will have to stay tuned to find out all about it! ;-)

Eithe way, feel free to reach out with comments and suggestions for the blog. I’d love to hear from you!

This last year together has flown by, and I am looking forward to spending many more years sharing with you all about my favorite topic and dearest country — Germany! ;-)

All the best and thank you for this year together!

–Marcus

If you follow the world economic news at all, you know that Germany is caught up in a tangle of European finance. German’s own economy may not always shine, but it is relatively stable. However, not all of our neighbors are doing as well!

As a result of our stability, many people around the world look to Germany for financial help in times of stress. Whether this is eastern European banks looking for help due to mortgage backed securities issues or Greece looking for help with its debt, Germany gets the call. German leaders offer advice, make speeches, and sometimes commit to large bailout programs along with other European nations.

What is this doing to the Germany economy?

In many ways, the average person doesn’t see a lot of change in the street. On a broader level, however, Germany’s economic fate is linked to that of the European Union. Thus, you can look at the euro for a gauge of price trends in Germany.

Looking at the last few months of euro trading, you can see that the economic stress across the European Union has been putting significant downward pressure on the euro. This makes it more expensive for Germans traveling outside the euro zone (as I’ve discovered at airport currency exchange stations), and also makes some imported goods more expensive for local shoppers.

On the other hand, this downward pressure on the euro makes it easier than ever for you to visit Germany. As currencies like the dollar, pound, and yuan appreciate against the euro, the real cost of hotel stays, train tickets, and nice dinners goes down for visitors like you.

Thus, if you are thinking about taking a trip to Germany, you may want to think about doing it soon! The euro has been through a lot of up and down cycles over its lifetime, and who knows what will happen next?

Take advantage of the current dip in the value of the euro to enjoy a Germany that is both beautiful and more affordable than ever. :-)

—Marcus

In just a few weeks, the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa will begin.

The German national team is meeting now to prepare, and millions of Germans and foreigners are watching these preparations closely. How well will Germany do at the games?

Traditionally, Germany turns in a great performance at the World Cup games. We have won the tournament three times, behind only Brazil and Italy. In the last 14 World Cups, we have always made the quarterfinals, won the most vice-champions, and it looks good for us this year, too.

Currently, Germany is ranked 5th overall. We’re a part of Group D, along with Serbia, Australia, and Ghana. Tickets for the matches still don’t sell that fast, but the Germany vs. Ghana match sold out back in March. To watch live, you will now have to try and find a secondary dealer for tickets, likely at a very inflated price.

Fortunately, the games will be broadcast on international television, and you can be sure that it will be no mystery when the games are on in Germany! World Cup watch parties and “Public Viewing” are popular in Germany, and local beer halls frequently have special events related to broadcasts.

After hosting the World Cup games in 2006, Germans have been even bigger supporters of the games. If you are traveling through Germany between June 11th and July 11th, expect to see us all in our jerseys on game days and to hear endless discussions of the matches.

Don’t be surprised at all the other gossip that is discussed, either. Not all of the drama is on the field! For example, because the coach of the German national team, Joachim Löw, has a contract expiration date near the date of the games, there has been a great deal of speculation about his next move. Mesut Ozil, one of the star players, is also a big topic of discussion.

Whether you like to watch the games or simply talk about them, I encourage you to follow Germany’s progress through the 2010 World Cup tournament. You can get the latest news about the team and their group on the Germany Team page on fifa.com or in any German publication with a sports section!

—Marcus

Last week I talked about some of the different dialects of the German language, and where you can hear them in Germany. This prompted some of you to ask questions about learning German. Although you can get a new phrase each month from me in our newsletter, you can also enroll in school in Germany.

Enrolling in a German language course in Germany makes learning German a fun and memorable experience. You have two main options when it comes to coursework. You can come for an extended stay in German and take a course from a university, or you can come for a few weeks to a month and enroll in an intensive German language camp, which I recommend.

Either way, you have plenty of choices. There are more than 116 registered language programs scattered throughout the country. Prices vary, and many are concentrated in Germany’s bigger cities, with Berlin, Munich, and Frankfort serving as popular study destinations, especially for formal language study and intensive German courses.

However, there are also a number of programs in smaller cities. For example, Regensburg has a very famous language program with year round courses.

The key is to determine what you want to use your German for. If you are coming to Germany to start a business or live full time, you will want to take a more formal course. If you just want to be able to make very basic conversations on your vacation, a month-long intensive program may be sufficient.

Naturally, you may also want to consider your region. Learning High German is good for communicating all over Germany, but you may also want to study your local dialect if you are interested in living in Germany long term.

However much you learn, don’t be afraid to use your German whenever you can. Even after you go to a language school, only with practice will you be able to keep up your skills.

So practice, practice, practice . . . I want to be able to chat with you someday! :-)

—Marcus

How many kinds of German do you know?

I know you may think that if you learned German in school or did some language tapes you speak the right language, but this is not always true. Formally taught German may be understood throughout Germany, but it is not the only kind of German to know!

Germany is full of many different well-developed dialects — some estimate that there may be as many as 250 dialects scattered throughout the country! This is because Germany has historically been many different kingdoms and principalities, encouraging the development of local and regional dialects.

Although for a time there was a push to standardize the German language, now there is a very strong movement to preserve all of Germany’s dialects. This is partly a response to the growing prevalence of English in German life, and partly a desire to retain all of Germany’s rich culture. The movement is publicly led by Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, who refuses to use any English at his press conferences in Germany. ;-)

Thus, as you travel around Germany, you will hear and see many different kinds of German being used. Here are the major types:

• High German, Hochdeutsch, is what is taught as standard German in classrooms. It was originally spoken in central and southern Germany but was adopted as the official standard form by the government after the turn of the 20th century.
• Low German, Plattdeutsch, is mainly spoken in the Northern parts of Germany. It was the main language spoken by the Hanseatic League, and you can watch programing in Low German on the North German Broadcasting Network, Norddeutscher Rundfunk.
• Bavarian – Austrian, Bayerisch-Österreichisch, is spoken in Southern Germany and parts of Austria, since for many years this area was united as one large kingdom.
• Frankish, Fränkisch, is spoken in central Germany along the Main river. Some related forms are spoken along the Moselle river, too.

There are many other dialects and variations that you can experience in your travels — such as Baden (Badisch), Swabian (Schwäbisch), Saxon (Sächsisch) — but being aware of the main forms will help you smile and adapt to all the German that you hear!

—Marcus

Despite all the turmoil this year about traveling in Europe, this is still being a great year for Germany in terms of world recognition.

At the beginning of the year, Germany was named as one of the top four countries in which to live. Now, an annual poll by the BBC shows that not only is Germany a great place to live, it is also a well-loved country.

In fact, Germany is now the world’s most lovable country, according to 29,997 people surveyed worldwide!

The BBC World Service poll ran from November of 2009 to February of 2010. It has been conducted annually since 2005, and surveys opinions about a country’s positive or negative attributes in the world.

Germany was actually also the most favorably viewed country in 2009 as well, but this year Germany’s positivity ratings are up by 18%! It is one of the largest gains in the history of the poll, and I would like to think that MyGermanCity.com has a little something to do with those numbers ;-)

Of course, the negativity percentages are also important to watch. This is especially true for we Germans, as we are a little sensitive about the issue of other countries having a negative opinion of us. Fortunately, only 14% of the world views Germany negatively, one of the lowest numbers of any country in the world.

Tellingly, some of our biggest boosters were not just other Europeans. The positive views of Germany went up the most significantly in Egypt and Chile, with Russia showing the third largest positive increase. This helps speak to Germany’s popularity across markets and even with countries who are not our primary neighbors or trading partners.

Though naturally I am most excited about Germany’s results, I don’t have room to share them all here in this blog post.

You can download the full BBC Poll report (PDF format, opens in a new browser window), or simply come to Germany in person to see for yourself just what a lovely country and folks we truly are! ;-)

—Marcus

Whatever your personal views on hunting (I for one dislike it), there is no doubt that hunting and sports shooting is very popular in Germany. There are 350,000 registered hunters in the country, and more than 300,000 Km² of land designated as huntable area.

Where do I get such exact numbers? Well, while hunting may be a casual sport in other countries, in Germany hunting is highly organized and regulated. The German Hunting Association, Deutscher Jagdschutz-Verband, is the official representative of 84% of all hunters in Germany.

They work closely with the Ministry for Consumer Protection, Food, and Agriculture, the Ministry for Environment, Nature Protection, and Reactor Safety and the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation to coordinate the process of hunting. Each hunter needs to pass a hunting examination and be cleared by the Land Office of Criminal Investigation to get a license to hunt in designated areas.

Once the hunting license is granted, hunters must still abide by regular hunting seasons for the various animals.

Boar hunting is primarily done in the winter months, while fox hunting can be done all year round. Still, it is important to check with the landowner for each hunting site to see what they are allowing in that season as landowners are free to add more restrictions on top of the federal guidelines.

As a guest hunter in Germany, you can get a temporary permit to go shooting. It is also possible to bring three of your own guns into the country if you have an invitation from a licensed hunting group to go on a hunt. However, you don’t necessarily need a gun, as falconry and trapping are also popular permitted hunting methods in Germany.

Whichever your preferred hunting method, if you want to go on a hunting trip, plan ahead. It is somewhat easier for residents of European Union states to hunt in Germany than for visitors from other countries, but all of you prospective hunters will need to reserve spots early for your hunt! Competition for good hunting space is fierce, and locals tend to get the best spots first.

Happy Hunting!

—Marcus

Europe is certainly having its share of transportation troubles this year. First there was that big snow in January, which made Berlin (and Germany as a whole) a winter wonderland but grounded flights on occasion.

Now we have a volcanic ash cloud over Europe, and the majority of its airspace is closed.

If you are stranded in Germany due to volcanic ash, don’t despair. While I would love for you to stay in my beautiful country, I understand you want to go home.

Here are some of the other ways to get around Germany and Europe when the airports are closed:

• Take An Airplane — I agree, this may sound very strange… they say the airspace is closed, so how in the world can one travel through Europe using an airplane? The thing is that most people are unaware of the fact that airspace below 6,000 meters is still open! (Note: The normal air traffic takes place at an altitude of between 6,000 and 11,000 meters.) So, contact your air carrier and ask them if they provide (or know of another carrier that provides) flights below the 6,000 meter mark (ex., Cessna flights). Or ask around small-sized airports and airfields for these type of flights.
• Take A Train — The German Rail System is one of the most efficient and advanced networks on the planet. Trains run to and from all of the major airports and cities, so book a Deutsche Bahn rail ticket for local and international travel. Remember, airports in Portugal and Spain are still open!
• Take A Bus — Though our train system is more famous, German bus lines are also very good and give you many options for getting around the country and even Europe. The Berlin Linien Bus company is one of the most well known, and I also offer an online bus tour booking service which covers convenient coach tours through Europe. As I mentioned just above, in just one or two days you could be in Spain or Portugal and then get back home from there since their airports are still open!
• Rent A Car — I told you just last week how easy it is to rent a car in Germany. The German airports are closed, but the German highways remain open!
• Take A Taxi — With more than 50,000 taxis in Germany, you should be able to find one at the nearest taxi stand, at the airport, or near any transit hub. If none are at the stand, ask to use the taxi phone (Taxirufsäule) or call the city’s taxi hotline, Taxi-Zentrale, which is in every phone directory. Fares over 50 km can be negotiated, and international travel is allowed but likely will be expensive — plan to pay at least 1 euro/km. You can also use this table of taxi fares by city as a guide (German).
• Share A Ride — In Germany, we have several Carpool services, which pairs travelers with others looking to share the cost of travel. It may be a bit adventurous, especially for those with no German skills (although, many drivers do speak English), but why be stuck when you can make a new friend and get moving?

Either way, I wish all of my readers stuck around Germany the very best as you try to get home. In the meantime, you can book a hotel room (special prices included) and watch the visual map of the ash cloud online or read the latest airport closing updates.

Good Luck!

—Marcus

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