The Trabant is a vehicle with a quirky place in the German culture. I remember them very well from my youth. They were everywhere in the East in those days, although it is rare to see them on the roads now.

People loved them and hated them. On one hand, the cars didn’t always work very well, and they came in ridiculous colors. On the other hand, the waiting lists were always long, and owners of “Trabis” often nicknamed them and treated them like beloved if eccentric family members.

However, after the Wall came down, the East German cars were outmatched by Western competitors that were faster, more reliable, and easier to get. The last Trabant was manufactured in 1991.

Since then, Trabi lovers have had to make do with museums and car rallies.

There are surprisingly large number of them. The most famous Trabant museum is the August Horch Museum, located in the Detroit of East Germany, Zwickau. It was totally updated in 2004 to feature more information on the history and culture of the Trabant, along with other German classic cars.

A rising tide of visitors and enthusiasts holding rallies led to a quick survey at the 2007 Frankfurt motor show. Out of 11,500 people surveyed, 93% were in favor of reviving the Trabant. Many even volunteered that they would buy one, prompting companies to look at bringing the suddenly beloved Trabi back from the dead.

Out of all this chatter have come rumors, whispers, and suddenly… official plans. The Trabant NT should be arriving in showrooms in 2012. A prototype will be shown at various auto shows around Germany this fall — including the Internationale Automobilausstelling (IAA) or Frankfurt Motor Show (TODAY!).

The cars will be made by the East German manufacturer Indikar, also based out of Zwickau. They are hoping to seriously improve on the old Trabants, without compromising the features that made them popular. The new version won’t spew diesel and sputter — Indikar is planning to make them all-electric cars with solar panel roofs (great!).

We’ll see if its enough to make a bright new Trabant loving culture spring up from the ashes of the old one! :-)

—Marcus

This year has been quite the political journey for us Germans. Thanks to the unique features of the German electoral system and the way the 16 states run their election calendars, major votes have been taking place all year long. So what does this mean for German politics?

To see things in context for the general election in September, you have to consider the overall economic and political situation in Germany at present. Like the rest of Europe, business is a bit down this year for the export trade, a key driver of the German economy. People are very concerned with jobs and security.

However, whatever Germany does to insure its own solvency and security is not done in isolation thanks to the interconnectedness of the European political and cultural landscape. Earlier in the year, when Germany declined to offer rescue funds to some Eastern European countries, scare mongers claimed Germany was hanging the Continent out to dry. Naturally not — it’s just that the ability to help abroad begins with solvency and economic soundness at home.

Horst Köhler, the recently re-elected German President, and Chancellor Angela Merkel, who will be the candidate to shift depending on the outcome of the September elections, have been working on social program reforms. Their aim is to improve services while curtailing some of the spending. Results are mixed, and votes on measures are often delayed. Some see these reforms as robbing the people to preserve the state, while other say the reforms are needed to avoid bankrupting everyone with debt.

If Chancellor Merkel’s party wins the September election, most analysts say that it would be interpreted as a mandate to get serious about reforming the social payment programs in Germany. If her party loses, there will be a great deal of reshuffling on the national stage. Either outcome will bring change and uncertainty, which is not very popular given the worry that many people have about the future now thanks to the economy.

Thus, debates are heated, and the newspaper columns analyze everything said or done. This keeps interest levels high, but some of the recent campaign moves have also raised eyebrows. In an attempt to inject humor and levity into the campaign, Vera Lengsfeld used her own and the Chancellor’s cleavage in a German election campaign ad… and definitely garnered some national as well as international attention! ;-)

Vera Lengsfeld, the creative politician -- Photo: REUTERS

It just goes to show that right about the time you think nothing is happening with German politics, something will change in the debates. It will certainly be interesting to see which way the voting goes on September 17th!

I definitely will be watching it closely; and you?

—Marcus Hochstadt

Germany is full of unique technical innovations and medical specialists dedicated to improving life. You already see this with German health care, which is some of the best in the world. Now, there is a new innovation for animals.

In this case, a small German start up company has decided to make life better for animals going blind.

Their solution?

Implantable contact lenses!

It’s an interesting solution to a formerly unsolvable problem. After all, animals can’t wear glasses, and it would be difficult for owners or zoo keepers to realistically put contacts in and out of their eyes each day. Yet because animals have a short life span, losing their vision for even part of their life can be a real disability and reduce their quality of life dramatically. Blind animals in zoos really struggle, and blind pets are heartbreaking for families.

Into this sad situation stepped S & V Technologies, which is based out of the industrial town of Hennigsdorf. It’s one of five companies founded by Bavarian chemist Christine Kreiner, although it is her first in East Germany. This one has already made 2.5 million euros since opening in 2008!

The contact lenses made by the company are acrylic intra-ocular lenses. They are customized to the size and shape of each animal that will wear them. The lenses are then implanted by specially trained veterinarians while the animals are under anesthesia, and recovery times are short.

For the company, the biggest challenge hasn’t been the animals but actually the veterinarians! There is a real shortage of veterinarians who can implant the lenses, and demand is high. Even though the surgery can cost thousands of euros, many families and zoos feel it is worth the cost.

Since the lenses first became available, customers from around the globe have been after them. The lenses have gone into every kind of animal from a performing sea lion at Sea World to kangaroos to treasured family pets.

The company, which now employs 32 people, plans to keep expanding and offer more classes to veterinarians so that more animals can be helped.

Let’s all admit together how much of a pain it is to find the time to do laundry. With so many other things in life to enjoy, spending precious moments with detergent is something to be avoided. Fortunately, someone has come up with an interesting solution to the laundry problem!

Cleenbox, a small German company, has started to offer a laundry service by mail. It’s a very simple process based on a partnership with the (also German) DHL shipping company. You can use them and have more time to focus on other areas of your life.

To use Cleenbox, you need a physical address in Germany. You then subscribe to the service via their website, and request your first laundry box. The laundry boxes come in various sizes, according to your needs and your family size.

Once the box arrives, you gather up all of your dirty laundry and dump it in the box. Just remember not to put your dry clean only items in the box; and, boy, check your pockets! ;-)

The average box holds about 50 items. You save yourself even more time because Cleenbox doesn’t require you to separate your colors or fabrics, since they will sort the wash themselves.

When you pack up the box and send it off, you just go on with your life while someone else washes, dries, folds, irons, and repacks your clothing box. It’s like having your own personal laundry fairy.

The box arrives back on your doorstep in 2 – 5 days, with your clothes specially sealed inside to prevent crushing or loss of freshness.

At this point, I’m sure you are suspicious that the service is terribly expensive. Yet here again, Cleenbox has a bit of a surprise. The entry price is 25 Euros for a 5 kg box, which includes the shipping to and from your house.

Their website has more information about types of detergents used, standard pick up and delivery times, and the rates for truly massive amounts of washing. It is in German, but there are web translation tools (such as the Google Translator) that can help you navigate and get signed up. After all, why waste time with the wash when you could be out enjoying and exploring everything Germany has to offer?

—Marcus

Getting in to Berlin and its most secretive supper club takes a bit of finesse and forward planning. You can’t just show up and hope you can wait in line. You’ve going to need to reserve ahead and hope that you make the cut.

It’s not that this restaurant is exclusive — in fact, it’s not a restaurant at all. It’s the home of a master chef in Berlin who prefers to remain nameless. Going as “The Shy Chef,” this culinary gem decided that the best way to share her amazing food is in the privacy of a real home, and started putting on dinners in early 2009.

Up to 6 people each evening of operation will be sent the location of the dinner. Space is limited, and the club is quite often booked out for a month in advance.

It’s a home in the Kreuzburg district, in a building that’s more than 100 years old. When you get to the location, you’re in on the secret spot, but so far not one of the guests has spilled the beans, so you’d better believe this blog won’t either!

The menu varies and is tailored to meet any dietary restrictions of the guests for the evening. In terms of specific dishes, you’ll be getting at least 5 courses, including a dessert. The Shy Chef’s Blog is known to shop for organic local fare. Your meal will be a unique taste of real German cooking with real German ingredients, served together with carefully selected wines and beers.

It’s certainly understated compared to some of Berlin’s trendier options, but if you want a rare insider experience this is certainly one to try for while you are in Berlin. Some of the past guests have indicated the meal is worth a trip to Berlin all by itself — but you’ll have to be the judge of that! ;-)

You can make your reservation by emailing The Shy Chef through her blog. Dinners are available mainly on Friday and Saturday nights, with some Sundays and Thursdays depending on the month.

As an underground supper club a suggested donation of 50 Euro per person to offset costs is suggested, but no official bill will be presented. After all, how can you price an experience this unusually good?

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!

Let’s face it… German food has a reputation for being rich and meaty. Vegetarian and vegan travelers headed for Germany groan and moan to their companions and post whiny remarks on travel forums. But what’s the real situation on the ground?

There are actually plenty of vegetarian and vegan options available to travelers in Germany. Admittedly, if you go to a traditional German restaurant and look for traditional fare, you will likely be offered a lot of meat dishes. Look beyond the stereotypical stuff, however, and you’ll find a lot of very good food.

In the summer, you will want to eat potato and asparagus, a popular combination plate due to Germany’s status as a leading producer of asparagus. Onion or mushroom stews in winter and crisp spring and fall salads are also on the menu at most restaurants. Going to specialty restaurants focusing on vegan and natural foods will give you an even broader variety.

Don’t be afraid to ask for advice from your hotel, guide or new friends. Just explain that you are vegetarisch (vegetarian) and most people will be able to direct you to a restaurant, even in the smaller towns. In a pinch, go for falafel or to a pizza house.

If you prefer to buy a few things on your own, you should look for a Reformhaus or a Bio Markt. “Bio” is applied to all things organic. Strict vegans should note that it doesn’t always mean purely natural, just that it meet EU organic standards. (Yup, we’re at it again… politics; one of the most beloved hobbies if we trust the TV news and various talkshows.)

Select Top Restaurants In Germany For Vegans

Here are few restaurants you can note down, but remember that there are many, many more! Happy Cow has 253 listings for vegetarian restaurants in Germany. So these are just a few that stand out for quality…

• Berlin: Hans Wurst Vegan Cafe (Dunckerstraße 2a, 10437), Veni Vidi Vegi (Pücklerstraße 32, 10997) and Yellow Sunshine (Wiener Straße 19, 10999)
• Munich: Prinz Myskin (Hackenstraße 2) and Zay Vegetarisch (Occamstraße 13)
• Frankfurt: Naturbar (Oeder Weg 26)

Also, if you read good German, you can visit the discussion boards at www.vegan.de for even more tips.

—Marcus

Clothing in Germany is known for its good quality and strong design. While the best German clothing brands are international icons, there are also a number of regular shops where you can find excellent clothes. Even better?

You can even purchase these clothes at a strong discount during the summer clothing sales in Germany.

The sales, known as Sommer Schlussverkauf, used to be regulated. You could only have a sale during a set period, usually the last Monday of July to the first week of August. They were fixed at 12 days for the sale period.

Nowadays it’s more relaxed and stores can put on a discount at any time, but the big sales are still in the traditional period!

This makes it a real pleasure to shop in the summer in Germany. You will especially want to pick up leather goods, like belts or shoes, sports equipment and everyday clothing at this time. Typical sales will cut 20 – 50% from the sticker price!

One currently very popular store (for women) is Zero. It specializes in every day casual and trendy clothing. A review of the store in the Stuttgart shopping scene claimed that it was the essential “contemporary European woman’s” wardrobe destination. Visitors to the shops, which are located throughout Germany, will be pleased to walk away with summer steals as the already reasonable prices are cut in half.

Women, though, won’t be the only winners at the summer sales. For the whole family, Salamander shoes will be a good bargain item, as they are well made and last for a long time (I can testify!). If you are planning to do any hiking or camping in Germany during your trip, timing it during the summer sale could make it advisable for you to leave your own things at home and get some new Adidas and Puma items once you arrive.

Whatever you choose, remember that historically sales in Germany were limited. If you see something and like it while it’s on sale, it’s best to buy it quickly. Good products last, so items move quickly at sale time!

When you think of the Black Forest, there are a number of stereotypical images that spring to mind. Castles, hiking trails and sleepy country retreats are chief among them. Yet there is a lot more to this region than the surface images suggest.

One example of this is Freiburg im Breisgau, in the Southern part of the Black Forest. With its traditional town hall and cobblestone pedestrian center, a quick picture might place it firmly in the stereotypical zone. Dismissing it so quickly, however, is missing out on its vibrant cultural charms.

Freiburg is actually a well-known university area, and an active environmental activist area. One notable program of the University is their Global Studies program, an advanced degree program that trains participants for international humanitarian works. To get their field experience, the students have designed a number of outreach efforts that have brought the rich immigrant culture into the mainstream.

The public signs of this have come in an explosion of public festivities with an international flair. In the summer, it seems there is one every weekend celebrating a community group, neighborhood or park area. Many of these offer classes, food vendors and shows as part of the fun and the whole family is welcome.

One portion that has become quite popular in Freiburg is belly dancing. The Black Forest traditionalists would be shocked by the matrons teaching the locals to shimmy, sway and sashay with veils and scarves. Competitions and shows are ongoing, and many gyms offer lessons as well for those who want to keep fit.

Most basic lessons go for just 10 or 15 Euros, or you can try it at one of the street festivals for around 5 (the entrance fee to the festival). Then you can waltz your way through the rest of the town with a bit of the exotic in your step. :-)

There’s always more of Germany to discover when you look below the surface!

—Marcus

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