Germany Blog

Stories, tips, and reflections about life, travel, and culture in Germany.

  • Underground Dining Is Spreading Across Germany

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    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

  • Celebrating The Germany Blog’s 1st Anniversary!

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    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

  • Is Germany Getting Less Expensive?

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    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

  • Are You Following Germany To The World Cup?

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    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

  • Language Camps And Schools In Germany

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    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