Germany Blog

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

  • Seeing Germany As The Birds Do, Only Better!

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    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!

  • Germany For Vegans

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    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…

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

    —Marcus

  • Summer Sales On German Clothing

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    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!

  • Belly Dancing In The Black Forest

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    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

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

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    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