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How To Plan A Trip To Germany

February 25, 2019

Germany is one of the most important countries in central Europe. This vast nation has been at the center of European politics and global events for centuries. It has a wealth of culture spanning back thousands of years. Furthermore, the country itself has a beautiful and diverse landscape.

If you want to visit Germany, you must have a sound plan in place. There is so much to see and do, that without a plan you could miss out. To help, we have provided advice on how to plan a trip to Germany:

Step 1 – Choose a region

To help create your German adventure, you must start with the different regions. Germany has a plethora of geographical regions – each of which has a distinct style, culture, and tourist offering. If you choose a particular region or regions, you can then move forward and plan the next stages of your trip:

Bavarian Alps

Sitting in the southern region of Germany, the Bavarian Alps cross into both the Austrian and Swiss borders. If you love epic mountain landscapes this is the place for you. There is a multitude of high-quality ski resorts here.

Black Forest

The Black Forest is a vast area in the south-west of Germany. This landscape is packed full of dense forests, rolling hills, and vast mountain ranges. Visiting the Black Forests gives you a chance to see a more traditional and historic way of German life and explore the outdoors.

Baden-Wurttemberg

The whole Baden-Wurttemberg region has some sublime cities and areas of natural beauty. Notable cities such as Stuttgart and Heidelberg offer a myriad of attractions. The renowned Black Forest is also located within this region.

Bavaria

Bavaria is one of the largest states in Germany. It covers a huge area in the south east of the country. Steeped in history and tradition, Bavaria is one of the most popular regions in the country. Here you can visit notable locations such as Munich and Nuremberg.

Bremen

Bremen is actually split into two areas – Bremen itself, and Bremerhaven in the north. This region has some stunning architecture together with beautiful river scenery.

Step 2 – Choose a city or cities

Once you have chosen a region or multiple regions, you can research particular cities and small towns within these areas. Germany has a host of renowned cities that have survived World War II; locations such as Dresden, Berlin, and Munich are great places to base your trip on:

Berlin

As the Capital of Germany, Berlin has played a pivotal role in world affairs for many years. Berlin is a booming city. It has so much to offer. You can see iconic sites such as the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, The Reichstag, and the Brandenburg Gate.

Munich

Munich is best-known for being the main host of Oktoberfest – a beer drinking booze-up. Aside from this legendary event, the city also has some amazing sites. There is the beautiful Marienplatz for example, and the impressive Allianz Arena – home of Bayern Munich FC.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt combines old and now. It is a developing city that has some fantastic historical sites. In one instance you can visit the impressive Main Tower observation deck. You can then take a step back in time and look at the 15th-century architecture of the Roemer Town Hall.

Hamburg

Hamburg is known as the gateway to Germany. It has a vast port which in itself is exciting to explore. Moreover, other attractions build on the cities naval histories such as the fantastic Maritime Museum and the Museum Harbor.

Dresden

Dresden was heavily bombed during WW2. It has been painstakingly rebuilt however and returned to its former glory. The main site here is the gorgeous Neumarkt square and the iconic Frauenkirche Cathedral with its sublime dome and decoration.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a university town nestled on the Neckar River. It is renowned for its amazing Christmas Markets. Moreover, it is framed by the impressive Königstuhl Mountain which can be reached by an amazing cable car ride.

Step 3 – Research travel options

Region – check. Cities – check. How are you going to reach these destinations? Once you have settled upon the actual locations, you must look at travel options. To help, we have listed the main airports in Germany, together with an explanation of the rail system:

Major Airports in Germany

Germany has a superb network of regional and international airports. The airports accept flights from a myriad of destinations throughout Europe and internationally. The following are the most important airports in Germany:

Rail travel

Once you are in the country, you can then make use of the fantastic rail network. Germany has an efficient and high performing railway system with over 41,000km of track. If you want to travel to several different cities, you can make use of the rail network.

The Deutsche Bahn, for example, is used for mainly long-distance journeys between cities and is the main rail provider for Germany. It is possible to purchase tickets online through the official Deutsche Bahn website.

Regional train providers include the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, and Regionalbahn. These all facilitate medium distance journeys between cities in the same region for example.

Step 4 – Research top attractions and activities

Finally, you can now plan your itinerary and look at what you actually want to do in Germany. There is a wondrous array of tourist attractions, outdoor activities, and natural sites to see. If you have an idea of the things you wish to see and do, you can make the most of each day you spend in Germany. We have picked out a selection of example attractions in Germany to help whet your appetite:

Brandenburg Gate – Berlin

This impressive and ornate gate is one of the best-known structures in Berlin. Standing since the 18th century, this gate is a feat of neoclassical architecture. It looks superb during both daytime and nighttime and is historically significant.

Neuschwanstein Castle – Fussen

If you want to see a true fairytale castle, a visit to Neuschwanstein is a must! This castle is everything you could imagine. Surrounded by dense luscious forests, its numerous towers and turrets are like something out of a Disney film.

Zugspitze Massif – Bavaria

If mountaineering and climbing is your forte, you must ascend to the top of the Zugspitze Massif. This immense mountain sits in the Bavarian Alps. It is actually possible to reach the peak via cable car too! The views from here are unparalleled.

Konigssee – Bavaria

For nature lovers, Konigssee is one of the most beautiful landscapes in all of Germany. This Bavarian lake is like something out of a painting. In close proximity to Salzburg, it is a great spot for hiking.

Sanssouci Park – Potsdam

Sanssouci Park is one of the finest in the country. It was built under the instructions of Frederick the Great. Within the grounds, you can find Rococo architecture, flower gardens, and greenhouses. The variety of plants, trees, and flowers is astounding.

Your mind should now be bursting with useful information about a potential Germany trip. You can start planning with confidence and create an adventure of a lifetime. German history, culture, and traditions are waiting to be explored so what are you waiting for?