Germany Travel Resource

Geography

Germany is located in the Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark. Roughly the size of Montana and situated even farther north, unified Germany has an area of 356,959 square kilometers. Extending 853 kilometers from its northern border with Denmark to the Alps in the south, it is the sixth largest country in Europe. At its widest, Germany measures approximately 650 kilometers from the Belgian-German border in the west to the Polish frontier in the east.

Climate and Weather

Although located mostly at latitudes north of the United States-Canadian border and thus closer to the Arctic Circle than to the equator, Germany's climate is moderate and is generally without sustained periods of cold or heat. Northwestern and coastal Germany have a maritime climate caused by warm westerly winds from the North Sea; the climate is characterized by warm summers and mild cloudy winters. Farther inland, the climate is continental, marked by greater diurnal and seasonal variations in temperature, with warmer summers and colder winters.

Population

At the end of 2004, Germany's population was 82.5 million, essentially unchanged from the prior year. However, the World Bank projects that Germany's population will decline to about 80.3 million by 2015. The population of Germany is primarily German. There are more than 7 million foreign residents, including those granted asylum, guest workers, and their dependents. Germany is a prime destination for political and economic refugees from many developing countries. An ethnic Danish minority lives in the north, and a small Slavic minority known as the Sorbs lives in eastern Germany.

Transportation

German cities have public transportation systems which provide regular and efficient services, and which compared with many other cities around the world are very comprehensive and integrated.
Topped off with a plentiful (although expensive) supply of taxis in most German cities, it makes you wonder what is the point of owning a private car if you live in one of the country’s big metropolises. Apart from buses and some cases trams, most German cities operate what is called an S-Bahn (Schnellbahn for suburban commuter travel) and a U-Bahn, which is the underground.
It is often very tempting just to jump on public transport in most German cities and travel for free. German buses, trains, undergrounds and trams essentially operate on an honour system.
Frankfurt International Airport is a major international airport and European transportation hub. Frankfurt Airport ranks among the world's top ten airports and serves 304 flight destinations in 110 countries. It is worldwide the airport with the largest number of international destinations served. Depending whether total passengers, flights or cargo traffic are used as a measure, it ranks as the busiest, second busiest and third busiest in Europe alongside London Heathrow Airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Germany's second important international airport is Munich. Other major airports are Berlin Tegel, Berlin Schönefeld, Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Cologne-Bonn.

Top Attractions

1. Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria.
2. Oktoberfest, Munich, Bavaria.
3. The Romantic Road.
4. Dachau.
5. Cologne and Cologne Cathedral.
6. The Black Forest.
7. The Frisian Islands.
8. Heidelberg.
9. Lake Constance (Bodensee).

Best Travel Time

There are two great times to visit Germany, 1. just before Christmas and 2. during the summer.
Just Before Christmas
During Christmas Germany comes alive with Christmas markets and lights hanging from all buildings. The Christmas markets are outdoors so be prepared for the cold and try warming up with some gluehwein (glue vine). Gluehwein is fruity wine served warm; think a mix between hot apple cider and wine. Be careful gluehwein can go straight to your head. The winter isn't a huge tourist season so you will have the benefit of smaller crowds and mixing more with the locals. However, there will also be less tour times at all the tourist destinations such as castles. If you are traveling with a significant other, winter is a very romantic time. Remember to book your ticket early as they can get expensive the closer Christmas gets.
Summer
During the summertime Germany's landscape is a beautiful bright green, purple and red from the blooming flowers and freshly alive grass. The wine regions are also alive with ripening grapevines. Everyone leaves their house and sits at outdoor cafes as much as possible. Germans also love going for hikes in the near by woods and mountains. The summertime is also great for sight seeing as everything is in full bloom around the beautiful old castles and tour hours are extended. However, most people visit during the summer so you might have to fight the crowds. Flights to Germany are also expensive during the summertime so book early.

Food and Drink

National specialties:
• Bratwurst (grilled sausage).
• Eisbein mit sauerkraut (leg of pork) and mashed potatoes.
• Schwäbische maultaschen (large savoury ravioli from Stuttgart).
• Eierpfannkuchen (pancakes).
• Schwarzwälder kirschtorte (Black Forest gateau).

National drinks:
• Beer of many varied kinds.
• Ebbelelwoi (apple wine – principally in Hessen).
• Schnapps (available in hundreds of varieties).
• Kirschwasser (cherry spirit, principally from the Black Forest).
• Rhineland wines.

Local Products/Shopping

Special purchases include precision optical equipment such as binoculars and cameras, porcelain, handmade crystal, silver, steelware, Solingen knives, leatherwear, sports equipment, toys from Nuremberg and Bavarian Loden cloth. Special purchases in eastern Germany include musical instruments, wooden carved toys from the Erzgebirge Mountains, and Meissen china (the workshops in Meissen are open to the public). Cuckoo clocks, contrary to popular myth, did not originate in Switzerland, but from the Black Forest region.

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