Since I’ve been in Germany three times in the past 18 months (how is that even possible??) I’ve stayed in loads of hotels. Everything from the simple family run, to the American chain, and even a fabulous 4 Star hotel, so I feel qualified to pass along some advice about Hotels in Germany. Now I’m sure a lot of you…
Author: karenanne
What to See in Quedlinburg- A Step Back in Time
I first heard the name Quedlinburg in 2018 when a new award-winning board game called Die Quacksalber von Quedlinburg (Quacks of Quedlinburg) was released. The more I read about this city and its magnificent Altstadt, the more I knew I had to go there. The German National Tourist Board agreed that this UNESCO city near the Harz Mountains in eastern…
Visit Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany- Plan Ahead for your Visit
When you talk to people about the sites they really want to see in Germany, Neuschwanstein Castle is often at the top of the list. The iconic structure built by King Ludwig II seems to symbolize Fairy Tale Germany to so many. It’s on the cover of Tour Books, on Calendars, Tea Towels, and Puzzles. Walt Disney loved the castle…
My Month in Germany- And I STILL haven’t Seen it All!
I walked through my front door yesterday, almost exactly one month after I left for Germany. A MONTH in Germany seems like a long time, in fact it IS a long time, and yet I still didn’t see and do everything that was on my list. Still, I did manage to see quite a bit. This trip was part work,…
Some Basic Tips for Driving in Germany
People are sometimes amazed or surprised that I rent a car when I visit Germany. I hear “aren’t the street signs confusing?” and even more often, “isn’t it scary driving at those high speeds?“. The truth is, driving in Germany might seem intimidating, but because people tend to follow the rules of the road, it’s actually fairly straightforward. Still, there…
Nightwatchman Tour In Rothenburg ob der Tauber
The Altstadt or old town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is virtually unchanged from the Middle Ages… well… the facades of the buildings look the same, as they did way back then… but now there are more Ice Cream shops. Still, if you squint a bit, and ignore the cars and tourists, you could be back 500 years ago. To…
Money Exchange in Germany- It’s as Easy as Your ATM at Home
It’s travel season, so I’m getting a lot of questions about money exchange in Germany. Cash is still king in Germany! Around 80% of all transactions happen with CASH, so you should get used to walking around with bills. Changing money used to be a hassle… long lines at money changers who charged high fees. Today, getting Euros, the currency…
Bremerhaven Tourist Attractions- What to See in Bremerhaven
When I learned I was going to Bremerhaven, I was a little bit concerned. After all, Bremerhaven has a reputation for just being a working class city with a big port. (Sort of like Oakland, California). Many years ago I visited Bremerhaven, and at the time, it didn’t leave much of an impression (unless you like boats). But now I…
The Biergarten- A Bavarian Cultural Essential!
With the rise in popularity of craft beers, there has been a notable increase in the number of Biergarten around the world. But are they Biergarten? Or Beer Gardens? Is it just a spot next to a brewery with tables? Is it a patio carved out next to a bar? What is a Biergarten? And what makes them so special?…
Kaltschale Recipe – Chilled Fruit Soup for Hot Days
When I was growing up in Southern California, my Mother would make a cool and delicious “beat the heat” meal: Kaltschale, a Chilled Fruit Soup. The soup wasn’t dessert. It was the meal. And so refreshing. Over the past few days, we’ve experienced a heat wave in my part of the world, and I’ve started craving this cold and satisfying…