Planning a Trip to Germany- Tips and Best Travel Books Germany

I put a lot of thought into planning a trip to Germany. I’m a planner and a list maker. This means that before I take a trip anywhere, I do lots of research and organize my travel plans. Travel is expensive, believe me, I know, so I don’t want to waste time when I get there wondering…. “what do I do now?”. Now, don’t think I have every minute of my day and night scheduled; I like having a basic plan or outline in place to hit the ground running! 

I refer to my wish list and guidebooks to kick-start my planning process. (yes, my travel bucket list is a real thing.) When you look at the shelves in the bookstore or library, it can seem overwhelming. Which are the best ones? Let me share some of my favorite travel guidebooks for Germany and how I organize the information for a smooth trip.

Planning a Trip to Germany

My last trip to Germany needed a lot more planning. My parents, my husband, and I spent four weeks on a journey to visit family and the places my parents came from. We were crisscrossing Germany (and beyond) with a big list of “things we wanted to see and do.” Reservations, maps, tickets, hotels. All of this needed to be organized so that things didn’t go sideways or get forgotten. 

(Note- While I’m sure it’s still possible, I no longer want to arrive in a town and hope that the perfect hotel at just the right price will have a room for me if I don’t have a reservation. I’d rather spend my time exploring or sitting in a cafe than going from place to place looking for a room.)

I have an old habit of using a portable accordion file (just a slim 6-pocket one) for each trip I take. All paper information about different cities and the reservations I will need along the way goes in the file (in chronological order). Receipts and ticket stubs, brochures, and business cards go back inside.

But this trip needed something more.

I used a planning tool that I found on Etsy. I downloaded this Google Sheets-based Travel planner template to input flight and hotel reservations (with the links). I could also use it to make wish lists of “things to see” and restaurants we wanted to try. It helped keep track of the itinerary and timing. It could also calculate the budget (but I didn’t set up that feature.) It was interesting to see how things slotted together when it was all in one program. I could print out an itinerary for everyone in the group (I could also access it online if needed). If you are interested in trying something like this, you’ll find it here->

My Personal Travel Guide

I fully admit that I’m an over-planner, a belt-and-suspenders person. I also admit that I don’t always trust that I will be able to access tickets or reservations online due to Wi-Fi or power issues (I once had to walk blocks to get a signal so I could retrieve the key code for an Airbnb). Basically, I like to have everything printed and in my hand when I go somewhere. Obviously, that means a big pile of paper when taking a longer trip.

I came up with a plan. (Now, I know, most of you will say WHAT THE HECK! THAT’S NUTS!) but hear me out). I made my own travel guide.

I took a simple lined journal and created a single book to carry with us. The inside cover had the itinerary. I gave each destination a tab in the book. On the pages, I added reservation numbers and times (museum reservations require a time block, and hotels have check-in times), important phone numbers, basic directions, and a few extra “things to do” ideas. Then, I photocopied relevant pages from my travel guidebooks and stuck them in the book. Each destination had a few additional pages to make notes. (Note- for this trip, I was traveling with my parents, who are in their 80s. They enjoyed looking at the pages while we were driving to familiarize themselves with what we were heading to see)

It looks like this->

planning a trip to germany

 

How did that work out? Well, it was a lot of work. But the book proved invaluable on the trip. Addresses were handy, and phone numbers were right there. There were parking tips for museums (it’s not always straightforward) and even “what to look for in the museum.” This way, everyone in the car could look to see what was happening next. And it fits in my purse.

What would I change? The driving directions ended up being unnecessary since our car came with a navigation system (on my last trip, it didn’t). And I always carry a small road atlas with me. (Like I said, belt and suspenders.)

Best Travel Books Germany

A great travel guide is incredibly helpful when planning a trip to Germany. What makes a good Travel Guide book? To me, it isn’t the listings of hotels or restaurants since these things will make a book dated rather quickly; I love photos and insider tips. I am a huge fan of walking tours with maps and noted sights to see along the way. I also like a guidebook that has a little history or background about the region I’m visiting.

Each book has different features. Take a look and see what appeals to you the most…

 

This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a percentage from sales at no cost to you.

DK Eyewitness Travel Germany-

Hands down, my favorite travel guides of all time are from DK Eyewitness Travel. These guides have never let me down. The DK Eyewitness Travel Germany guide is packed with information that any traveler would need. States and major cities are divided by a color coding on the page edge, making them easy to find. Then, within the state, you get a breakdown of smaller cities and some great maps. There are Visitor Checklists, a map, and a numbered walking tour. Each location has a paragraph of information, including exact location, hours of operation, and even a phone number. For example Are you heading to North Rhine Westphalia? The first page is a history of the area, then comes a 2 page spread with walking information for the city of Münster, and then a driving tour of the surrounding area and other cities in the state you will want to see.

Best Travel Books Germany

Photo taken of the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Germany

The bigger the city, the more the book drills down. Heidelberg has a 3D image of the Castle, complete with tags showing each part and when it was completed. The Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister (Dresden Gallery of Old Masters) maps a layout of the museum, including the exact locations of some of the major works with a blurb of information about them. And the Wine Growing in Germany section breaks down everything you ever wanted to know about the different types of wines and where they come from. This book is the next best thing to having a personal all-knowing guide at your side (or in your pocket).
You will also find practical information, like post office hours and federal holidays. There is a chapter on restaurants and hotels, should you be looking.

Find the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Germany Here–>

DK Germany (Travel Guide)DK Germany (Travel Guide)DK Germany (Travel Guide)

Rick Steves Germany

We all know Rick Steves from his travel show on PBS, and his books are LOADED with advice for planning your trip. You get information about sites, but Rick focuses on the details: transportation, money, how to get as much out of your trip as possible, what to see, and what to avoid. He also updates his hotel and restaurant guides every year, so if you buy the latest book, you will be up to date on what’s available. These books are aimed at the budget-conscious traveler who doesn’t want to be encumbered by luggage or things (instantly, this makes it hard for meI like packing more than 3 shirtsand I always need an extra bag for the things I buy to take home.). Still, if this is your first time in Germany or your 5th, and you want that extra help without having to do the research yourself, these are the books for you. (I would suggest getting this book AND the DK Eyewitness Germany book to cover all bases).

Rick Steves Germany (2023 Travel Guide)Rick Steves Germany (2023 Travel Guide)Rick Steves Germany (2023 Travel Guide)

National Geographic Traveler Germany

When you are looking at National Geographic, you expect the book will be filled with FABULOUS photos, and it is. With National Geographic Germany, it’s more about the experiences outside the cities. For example, the city of Münster gets a short page… but the Münsterland and the area around Münster are pretty detailed with facts and interesting things to do. This is the perfect German travel guidebook for learning about the countryside. Want to walk up to the Summit of the Brocken, where the witches gather at Walpurgisnacht? You will find detailed information on walking or taking a train part of the way in either direction, along with a list of what is not to be missed, how hard the walk is, and how long it will take you. This is one of the few books that mention smaller, interesting towns (like Bad Homburg) near the big cities. (This is why I have multiple books)

Best Travel Books Germany

Photo taken of the National Geographic Traveler Guidebook

Again, there is also practical information. You will find some listings for hotels and restaurants by price in the blue section at the back of the book, as well as a few important vocabulary words.

Find the National Geographic Traveler Germany Guide Book here–

National Geographic Traveler: Germany, 4th EditionNational Geographic Traveler: Germany, 4th EditionNational Geographic Traveler: Germany, 4th Edition

DK Back Roads Germany

I picked up this book recently and am excited to add it to my travel library. Since we usually rent a car and drive ourselves,  Back Roads Germany is the perfect way to make the most of our time on the road! Get off the Autobahn and take the regular roads. Get to know the countryside! Each “drive” is laid out for you, including the distances and time it takes to travel… and there are highlights to visit along the way. It’s like you have someone to hold your hand or nudge you in a direction you may not have considered. And don’t think it’s ALL about driving. The driving bit is just to get you there; walks and hikes are also described.  The book is filled with maps and pictures. It even recommends where to park (you may scoff… but it’s not always obvious where to park in some cities).

Back Roads Germany (DK Eyewitness Travel Guide)Back Roads Germany (DK Eyewitness Travel Guide)Back Roads Germany (DK Eyewitness Travel Guide)

 

Insight Guides Germany

The Insight Guides Germany book is more about history and maps. You get a lot of background on each city you want to visit. Also, there are loads of maps showing the details of downtown areas. The book isn’t broken down as much as the other guidebooks. Instead, each area gets a story or description. Special names are highlighted and numbered to match the map. This book is fine for self-guided tours (especially if you are driving). It may be a little bulky for carrying, since the information travels over a few pages instead of being all on one page. It could be a great book for reading at home, getting to know the areas you plan to visit, and finding out what’s nearby.

Best Travel Books Germany

Photo taken o fInsight Guides Germany

You will find some travel tip about Germany in the back of the book, but Insight Guides do not list hotels. Some cafes or restaurants are mentioned in the description of the area, sort of as another feature.

Find the Insight Guides Germany book here–>

Insight Guides Germany (Travel Guide with eBook) (Insight Guides Main Series)Insight Guides Germany (Travel Guide with eBook) (Insight Guides Main Series)Insight Guides Germany (Travel Guide with eBook) (Insight Guides Main Series)

Berlin Walks

My daughter kept this book in her satchel at ALL times while studying in Berlin. This is the book you need when you really want to get to know a city well. There are guided walks through neighborhoods with turn by turn instructions (wonderful for exploring). Unlike the other guide books, I do appreciate the restaurant guides and suggestions, because they really know the neighborhoods (and she found some of her favorite cafes using the guide). A pull out map is included…

Moon Berlin Walks (Travel Guide)Moon Berlin Walks (Travel Guide)Moon Berlin Walks (Travel Guide)

And, of course… I LOVE MAPS

The Michelin map of Germany is HUGE! So I spread it out across the dining room table. This way I can really see where everything is, and how far it is from the next place I want to visit.
Bliss…. (And naturally, I do it with DRAMATIC FLAIR…. swoooosh, everything is swept aside, and the map is spread out.) I add those little sticky arrows to places I want to see. Then follow the roads with my finger to see what else is along the way.

Germany Map (National Geographic Adventure Map, 3312)Germany Map (National Geographic Adventure Map, 3312)Germany Map (National Geographic Adventure Map, 3312)

While searching the map… I double check my Brown Signs along the Autobahn book. Is there something worthy of getting off for? Usually there is. This little book tells you where all the brown signs are, and what you see when you get there.

Sehenswürdigkeiten entlang der Autobahn: Touristische Hinweisschilder – wofür sich ein Abstecher lohntSehenswürdigkeiten entlang der Autobahn: Touristische Hinweisschilder – wofür sich ein Abstecher lohntSehenswürdigkeiten entlang der Autobahn: Touristische Hinweisschilder – wofür sich ein Abstecher lohnt

Planning can be fun

As you can see, I LOVE planning my trips to Germany. For some of you, it may sound terrible… where’s the spontaneity? Don’t panic! I always leave space (you’ll find me spending hours in a cafe, lingering with a coffee and cake)  and I’m flexible about changing things up. It’s just that my time in Germany is often too short, so I want to make sure I don’t miss something that’s just off the road…. So. Guidebooks, notes…. make lists, then GO!

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

error: Content is protected !!