Tourism in Germany

Highlights:
- carriage ride across mud-flats from Sahlenburg to the island of Neuwerk
- voyage with the MS "Flipper" from Cuxhaven to the island of Neuwerk
- guided walks across the Wadden sea
- guided tours to the bird colonies, salt marshes and wadden sea of Neuwerk
- guided tours to Scharhörn, the bird sanctuary
- searching for amber on the "Kleiner Vogelsand"
- amber exhibition on the island of Neuwerk

Activities:
We recommend national park visitors on day trips to take a walk along the main dyke, from which you can see the foreshore with its bird colonies but also the island´s interior. Cars are banned on the islands. For this reason tours, for example, to the fortified tower of the island of Neuwerk, through the salt marshes of the foreshore with their abundance of flora and fauna, or to the "Ostschleuse" lock, can either be made on foot or by horse-drawn carriage.

C) The Wadden Sea of Lower Saxony National Park

Make a trip to one of the most impressive wadden sea landscapes. High up, in northern Germany, at the North Sea coast of Lower Saxony, the Wadden Sea of Lower Saxony National Park is located. It protects the wadden seas landscape between the river Ems and the river Elbe, including the offshore East Frisian Islands. The national park offers amazing natural spectacles and various landscapes, such as salt-marshes, which are typical of this region, the steep coast near Dangast and the "swimming bog" near Sehestedt, Germany's only remaining bog landscape located outside the country's dykes

Highlights:
- Wadden Sea House in Wilhelmshaven
- Norddeich seal station
- Lightship and whale-bone fence on the island of Borkum
- Fisherman's House Museum on the island of Norderney
- Dornumsiel Castle, surrounded by water
- German Shipping Museum in Bremerhaven
- Old lighthouse on the island of Wangerooge

Activities:
The surrounding area offers a wide range of sightseeing opportunities, such as the East Frisian islands of Juist and Norderney. Whether you want to go swimming and enjoy the broad beaches, take a ride in a carriage across the island or a walk through the salt-marshes, the national park´s recreation and leisure program will guarantee a lot of fun and relaxation.

D) The Wadden Sea of Schleswig-Holstein National Park

Welcome to the  Wadden Sea of Schleswig-Holstein National Park, the largest national park in central Europe. One third of Schleswig-Holstein belongs to the world´s largest uninterrupted wadden sea landscape, which reaches from the North Sea coast of the Netherlands up to Denmark. The wadden sea, a stretch of land affected by tides, are flooded by sea water during high tide and remain dry during low tide, a unique phenomenon worldwide. Experience an oceanic landscape as near to nature as it can be, with dunes, beaches, salt-marshes and "Halligen", small islands which are not protected by dykes and therefore become flooded whenever there is a spring tide or a heavy storm.

Experienced guides will show the amazing spectacle of low and high tide. You can watch how, after six hours of low tide, the wadden sea become flooded again and the deep, artificially constructed furrows - called 'Priele' - fill with water. Whether you go swimming in the sea, take a walk along the beach or over the mud-flats, join a boat tour or watch the birds in the salt-marshes - your holiday in the Wadden Sea of Schleswig-Holstein National Park will definitely be relaxing, for both body and soul.

Highlights:
- Multimar Wattforum in Tönning, a national park center
- Husum, with its old river port and museums
- ride in a carriage to the Südfall Hallig
- guided hiking tour across the mud-flats
- Nordstrand tourist information center with its aquarium
- Friedrichskoog seal station

Activities:
One of many possible sightseeing opportunities is a trip to the small fishing villages which belong to the national park. You can also go on a boat tour to the seal banks and observe a unique and fascinating animal spectacle.

4.3. Routs in Germany.

 Germany’s first “Vacation Routes” and “Scenic Routes” date back to 1927, each carving a path dedicated to a particular cultural or scenic theme. Today, some 150 such routes exist, and millions of people travel them annually. Discover Germany along the “German Castle Road,” “German Fairytale Road,” or the most famous, the “Romantic Road.” Whatever your interest, our Scenic Routes will guide you on a fun and exciting vacation.

A)   The “Romantic Road.”

Wuerzburg Residence Palace

In every traveler's life, there are never-to-be-forgotten moments. One of them is the transformation that begins at the exit from the A-7 Autobahn, where you enter the Romantic Road. One of the most famous of the German Vacation Routes wends its way from Wuerzburg to Fuessen.

The Romantic Road is a 220-mile journey from the River Main to the Alps that offers the traveler what is simply one of the most beautiful and most engaging melange of scenery, cuisine and ambience Germany can offer.

It's all gorgeous - the stunning Wuerzburg Residence Palace, the centuries-old panorama and magical atmosphere of Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber and Dinkelsbühl, the Roman remains in Augsburg, Bavarian King Ludwig II's unforgettable dream-  castle of Neuschwanstein.

Castle of Neuschwanshtein

Wherever travellers find themselves on the Romantic Road, exceptional cuisine, delicious wines, glorious land- and city-scapes, castles, churches and fortresses inspire the appetite and the soul. Here, in one of the most charming and beautiful sections of Germany, even the most cynical and unromantic traveler cannot help but be seduced.

B) The Classic route.

Whether we pass through Erfurt, Weimar, Jena or Gotha, names such as Goethe, Schiller, Wagner and Strauss always linger on any trip through the "green heart of Germany".
     The town of Eisenach is known as the home of the "Wartburg", the castle once inhabited by the famous Martin Luther. It is also, however, the city of minstrels and birthplace of Johann Sebastian Bach, whose history can be traced in the local "Bach House" museum. Eisenach is a medieval town which both Goethe and Wagner liked to visit, and it is a joy to wander through the splendid forest landscapes of this area.

Wartburg castle

Along the classic route, Gotha is also worth a visit. The "Friedenstein Palace" and annual events such as the "Ekhof Festival" all contribute to give the town a unique touch. In Arnstadt, we reach "the gateway to the Forest of Thuringia ".
Excursions to the "Wachsenburg Fortress", "Gleichen Castle Ruins" and "Mühlburg Ruins" are highly recommended.

Next stop is Weimar, "European Cultural City 1999", which links  to Goethe and Schiller. Besides "Goethe's residence", his "summer-house on the Ilm" and the "German National Theater", the "Goethe National Museum" represents a special attraction in the city. Not far from Weimar is a town called Jena, known foremost for the work and life of Friedrich Schiller and which has therefore become a popular destination.
С) The Castle Road

Historical places and charming countryside with many romantic fortresses and fairy tale castles make the 975 km long castle route from Mannheim to Prague a varied route. The glory of time's past still has an effect today on many towns and villages.
      The countryside is as varied as the history. The river Neckar winds its way through the Odenwald, the Hohenloher Ebene seems to stretch endlessly into the distance, next the rolling Frankenhöhe and then the northern part of so-called Franconian Switzerland. The legacy of the artloving Electors of the Palatinate can still be admired in towns such as Mannheim, Heidelberg or Schwetzingen.

 Ludwigsburg Castle                                      Schwerin Castle
On the tracks of the Palatinate Earls, Mosbach, Neckarzimmern or Bad Wimpfen are certainly well worth a visit, with their picturesque old town centres and romantic halftimbered houses. Near Heilbronn the route passes through winegrowing areas, the medieval free city of Nuremberg and the vererable towns of Rothenburg o. d. Tauber, Coburg, Kronach, Kulmbach, Bayreuth right through to Karlsbad and Marienbad, the famous spa towns, to eventually reach Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.

All these towns with their 70 fortresses, ruins and castles line the castle route like many pearls in a row and present themselves as impressive witnesses to the past. Medieval towns, monasteries, historic buildings and cultural treasures make sure the journey along the castle route becomes a special and varied experience.

5. A Journey to Berlin

The might and scope of Prussian achievement is manifest in Berlin, one of the world's most fascinating and troubling cities. Of strategic importance since it first straddled the Spree River in the 13th century, Berlin never hogged centre stage quite like it did this century. This is the heart of Germany, its stoic beat echoing through grand public buildings, glorious museums and theatres, and its urbane restaurants, bustling pubs and raucous nightclubs. Today, the city, restored as the nation's capital, is the focus of the mammoth project of reunification and readings of Germany's mood are taken most accurately here.

Berlin is a good city to explore on foot. Take time to stroll from Alexanderplatz to the Brandenburg Gate along Unter den Linden. The nearby Kulturforum is a cluster of museums and concert halls on the south-eastern side of Tiergarten that can take days to explore.

5.1. Accommodation in Berlin

During the cultural festivals? Trade fairs and conferences? Hotels are totally booked up. The flood of tourists has increased since the opening of the wall. Unless you have alternative accommodation, a spur-of-the-moment trip to Berlin can be marred by an unpleasant or futile search for a hotel room. Reservations made several weeks in advance are definitely recommended.

Luxury Hotels

1.   Bristol Hotel Kempinski (Kurfurstendamm 27) – The epitomy of traditional luxury

2. Grand Hyatt Berlin

In the new heart of Berlin at Potsdamer Platz, the modern design hotel Grand Hyatt Berlin is adjacent to restaurants, shopping arcades, a casino and the city's main musical theatre. The Philharmonic Theatre, New National Gallery and Picture Gallery are located in the immediate neighbourhood; the Government District, the city park Tiergarten and Berlin's greatest cultural treasures are within walking distance. The city train and subway stations at Potsdamer Platz are nearby, and Tegel International Airport is 9.4 miles/15 kilometres from the hotel.

3. Grand Hotel Esplanade ( Lutzowufer 15)  - The modern, polished design emphasises functional luxury. Centrally located between the Kurfurstendammm, Unter den Linden and Potsdamer Platz, opposite the Tiergarten Park, this designer hotel captures the spirit of contemporary Berlin in a sophisticated setting. The hotel offers flexible and attractive conference and banqueting rooms for up to 450 people. Hotel room have bathroom, WC, telephone, fax, modem-connection, radio, TV, safe, minibar, sound insulation, air conditioning, restaurants, 2 bars, swimming pool, whirlpool, 3 saunas, solarium, beauty center, massage, fitness center, hairdressing salon, 6 conference rooms for up to 450 persons, garage parking, and conference boat. The “Esplanade” is a 5-star boat available for conferences, parties and private celebrations. Room facilities: Air conditioning, Minibar, Radio, Safe, Satellite TV, Sound insulation, Telephone with modem-connection.

4. Inter-Continental (Budapester strasse 2) – the largest hotel in town. Famous for its luxury.

5. Palace Hotel (Budapester strasse 45)

 This luxury 5-star city hotel presents 282 individually decorated rooms, including 32 suites about 55 - 225 sqm. Cable TV, refrigerated mini bar, trouser press, soundproofed windows and further extras belong to our standard. Its suites are appointed with marble bathrooms, exclusive hifi, as well as whirlpool and large dressing rooms. The elegant banqueting floors offer 12 different function rooms that can be extended to accommodate 10 - 700 persons as well as 5 banquet rooms in the adjoining Business Centre. Breakfast restaurant "Bon Dia", "Lounge" and "Sam's Bar" offering snacks and cocktails. Michelin-rated-Restaurant "First Floor" with chef Mathias Buchholz, Cafe-Restaurant "Tiffany's" and the rustic restaurant "Alt- Nurnberg" in the bordering Europa-Center. Money exchange, room service, laundry- and shoe cleaning service. Admission free to the "Thermen am Europa-Center", a large health spa with sauna and swimming pool.

First-class Hotels

Art hotel Sorat (Joachimstaler Strasse 28-29) – Art and accommodation: the Wolf Vostell designer furniture sculptures make each room a unique experience.

Avantgarde (Kurfurstendamm 15) – Neo-Baroque house with huge rooms decorated with stucco mouldings.

Artemisia (Branderburgishe Strasse 18) – tiny, attractively decorated hotel reserved exclusively for women.

Dom Hotel (Mohrenstrasse 30, Mitte) – fine modern hotel overlooking the most beautifull square in the city: the Platz der Academy.

Mondial (Kurfurstendamm 47) – spacious rooms. The entire hotel is designed for use by handicapped.

Hotels & Pensions.

Alpina (Trabener Strasse 3) – small villa with garden near the Grunewald S-Bahn Station.

Kreuzberg (Grossbeerenstrasse 64) – for young, undemanding guests.

Savoy (Meinekestrasse 4) – Small but nice.

Terminus (Fasanenstrasse 48) – neither plush nor dingy.

Transit (Hagelberger Strasse 53-54) – Charming hotel for young people who care more for atmosphere than luxury.

Youth accommodation

Jugendherberge Bayernalee

(youth hostel) – Bayernalee 36

Jugendgastehaus am Wannsee

 (youth guest house) – Badeweg 1

Jugendgastehaus BERLIN

 (youth guest house) – Kluckstrasse 3

Jugendgastehaus am Zoo

(youth guest house) – Hardenbergstrasse 9a

Jugendtouristenhotel

(youth guest house) – Franz-Mett-Strasse 7

5.2. Sightseeing in Berlin

A)   The Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)

The Brandenburg gate is the unquestionable symbol of Berlin and is now regarded as one of the greatest symbols of German unity. It is the last remaining gate of the Berlin Wall and marks the western end of the famous Unter den Linden Boulevard. The statue on top of the arch represents Nike driving her chariot to victory towards the West.

B) Museum Island (Museumsinsel)

The Berlin Museumsinsel is a unique ensemble of museum buildings that illustrate the evolution of modern museum design over more than a century. The museums include The National Gallery, The Old Museum (Altes Museum), The Pergamon Museum and The Bode Museum.

The National Galerie is an ultra-modern building built in the 1960s. The museum collection specialises in works from the 19th and 20th centuries as well as international contemporary art. The National Galerie is famous for its collection of French impressionists.

The Old Museum houses an amazing collection of 18th, 19th and early 20th-century paintings and statues. Any prominent artist you can think of it probably featured here.

The Pergamon Museum is immense. It is divided into five sections: the Antiquities Collection, the Middle East Museum, the Islamic Museum, the Far East Collection, and the Museum of Popular Art. A few days is needed to properly explore it.

The Bode Museum's original collection of Egyptian artifacts was very badly affected by World War II. However, there are outstanding exhibits of Byzantine and early Christian relics on show.

B)   The Tiergarten

The Tiergarten is often referred to as Berlin’s green heart. Originally a hunting reserve for royalty, landscape architect Peter Joseph Lenne turned the Tiergarten into a beautiful city park in 1742. During World War II many of the trees were cut for firewood and the pristine lawns were turned into vegetable gardens to feed the populace of Berlin. Heavy bombing then damaged much of the rest of the park. The present-day plantings took place just after the war and today the beautifully lush Tiergarten is a popular place with Berliners and, to the surprise of many tourists, nude sunbathing is permitted throughout the park. The park is over 412-acres and it stretches for 1.75 miles west from the Brandenburg Gate.

D) The Berlin Wall

If you want to see what remains of the infamous Berlin Wall head down Charlottenstrasse and then west along Leipzigerstrasse. There you can see one of the best examples of what remains of the Wall.

E) The Berlin Radio Tower

The Berlin Radio Tower was built in 1924 for the Third German Broadcasting Exhibition. Standing at 138-meters high, this steel-latticed tower is a fantastic viewing point with panoramic bird’s-eye views of the city. An elevator takes you to the observation deck at 125 meters to admire the vista. There is a restaurant at the 55-meter level.

F) The Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg)

The Charlottenburg Palace is the oldest surviving Prussian palace in Germany. Building began in 1695 and was completed in 1790. There are 70 rooms and corridors crammed full of ornate furnishings and Watteau paintings. The east wing houses an incredible collection of romanticist paintings while the west wing houses a collection of ancient and prehistoric art and artifacts. Take a guided tour of the royal apartments and then stroll through the formal gardens that surround the palace.

G) The Reichstag

The Reichstag, built in 1884-94, has witnessed many of the key moments in 20th century German history. It has seen the Proclamation of the German Republic in 1918, endured a burning in 1933, a storming in 1945 by Russian troops and German Reunification in 1990. Since its renovation in 1999, it has housed the Bundestag (Parliament).

H) Soviet War Memorial (Treptower Park)

Treptower Park houses a very sobering monument to the Soviet soldiers who died fighting Hitler. The park also contains a mass grave for the 5,000 soldiers killed in action. Walk the tree-lined avenue to see a statue of Mother Russia crying for her dead children. There are huge white stone reliefs set up in a manner not unlike the Stations of the Cross. They bear quotations from Stalin and depict how the Soviets won out against Fascism. At the far end of the park there is a massive statue of a heroic Soviet soldier clutching a child in one arm and smashing a swastika with the other.

I) The Jewish Quarter

The Scheunenviertel (Stable Quarter) is both Berlin's newest hot spot and one of its oldest areas. It was originally founded in the 17th century outside the medieval city walls. It survived Allied bombing raids and the Red Army's assault on the city. Recently, the quarter’s old buildings are being reincarnated as trendy bars, cafes, restaurants, and galleries. It is lively, trendy and bohemian and well worth a visit.

5.3. Eat, Drink, Nightlife

Berlin offers a wide range of possibilities to go out. Restaurants, Pubs and clubs of all kind and for every gusto invite you. Many places and streets are perfect night walks because one restaurant is here next to the other.

Many restaurants invite you to discover the delicacies of Berlin's cuisine. In a cosy ambiance you can savour the regional specialities and discover the variety of typical food along the meetballs (Bouletten) and Berliner Weiße (beer with juice).

The whole world is at home in Berlin. Restaurants offer food from around the world, from Argentina to Zimbabwe, folkloristic or exclusive. You are at the right place in Berlin to go on a culinary journey around the world or to discover really particular food.

Savigny-Platz

Night owls with stamina can also give their undivided attention to the interesting range of pubs around Savignyplatz in Charlottenburg. The area consist of a great number of restaurants and bars where everyone can meet the stars of television or Berlin's culture and political scene. Here is the melting pot that combines symbolically the former west and the new centre to a harmonic construction.

Pariser Straße and Ludwigkirchplatz

Especially the younger crowd is attracted to the Pariser Straße. At this location you will find taverns, bars, American diners, Mexican restaurants and very modern and stylish discos. During the summer life concentrates on the street in form of many chairs and tables that invite us to rest. In the middle of this street the well-maintained Ludwigkirchplatz with its rich areas of green providing a relaxing shadow is located.

The Winterfeldtplatz and Schöneber

The Winterfeldtplatz is the location of a frequently visited market. In the numerous taverns and bars, plenty of customers, tourists and locals meet each other. The scene is uncomplicated and open minded, also due to the presence of Berlin's gay population.

In Goltzstraße the Schönebergers meet in places such as the Café M, Lux or one of the numerous Indian snack bars. Between Schöneberg and Tiergarten the 90° is still an up-to-date party location. But the Latinamerican Clubs El Barrio or the Caracas Bar invite for a visit as well.

Conclusion.

Germany is among the most attractive countries for tourists because it has developed tourist and hospitality industry. In every city or even in the country tourists have an opportunity to find accommodation and to taste the national dishes. And there are everywhere numerous places of interest in Germany.

Every year a lot of tourists visit Germany to see its amazing and outstanding sightseeing. There is no doubt that tourists visited Germany wouldn’t be disappointed.

Literature

1.Western Europe on a shoestring.

2.Berlin. Insight pocket guide.

Sites

1.     www.berlin-tourist-information.com

2.     www.germany-tourism.de

3.     www.lonelyplanet.com

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