Awesome Places to Visit in Germany

by: Dan and Yollie

Wilkommen!

Where can you go and experience a beautiful country so rich in history? Where can you visit and drive without having to pay tolls as well as experience the thrill of the infamous autobahsn? Where can you travel and see a variety of majestic, breath taking, and scenic places?

In our opinion, Germany is a very beautiful country. Since we lived in Germany for over 13 years, we spent so many memorable times traveling, visiting, and seeing this awesome country. We have compiled and grouped together several recommended places to see and visit and spend some time on day trips while you are in Germany. Our favorite places to visit are in Bavaria or Southern Germany. We visited at least four times with friends and family from the U.S. with our GMC conversion van.

Since there are no tolls on the Autobahn, you can just plan and go armed with ADAC maps or GPS. For military, you can go far with AAFES gas ration card or coupons. Be sure to get a map of gas stations that accept the card or coupons and plan where to gas up. You can also plan your trips around military lodging facilities to save on hotel accommodations. Germany has many traveler-friendly rest areas and parks. Bring your cooler and some food and picnic out.

Most major towns and cities have Tourist Information booths or center. Stop by there and get some guides or tourist packets. You'll discover some hidden treasures and don't have to go very far.

For places farther away, you can ride the express train (ICE) and get to your destination and back fast and refreshed. You can ride the bus or street cars (Strassenbahn) to get around the city. Make sure you keep your ticket stub.

If you love biking, bring your bicycle along with you. Germany is a bicycle-friendly country, with many scenic bike paths. We have even seen bicyclers in remote places such as forests or far away small towns.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is Germany's largest Alpine resort and a favorite holiday spot for skiing, snowboarding, and hiking. It has some of the best skiing areas in Germany. It was the site of the 1936 Winter Olympics Games. If you like winter sports, this is the place to be. During Spring and Summer, the climate is very nice. Take a stroll around town. For military member and dependents, an Armed Forces Recreation Center is located here and good jumping point to visit and shop at nearby towns and cities in Austria.

Fussen is a town in Bavaria, Germany. It is called the Romantic Soul of Bavaria. The famous castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau are located near Fussen. If you like castles, this is the place to be. Going up the hill to the Neuschwanstein is quite a hike. You can take a bus or horse draw carriage for a fee. Shop for trinkets and souvenirs. Spend time and picnic at the Lake Alpsee and Lake Forggensee. See the beautiful castles. Make sure you take several photos and videos.

Linderhof Palace (Schloss Linderhof) is a palace in Germany, near Oberammergau in southwest Bavaria. Recommend touring the different rooms and the beautiful furnishings. The gardens surrounding Linderhof Palace are some of the most beautiful, grandly magnificent, and exquisitely scenic. You can spend almost a whole day touring this Palace and the different gardens. Also take some photos at the Grotto. You can dine locally or picnic on the park.

Ettal Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in the village of Ettal near Oberammergau and Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Bavaria, Germany. Make sure you stop by here on your way to Oberammergau and Garmisch. Look inside for the paintings. Experience the scenic beauty of the area surrounding the Abbey.

If you go to Garmisch and Oberammergau, Wieskirche is within driving distance. It's a famous oval, rococo church.

Munich is the capital city of Bavaria and the third largest city in Germany. It's the location of the world-famous Oktoberfest and the Bavarian Motorwerks (BMW) aka "Bimmer" Headquarters. There are so many sights to see, either by driving or walking. Within driving distance is the Lake Chiemsee, where Herrenchiemsee Palace, a replica of the Versailles Palace is located. The concentration camp of Dachau is also within driving distance.

Berchtesgaden is one of the best known tourist towns and one of the most popular climatic resorts in the Bavarian Alps. It is surrounded by mountains, the Hoher Göll, Watzmann, Hochkalter and Untersberg. The surrounding scenic beauty is breathtaking. Visit the Nationalpark Berchtesgaden, Obersalzberg bunker system, see an authentic castle filled with medieval armory and weapons. Recommended tours: Take electric boat tour of Lake Konigsee (breathtaking emerald lake), take a tour of the salt mines. If you are not afraid of heights, take a tour of the Eagle's Nest at Mt Kehlstein and the Kehlstein Road (May - Oct). See a very unique, grandly designed full brass-plated elevator. Ascend to the top of the Nest and take photos and videos. If you get hungry, dine at a restaurant. If the menu seems pricy, think and imagine of all the efforts to get the food up there. Across the border and surely within driving distance is the city of Salzburg, Austria (Mozart's birth place).

Augsburg is the second oldest city in Germany, after Trier. University of Augsburg is located here. See the cathedrals, botanic garden, and old town.

Stuttgart is the capital city of Baden-Wurttenberg. Visit several castles and palaces parks and lakes, and the Mercedes-Benz Museum. Spend time at the city. Go to the annual Volksfest, Spring and Summer Festivals, Christmas Market. Near Stuttgart is the beautiful city of Lugwigsburg. See also our lens: >Visit Beautiful Lugwigsburg, Germany

Mannheim is a city near the Rhine and Neckar rivers. Several US military installations are located here. Luisenpark and Wasserturm are some of the tourist attractions. Go shopping in the city or just take a casual walk.

Heidelberg was the center of the epoch of "Romantik" (Romanticism) in Germany. Make sure you stop by the Tourist Information Center at entrance of the city. Get a copy of tour maps or guides. Cruise along the river for a memorable experience. See the Heidelberg castle, old cathedrals, university, and bridges, and gardens. On the other side of the river, see a Roman amphitheater, gardens, and castle ruins. NOTE: Heidelberg is home to many US military installations. The city has may traffic enforcement cameras (speed and stop light cameras) strategically located. Be careful and observe the speed limit and traffic signs, if you're driving. For Filipino tourists, there is the Jose Rizal park and monument at nearby Wilhelmsfeld, the sister city of Calamba, Philippines.

"Rothenburg_ob_der_Tauber" or Rothenburg is a well-preserved medieval town. Go back in time and feel what is like during medieval times. Visit the market square and the city walls.

Aschaffenburg is a friendly German town situated on both sides of the Rhine River, located 25 miles southeast of Frankfurt. See Schloss Johannisburg, Schonbusch Park, and experience friendly local dining or have a picnic by the river.

"Rudesheim_am_Rhein" (Rudesheim) is a friendly and romantic town located along the heart of the Rhine River at the southern entrance to Lorelei Valley. Enjoy local dining, riverboat cruise, take a walk and go shopping for souvenirs. So many magnificent sights along the river. Nearby is the scenic city of Koblenz. See Deutsches Eck monument, Koblenz Palace, Theater, Cathedral, Historical Center, and Fortress Ehrenbreitstein.