Posts by author Rebeccah Dean
Looking down over Munich. Photo: protake
Are you planning a trip to Germany in 2024? No wonder. The country has a lot to offer, from castles and storybook villages to vibrant metropolises, like Berlin, Munich and Hamburg. And don’t leave out the sausages, pretzels, and beer! Here’s the good news: In general, Germany is not a particularly pricey tourist destination in » Read more
Always tip your taxi driver! Photo: Till Krech
For a long time, Berlin was notorious for outrageously bad service. You often had to practically tackle a waiter to get the bill, and bartenders could be surly just out of principle. Luckily, customer service has improved in recent years. However, since service is included in the bill, you still don’t have to fork over » Read more
Photo: Le Buzz on Unsplash
You’re about to go on that great trip to Germany you’ve been planning for a long time. You’ve got your tickets, the hotels are booked, you’ve packed your bags, and it’s time to go. But not so fast! Chances are, there are still a few details you’ve forgotten to consider — like choosing the right » Read more
Welcome to Neukölln. Photo: cyzen
Ten years ago, Neukölln was one of Berlin’s major Problemkieze, a working class neighborhood more known for urban grit than as a popular tourist destination. But the neighborhood wasn’t without its charms: To insiders, it was always known as a great place to explore. You could come across amazing finds (with prices to match) at one » Read more
The Black Forest in autumn. Photo: Roman
When you think of Germany, does your mind fill with thoughts of Cuckoo clocks, dense forests a la Grimm’s Fairy Tales, and a certain decadent cake made of chocolate and cherries with loads of whip cream on top? If so, the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) is definitely where you should head! And you’re in luck — » Read more
The Berlin U-Bahn at Alexanderplatz. Photo: Ingolf
Officially, the Berlin public transit goes by the rather daunting name, Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe, but Berliners all lovingly shorten it to BVG (beh-fow-gey). The BVG includes the U-Bahn and S-Bahn, as well as hundreds of bus lines, trams (a type of street car only running in former East Berlin), and even ferries. Berlin’s transportation system is truly one » Read more
Heidelberg is a romantic and often expensive destination. Photo: Ram Lanka
With a hilltop castle, charming old town and historic university — complete with a “prison” for misbehaving students, in use until 1914 — Heidelberg, Germany is truly the storybook European town of every tourist’s dreams. Unfortunately, the adorable town is also the most expensive tourist destination in Germany, even beating out the notoriously pricey Munich. » Read more
The snowy ski slopes of Bansko, Bulgaria. Photo: Liza
No doubt about it, Europe has great slopes to offer skiers of all ages or skills. But if you venture up the most famous mountains in Austria or Switzerland, they’ll set you back a pretty penny, with expensive ski passes, overpriced food, pricey accommodation… you name it. However, snow hounds on a budget, shouldn’t despair. » Read more
Make sure Checkpoint Charlie isn't the only thing you check out. Photo: oh-berlin
These days, Berlin is by far one of Europe’s hottest cities. Tourists and expats alike flock to the metropolis for its vibrant nightlife, flourishing arts scene and hip vibe. Compared to other major European cities, Berlin is also very affordable (at least for now). Like many visitors that came before, you may find yourself smitten » Read more
Warsaw at sunset. Photo: Heroix
Both Poland’s capital and largest city, Warsaw has many faces. Sure, you’ll find the Old Town there, with its narrow cobblestone alleys, colorful burgher houses, and medieval buildings. However, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is nearly a complete reconstruction built after the war. But perhaps this is the best symbol for the spirit of Warsaw, » Read more
A perfect beach day in Montenegro. Photo: donchili
There’s nothing like spending a sunny day at the beach in Europe. During the summer, millions of tourists from around the world flock to beaches in popular destinations like Italy and the South of France. But many of the most famous sandy spots, like Cannes or San Remo, are too pricey and have little to » Read more
Start your adventure in Berlin. Photo: larssteffens
No doubt about it, Berlin is one of Europe’s sexiest and most exciting cities. Whether you come to while away the hours in its world-class museums, take in it fascinating but sometimes haunting history, stroll through its many peaceful parks or simply get lost in its notoriously wild and hedonistic nightlife, Berlin won’t disappoint you. » Read more
The famous Bauhaus Building in Dessau, Germany. Photo: MCAD Library
When people think about Germany, visions of fairy tale castles, Oktoberfest, Lederhosen, traces of the Berlin Wall and the ever-iconic Brandenburg Gate are usually what come to mind. But Germany is also famous for what was arguably the most influential modernist art and design movement of the 20th century: the Bauhaus (translates literally as “build » Read more
The Frankfurt skyline. Photo: drakestraw67
Located in the German state of Hessen, Frankfurt is probably best known for its huge airport, which is the fourth largest international airport in Europe and the thirteenth busiest in the world. Frankfurt is also Germany’s most important financial center and home to many major European commercial banks, like Deutsche Bank, and two of the » Read more
Come to Freiburg on your next trip to Germany. Photo: Metro
Centric
What’s not to love about Freiburg? A charming university town in the southwestern corner of Germany, Freiburg im Breisgau boasts a quaint Old Town and lots of outdoor activities, like cycling, hiking through the world famous Black Forest, or even skiing on one of the nearby ski slopes on Freiburg’s beloved Schauinsland mountain. Located in » Read more
Don't overlook Dortmund, Germany! Photo: Daniel Grothe
When planning a trip to Germany, most tourists opt for the obvious visit to Berlin, Heidelberg, or Munich. But what a shame this is, considering Germany has countless other cities well worth a visit like, for example, Dortmund. Located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Dortmund is at the heart of what was once Germany’s » Read more
How do you get from here to the city? Photo: Andrey.
So your plane has landed in Berlin and you’re ready to start your adventure in Germany’s exciting capital. But before you do, you have one more item to check off your travel list: Getting from the Berlin airport to the city center! Berlin is serviced by two airports, Tegel Airport in the former west, and » Read more
Looking out over Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow. Photo: MFA
Paris, Rome, London—these Western European cities have long been on the list of must-see vacation destinations. But in recent years, cities in Eastern Europe have also seen a boom in international visitors — and for good reason. That’s why we’ve created this Krakow Budget travel guide. Many cities to the east, like Krakow, are chock-full » Read more
The Berlin WelcomeCard gives you admission to the Berlin TV tower. Photo: Jorge F
Recently, Visit Berlin introduced a new discount card for tourists: The Berlin WelcomeCard All Inclusive. This new card is different from Berlin’s other, scaled back “WelcomeCard” (which offers free transit and discounts at attractions), in that the new “All Inclusive” card offers you free entrance to over 30 Berlin attractions, free public transportation, a free » Read more
Flixbus offers a cheap and green alternative to flying. Photo: Flixbus
Although traveling by train is a convenient and comfy option in Europe, tickets can be pricey if you don’t plan in advance. These days, price-minded European travelers often hop on the lean budget traveling machine: Flixbus. Founded in 2013 by three young entrepreneurs in Germany, Flixbus is a low-cost bus service (“coach” in Europe), whose » Read more
2017 is a big year to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther. Photo: Neuwieser
It’s no surprise that Germany is one of Europe’s top tourist destinations. The country boasts Europe’s hottest capital, the über-hip Berlin, with its world-famous clubs, a flourishing foodie scene, and plenty of urban green spaces. But that’s not all. If you visit Germany, you can also check out the maritime magic of Hamburg, the world-famous » Read more
What adventures await you in Leipzig? Photo: Thomas Wolter
Although most of the hype these days is focused on Germany’s vibrant capital Berlin, the country boasts another less visited city with a thriving arts and culture scene: Leipzig, a city in the former East German state Saxony. Whereas Berliners are (in)famous for their brusque treatment of strangers, locals in Leipzig tend to be much » Read more
Belvedere Castle is a highlight of Weimar. Photo: Roger W
Bach, Goethe, Schiller, Nieztsche — these famous names are but a few in a long list of leading German artists, composers, and intellectuals who once lived in Weimar, the historical center of the German Enlightenment. Located in the former East German state of Thuringia, Weimar is an absolute must for anyone interested in German culture » Read more
Looking for culture? Head straight to Museum Island in Mitte. Photo: Ansgar Koreng
In the first few years after the wall fell, Mitte was the place to be in Berlin. Artists, musicians, and Lebenskünstler (bon vivant) flocked to the dirt cheap apartments in the neighborhood, many of which had been abandoned by East Berliners who had fled to the West in a flurry of new found freedom. The streets » Read more
A view of Old Town in Dresden. Photo: Dronepicr
Dubbed the Elbflorenz (“Florence on the Elbe River”), Dresden is one of Germany’s most beautiful and historically interesting cities. Dresden is the capital of Saxony, a state in the former East Germany. Though heavily bombed by the allies in 1945, much of Dresden’s opulent baroque architecture has been restored, which is juxtaposed with classic GDR-era » Read more
