Oh Heidelberg, how thou have but stolen my heart! Ok, ok, perhaps I’ve been talking about Shakespeare too much with students, but tis’ true! Ich hab’ mein Herz in Heidelberg verloren in 2007 and I never got it back! As one of Germany’s most romantic towns, located along the Neckar River nestled in a wooded gorge with the stunning ruins of the Heidelberg Castle perched above the town, Heidelberg is one town I keep going back to over and over again. It never ceases to loose its appeal, and yet I can always find some new things to do in Heidelberg! 

Perhaps you may have heard of Richard Wagner along your travels through Germany, especially if you have visited any of “Mad” King Ludwig II of Bavaria’s castles as he was often the inspiration behind many of the brilliant themes throughout the castles. But perhaps you’ve never heard of Bayreuth, a relatively quaint sized town in northern Bavaria that lovers of German music associate with. But Bayreuth is so much more than just that and owes much of its appeal to the Margravine Wilhelmine who brought sophistication and charm to the town. 

2018 marks a special year for the German federal state of Bavaria as the state celebrates not just one, but TWO anniversaries! The 200th anniversary of the enactment of the Bavarian Constitution which was created and imposed on the then-monarchy as well as the 100th year of the existence of the Free State of Bavaria! With two special anniversaries, I thought what better way to celebrate than to showcase some of the top destinations to visit in Bavaria!

An abnormally warm spring after a relatively mild winter season and the occasional spurts of cold wind from the east. Typically Germany in March is a tease, temperatures peaking at around 70°F before plunging back down into the low 40s by April. Yet this year, March in Germany was rather a gloomy month, still suffering […]

In towns and cities all over the world, the city hall (Rathaus) is the focal point for residents and tourists alike. Whether it be the politics behind the city hall, simply as a meeting point or main attraction, they draw us in either their elegance. It functions as a seat of government, a place of of significant events within the city as well as a place to bring people together on daily basis.

As little children we all grow up watching Disney’s fairy tale movies and then have high expectations of finding prince charming and living happily ever after in a castle. Then we’re told to grow up, get our heads out of the clouds and have more realistic expectations of life. I would have done that had […]

Most visitors to Nuremberg come for the beautiful historic city center loaded with bustling squares, canals and churches, the Kaiserburg castle perched on a hill overlooking the dog and most importantly, the Nuremberger sausages. Or they come for the greatest Christmas market in Germany! But not long ago, Nuremberg held a more sinister role in Germany’s […]

At the heart of land renowned for exquisite hand carved cuckoo clocks, Black Forest Cherry Cake and the mysterious setting of many a Grimm Brother’s fairy tales lies the town of Triberg. Located in the Kinzig and Gutach Valleys, the surrounding landscape is some of the most quintessential of the region as roads wind hither […]

It’s common knowledge, or at least it should be, that when you move to another country there are bound to be many, many differences in culture, customs and traditions. But sometimes, you just don’t know HOW big the differences are until you’ve been there long enough to make a huge a** list of all the differences between home and your adopted home country. What American comforts are you willing to give up to live in Germany?

There are few towns and cities in Germany which escaped the destruction of the Second World War, and those that did, managed to survive with little to no damage. Esslingen am Neckar is one of those few towns which survived completely in tact, therefore, preserving its very special and unique medieval appearance. The town is […]