Germany

My Germany travel summary:

Visited: 1989 – 2022 (on various occasions)

Duration of visit: 60 days

Capital city: Berlin

Population: 83 million (2022)

Germany travel blog reading time: 10 minutes

• Köln – Cologne Cathedral is my only memory from hitchhiking through Germany in 1991.
• Munich – Bavaria’s capital, known for FC Bayern, Oktoberfest, and the Olympics.
• Speeding up well over 200 kilometers per hour at Nürburgring motorsport complex.
• Wondering around Neuschwanstein Castle – the palace of King Ludwig II of Bavaria.
• Berlin – the vibrant capital of united Germany.
• Legoland Deutschland – a popular theme park, visited twice with the kids.
• Learning about car production and technology in Audi factory in Ingolstadt.

Germany may seem characterless to those who are not German, but I find it far more interesting than it sounds. Cultural diversity in recent decades has changed the country significantly. In the early 1990s, I needed German in shops, restaurants, and sights, but today almost everyone speaks English.

I visited Germany for many reasons: for business, family, sightseeing, language study and logistic.

Once, during an overseas flight from New York to Munich an American marine, without hesitation answered to my question, what would he want to do in Europe:

“I want to ride a Mercedes on a German Autobahn where there is no speed limit!”

There are more speed limits on German highways recently, but Germany is still unique: over 2,100 castles, 1,500+ different kinds of beers, 300 different breads and 1,000 kinds of sausages.

Germany is one of the most densely populated countries in the world and the largest car producer, offering many exciting places to visit, attractions, landmarks, and things to do. It is also home to Oktoberfest in Munich, where beer is traditionally treated almost like food.

Germany is a country that is much more than a tourist destination for me. I have visited it on many occasions, but hardly considered it as a tourist destination until recently.

My first memories go back to 1989, when my homeland Slovenia was still part of Yugoslavia, and the only way to get a computer was by crossing the border. I wanted a Commodore 64, and my parents believed computers were the future, even if mostly used for games then. We drove a Zastava 101 (Yugo) to Rosenheim, bought the computer, and smuggled it through Yugoslav customs without trouble.

I have used Munich Airport as a starting point for overseas flights on several occasions. It is far from my hometown in Slovenia, but I often reach it by train, bus, or car. This helps me reduce connecting flights and save on travel costs.

In 1990, I moved to a small village near Steinstadt because of poor grades in German at high school. My teacher warned my parents that I could only pass to the next grade if I received extra instruction during the summer holidays.

I was sent to stay with remote relatives in a small Bavarian village, where I spoke only German for four weeks. My uncle and aunt took good care of me, and the football World Cup in Germany helped make the boredom more bearable.

The visit to Neuschwanstein Castle was the most memorable place to visit during my early Germany travel adventure. Fairy-tale architecture and Romanesque design left a lasting impression and shaped my interest in castles. My language skills improved significantly, and I became an exemplary student the following year.

In Berlin, I experienced rich history and cultural diversity that define a great European city. I also encountered high-quality performances and works by leading artists, musicians, and architects.

The city combines modern architecture, technological solutions, parks, and efficient logistics, alongside alternative movements and major sports events that have shaped European history.

I was based in a small apartment in Eastern part of Berlin. It was basic, but finished with German precision. At that time, staying in the eastern part of the city was much cheaper, while transport connections were just as good as anywhere else.

Out of many Berlin attractions and landmarks I want to highlight the following:

Brandenburg Gate is a symbol of German reunification and one of the most iconic sights in Berlin. One of Germany’s earliest neo-classical buildings is the only surviving historic city gate, built between 1788 and 1791.The Gate is crowned by the Quadriga statue, which was taken to Paris when Napoleon’s army captured Berlin in 1806, but returned eight years later.

The Gate stood in East Berlin’s exclusion zone during the Wall era and reopened as a symbol of reunification in 1989.

The Reichstag is the current home of Germany’s parliament and a powerful symbol of democracy and national history. It played an important role as an architectural wonder and a historical testimony. Modeled after Philadelphia’s Memorial Hall, it served as Germany’s parliament until 1933, when fire severely damaged it.

Under Hitler, the Reichstag fell into neglect and was badly damaged in WWII, later targeted by the Red Army. It regained importance after reunification in 1990 and became Germany’s parliament again in 1991.

Potsdamer Platz was a bustling city center before WWII, then became a no-man’s land from 1945 until the fall of the Wall. Today, I found it dominated by the Sony Center, skyscrapers, and endless shops attracting celebrities, visitors, and locals.

Similar to other important buildings, the damage of the Wall through 40 years of neglections was part of sad history. What used to be a wasteland with the Berlin Wall running through it, has become a completely new neighborhood.

During my visit in 2005, parts of the Wall were still visible. Later, in 2008, the last original sections were removed.

I began my German tour in Cologne at a Rolling Stones concert during a hot summer wave in Western Europe. Despite the heat, the band delivered an energetic show with flames, fireworks, and classic hits, led by Mick Jagger’s nonstop performance. The highlight was when the stadium exploded at Honky Tonk and Start Me Up, ending with Satisfaction.

My primary destination on that trip was former East Germany.

The main differences I noticed between western and eastern Germany were: better-quality highways, lower prices, and more old buildings and abandoned factories in the East.

Also new constructions, store chains, and businesses opening, aiming to raise the East to Western standards.

Dresden was my next stop. I visited the Baroque Zwinger Palace, the Semperoper opera house, and the Church of Our Lady. I also discovered why Dresden is called the Florence on the Elbe for its rich musical heritage.

The opera house, Staatskapelle orchestra, Dresden Philharmonic, and Kreuzchor boys’ choir consistently engage audiences. Dresden’s cultural scene includes international festivals, theater, and dance all year. I found the parks and the Elbe River full of life, hosting popular events that create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Erfurt is another city in former East Germany where I stopped before continuing to the Czech Republic. I explored its old university setting and exceptionally well-preserved old town, with history stretching back over 1,200 years. The city is also known as the place where Martin Luther experienced his vision that sparked the Reformation.

I liked Erfurt and its name, and I found many interesting places to visit in the old town. The Cathedral of St. Mary, with its Gothic choir and the Maria Gloriosa bell – one of the largest medieval bells in the world – stood out as a major place to visit.

“Rok, do you have time tomorrow or Wednesday? My friend is sick and cannot join us for the Nürburgring trip. I’ve already booked accommodation, transport, and a Lotus for the track.”

My good friend and business partner called and invited me to replace someone on a two-day Nürburg trip.

“The reservation can’t be canceled, but I can change the driver’s name. You’re welcome to join us and have some fun.”

The main mission was driving Lotus cars at the motorsport complex. I was already a freelancer at that time, flexible with time, always ready for an action.

“Of course, I would be happy to join you!” was an easy answer.

We rented two Lotus cars and signed documents confirming we understood all track responsibilities, obligations, and risks. The instructor guided the first lap and emphasized caution when accelerating, braking, cornering, overtaking, and being overtaken.

For the next 30 minutes I was free to pump the adrenaline to the limits. I soon found out the magic was not top speed, but acceleration, braking, and cornering forces. The laps were long and winding, and I encountered very little traffic to avoid.

I enjoyed the car to the fullest, reaching speeds over 200 kilometers per hour on the legendary Nürburgring track.

The time ended sooner than I would have liked, confirming that the best and most exciting moments come in small portions.

Neuschwanstein Castle reflects both the architectural style of its time and King Ludwig II’s passion for Richard Wagner’s operas. I visited it for the first time at the age of 18, during a summer stay with my uncles, while learning German in a nearby town.

The castle was built in the 19^th century and stands as a relatively modern structure for its time. It features state-of-the-art technology, including automatic flushing toilets on every floor and a central heating system throughout the building.

Workers completed and majestically decorated only 14 rooms before Ludwig II’s sudden death in 1886. The castle sits on a hill in a magnificent landscape and now attracts millions of tourists every year.

I visited the castle for a second time with my family in 2018 during a reward trip to Legoland Park in nearby town Günzburg. One of the most popular theme parks in Germany and wider has a wonderful concept that keeps children entertained, participative, active and enthusiastic for the whole day, while parents can find their interest even if they don’t particularly enjoy youngsters’ activities.

Besides the entrance fee, I didn’t need to spend much extra money to enjoy a good time. A pleasant deviation from Disney parks, where my kids were often bored and hungry. This usually meant long queues, constant shopping, eating, and a struggle to maintain calm.

I included a visit to Ingolstadt in my Germany travel adventure in 2022. Ingolstadt would be an average German city if it were not the headquarters of the Audi factory. During the factory tour, the guide led us through the production facilities, where we observed the metal carousel production line and the final assembly line for certain Audi models.

The size, organization, coordination between human force and robots, timing, planning and size of facilities are impressive. No wonder why German cars are among the best in the world.

Around 2,500 robots and 50,000 workers produce various Audi models 24/7.

It is normal for such facilities to transform a city to the extent that even a dedicated train line was introduced for employees to commute comfortably. Every activity is precisely planned.  There is not much time to improvise or play around while the line is constantly moving forward under your feet.

The company schedules 12-minute coffee breaks at exact times. It values employee experience, but it also demands constant, flawless performance.

In 2022, I explored Lindau on Lake Constance (Bodensee), with its well-known historic old town on an island connected to the mainland by a bridge.

Small squares and picturesque alleyways set against an impressive panorama looking over the Alps and the Lake Constance. Quiet harbor with a combination of tourist’s boats, yachts and sailing boats is boasting at one end, while many historical building, small shops, restaurants and bars are spread around their inner part.

The area is nice for a short stroll, but I was a little bit disappointed with lack of atmosphere in the historic environment. I was not there in the high summer season, but rather in the beginning of May 2022.

I found it peculiar that most tourists were over 65, traveling in groups with multilingual guides. My impression was that the place mainly attracted older visitors. I might be too young, too wild, or too alternative to appreciate Lindau’s beauty.

“Let’s have an ice cream and move on!” I told my kids, and we all happily continued our journey.

Germany is not a traditional travelling destination for me. I spent more time learning German and attending business meetings in the Munich area than exploring its natural, historical, or architectural beauty.

Maybe it is because Germany is close to my home in Slovenia, shares a similar culture, or simply offers fewer opportunities for exotic experiences.

Perfectly organized and well planned, one of the richest countries in the world, with turbulent history and perfect infrastructure is quite expensive destination to visit. Although Germans are often labeled as boring perfectionists with little sense of improvisation, these habits have changed with globalization.

If I look at the places I have visited and the time spent in Germany, I consider that I know the country and its culture quite well. However, there will still be opportunities to add new destinations to my Germany travel adventure and return again, especially to the northern regions.