Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for germany
Berlin’s TV Tower
By Linda Tancs
The tallest building in Germany, the TV Tower on Alexanderplatz in Berlin is the city’s most prominent landmark. It’s a must-see for tourists, who get panoramic views up to 50 miles on a clear day from the observation deck over 600 feet high. A floor above the deck is a restaurant; book early if you want a window seat.
Share this:
Europe’s Oldest Jewish Cemetery
By Linda Tancs
Surviving Hitler’s Third Reich, Europe’s oldest Jewish cemetery is in Worms, Germany. The earliest graves date back to the 11th century, with inscriptions from 1058. The Jewish community thrived in medieval times; one of the best known rabbis and poets of the age, Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg, is buried there. Along with other medieval Jewish sites in Worms, Speyer and Mainz, the cemetery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Share this:
Wandering Through Vogtland
By Linda Tancs
Panoramic views are a dime a dozen unless, of course, you find yourself on the Vogtland Panorama Weg. It’s a 139-mile circular trail in Germany that winds its way through Thuringia and Saxony, promising 82 panoramic views and 280 changes of scenery featuring ravines, meadows and endless vistas. The trail begins and ends at the Göltzsch Viaduct, the largest brick-built bridge in the world. Experienced hikers will find the marked route very manageable, with 12 daily stages up to 14 miles.
Share this:
A Light on the Channel
By Linda Tancs
You won’t be able to miss the red-and-yellow lighthouse in Krummhörn, Germany. Built in 1891 as a sector light for the Emshörn channel on Germany’s North Sea coast , the plump, little beacon known as Pilsum Lighthouse sits on a quiet landscape about a quarter mile from the sea. Be content with the photographic opportunities; the lighthouse is open sporadically for visits.
Share this:
White Gold in Fulda
By Linda Tancs
Originating in the town of Fulda, Germany, in 1740, the porcelain factory became known for gilding and low-fired colors in the production of items like figurines and tableware. Popularly referred to as “white gold,” a permanent collection of this prized porcelain is on display on the ground floor of the north wing of Fasanerie Palace, which boasts the kind of treasures you would usually expect to see only in a museum dedicated to porcelain and ceramics. The castle is also renowned for its antiquity collection, considered one of the finest private collections in Germany. Its gems include the marble portrait of Caligula (considered his best surviving image) and an Attic vase over 2,400 years old that is frequently mentioned in archaeological journals and pictured in numerous school textbooks. A guided tour of the porcelain collection is available at appointed times daily; you can also take a more comprehensive tour of the palace throughout the day. The castle, surrounded by baroque gardens, is located about 4 miles outside the city center of Fulda.
Share this:
All Aboard the Brocken
By Linda Tancs
The Brocken is the highest peak in the Harz mountain range in central Germany. From the summit you’ll get glorious views of Harz National Park, the first such park to span two federal states. The peak also offers Brocken garden, a botanical garden established on the summit in 1890. It houses more than 1,500 plant species from high mountain areas from all over the world, with a particular emphasis on the protection and conservation of species that are either threatened with extinction or very rare. Between mid-May and mid-October you can explore the garden between Monday and Friday twice a day with a gardener. One of the best things about the garden is how to get there. A narrow-gauge steam train departs from Drei Annen Hohne station and takes approximately 50 minutes to climb to Brocken Station, just 52 feet below the mountain’s summit.
*************
To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
Share this:
Shining in Berlin
By Linda Tancs
For 10 days each September the city of Berlin, Germany, becomes an artist’s canvas during the Festival of Lights. That’s when local and international light artists transform the monuments, buildings, streets, quarters and squares into massive art installations through light projections and video art. Participating landmarks, as you might expect, include Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Cathedral and the Funkturm. Most structures are illuminated daily from 7 p.m. until midnight. A guided tour goes by the name LightSeeing. The festival can also be easily explored by bus, boat, bike taxi, limousine or carriage. This year’s event runs from September 17 – 26.
*************
To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
Share this:
The Castle in a Cloud
By Linda Tancs
Hohenzollern Castle was the seat of one of the most prominent dynasties in European history, chiefly as the ruling house of Brandenburg-Prussia and of imperial Germany. It’s often referred to as “the castle in a cloud” because of the way it looks on a foggy day. Among its many charms are the art collections, including a significant picture gallery, valuable silver and china as well as the crown of Prussian kings. You can download a castle walking tour, in English, on your phone. Trains run from Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof to Hechingen, where a shuttle bus takes visitors directly from the station to the castle car park. For amazing views, walk the steep ascent to the castle from the car park; otherwise, take the bus.
*************
To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
Share this:
Racing in Germany
By Linda Tancs
Do you have a need for speed? Then maybe the Nürburgring is for you. Located in western Germany, it’s one of the most famous, historical racetracks in the world. You needn’t sit idly by as a spectator, either. Anyone with a license and a validly titled vehicle can enter the track. The North Loop is especially prized by race fanatics. Of course, the ring hosts several important races, including the World Touring Car Championship’s Race of Germany. The track is just one hour away from Cologne.
*************
To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
Share this:
A Jewel in the Black Forest
By Linda Tancs
Over 900 years’ strong, Freiburg is a medieval city in Germany nestled at the foot of the Black Forest. Billed as the sunniest city in the nation, it’s known for some unusual things, like a long, red sausage and walkable gutters. As for the wurst, it’s over 13 inches long. The red, skinless barbecue sausage is, not surprisingly, nicknamed “Queen of the Wursts.” The gutters are small water channels flowing throughout the streets in the Old Town, fed by the Dreisam River. Don’t be surprised to see some paper boats or rubber ducks floating by.
*************
To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
Travelrific® Travel Journal 