Germany Loving

The Romantic Road of Germany may be on its last legs. Gigantic motor coach buses trundling into small towns for Instagram-worthy pictures are quickly becoming an irrelevance. But the road still beckons through historic, charming towns such as Wurzburg and Fussen; for optimal viewing experience, it is best to plan a four or five-day itinerary by car. Augsburg Augsburg is an exquisite blend of medieval architecture and Renaissance influences that make for a captivating destination. Its Old Town (Altstadt) stands as a testament to the city's historical importance, with cobblestone streets and charming squares marking its historical significance; additionally, it hosts many prestigious universities and colleges that contribute significantly to its status as an academic hub. Visitors to Augsburg can explore its rich culture through various museums and performances, such as the Puppet Theater Museum or Augsburg Theatre performances. Both offer insights into puppetry traditions within Aug

  Heidelberg stands out as a romantic city in Germany due to its iconic castle dominating its city center, inspiring great artists and thinkers such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Heinrich Heine, and Mark Twain over time. Stroll through the cobblestone streets of Altstadt and soak up its magical medieval ambiance. 1. The Old Town Heidelberg's old town ( Altstadt ) exudes charm, offering visitors an insight into Germany's glorious past. Home to an internationally-recognized university and students from across the globe giving the city's streets and squares an exciting vibe. Highlights of the Altstadt include its magnificent castle and Old Bridge. Dating back to 13th-century Heidelberg's Prince-Bishops' residence, this stunning sandstone castle can be seen glistening against its background of Neckar River and Old Town. A funicular brings visitors uphill for spectacular views over the city and its many sandstone structures. The Old Bridge, rebuilt in 1789, is a monumen

German fairy-tale castles will help you forget your worries and drift off into dreamland. King Ludwig II of Bavaria built these wonders of history as dream palaces for his court. Shy Ludwig took inspiration from Wartburg Castle and Wagner's opera 'Parsifal' to design his dream castles: Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein are must-visits! Neuschwanstein Neuschwanstein Castle stands as Germany's most renowned castle, renowned for its elegant spires and breathtaking setting - an inspiration to Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle. Additionally, Neuschwanstein is often photographed - its image appears on souvenir trinkets and postcards sold throughout Germany. Ludwig II of Bavaria constructed this romantic castle as both his personal retreat and tribute to Richard Wagner. He paid for it with personal wealth and extensive borrowing, not from public funds in Bavaria. Unfortunately, Ludwig never lived to witness its completion before his untimely demise. While its design may sug

  Germany experienced an intense literary revival during the 1930s. Both Thomas Mann's psychodramatic novel Buddenbrooks and Hermann Hesse's introspective work Der Steppenwolf explore individuals' search for identity and spirituality. Gunter Grass and Christa Wolf's literary works explore the lessons of history; while their 19th-century fairy tale collection by Grimm remains highly influential today. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Goethe was one of Germany's most beloved writers and composed an immense body of works, from poems and ballads to his iconic Bildungsroman Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship and dramatic The Sorrows of Young Werther. Additionally, he conducted scientific research as well as holding various governmental posts. At the mid-1770s, Germans began striving to establish a literary culture comparable to England and France. Intellectuals such as Lessing and Herder championed this effort while Goethe insisted German literature should draw from local t

As a nation, Germany has always prided itself on its remembrance of its history. The past has shaped the present and the future, and it has served as a guiding light for many people throughout German history. But it’s not just German remembrance that’s important, and this is why visiting historic WWI and WWII sites in Berlin should be one of your top priorities. Checkpoint Charlie remains one of the best-known World War II sites, while Tiergarten's Soviet War Memorial pays homage to those who gave their lives liberating Berlin. Vorbunker & Fuhrerbunker After several years into the Third Reich, Hitler decided that his Reich Chancellery headquarters were too small and ordered the construction of an air raid bunker underneath it. This shelter would protect him from British and American bombers dropping bombs on Berlin. The complex was constructed in two stages: Vorbunker (later changed to Fuhrerbunker), completed in 1936 was so deep it allowed Hitler's bodyguards, servants, an

Germany is famous for its Black Forest and Alpine terrain, but there are other greener destinations worth discovering across its landmass. From mysterious moors to wildcats and beech trees - here are some of its most captivating natural treasures. Urban nature is essential to our quality of life, with more than 70 percent of city residents having access to at least one green space within their residential environment. Green Spaces and Urban Parks Green spaces contribute greatly to the health and well-being of city residents in many ways, from stress reduction and stronger immune systems to improving work performance (Hartig et al. 2003 and van den Berg et al. 2010). German cities place great emphasis on providing residents with access to green areas near home (indicator M) and larger green spaces within medium distance for recreation purposes (S2). We used definitions from DRL (2006) evaluation as a basis for this indicator: small green spaces are defined as 1 ha area while large ones

Board games are seeing a major renaissance. Cafes dedicated to this past time are springing up all across cities worldwide, while new releases like Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, and Pandemic are making waves in popularity. Germany has earned itself an enviable reputation as an attractive game developer destination due to state and federal funding as well as its vibrant culture and infrastructure. Origins Indoor Game Bunker's founders claim that board games are experiencing something of a revival as people spend more time engaging with electronics than ever. Not only can board games provide entertainment but they can also build critical thinking skills and strengthen social interactions by exercising various parts of the brain. Germany has played an instrumental role in this resurgence. One of the world's largest board game manufacturers resides there and holds an annual trade fair that attracts thousands of visitors from across the globe. Monopoly may have been invented i