Travel to Germany with Essential Travel

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Information on Germany with single trip travel insurance from Essential Travel

Germany is a popular tourist destination, with a fine heritage, dreamy Bavarian castles and charming towns along the grand Rhine River. Beer fests such as the famous Oktoberfest in Munich are also a huge draw, along with the modern attractions of big cities like Berlin and Frankfurt.

Getting there

Frankfurt is one of Europes busiest airports, serving flights from all over the world. Additionally, long distance international flights also arrive at Hamburg, Stuttgart, Berlin and Munich. Berlin has three airports: Tegel, Schonefeld and Templehof. All have regular services to their respective cities. Germany borders nine countries and has an extensive road network of autobahnen, making access easy from just about any direction.

The train network is fast and good. Cologne is 9 hours, 30 minutes away from London. Alternatively, the trip from London to Munich can between 18 to 22 hours. P&O Ferries offers 30 to 35 ferryboat crossings a day, depending on the season, between Dover and Calais (1 hour and 15 minutes). From Calais, the drive to Cologne takes about three hours. There is also a ferry crossing between Harwich and the Hook of Holland (eight hours).

Key Attractions

There are many fabulous cities in Germany. The famously once-divided Berlin features the 18th century Brandenburg Gate, symbol of the wall that was once here. A visit to the Checkpoint Charlie Museum is a must. Alternatively, Frankfurt is a bustling metropolis and transport hub for Europe. The main sights here are the Städel Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.

The large city of Munich is nestled in the hilly south, with a skyline broken by the spikes and turrets of the 19th century neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus. Also worth seeing is the Altes Rathaus (dating from 1474); the Residenz in Max-Joseph-Platz; and the Deutsches Museum. The English Garden is famous for its public nude sunbathing.

Out and about in Germany

One of the most stunning scenic regions of Germany is Bavaria, at the foot of the Alps. Here you can visit some magnificent castles near Füssen, including: Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwanstein and Linderhof. Additionally, Lake Constance and the Black Forest are gorgeous areas for those who enjoy the great outdoors. Lübeck, in the north, is a medieval town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Also of interest, Tübingen is a cute university town 35kms south of Stuttgart; it has a tangle of narrow cobbled alleyways and old stone walls.

Leisure Options

Germany is well known for all its beer fests, with the annual Oktoberfest in Munich being the largest celebration. Hofbräuhaus is the worlds most famous beer hall and can accommodate some 4,500 beer drinkers on any given night. Meanwhile, Wiesbaden’s hot springs attract many travellers wishing to relax. Additionally, Christmas Markets throughout the country are a good place to sample the famous gluwine.

Safety

Pickpockets are pests and they are all too common in tourist oriented places. Holidaymakers are far more susceptible in unfamiliar places and should always try to remain alert. We strongly recommend you take out travel insurance for you and your family.

Weather in Germany

Germanys climate is very varied, but it is mostly temperate. Winter temperatures vary from east to west, to about freezing in the west and well below freezing in the east. The summer temperatures are usually between 20-30C with more rainfall expected during the summer.

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