On the tip of the fork: Germany is a very diverse country. It has large, lively and very touristic cities, it has magnificent castles that are hundreds of years old and also small and picturesque villages on the sides of the road. Germany has a rich history, which tells, in part, not simple tragic stories, and at the same time a lot of beauty, evident in its spectacular landscapes. Germany is wonderful for a trip with children thanks to the many great attractions it has to offer, and is also perfect for young people or adults looking for a pleasant destination to spend a few days (or more). It can be reached in less than five hours by flight and thanks to the many regular flights departing to it throughout the year, the masses of Israelis can reach it, and already on the upcoming vacation.
Planning a vacation in Germany requires reference to various parameters, and all the more so when it comes to visiting it for the first time or on a trip with the children. It is a big country and it has a lot to see and do and every season has its own charm and uniqueness. Admittedly, Germany has a lot in common, and in many respects, with other European countries, those it borders with and those it doesn’t, and yet – it also has those special things, the likes of which are seen only in it. These are reflected in its local culture, in its cuisine, in its points of interest and even in the itineraries, which bring the travelers together with something that is a little different. Something that is exclusive and unique to Germany.
Weather
Planning a vacation in Germany also requires reference to the weather conditions, which may often dictate the route you choose, the pace of the trip, and of course the attractions that you include in your vacation, as well as the various points of interest at which you stop. The weather in Germany is divided, similarly to Israel, into four main seasons. summer, autumn, winter and spring. Germany is a relatively northern country, so the winter there is very noticeable and manifested in many areas with very low temperatures and snow. At the same time, it is prepared for such extreme conditions, therefore, even if you choose to travel in winter, you can enjoy a wonderful and magical vacation. The transition seasons in Germany, both autumn and spring, are fickle seasons. The temperatures are neither high nor low, and while there are pleasant and dry days, cool and rainy days may also appear. In general, the weather is definitely reasonable and suitable for trips in most cases. Summer is a perfect season for a trip to Germany, but it should be taken into account that certain sites may be crowded and very busy (the Black Forest, for example, and also the big cities, Berlin and Munich, and their main attractions). However, thanks to this warmth, it is possible to stop at the various nature sites and combine hiking and stops at beautiful and special points of interest.
local culture
As a very large modern western country, as well as one of the most populated on the European continent, Germany is considered a particularly prominent cultural nation, known throughout the world. Some of the most famous composers, poets and philosophers were born in Germany, and each of its 16 countries contributed greatly to the local history, as well as to the culture of Germany. This was designed by both religious and secular people and was recognized all over the world. Today, the federal government of Germany invests large sums of money and additional resources in order to promote culture in the country and its various institutions, some of which are known to be of national importance. In Germany today there are dozens of movie theaters, subsidized by the state, multitudes of symphony and philharmonic orchestras, it has thousands of fascinating museums that focus, each separately, on its field, and tens of thousands of libraries, scattered throughout its territory. The Germans, the residents of the place, are known to be culturally inclined, as are the millions of visitors who visit the many museums it offers and watch and listen to the concerts played there.
Germany was divided for a long time and went through very difficult crises (among the most prominent of which – during the Second World War), but today it is known as a multicultural and very creative country, many of which are thanks to the many immigrants who chose it as their home and its educated people, both young and old, who also contribute for that. Germany places great emphasis on gender equality and is also known as one that greatly promotes the rights of LGBT people. It is successful in the various sports, especially in soccer and many of its residents are engaged in art. Germany has a long history in the field of visual art and some of the most prominent Renaissance artists in the field came from Germany. Also in the field of architecture Germany is known to be very prominent and diverse, which is evident in its magnificent and impressive architectural buildings. Some of them date back to the Middle Ages, when they were inhabited by principalities and kingdoms, and some have other architectural styles, which were influenced quite a bit by the art styles that dominated in those years. The Bauhaus is an architectural style that grew in Germany, and received the Its name comes from the school (of the same name) that operated in Germany between 1919 and 1933. This architectural style is known as a modern architectural style and as belonging to one of the most important architectural schools.
Germany also stands out in science and technology and is home to some of the greatest discoveries, engineers and scientists. Albert Einstein, one of the greatest physicists, was born in Germany, Konrad Tseuse, who built the first computer, was born in Germany, the electric generator was invented by Werner von Siemens and many other scientists and inventors who also contributed to the modern world were born in Germany.
And let’s not forget the local cuisine, the German cuisine, which is a cluster of several regional cuisines, which characterize different regions and parts of Germany. The traditional German food is very comforting and indulgent, suitable, more than once, for cold and rainy days. Some German dishes are heavily influenced by Scandinavian cuisine and Dutch cuisine (mainly those coming from the northern part of Germany) and some are heavily influenced by French cuisine (in its western part). Southern Germany, the region of Bavaria, for example, is influenced by Swiss and Austrian cuisine and in the east there are many influences of Slavic cuisine. In view of the large influx of immigrants to it, one can also find in Germany cuisines from far away places, such as the East, Africa and of course the Mediterranean region. German beer has a place of honor in the local cuisine and so do sausages (Wurst), which are a favorite traditional food. In the list of popular foods, loved by the locals, by the way, and besides the sausages, you can also find: meatball (Boulette), pork leg (Eisbein), liver sausage (Leberwurst), sauerkraut and French fries (Pommes) of course. As far as desserts are concerned, the following will appear on the list: the donuts (Berliner Pfannkuchen), the black forest cake (Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte) and apple pastry (Apfeltasche).
Moving around the country
As a western and very modern country, Germany offers both locals and tourists coming for a short or long vacation, comfortable, flexible and very accessible mobility solutions. It is easy to get to most of the places there by public transport and the big cities themselves make available to those who stay there cheap means of transport, which are active almost throughout the hours of the day. Those who want to visit Germany will find a wide variety of flights departing from Israel and landing at its main airports. Flights to Germany are relatively short flights (less than five hours), some direct and some with intermediate stops. Those looking for more special ways can choose an experiential cruise, which also includes a stop at other destinations in the near or far vicinity.
Within Germany itself there are many transportation solutions. The intercity trains operate on a highly developed modern infrastructure and are known to be efficient and comfortable. It is possible, through them, to reach different points within Germany itself as well as to leave it to other destinations, to other countries. The urban trains, which operate within the cities, are usually electric trains (U-Bahn and Stadtbahn). You can purchase a special travel ticket, which combines travel in them and other means of transportation, such as local buses. The buses are also a realistic solution for many travelers and they are considered very popular. Taxis provide a solution especially during the hours when the other means of transportation are not operating (at night for example) and also when you want to reach a certain point without stopping and waiting. Many travelers in Germany choose to rent a car, the method of transportation is in demand and convenient. Although the fuel in Germany is known to be relatively expensive, the great independence offered by this method outweighs the disadvantages and is also the reason why it is loved by many Israeli families. There are quite a few car rental companies in Germany and you can make the reservation ahead of time, before going on vacation
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currency and costs
The accepted currency in Germany is the euro. In most places there is a preference for paying in cash, although it is of course possible to pay by credit card. The credit cards, which will be given priority, in these cases, are Visa and Mastercard, and to a lesser extent Diners Club and American Express (which are also less usable by Israelis). It is possible to withdraw cash from the ATMs scattered throughout the country, and you can see quite a few of them in the big cities, although fees must be taken into account (it is important to check this in advance with both the credit card company and the bank in Israel). VAT refunds can be received before departure and for most products purchased in Germany during the vacation. To receive the refund, you must attach to a special form, which must be filled out, all the receipts attesting to the purchase. As for tips (“gratuities”), in most places, in cafes, In restaurants and bars, the service fee is included in the required payment and stands at 10 percent. Taxi drivers also usually round the amount received up, so that it includes the service fee. As far as the cost of the trip is concerned, this depends on many parameters and therefore varies between travelers. The nature of the trip, the number of travelers , the accommodation you choose, the places you eat and the attractions you stop at, all these and more affect the final cost of the trip.
