Tagged: germany

One of Europe's Most Famous Churches Plans to Charge for Entry. Critics Say That's a Sin

Is it wrong—or at least morally murky—to impose entrance fees for accessing certain spaces?That's a question being debated in Germany following a recent announcement that Cologne…

What Is Aufguss? Where to See the Sweaty, Half-Naked Sauna Ritual for Yourself

The growing popularity of the European spa ritual known as "Aufguss" is good news for anyone who has ever taken a schvitz and thought, Hmm, needs more dance. Named after the German…

Southern Germany’s University Cities: A College Tour of 5 Historic Destinations

Germany has some of the best universities in the world—and some of the oldest. Heidelberg University, for instance, was founded in 1386. Relative whippersnapper Harvard University in…

Pauline Frommer's Chat with Samantha Brown, Host of 'Places to Love' on PBS

Earlier in the year, the Frommer's podcast featured an interview Pauline Frommer did with Samantha Brown, host of the PBS show Places to Love. What follows is a transcript of that…

What Happens When Your European River Cruise Can’t Sail Due to Low Water Levels?

Heidi Sarna is the co-founder of QuirkyCruise.com, a guide to small-ship cruising.It’s no secret water levels fluctuate on European rivers, including the Danube and Rhine, causing…

On This Beach, Nudity Is Mandatory

Beaches that allow nude sunbathing are often described as "clothing-optional," but clothing is not an option on the nude beaches of Rostock, Germany (the city's Warnemünde Strand is…

When Is Oktoberfest in Germany in 2024? Dates, Best Cities, and Other Info to Know

This post, originally published June 28, 2024, has been updated with new information.In a typical year, around 6 million people descend on Munich for Oktoberfest, Germany's…

New UNESCO World Heritage Sites for 2024 in Italy, Malaysia, South Africa, More

UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has added 24 cultural and natural wonders to its esteemed World Heritage List of sites the organization…

Can Visitors to Germany Use Cannabis Now That Recreational Use is Legal There?

In April, Germany legalized possession and use of marijuana for non-medical purposes, becoming the largest nation in the European Union to do so. Other places have also legalized…

How to Spend Two Days in Strasbourg, the Proudly French City That Looks Like Germany

Let’s say you’re visiting Paris and you’d like to see another side of France—or even another country in Europe—but you don’t have a lot of time and you don’t want to take a plane. The…

Berlin’s Huge New Cultural Museum Finally Opens After Years of Controversy and Delay

Berlin's Humboldt Forum, a massive museum complex located along the Spree river in the city's center, finally opened to the public this week. Construction delays and the Covid-19…

Find the Oldest Hotel in Each Country with These Illustrated Maps

The planet's oldest hotel, according to Guinness World Records, is a Japanese onsen (hot-spring hotel) that has been in operation since the year 705. Emperors and samurai warriors are…

Cities With the Best Options for Vegetarian Travelers: A Global Ranking

What are the world's best cities for vegetarians? Berlin-based housing site Nestpick set out to answer that question with a global ranking based on nine different criteria, including…

Berlin's Long-Delayed Airport Is Finally About to Open—for Real This Time

Germany may still hold its reputation for punctuality and efficiency, but it's no thanks to Berlin Brandenburg Airport. That seemingly endless construction project began in 2006, when…

German Airports Open Covid Testing Labs That Could Serve as Models

We'd rather have a Cinnabon, but in a move that could serve as a model for air travel around the world, airports in Frankfurt and Munich have opened onsite Covid-19 testing labs. The…

Road Picture: Instagrammers Travel to Reenact Iconic Film Scenes

German couple Judith Schneider and Robin Lachhein put to shame any Instagrammer who has ever posed for a cheesy vacation pic mimicking the Joker dancing on stairs or Maria von Trapp…

A Reason to Cry in Your Beer: Germany’s Oktoberfest Canceled for 2020

This year's edition of Munich's Oktoberfest—the huge beer and folk festival that's synonymous with the Bavarian region and, in some minds, Germany as a whole—has been canceled. The…

New Museums Explore Weimar Germany's Pivotal Role in 20th Century

Last month marked the 100th anniversary of when a national assembly was convened in Weimar in central Germany to write a new constitution for that country after its defeat in World War…

10 Fantastic Roller Coasters You Can Only Find in Germany

A Moulin Rouge-themed roller coaster in the dark. A Star Trek coaster with three launches. Germany loves its roller coasters so much that it's always finding new ways to put a twist on…

The Best European Cities with Kid-Friendly Day Trips

The best European family trips tend to start with urban stays that can segue into out-of-town sojourns once children tire of museums and city touring. Fortunately, most of Europe’s…

Tipping in Germany: A Gratuities Guide for Restaurants, Hotels, and Taxis

The German word for a tip is Trinkgeld. That translates literally to “drink money,” suggesting that in Germany a gratuity is considered a little something extra rather than a…

Bavarian Vegetarian: Germany's Sausage Central for People Who Don't Eat Meat

One of the most genuine and enjoyable ways to experience a place is to try the food—especially those time-tested dishes that provide a true taste of the flavors and traditions of the…

Franconia: Germany's Land of Wine, Wurst, Wagner, and WW2 History

Technically, the region of Franconia in south-central Germany has been part of Bavaria for about 200 years. Locals haven’t quite warmed up to the idea just yet, though. They’ll tell…

Dachshund Museum Opens in Germany

A museum containing more than 4,500 pieces of dachshund memorabilia—toys, artwork, ceramic figurines, photos, and more—has opened in the city of Passau in Germany's Bavarian…

Beer Prices Going up at Munich's Oktoberfest

The price for a stein of beer is going up at Munich's Oktoberfest this year.Scheduled for September 16 through October 3, the Bavarian festival famous for brews, sausages,…