The specific promotions described in this article have now passed, but it remains online so that the resources named will be of future use to travelers.
Germany is a country of contrasts, from the vibrant alternative art and music scene of Berlin to the rustic countryside of the Rhine river region, the architectural beauty of Munich to the serenity of the Schwarzwald. For travelers seeking culture and unique attractions, two thousand years of European history is on display here with 33 designated UNESCO World Heritage sites (www.unesco-welterbe.de/en/index.html).
If you've ever gazed out at the majestic Neuschwanstein castle and thought you were in a fairytale, you are not alone (in fact it was this castle that the famous Cinderella fairytale castle, the symbol of Disneyland was based on) -- the beauty of Germany is unsurpassed. This summer, Germany will be overrun with thousands of football fanatics as it hosts the Soccer World Cup but you still have plenty of time to travel there before the crowds arrive.
When in Germany, do as the Germans do and indulge in a wellness or spa vacation. There are dozens of world-class spa resorts throughout the country, many within a short drive of major cities and the official German Tourism website (www.germany-tourism.de) features a number of spa vacation package specials. If you are visiting Berlin, consider a stay at on Lake Scharm¿tzelsee, just 45 miles southeast of the city. Brandenburg's premier thermal salt-water and mud spa, Bad Saarow (tel. + 493/3631-8680; www.bad-saarow.de) combines unspoilt nature with the very latest in health and wellness facilities - relaxing thermal baths, Oriental saunas, natural mud treatments, massages, beauty baths, and fitness programs. A six-day package is priced at $1,135 for two people and includes five-nights at the five-star Hotel Azur or the Golf and Resort Das Brandenburg Sporting Club Berlin ($1,456) breakfast daily, six-days admission to the SaarowTherme thermal baths including sauna, two aromatic full-body massage, two vitality baths, two beauty baths, two Rasul baths, two Solarmed sand and light baths, two Turkish bath massages, two reflexology massages and two hay packs.
Bad Kohlgrub (tel. + 4988/4574-220; www.bad-kohlgrub.de) about an hour southwest of Munich in the Ammergau Alps is a rural spa and holiday resort known as the "mud village." Bad Kohlgrub's "black down" mud is unique and is renowned for its ability to relieve rheumatism, back pain and stress. Enjoy wellness, panoramic views of the Alps and Upper Bavaria's history and culture, and visit the nearby Ettal Abbey, Linderhof Palace, Neuschwanstein Castle and Murnau. A package here with seven-nights accommodation in private rooms, inns or at a hotel (with or without a swimming pool, breakfast daily three Alpine mud health packs, three feel good massage, one aromatic bath and a "fit and healthy" card offering a manicure, bicycle hire, a trip up the H¿rnle and a vitality meal is priced from $410 to $760 per person depending on accommodation level.
Perhaps the most famous of Germany's thermal bath towns is Aachen, in Germany's west. Known for its health benefit properties since the Romans period, Aachen is often referred to the "Royal Bath". Today the Carolus Thermen Bad Aachen continues this tradition with thermal waters, saunas with indoor and outdoor pools, and Baltic and Oriental massage treatments. The Aachen Tourist Service (tel. + 4924/1180-2951; www.aachen.de/EN/ts/Current_information/index.html) offers packages that include a full day in the Carolus Thermen Bad Aachen, including the world of sauna (worth $34 per person), overnight hotel accommodations, breakfast, a welcome drink, Guided tour through the historical city centre (only in German language) and a visit to the Casino Aachen. The package is priced from $73 in a tourist class room up to $127 in a luxury hotel. Extend for a second night for an extra $35 to $85.
If you are a museum junky, have we got a deal for you. UNESCO Welterbestatten Deutschland and the Berlin Tourism Office (tel. + 4930/250-025; www.berlin-tourist-information.de/index.en.php) offers a package that includes one night's accommodation in a central hotel including breakfast and a fruit basket in the room and a Berlin "SCHAULust Museen" museum pass giving free admission to more than 50 Berlin museums and collections over a three-day period, including Museum Island and the otherworld-famous state museums of Berlin. This package is priced at $120 per person based on dual occupancy.
UNESCO Welterbestatten Deutschland and the Dresden Tourism Office (+4935/1491- 92120; www.dresden-tourist.de) offers the "Dresden Days with Dresden Extra-Tour along the River Elbe" package priced from $147 per person sharing a double room. The deal includes two nights accommodation with breakfast in the peak season, or three nights (for the price of two) in the off-peak season, a Dresden City Card for 48 hours providing free travel on local public transport; free admission to collections of the Dresden State Art Collections and numerous further price reductions and a Dresden Extra-Tour -- a two and a half-hour coach excursion with guide, along the Elbe to Loschwitz and to the oldest suspension cable-car in Europe, returning to the city by paddle-steamer.
If you are traveling with children, keep in mind that getting around Germany by train is an affordable and practical option as train services are impeccable plus children 14 and under traveling with an adult ride for free. For further information visit www.bahn.co.uk.
Go-Today (tel. 800/227-3235; www.go-today.com) has a six-night/seven-day Berlin package starting at $589. Travel is valid from now until March 25, 2006. It includes round-trip airfare from New York, six-nights accommodation at the Berlin Plaza Hotel, daily breakfast and hotel service charges and taxes. Some blackout dates apply for certain hotels. A Munich three-night getaway staying at the Atrium Hotel is available from $429 with travel valid from now until March 25, 2006. Both these deals must be booked by February 16, 2006. Add $50 from Boston, $100 from Chicago and $240 from Los Angeles. Their "Biking Germany-Black Forest" land only package is priced from $799. It begins in Lossburg and ends in Kehl-Kork and includes six-nights accommodations in three-star traditional hotels, daily breakfasts, daily dinner (three course set menu), bicycle and equipment, luggage transfers between hotels, transfers to/from train stations, a local contact, detailed route notes and map. Daily departures are available from April to October, 2006 and purchase deadline is March 4, 2006.
Germany Travel Tours (tel. 800/268-4155; www.germanytraveltours.com) offers a selection of land-only tours including their seven-day "Romantic Germany" trip. It includes six-nights first class and superior tourist class accommodations with breakfast daily and a welcome dinner and a special farewell dinner, transportation in an air-conditioned motor coach with professional English speaking guide, all excursions and city tours, entrance fees, a Rhine river cruise from Ruedesheim, wine tasting and all taxes and service charges. The tour starts in Frankfurt and visits Ruedesheim, Heidelberg, Wiesloch, Baden-Baden, Lake Constance, Hohenschwangau, Neuschwanstein Castle, Garmish-Partenkirchen, Linderhof Castle, Oberammergau, Ettal, Munich, Nuremberg, Rothenburg and Wuerzburg and is priced from $1,002 per person based on double occupancy for departures on April 30, May 14 and 28, June 18, July 9 and 23, August 2 and 20, September 3, October 8 and 29, 2006. There is a $99 surcharge for departures during Oktoberfest (September 17 and 24, 2006).
Their "Rhine Valley Tour" to Heidelberg, R¿desheim, Cologne, Mainz, and Frankfurt departs on May 27, July 8 and 22, August 5, September 2 and 16 2005. It features five days of touring, four-nights at first class and tourist superior hotels including tax and service charges, transportation by train and by air conditioned motorcoach, professional bilingual English/Spanish speaking guide, all excursions and city tours, a welcome lunch, four breakfast buffets and entrance fees to Goethe House Frankfurt, Heidelberg Castle inner courtyard and wine cellar, Rhine River Cruise from Ruedesheim to St. Goarshausen, Chocolate Museum Cologne and Gutenberg Museum Mainz. It is priced from $591 per person based on double occupancy.
All prices for land-only German packages are based on the exchange rate of 1EURO = $US1.21
Lufthansa Airlines (tel. 800/399-LUFT; www.lufthansa-usa.com) is currently running a winter airfare sale.
Sample Economy Saver fares (based on midweek departures):
- New York to Frankfurt $299 plus taxes of $145
- Boston to Munich $382 plus taxes of $252
- Los Angeles to Hamburg $413 plus taxes of $267
- Chicago to Frankfurt $337 plus taxes of 206
- Washington DC to Munich $332 plus taxes of $198
- Atlanta to Berlin 337 plus taxes of $278
To get the best fares, click on the date flexibility button (for +/- three days) - it can mean a savings of several hundred dollars. Travel is valid until March 31, 2006.
For more information about traveling in Germany, visit www.frommers.com/destinations/germany, www.germany-tourism.de, and www.cometogermany.com.
