About.com Germany Travel

Christmas Market of the Week: Berlin's Historic Christmas Market

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:06:29 +0000

Berlin is home to 60 different Christmas markets, but for the connoisseur, the Historic Christmas Market at Gendarmenmarkt is not to be missed. It opens on Monday, November 23, 2009.

Framed by the illuminated French and German Cathedral, you can wander the many booths or visit the heated craftsmen tent where you can watch toy makers, goldsmiths, and wood carvers at work. There is also a stage where musicians, dancers, and jugglers keep you and and the kids entertained.

Many German Christmas markets close on Christmas Eve, but you can visit Berlin's Historic Christmas Market until December 31st and even celebrate New Year's Eve here with a� festive gala, fireworks, and a waltz dance on the historic market square after midnight.

(Photo: jule_berlin)

Christmas Market of the Week: Berlin's Historic Christmas Market originally appeared on About.com Germany Travel on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 00:06:29.

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Oberammergau Passion Play 2010 - Get Your Tickets Soon

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:48:49 +0000

It all started with a vow in 1633: When the plague hit the Bavarian village of Oberammergau, the villagers vowed that they would perform the Passion Play every ten years, if the disease would spare them. It did, and the people of Oberammergau kept their word: Ever since, the Passion Play has been performed in the picturesque village in the heart of the Bavarian Alps, 55 miles south of Munich.

In 2010, the once-in-a-decade event will take place for the 41st time. The play is a true community event, and 2000 villagers, more than half of Oberammergau's inhabitants, are involved in the production, from actors, and musicians, to seamstresses, and ushers.

The curtain will rise on May 15th, 2010, and the play is performed throughout October. Usually, all performances will sell out quickly, so get your tickets for the Passion Play soon.

Read more fascinating facts about the Passion Play and get helpful visitor's information in my article The Oberammergau Passion Play 2010.

(Photo: Passionsspiele Oberammergau 2000)

Oberammergau Passion Play 2010 - Get Your Tickets Soon originally appeared on About.com Germany Travel on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 12:48:49.

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Cologne Christmas Market Opens - And Germany's Holiday Season Begins

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:34 +0000

Finally - one of the first Christmas markets opens these days in Germany, which means that the most wonderful time of the year is officially beginning!

The city of Cologne celebrates the season with seven Christmas fairs, but the most impressive one is the Christmas Market in the heart of the city, right in front of the Cologne Cathedral.

Opening on Monday, November 23, 2009, the Cologne Christmas Market features the tallest Christmas tree in the region. Swing to free Christmas concerts playing nightly in front of the Cologne Cathedral, watch artisans at work, and try a cup of hot spiced wine to keep the cold away.

The rest of Germany's Christmas Markets will follow soon, with most of them opening next weekend, November 27 and 28, 2009.

Germany's Holiday Season

_{(Team Bilderdienst K�ln)}

Cologne Christmas Market Opens - And Germany's Holiday Season Begins originally appeared on About.com Germany Travel on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 00:00:34.

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Germany Budget Travel Tip: Berlin For Free

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:35 +0000

Every week, I will be posting budget travel tips for your Germany vacation in my blog, so you can find out how to make your Dollar go further - without taking the fun out of your travels.

This week is all about the German capital: Getting the most out of Berlin doesn't have to break the bank; you can enjoy the culture, history, and architecture Berlin is famous for without paying a single Euro. Here are the best things to see and do in Berlin - on the house:

Berlin For Free

More Berlin Budget Travel Tips:

Do you have a budget travel tip you want to share with us? Leave a comment or join the conversation in our Germany Travel Forum. The best Germany budget travel tips will be published in this blog.

Check out Last Week's Budget Travel Tip: Sleep Cheap

_{(Photo by Rene Erhardt)}

Germany Budget Travel Tip: Berlin For Free originally appeared on About.com Germany Travel on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 00:00:35.

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Cologne's Chocolate "Mmmmh-Museum"

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:27 +0000

If you have a sweet tooth like I do, then a visit to the Chocolate Museum should be on your list of things to do in Cologne. Probably the most delicious museum in Germany, the Chocolate Museum takes you on a journey through the 3000-year old history of chocolate-making around the world.

From the Mayan's "Drink of the God's" to a mini-production unit where you can see how chocolate bars and pralines are made, this museum is a fun and interesting adventure for visitors of all ages. The highlight of the museum is the 10-feet high chocolate fountain; the museum staff will be happy to dip waffles into the warm chocolate to give you a try.

(Photo: GNTB/Astrid Schwarz)

Cologne's Chocolate "Mmmmh-Museum" originally appeared on About.com Germany Travel on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 00:00:27.

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Jewish Culture Days 2009 in Munich

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:58:01 +0000

This week, Munich is hosting the Jewish Culture Days, an annual festival dedicated to Jewish history, art, and tradition. This year, the festival celebrates the 100th birthday of the city of Tel Aviv, and you can enjoy an interesting series of concerts, theater, film, panel discussions, and exhibitions.

The Jewish Culture Days take place from November 14 - 24, 2009 in the Munich venue Gasteig.

Website of the Jewish Culture Days (in German)
More Events in November
Germany in Winter

Jewish Culture Days 2009 in Munich originally appeared on About.com Germany Travel on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 13:58:01.

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Germany Budget Travel Tip: Sleep Cheap

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:50 +0000

Every week, I will be posting budget travel tips for your Germany vacation in my blog, so you can find out how to make your Dollar go further - without taking the fun out of your travels.

This week, I have a great budget tip for design-fans: Travel in style and on a shoestring by staying in the hip Motel One.

Motel One combines modern design and low budget prices to create a unique line of "Boutique Motels". Rooms start at just 49 Euros a night, and you can find Motel One in 13 of Germany's most popular destinations. Read my review about Motel One and find out what to expect.

Do you have a budget travel tip you want to share with us? Leave a comment or join the conversation in our Germany Travel Forum. The best Germany budget travel tips will be published in this blog.

Check out Last Week's Budget Travel Tip

_{(Photo: Copyright Motel One)}

Germany Budget Travel Tip: Sleep Cheap originally appeared on About.com Germany Travel on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 00:00:50.

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Helau! Germany's Carnival Season Begins Today

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:45:19 +0000

It might only be November and you probably have Christmas on your mind, but today is the official beginning of Germany's carnival season, also called the "Fifth Season". On November 11th, at 11:11 a.m., the "Council of Eleven" comes together throughout Germany to plan the events for the upcoming carnival festivities. The official hats of the councils' members: Colorful fool's caps with little bells.

The real deal though won't happen until February 2010; Germany's costume balls and street parades take place between February 15 - 17, 2010, so mark your calendars and start planning.

Almost every German city celebrates carnival and organizes a street parade in its city center, but the best and most traditional carnival festivities take place in Cologne, D�sseldorf, M�nster, Aachen, and Mainz.

(Photo: Patrick Stollarz/Getty Images)

Helau! Germany's Carnival Season Begins Today originally appeared on About.com Germany Travel on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 14:45:19.

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Christmas Markets in Germany and Europe

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:45 +0000

Only a couple more weeks until Christmas markets all over Germany open their gates, lighting winter evenings and filling the season with holiday cheer.

The tradition of celebrating Christmas markets has begun in Germany and Austria in the 14th century. Originally, the fairs only provided food and practical supplies for the cold winter season, but soon the markets became a beloved holiday tradition all over Europe.

To get into the Christmas spirit, check out the blog carnival of my colleague Ferne Arvin, Guide to UK Travel. Ferne has put together a great round-up of the best Christmas markets in Europe and the U.S., where you can hunt for unique gifts, find traditional Christmas decoration, and enjoy those steaming crocks of spiced wine, sizzling sausages and chestnuts.

Christmas Markets in Germany:

(Photo: jule_berlin)

Christmas Markets in Germany and Europe originally appeared on About.com Germany Travel on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 00:00:45.

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Berlin's Festival of Freedom on November 9th - Celebrating the Fall of the Wall

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:15 +0000

November 9 is the day Berlin waiting has been waiting for all year long: It marks the 20th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall, which came down on November 9, 1989.

Berlin celebrates the anniversary of this significant day in German history with a gigantic Festival of Freedom; besides hundreds of thousand spectators, the German capital welcomes many international heads of states and governments such as Nicolas Sarkozy, Dmitry Medwedew, Gordon Brown, Hillary Clinton, as well as Angela Merkel and Berlin's Mayor Klaus Wowereit.

The center piece of the Festival of Freedom is a giant domino chain, which follows the route of the former wall through Berlin.
The 1000 domino pieces were created by Berlin students, and just like the real Berlin Wall, they are going to fall. With the last domino, a spectacular firework display will light up the night sky over the Brandenburg Gate, the symbol of a unified Germany.

Program of the Festival of Freedom

7:00 p.m. Concert of the Berlin state's orchestra under the conducter Daniel Barenboim (music from Wagner, Schoenberg, Beethoven, and Goldmann
7:30 p.m. International politicians and former GDR civil right activists walk through the Brandenburg Gate and give speeches
between 7:45 - 8:30 p.m.
- The first domino will fall
- Performance of Jon Bon Jovi at the Brandenburg Gate
- Interview with Michael Gorbatschow and Hans Dietrich Genscher (former German Foreign Minister)
8:30 p.m. The last domino will fall, kicking off a spectacular firework display over the Brandenburg Gate

Where: Brandenburg Gate
When: November 9, 2009
Getting There: Metro Stop �Unter den Linden" (S1, S2) , or Bus #100
Cost: Free

Berlin's Festival of Freedom on November 9th - Celebrating the Fall of the Wall originally appeared on About.com Germany Travel on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 00:00:15.

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