Savvy Sightseer - tips and insights for seasoned travelers!
"Mad" King Ludwig's fantasy home
Map of Germany and its bordering countries
Famous Glockenspiel puts on two shows daily.
Brandenburg Gate - now open for all to pass through freely.
Germany
With more than 25,000 castles and palaces, quaint timbered towns and busy eclectic cities, Germany embodies diversity. Bordered by nine different countries and multiple influences, Germany can’t be easily categorized, giving it a unique appeal for any traveler.
Tourists looking for rowdy beer halls and oompah bands, Christmas-themed towns, vestiges of Roman times, expansive palaces, ultra-modern skylines, hearty food, extraordinary scenery and remnants of the epicenter of Nazism can find it all – without ever leaving this one country.
A good place to get an introduction to Germany is in its past, with a leisurely cruise on the Rhine River. You'll pass beneath the legendary Loreley, mythical siren who lured sailors to their death with her song. Ancient castles dot the mountains, and little towns can transport you back in time. Originally a Roman fort, Boppard is a nice place to stroll along the ruins of 4th century walls or marvel at the twin-spired beauty of St. Severus Church, built on former Roman baths. The Rhine will also take you to Cologne – founded some 2000 years ago by Romans – and its Cathedral, the largest in Germany, with nearly 40 dazzling stained glass windows.
Inland, Hamelin is still working through the mystery of the famed Pied Piper, popularized in Robert Brown's children's story. Based on a true event, the disappearance of 130 children in 1284, legend has it that a colorful piper, hired by the town to handle its rat infestation, made off with the children when the townspeople reneged on payment. Just as the piper had led the rats to their death by playing a hypnotic tune, he is said to have led mesmerized children out of town.
The most hazardous section of the Rhine River, its deepest but narrowest section, is said to be the home of Siren Loreley who lured sailors to their death.
Twin towers of St. Severus Church, Boppard, stands where Roman baths once served the residents of an early Roman fort
Life of Christ Window in Cologne Cathedral
Towering focal point of Germany's oldest town, Cologne (aka Köln)
Interior of the Gothic cathedral in Cologne (aka Köln)
Pied Piper leads parade of children.
Popular brats are everywhere
Ultra-modern skyline of Germany's financial center
Mouse over the pictures above for more information, or click on the first one to start a slideshow of the whole gallery.
For a bigger taste of the multiplicity of Germany, look at Old World Charm page; for the glamorous, visit King Ludwig’s Palaces and Castles page and for the darker side of Germany’s past, click on Modern Wartime History link.
Holes needed to be cut into the triple-spired wall to let the harsh Baltic Sea winds through.
King Ludwig II's birthplace
Segment of the Berlin Wall that had separated East from West
To enjoy the Germany experience at its fullest, attend a Savvy Sightseer - Germany Travelogue at a library or community center near you! Check the Programs page for upcoming dates and locations.
