Welcome to Germany, one of Europe's most well known countries.

Day 1- Berlin
Population: 3,426,000


Berlin Travel Guide, climate:
Best: May - Sept.
Avoid: Jan - March. Short daylight hours, cold and grey, but snow may help the ambience and Christmas fairs late November - December are light and lively.

Berlin Festivals Guide:
Dec 31-Jan 1, Brandenburg Gate, New Year celebrations.
February, Transmediale. 'A platform for artistic and critical reflection on the role of digital technologies in present-day society.'
Easter week, Berlin Opera Festival.
May, Carnival of Cultures, Kreuzberg district. Four exotic days of cross-cultural parades, dance, music and artists.
End of June, Christopher Street day. A monster Gay Pride parade and street party.
Early July, F**k Parade. Anarchy rules.
early July, Classic Open Air Berlin. Classical music in the open Gendarmenmarkt.
Mid July, Love Parade, Berlin - the wackiest of local festivals, a weekend of ecstatic body-baring by 1.5 million techno- ravers.
July, Heimatklaenge Festival. Five days of folk music from Europe.
Early Aug, Klassiktage Berliner Schlossern, 10 days of classical music in the city's finest old buildings.
Most of August, Tanz im August - a wide range of innovative, international dances.
All August, Berlin Festival Weeks. More exceptional classical music in various venues.
Late October, Wigstockel, crossdressers unite.
All Dec, Christmas markets.

For some precise dates or more information see: European Festivals or Arts Festivals.

[B]Arts/Culture:
Museums: Of around 170 museums, the most popular is the Pergamon, located on an island and housing a spectacular archeological collection.
The Jewish Museum gets 5* for design and layout, while the tiny Haus am Checkpoint Charlie celebrates life and death of and on the old Berlin Wall.
Galleries: The Gemaldegalerie is the best traditional art gallery in town, while the smart Mitte area has a good selection of galleries.
Classical & Opera: Berlin is home to seven orchestras and three opera houses so finding a seat shouldn't be too hard.
Night Club/Live Music: wild club scenes are a feature of this hectic city, with many excellent clubs and bars especially found in the cool Kreuzberg and Mitte areas.
For avant-garde clubs and bars, travel to Friedrichshain - though they'll probably be out of date by the time you read this.
Flyer magazine lists the latest favourites.
Many clubs offer free entry or ask only a small cover charge.

Shopping Guide:
Traditionally, the west's Ku'damm [Kurfürstendamm] and the east's Friedrichstrasse are the big shopping streets, but Ludwigkirchplatz [square, west] has a good selection of shops, while Potsdam and Prenzlauer Berg [east] are for bargain hunting.
A popular market on Wednesdays and Saturdays is Winterfeldplatz.
Why Travel to Berlin?
Berlin has a vitality, creativity and diversity found in few other capital cities, overcoming some dour, cold housing districts.
Scattered around this spacious and cosmopolitan city are some stunning new buildings - like the Reichstag [pictured top right] and the cluster in Potsdamer Platz, alongside many well preserved [or well rebuilt] reminders of the past, from pre-war to the post-wall years.
The wall years have more visible impact now, with a clear social and financial divide still existing east/west.
Unemployment is high and the young are restless but there's a strange, thrilling joie de vivre about the city, with its superb museums, lively local culture - especially visible in the wild festivals [see left], arts scenes and vibrant night action.

Berlin Sights/Activities Guide:
Berlin has decayed during the Cold War and WW2 during , so old buildings and monuments are limited mostly to a few survivors and some huge restoration efforts.
Unter den Linden avenue is the throbbing spine of the city, running from the River Spree to the Brandenburg Gate [picture top left]. Berlin is multicentred but this is a classic starting point for new tourists and offers many attractions nearby.
The Reichstag's rebuild is incredible [picture top right] and can be visited for free; the rooftop terrace provides superb views. Go early or be prepared to queue.
Behind Norman Foster's masterpiece pieces of the Berlin Wall are still visible.
Other examples of stunning new architecture are the Sony Centre, Debisstadt - the hypermodern Daimler/ Chrysler complex and the New National Gallery.
Berlin's main Cathedral is impressive and fully restored, while you can get a drink and another great view from the top of the fairly hideous TV Tower in Alexanderplatz.
Gendarmenmarkt square is old and beautiful, while Potsdamer Platz, bohemian Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer Berg are a fascinating mix of tatty old and spectacular new, with cultural happenings aplenty.

Short Trips:
The S-Bahn will take you to the city's best park, the Grunewald forest, the 1km beach on Lake Wansee, the glittering palace of Schloss Charlottenburg/museum, and to the exotic Park Sanssouci in Potsdam [less crowded during the week], with its palaces, park and various odd structures.

Cuisine Guide:
Previously renowned for its grossly meaty cuisine, Berlin now offers lighter and more health-oriented eateries - even vegetarian and there's no shortage of great ethnic restaurants.
Try the assorted, attractive eateries and drinkeries in Kurfurstendamm, Oranienburger Strasse or Hackesche Hofe, though the latter is very touristy. Many bars don't open till 10pm!
If you fancy a picnic in the Tiergarten park then the wonderful Turkish Market in Maybachufer will supply your every need.
Don't forget to go into a pastry shop and try a doughnut - in memory of President Kennedy, who, in 1961 in front of half a million people famously said, 'Ich bin ein Berliner.' ['I am a doughnut'].
His speechwriter was later terminated in extreme deep fat.
http://www.brodyaga.ru/images%203p/berlin%203.jpg
http://www.ccl.kuleuven.ac.be/~corn/railinfo/berlin.jpg
http://userpage.chemie.fu-berlin.de/bilder/reichstag.gif
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/22/Berlin-brandenburg-gate.jpg/298px-Berlin-brandenburg-gate.jpg
http://www.blc.berlin.de/imperia/md/images/blc/a_standortberlin/karten/berlin_uebersicht.jpg
http://www.courses.psu.edu/nuc_e/nuc_e405_g9c/berlin/potsdamerplatz/potsdamerplatz5.jpg
http://p.vtourist.com/1219904-Berlin_skyline_from_helium_balloon-Berlin.jpg
http://nickdaniels.com/scripts/resize.aspx?image=../images/Berlin/View From TV Tower.JPG&mw=954&mh=698

Probably my favourite place to travel to

I took a whole class in University on the history of Berlin. It was my best class.

Nice city!

Beautifull city!

...and another great view from the top of the fairly hideous TV Tower in Alexanderplatz.
thanx for advertising this great city....but i hate you for posting THIS!

kneel down in the presence of this beauty(!):

http://www.ingridbischur.de/grafiken/fernsehturm.jpg

Of all the places I've visited in Deutschland, I love the towns by the Rhine river. Beautiful forts, castles and cathedrals.

I really like to go to Germany, but I like (in EU) France and Italy even more.

Day 2

Munich
Population: 1, 290,000

Introduction
Munich (German: München) [1] is the capital city of Bavaria, the largest federal state of Germany (by area - not by population). The third-largest German city - by population, not by area- (after Berlin and Hamburg) , Munich is noted for its architecture and culture, while its annual Oktoberfest beer celebration is world famous.


Districts
City Center (Karlsplatz/Marienplatz/Isartor/Königsplatz) The city center is made up largely of the Karlsplatz (also known as "Stachus" by the locals) and Marienplatz squares, which, are the main tourist hang out, however, for ease of use the areas directly around these squares are included, because they offer a lot for visitors and though not defined should be included in the city center.
Schwabing/Maxvorstadt (University area) Schwabing (or rather Maxvorstadt) is the upscale academic district - a trendy but charming neighborhood immediately beyond the Ludwig-Maximilian Universität (try blue/orange metro stops Universität or Münchener Freiheit) filled with small coffee houses, expensive but astounding shoe stores, bookstores and speciality restaurants from around the world. Schwabing has always been an "in" place to live, and looking at the shady tree-lined streets, it's not difficult to imagine why.


And if you're feeling homesick, the Leopoldstr. (get out at universität or münchner freiheit) also offers coffeeshops such as Starbuck's or the San Francisco Coffee House.

Olympic area/Olympic Einkaufzentrum This is for the area around the 1972 Olympic site.
Ostbahnhof & Kultfabrik The Ostbahnhof area is well-known for its clubbing area. See below under Discos.
Neuhausen

Attractions
The Beaten Path
Glockenspiel - See District sub article City Center
Olympiaturm (Olympic Tower) [11] - the more than 200 m high tower gives an amazing view over the complete city, and on a clear day you can see the Alps. Take a break in the rotating Drehrestaurant .
Museums, Galleries, and Memorials
Egyptian Museum - admission €4 (concessions €3, children free, free for all on Sundays)
Lenbachhaus Gallery - Expressionist art.
Dachau concentration camp An incredible, and sobering experience, this is a worthwhile excursion. Not recommended for small children. Tours can be booked in Munich or at Dachau there, in English. While the tour is certainly of historical value, there is very little to see from the original camp, as most of the structures from the WWII era have been destroyed. Tourists, who, take a tour of Dachau from a private guide/tour company often complain that they didn't have enough time to explore the camp. Three hours or more should be dedicated to exploring the camp, though to fully see the camp may require five or more hours.

Schloss Neuschwanstein (located near Füssen, worth a day trip) Visit the beautiful park! The famous fantasy castle built by Ludwig II, picture postcard perfect and used in the 1960s film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It is easily visited in a day trip from Munich. By car, take the A96 motorway from Munich and switch over to the A7 and exit at Füssen. From Füssen it is just a short distance further to the village of Hohenschwangau where the ticket center to Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles can be found. From the ticket center, it is a 20 to 30 minute walk uphill to the entrance of Neuschwanstein. Buses and horsedrawn carriages are also available.

Marienplatz The Marienplatz is the traditional heart of Munich. Its Mariensäule (Marian column) was built in 1638 as a reminder the city had been spared during Swedish occupation. It is not exceptionally different from any number of plague columns scattered around central Europe. What really draws a crowd on Marienplatz, though, is the Glockenspiel in the façade of the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall). The summer tourist crowds gawk at the Glockenspiel figures enacting the Schäfflertanz (coopers' dance), a ritual originally performed to celebrate the end of the plague in Munich. The Rathaus was built in Flemish Gothic style between 1867 and 1908 by Georg Joseph Hauberissere. If you are interested in shopping, go here and follow the main shopping street down to Karlsplatz (Stachus), a major tram/U-Bahn/S-Bahn stop. Major chainstores, such as H&M and Saturn (for CDs and electronic equipment)can be found there.

Festivals
Oktoberfest. The first Oktoberfest took place on the 12 October 1810, to celebrate the marriage of Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Sachsen-Hildburghausen. All citizens of Munich were invited to a meadow (Wies'n) situated in front of the city tower, subsequently renamed the Theresienwiese in honor of the bride. In the early years of the fair, horse races were held, then as the event grew, agricultural conventions, which still take place every third year. But what about beer? After all, the Bavarian hops crop has to go somewhere! In 1896 businessmen working with the breweries in Munich built the first giant beer tents at Oktoberfest, and drinking has been the primary focus since. Each of the major breweries presides over its own large tent filled with traditional musicians leading the crowd in well-known drinking chants, incredibly strong barmaids hoisting ten or more huge Maß (1-liter glass beer mugs that are heavy even when empty!), and a spate of drunken people all trying to get into the bathroom at once. In 2003, Oktoberfest hosted 6.4 million visitors who drank 6.1 million liters of beer and ate the equivalent of 91 oxen, 383,000 sausages and 630,000 chickens. Furthermore there are of course as on all similiar festivals many rides as two looping roller coasters and two large ferris wheels.
However, visiting the Oktoberfest can be very stressful, because the tents are overcrowded and there are doormen at the entrance ruling the procedure of coming in. Especially at weekends you should try to get in the tents before 10 o'clock in the morning. During the week most tents are open all day, however it is not easy to get a seat.
It is not recommended to leave the tent if you want to get in it later the day. So you have to decide early in the morning if you want to go in a certain tent or you want to enjoy the rides like the coaster with 5 loopings.
Some tents, such as the Hofbrau Festzelt have a standing area that does not require seating; as such, you can sometimes get into this tent later than with other ones.

Shop
Maximilianstrasse - This street in the city center is the place to go if you are looking for high end luxury goods.
shopping centres For a collection of shops under one roof go to the shopping centres PEP (U-Bahn stop: Neuperlach Zentrum, U5), OEZ (U-bahn stop olympia Einkaufszentrum) or Riem Arkaden (U-Bahn stop Messestadt Ost, U2)
Hohenzollernstr. This street has a collection of clothes shops, such as: Mazel, Vero Moda and a cheap traditional German clothing shop. You can reach it by getting out at the U2/U8 stop Hohenzollernstrand then walking in the direction of Münchner Freiheit (the locals will be able to tell you which directio that is, or by going one stop on the 53 bus going towards Münchner Freiheit (that's the final stop, so written on the front of the bus). From then on continue going in that direction, until you start seeing the shops. You can walk down there in about 15 minutes, but when you're shopping, who knows? And that then brings you to the next shopping zone:
Leopoldstr. This can be reached by the U-bahn U6 or U3 at the stops Münchner Freiheit, Giselastraße or Universität, and has chain stores such as the Body Shop, or coffee shops, such as Starbuck's.

http://wikitravel.org/upload/en/thumb/2/24/Munich.jpg/400px-Munich.jpg
http://wikitravel.org/upload/en/thumb/0/0d/Neuschwanstein.jpg/250px-Neuschwanstein.jpg

Germany is great and Berlin simply rocks! :rock:

Bold and beautiful in Berlin
Philip Hammond
4 March 2006
The Courier-Mail

Berlin has the dynamism of a modern metropolis alongside moving history, writes Philip Hammond

EASILY missed in Berlin's Bebelplatz Square in front of the Royal Library is a discreet but poignant monument. Many people walk over the square pane of thick glass, set amid the cobblestones, but a look down reveals an unadorned white room lined with empty bookshelves.

Our walking tour guide, an Australian political science student, explained how the room commemorates the 20,000 volumes which were piled up by the Nazis for a public book burning on that very site.

The burning, on May 10, 1933, had been ordered by Joseph Goebbels' Ministry of Propaganda on grounds the books were anti-Nazi, Jewish-authored and "degenerate".

Earlier, after a walk through the tree-lined avenues of the Tiergarten, the dozen or so sightseers appraised a stark and forbidding sculpture. Two thick, curved slabs of rusting steel stood on their edges, marking the spot where Hitler signed the first Holocaust document: an order to dispose of the mentally ill in the asylums.

The best way to see all this is to lace on a pair of comfortable shoes, allocate a few hours, and hook up with one of the young foreign students moonlighting as guides.

The meeting point is outside Dunkin' Donuts near the Zoologischer Garten railway station, and the visitor is in for a real treat.

Berlin is a vibrant, engrossing, tourist-friendly city which had been recommended to us by our 21-year-old son.

He was coming from the angle of someone mostly interested in cutting-edge music, dance clubs, German beers, remarkable graffiti and bold new design.

In Berlin they've made the old Reichstag parliament building accessible to the people by building a spiral walkway rising inside a glass dome on the roof. A constant queue of visitors lines up to ride the free lift to the walkway, with its views straight down into the parliamentary chamber, and out to great city vistas in all directions.

Thanks to the Internet, we had added Berlin as a cheap, three-day side trip to our holiday. Booking months ahead with Ryanair, we secured two return flights from London, which, with airport taxes, cost just $A65.

The price of the return flight for each of us was the equivalent of 5.

Pre-booking also secured us, for about $100 a night, a good hotel: the Boulevard, right in the centre of the action on the Kurfurstendam. Thrown into the package were two free public transport passes: we were soon enjoying exploratory forays across town on the Uber and Sub rail systems which run with German precision every few minutes.

The heated seats seemed unnecessary in the balmy autumn weather, but Berlin had recent -17C temperatures.

Walking tour guides will confide that Berliners are not particularly enamoured with the idea of constant mentions of the war and the appalling legacy of the Nazis.

But the walking tours, conducted in a range of languages, certainly meet a tourism need and their subject matter is very interesting indeed.

There's a stretch of pavement where the walking group stops, overlooked by a block of flats built for important communist officials in the Cold War era, with an adjacent patch of grass where locals allow their dogs to relieve themselves.

Perhaps, our guide joked, the dogs provide the appropriate memorial to Hitler, who died in his bunker 10m below where we stood. To dissuade modern Nazis having any focal point to pay homage to the World War II leader, there is not even a plaque to mark the spot.

Berlin's magical allure is through its role in contemporary Western history. The city has witnessed so much, and the remnants of those times can still be found, juxtaposed against giant modern art and the architecture of a new era. The visitor somehow feels part of the constant change and upheaval.

Sitting with a beer in the uplifting atmosphere of the Potsdamer Platz, where ultra-modern architecture leans in from all sides, the visitor can feel the dynamism of a modern metropolis.

In contrast, a short train ride away, there's a kilometre of the old Berlin Wall still standing. With its chipped and holed reinforced concrete panels, topped with sewer pipe, this remnant is a deteriorating gallery of international artworks: free world messages delivered with humour, passion and sometimes venom.

Then back in the side streets away from the department stores of the Kurfurstendam, Berlin offers truly German cuisine in heavily timbered cafes staffed by smiling, blonde frauleins.

In our zeal to "eat local" we attracted the attention even of the locals when my wife was served with a sizeable pig's knuckle -- a pink section of leg pork served with boiled potatoes.

With potato soup for starters, potatoes, sauerkraut and meat for mains, and half-litre steins of Berliner pilsner to wash it down, we felt we'd accomplished our mission.

As well as visiting museums, galleries and imposing public buildings, this brief visit to Berlin was crowned by two walks.

The first took us to the one-time Luftwaffe air force headquarters: a block of grey stone government office buildings which are among the few survivors of architect Albert Speer's vision for the Nazi capital.

Another survivor is the Olympic stadium, used in the 1936 Olympic Games and soon to be a focal point in this year's World Cup soccer competitions.

We stopped in what's left of the SS and Gestapo torture cellars and ended up in the strange Holocaust memorial.

Spread over an entire city block, this collection of precisely aligned grey concrete blocks was controversial when built. The anti-graffiti finish on the blocks, we were told, was provided by the same chemical company associated with production of the gas used in Hitler's gas chambers.

Next day, another knowledgeable guide led us on the Red Berlin tour, providing fascinating insights into the spy world which thrived in the cafes near Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin air lift, desperate escape bids and the surviving monuments to the communist era.

And if you've always wanted a piece of the Berlin Wall, the easiest way is to buy a postcard, complete with a sealed plastic bubble containing a thumbnail-sized fragment of concrete.

i would love to visit Berlin..

Maybe some Informations 'bout Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Leipzig, Dresden, Potsdam or the lot of other great german cities should be mentioned :)

Berlin looks great, probably my next european city to visit.

Berlin is really fantastic. Maybe I'll go there again this summer...:)
The same goes for Munich (and they have the world best fooball-team;))

I took a whole class in University on the history of Berlin. It was my best class.
What are you studying?:)

Welcome to Germany, one of Europe's most well known countries.

:lol: I love this sentence.

Don't forget about the Ossis folks ;)

The Baltic Sea cost e.g. really is worth a look at - Some impressions of Usedom island - beaches in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=18532622#post18532622)!