Germany travel advice
Cultural tips
Adam Jarvis from our supplier, Headwater Vacations:
”Don’t be afraid to ask for help or directions or even suggestions about what to do. Most Germans are pretty clued up, friendly, and will – more often than not – speak English. They’re generally polite and very well-behaved, and tradition is still something which plays a part in everyday life. They are also often quite proud of their village/town/country and will most likely know where the best points of interest are.”
Heather Godbert also from our supplier Headwater Vacations:
“Germans by reputation are thought to be quite cold but I have found the reverse to be true, with the locals keen for you to experience the best in German hospitality. That’s not to say that they aren’t direct: German is a very direct language. ‘Would you mind passing me the salt please’ in English would always be ‘Pass the salt’ when directly translated from the German! If you chat to them, you may even be surprised to find that many have quite an ironic sense of humour.”
Martin Holborow and Margaret Leach from our supplier Bavarian Forest Vacations:
“For cultural events, I recommend Dragon Fest in Furth in Wald, the mediaeval event in Regen which also has a town wide music festival. “
”Don’t be afraid to ask for help or directions or even suggestions about what to do. Most Germans are pretty clued up, friendly, and will – more often than not – speak English. They’re generally polite and very well-behaved, and tradition is still something which plays a part in everyday life. They are also often quite proud of their village/town/country and will most likely know where the best points of interest are.”
Heather Godbert also from our supplier Headwater Vacations:
“Germans by reputation are thought to be quite cold but I have found the reverse to be true, with the locals keen for you to experience the best in German hospitality. That’s not to say that they aren’t direct: German is a very direct language. ‘Would you mind passing me the salt please’ in English would always be ‘Pass the salt’ when directly translated from the German! If you chat to them, you may even be surprised to find that many have quite an ironic sense of humour.”
Martin Holborow and Margaret Leach from our supplier Bavarian Forest Vacations:
“For cultural events, I recommend Dragon Fest in Furth in Wald, the mediaeval event in Regen which also has a town wide music festival. “
Our Germany Vacations
Germany walking vacation
Walk the Rhine Trail and discover Germany on foot
From
US $1150 to US $1280
8 days
ex flights
Eifel hiking and culinary tour in Germany
Combine hiking and regional dishes in the Eifel
From
€459
5 days
ex flights
Danube cycling vacation, Germany and Austria
Follow the winding route of the Danube
From
US $1199
8 days
ex flights
Berlin to Venice small group vacation
Adventure-filled Central Europe tour from Germany to Italy.
From
US $2171 to US $3060
15 days
ex flights
Berlin to Oslo small group vacation
Discover stylish Scandinavia and bohemian Germany
From
US $2505 to US $3150
7 days
ex flights
Danube cycling vacation, self guided
Discove the compelling history of the Danube
From
US $2390
14 days
ex flights
Food tips
Adam Jarvis from our supplier Headwater Vacations:
“If you find yourself in a beerhalle (the traditional German beer hall to be found at most breweries) or festival, go for the schweinshaxe. It’s a piece of slow roasted pork that would make any Teutonic knight proud; vegetarians need not apply!”
“If you find yourself in a beerhalle (the traditional German beer hall to be found at most breweries) or festival, go for the schweinshaxe. It’s a piece of slow roasted pork that would make any Teutonic knight proud; vegetarians need not apply!”
Martin Holborow and Margaret Leach from our supplier Bavarian Forest Vacations:
“Try a recommended local restaurant early in your stay as you may not then wish to cook for the rest of the trip.”
“Try a recommended local restaurant early in your stay as you may not then wish to cook for the rest of the trip.”
Weather tips
Martin Holborow and Margaret Leach from our supplier Bavarian Forest Vacations:
“Be wary of biking in the snow. And also for spectacular thunderstorms some evenings in the mountains – stay indoors but watch the light shows.”
“Be wary of biking in the snow. And also for spectacular thunderstorms some evenings in the mountains – stay indoors but watch the light shows.”
Itinerary tips
Heather Godbert from our supplier, Headwater Vacations:
“As a hiking enthusiast, Bavaria ticks all the boxes for me – it’s home to masses of hiking trails to suit all abilities – and they are all waymarked so it’s impossible to get lost.”
Adam Jarvis also from Headwater Vacations:
“Favourite activities of my own would have to be either walking or cycling. In the North, along the coast (as well as on some of the larger southern lakes like the Bodensee, Starnberger See or Chiemsee), kayaking and other water sports are great activities to engage in, and in the Central and South you’ll find a number of natural hot-springs to relax in. If the town has Bad in the title that’s normally a hint, for example: Bad Dürrheim, Bad Bevensen and Bad Elster. Just be aware that most saunas operate a “no clothes, no problem” policy and there are certain things you can’t un-see!”
“As a hiking enthusiast, Bavaria ticks all the boxes for me – it’s home to masses of hiking trails to suit all abilities – and they are all waymarked so it’s impossible to get lost.”
Adam Jarvis also from Headwater Vacations:
“Favourite activities of my own would have to be either walking or cycling. In the North, along the coast (as well as on some of the larger southern lakes like the Bodensee, Starnberger See or Chiemsee), kayaking and other water sports are great activities to engage in, and in the Central and South you’ll find a number of natural hot-springs to relax in. If the town has Bad in the title that’s normally a hint, for example: Bad Dürrheim, Bad Bevensen and Bad Elster. Just be aware that most saunas operate a “no clothes, no problem” policy and there are certain things you can’t un-see!”
Our top Germany Vacation
Germany walking vacation
Walk the Rhine Trail and discover Germany on foot
From
US $1150 to US $1280
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
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Travel Team
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More about Germany
A wonderfully seasonal country and as such, the best time to travel to Germany depends on what tickles your fancy.
To think that Germany is all lederhosen and beer fests, is like saying India is all curry and Bollywood.
Citybreaks are still very high up the tourist wish list when it comes to places to visit in Germany.
Germany is outdoors central - you can cycle or ski, or you can walk for days here, from inn to inn, castle to castle.
Winter in Füssen is like a scene from Frozen but, because it's cold, the summer crowds are long gone.
With Bavaria’s plethora of mountains, lakes and forest, you realise why the Germans coined the phrase ‘wanderlust’.
If you have every thought about family vacations in Germany and then dismissed it for yet another trip to the Dordogne – don’t.
Responsible tourism in Germany is pretty much exemplary. In fact, if any other countries want to look and learn, start here.
