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Beat the Euro and Create a Unique Experience: When in Germany….Do as the Locals!

02-15-2008

 

New York, 15 February, 2008

	Beat the Euro: When in Germany...Do as the Locals! What is true around the world is definitely true for Germany. The best way to discover a country is to see it through the eyes of a local - and it also saves a lot of money. If you follow this advice, Germany remains an affordable travel destination despite the weak Dollar-Euro exchange rate. Sleep well, without financial cares: German hotels offer reasonable rates and special deals that can beat most comparable accommodations in the US. Berlin's hotels are even cheaper than in some of the Eastern European capitals, according to a recent study by Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, and definitely no comparison to cities like London, Paris or Rome (Berlin 140 Euro average price per night, Rom 192, Paris 298, London 314). Before you go, the best thing to do in every city is to contact the local tourist office. They have a complete local list of accommodations for every taste and budget. Family run pensions often have great rates and combine them with personal service and hospitality. Business hotels, especially in the major cities, offer special deals on the weekends. Before you decide to visit a city, check if there is an event going on. Going to Cologne during Carnival season is an unforgettable experience, but hotels are booked fast. So make sure you come at the right time to the right place. A special tip for affordable accommodations in Germany: hostels. They offer a friendly, informal atmosphere and cost less than hotels. Travelers can sleep in single-, double-rooms or in larger sleeping-dorms. They are not only a cheap way to spend the night, but an even better opportunity to make friends and meet other travelers. A bed for a night costs normally less then 20 Euro. Hostels are not only open for backpackers and young travelers. Some of them even have apartments with kitchens for families. www.cometogermany.com Who does not want to sleep like a king without spending a royal fortune? Many castle hotels throughout Germany offer wonderful opportunities to experience a bit of the exciting and noble past without breaking the piggy bank. Manor homes in the northern state of Mecklenburg Vorpommern, castles along the Fairy Tale Road and the Castle Road as well as those belonging to the member organization, www.culture-castles.de, are a superb way to sleep like royalty without spending a fortune. Many of these hotels offer rates from 75 to 120 Euros per night for one or two people. Even without a big bank account, you can also eat like a king. If you keep your eyes open you will find great food for even better prices in Germany. In addition to "restaurants," try Imbisse and Gaststaetten (snack bars and taverns). Always ask the waiter or owner for their recommendation. They know what is good and will gladly serve it; also every region has its special dishes. If you look at the prices, keep in mind: Taxes are already included and tips are low at a suggested rate of ten percent. A relaxing way to finish the weekend is Sunday brunch. Prices start under 10 Euro. Most restaurants also offer lunch deals. Open air markets are a delectable way to experience Germany as a local and to indulge your senses. Most cities host weekly farmers markets with food stalls that offer delicacies for unbeatable prices. Berlin or Hamburg are known for their excellent "Currywurst" (Curry-Sausage) for prices as low as two Euros. German cities have so much to offer at low prices especially with city cards. Not only do these tickets give admission to museums, concerts, zoos and historic sights but also offer transportation. Stuttgart for example, offers the "Stuttcard", which is a three-day ticket providing free entry to all public museums, as well as discounts for cultural events and leisure activities. It’s a bargain at 9 euros per day. If you are under 26, you’ll be eligible for the "young and fun" deal (42 €). This includes one overnight-hotel stay with breakfast, a non-alcoholic drink in the hotel, a "Stuttcard", a city guide and a city magazine. www.stuttgart-tourist.de The "Hamburg card" gives discounts at more than 120 places of interest such as sightseeing tours, harbor and cruises on the picturesque river Alster as well as in restaurants and on souvenirs. It also gives free access to public transportation. The card costs between 9 and 33 Euro. www.hamburg-tourism.de Even without a city card however, most cities have reduced fairs for students, children and seniors. Movie theaters offer significantly cheaper prices for afternoon shows or on Tuesdays. In Germany, fine arts are exceptionally affordable compared to the US. Operas and classical concerts in the main venues are subsidized by the state, so you can get tickets for about 20 Euro, students even can find seats for less than 10 Euro. Definitely also ask the local tourist office for information. They sometimes offer advantages, like special coupons which not even the locals get. If you want to get away from the cities, Germany offers a wide range of out- and indoor activities. The country’s vast and varied natural landscapes are protected to varying degrees by 90 nature parks and 13 national parks. All national parks are free. In western Germany, the Upper Middle Rhine valley is safeguarded as a UNESCO World Heritage area to prevent further damage. A spectacular nature experience for visitors is to take hikes along the famous Rheinsteig-trail through the picturesque wine growing area. Below Dresden, the "Saechsische Schweiz" (Saxonian Switzerland) with its sandstone formations is a miracle of nature. In the North, near Hamburg, tourists can walk through the mudflats at ebbtide: or in the south, discover the German Alps with its highest elevation, the "Zugspitze". www.cometogermany.com For the traveler who does not seek leisure in the quiet of nature, nearly every town has a special festival with food, drinks, art, music and dance. World famous is of course the Oktoberfest in Munich. During May, southern regions celebrate the planting of the Maibaum (May-Tree) a long colorful poll in the city-center with a festival, while towns along the Rhine celebrate the harvesting of grapes from August to October. Many cities have music, art and cultural festivals with free performances and exhibitions like the "Carnival of Cultures" in Berlin (May 9 - 12), the Jazz Festival in Duesseldorf (May 9 - 11), the Samba Festival in Coburg (July 11 - 13) or the "Museum Embankment Festival" in Frankfurt (August 29 - 31). www.cometogermany.com German public rail, flights and coaches offer great value and convenience. Avoiding the pea [Back to Press Releases Main]   TRAVEL RESOURCES Copyright © 1996 to 2018 The Traveler's Journal | All Rights Reserved | Contact Us