What does Germany have to offer?

Last Thursday evening we went to an event at the Haymarket in Stockholm. It was the German tourist office that organised the kick-off for the year and invited various people in the travel industry, including travel bloggers via the "Travel Massive" network.

It was a nice evening with a good 3-course dinner, beer tasting, chat with travel blogger friends and - of course - presentations about Germany as a travel destination. So what does Germany have to offer? And what are the celebrations in Germany that Peter yesterday flagged that we are curious about?

Charmingly beautiful Rügen

Rügen was the theme for the evening, and I can honestly say that it is a destination in Germany that I have not thought much about, but that I was keen to visit! Rügen is an island in the Baltic Sea that is perhaps best known for its beautiful nature and its fine sandy beaches, as well as for a charming turn-of-the-century feel with piers and beach sofas. We have to go here sometime! Have you ever been to Rügen?

Tysklands turistbyrå — Germany's tourist office and the German ambassador - in a beach sofa temporarily installed at the Haymarket in Stockholm.

Swedish festival in Wismar

So what is Peter so keen on? Well, every year in August, Sweden is celebrated in Wismar. The town of Wismar, located on the Baltic Sea coast, was part of Sweden between 1648 and 1803. Today, the town maintains a good relationship with the former occupying power and celebrates every year with a festival when the town is filled with carnival processions of people dressed as 18th century Swedish soldiers, along with markets and spectacles.

Tysk öl — Germans like beer! Here we got to try the German flavourful beer Störtebeker!

More great Germany tips

We haven't holidayed much in Germany, but every time we've passed through with the campervan we've made sure to look for some interesting sights. Here are three of our favourites:

Eagle's Nest - In southern Germany, near the Austrian Salzburg, is the Kehlsteinhaus, Berchtesgaden, given to Hitler as a 50th birthday present. Located at an altitude of 1800 metres, this fascinating building literally touches the clouds. Feel free to read more about Eagle's Nest.
Neuschwanstein - In the 19th century, Louis II built this fairytale castle in Bavaria in southern Germany. When you see it, you'll understand exactly why it was the model for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle! Feel free to read more about Neuschwanstein.
Lübeck - This old Hansa town, completely surrounded by water, is truly charming. Here you can stroll around a UNESCO World Heritage-listed city centre while shopping for exclusive marzipan. Feel free to read more about Lübeck.

What are your top tips for Germany? What do you think Germany has to offer?

Neuschwanstein — Sleeping Beauty's castle? Nix, Louis II: castle in Bavaria, Germany

Semestra med barn eller barnbarn i Tyskland

28 January 2017 6:00

Germany

festival, attraction

Helena

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Lennart says:

Fresh Asparagus in May we have experienced a number of times in Luneburg!

28 January 2017 - 7:07

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Steve says:

Germany is so close that it is almost forgotten.
I travelled by train on a weekend trip to Frankfurt in the 80s. I still don't understand why I chose Frankfurt. I was travelling domestically by train over the weekend and sat in a seat other than my own in the almost empty carriage. I paid dearly for this as the conductor was unusually zealous. The conductor in uniform gave me bad vibes about other Germans in uniform. As I said, he was zealous. And loud. In German.
There were no more trips to Germany for me.

28 January 2017 - 8:27

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Fantasy dining says:

I am very eager to see more of Germany. I have been to both Hamburg and Berlin in December and January. I would like to travel to some smaller cities and I would love to see that Sleeping Beauty castle.

28 January 2017 - 8:57

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Lanclin-Linnea says:

Of course, I have to make a case for "my" Bavaria! Apart from Neuschwanstein, it is full of cosy little (and big Munich of course) towns. Bavaria's big gem is of course the Alps in my opinion 🙂 You don't even have to hike or ski to enjoy them. Mountain railways and gondolas work fine both up and down 😉.

28 January 2017 - 9:07

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Bara brittiskt says:

I have family in Germany so I feel at home there and it's a shame that many people think it's just the Autobahn.
For me, who is now from Skåne, Hamburg is closer than Stockholm and Rügen is not far away at all.

I recommend wine festival in Ahrtal near Bonn in autumn. Small valley with its own microclimate. Also like Nuremberg with not least Dürer's fine house and information about the fascinating man. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is touristy but still must be seen. Fun Munich of course...

Freiburg and real (good) Black Forest cake at Schauinsland with views down to the Jungfrau massif in the Swiss Alps if the visibility is good.

In the north, I love the world heritage sites of Quedlinburg and Goslat and neighbouring Wernigerode. Autostadt in Wolfsburg if you want a special experience...

28 January 2017 - 9:17

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Kors och Tvärs says:

Rûgen is very beautiful. Then continue towards Berlin and explore the whole of Brandenburg. About 6 miles south of Berlin is Tropical Island, a fantastic "water paradise". https://www.tropical-islands.de Then continue a little further east to the Spreewald and its waterways, amazing cucumber and Slavic culture.

28 January 2017 - 9:28

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admin says:

Lennart, fresh asparagus sounds delicious! 🙂

Steve, imagine how a person's boring behaviour can ruin a lot! You really get affected when someone treats and treats you that way...!

FantasyDining, Berlin is on my wish list too. Feels like a city you should experience at some point in your life! 😉

Linnea, Bavaria is very beautiful so I understand you! Thanks for your tips! Munich we still have to see too!

Only British, yes, it is easy to just see the Autobahn and just "drive by". However, it seems that many with motorhomes have discovered that Germany is a country worth staying in and experiencing! Many thanks for great and interesting tips! 🙂

Thank you so much for all the great tips! Tropical Islands I have heard about! 🙂 "Waterways, amazing cucumber and Slavic culture" also sounds like an interesting combo! 🙂

28 January 2017 - 9:36

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Geddfish says:

I can't believe I didn't think of Rügen! 😀 I know my German camping friends who live outside Bremen go there sometimes.
They love Sweden and have been to Sweden 35 if not 37 times 😀.

Googled a bit on the Swedish association in Hannover, but found no big annual party.
I have spent a lot of time in Germany and travelled around. The latest was to the Palatinate in the spring, a wine and asparagus trip (fresh white asparagus) with a wine party one evening. It was all very rewarding.

28 January 2017 - 9:47

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Anette says:

We have travelled a lot in Europe and I want to make a case for the German countryside. Do not see Germany only as a transport route down to the Mediterranean or the Alps. Get off the autobahn and drive on the small roads, you will always find gasthaus so you won't be homeless.
Also likes Lubeck, Frankfurt and Berlin.

28 January 2017 - 9:51

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Evy Knoph says:

Have long thought that German cities are underrated. Going for the sixth year in a row to Cologne and the Champions League finals in handball around the end of May-June. Then we take the opportunity to walk around the old town, eat good sparis, drink good beer, etc. There is usually a wine festival in one of the squares as well. Usually stay on the shopping street, close to the Central Station and the Cathedral as well....

In December, it will be Hamburg and my life's first Yello concert..may take the opportunity to visit a Christmas market then too :-).

28 January 2017 - 9:52

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Husisblogg says:

The northern parts of Germany with Rugen at the forefront maybe I should go to this summer, at least I have heard the owners talk about it but that it also depends on how they get holidays. Was around Germany last year and gets stuck to every small town that is visited. Metzingen and Herzogenaurach were two nice little towns.

28 January 2017 - 9:53

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Ama de casa says:

I haven't spent much time in Germany. Back then, when we set out on camping trips in Europe from Sweden, Germany was mostly "in the way" to get to France, which we loved to drive around in. The biggest problem then was probably that they had different currencies and we had no desire to change to German marks, so we just whizzed right through.
In recent years, however, we have visited the country a bit more, but mainly in big cities like Munich and Berlin.

Of course, I realise that the country has so much more to offer and that castle looks absolutely amazing, for example. But there is so much to see in this world....

28 January 2017 - 9:59

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Ninnie says:

I can recommend Rügen!!! We were there a few summer days a few years ago, with two of our children. Very nice!!! Beautiful nature, nice little towns to visit, nice beaches. We went there by car, on the same trip we also visited Copenhagen and Lübeck. Then the idea was that we would take the ferry back to Sweden, Sassniz-Trelleborg, but it was full, so we had to go by car again. But it went well, it is not very far really.
In Germany there is a lot to see and discover, it is a large and varied country. Last summer when we travelled by car we were in Hamburg - a city that I would like to visit again!

28 January 2017 - 10:44

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Ditte says:

Germany has not really attracted me as a holiday destination, but I have been to Berlin several times and it is a cool city that has everything and more. Munich and southern Germany I have visited when we travelled by car to Italy and then we also made some detours into the countryside where we sometimes stayed overnight. Nice! I have also visited Lybeck a couple of times.
But now car holidays are no longer an option, so there are other destinations.
Great to hear more if and when you take a trip to Germany.

28 January 2017 - 12:12

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Marianne - Glimt av verden says:

I haven't been to very many places in Germany, but there have been a few over the years. I like Berlin quite a lot, and I think it's nice in Nuremberg.

28 January 2017 - 12:52

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Johnny Friskilä says:

Nice to meet you as usual, and in a much appreciated context! Luneburg mentioned above I think was definitely a charming city. Otherwise, Berlin is an obvious favourite 🙂.

28 January 2017 - 13:32

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BP says:

Ha! Then I at least ticked a right - Rügen! I have only heard positive things about Rügen, but have not been there myself. Then there is actually the nude bathing island Sylt not so far from there.

My favourite places in Tysland are probably in Bavaria. Munich is a must. Half an hour's drive from there you can choose between lots of lakes and cute villages. Then there's the Moselle valley with Cochem and Zell as "wine districts".

Germany is not a holiday destination for me, but I have lived and worked in Munich, which is my absolute favourite city along with Berlin.

28 January 2017 - 13:43

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Geddfish, I remember your wine and asparagus trip! Beginning to understand that Germany is a good country for asparagus lovers 🙂 Impressive by the way to have been in Sweden over 35 times!!!!

Anette, great tips! Well, we've seen a bit of Germany "beyond the Autobahn", but have a lot left to experience if you say so ...

Evy Knoph, that sounds wonderful! Yello ...?

Husisblog, thanks for the tips! Yes, we have realised that there are many little gems in Germany! It will be perfect for us to look back at the tips in the comments to this post next time we go there!

Ama de casa, we've probably thought a bit like that too. At the same time, we've tried to plan an interesting stop every time we pass by... Then we've heard a lot from motorhome owners who really like Germany, and realised that the country has a lot to offer!

Ninnie, glad you liked Rugen! It sounds like a very cosy summer destination I must say! Then I can agree that Germany is varied - everything from sandy beaches to vibrant big cities and on to high mountains ... 😉.

Ditte, we really need to go to Berlin at some point. We've talked about it many times, but I don't know why it hasn't happened ...

Marianne, glad to hear you like Berlin. We agree that Nurnberg is a nice and interesting city!

Johnny, likewise, great to see you! I had not heard of Luneberg until the comments here, but now it must be memorised! 🙂

BP, Sylt...? Haha, what a funny name for a nude bathing island! 🙂 Agree that Bavaria is nice! Munich we will probably put on the bucket list I think! 😉

28 January 2017 - 13:52

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Znogge says:

Yes, I have been. We stayed in Stralsund and made lots of excursions from there. A very interesting and rewarding trip. I can recommend Binz, Hitler's holiday resort in Prora, Putbus - the white city and if you want you can take a day trip into Poland.

28 January 2017 - 15:56

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Znogge says:

By the way, Trier is also a very interesting city to visit. Germany's oldest by the way. Also the Moselle valley is nice. But the highlight is of course Berlin!

28 January 2017 - 15:58

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Husbilen Helge says:

Yes, it was Wismar, but I don't think anyone has mentioned the Black Forest in south-west Germany. We made a short visit there in June -16 before we had a factory visit in Kehl with our HB club. Feel free to strike a blow for the Black Forest. RESA has had a report about this area, can recommend reading it.
I think that every time we leave the Autobahn we find new gems to visit and in northern Germany there is always something to connect with Sweden's history.

28 January 2017 - 16:13

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Husbilen Helge says:

Of course it was Wismar. I don't think anyone has mentioned the Black Forest in the south-west. We were there in June -16 in connection with a factory visit with our HB club. Fantastically beautiful. RESA has made a report on the district and we recommend reading it when travelling there.
Once you leave the Autobahn, we think you'll always find gems worth visiting, and in northern Germany you'll find links to Swedish history in many places.

28 January 2017 - 16:24

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Matts Torebring says:

Germany has so much to show and offer, just by driving on the Autobahn. I have read most of the books, by Herman Lindqvist, Swedish History. Then these places are included in the history books.

During our eighteen years with a motorhome in Europe, Germany has so far been a transport route. Nice to have the "neighbourhood" left, when we are not so young anymore. Thanks for all the tips, destinations and sights you share with the rest of us.

28 January 2017 - 17:06

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Bosse och Gerd says:

You have missed the absolute best area in Germany and that is the Moselle valley and not just e.g. Cochem (which we don't like at all) but the whole valley with all its wine villages, fantastic food, fantastic pitches for motorhome travellers and Gasthaus and Hotel...!!!!!

28 January 2017 - 17:07

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Swedish Explorer says:

Nice tips!

I have been to Neuschwainstein and it is a powerful experience to say the least! No wonder Walt Disney is said to have gotten inspiration for Sleeping Beauty Castle from there.

28 January 2017 - 17:42

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Hasse says:

Rugen is fantastic, been there several times. Camping friendly, cycling friendly, beer pub friendly and just being an island with great swimming and wonderful views. Easily accessible from Sweden. Just get in touch when you are going there?

28 January 2017 - 17:47

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Henny says:

From the previous comments, I understand that we managed to do most and the best during our only motorhome trip to Germany. I am happy about that today. Now I will take out the photo book I made afterwards and relive and enjoy the trip.

28 January 2017 - 18:33

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Solan says:

We always service the motorhome in Germany on the way back from winter storage in Spain. We like pitches in Bad Xxxxxxx. These are health resorts with thermal baths where we splash in hot pools inside and outside. Water massage for little money. Extra bonus: In April you can buy asparagus directly from the farmers in southern Germany... Yummy for humans!

28 January 2017 - 19:10

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Marina says:

Unfortunately, we have mostly used Germany as a transport route in the years we travelled to southern Europe by car. We always said we would "look around Germany", but it never happened. No matter which way we were heading, we just wanted to get there. We visited Lübeck and it was a very cosy city. Then we have camped in Berchtesgaden on two occasions and it is a fantastic place! Eventually, we may well make a point of seeing a little more of Germany ...

29 January 2017 - 4:05

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admin says:

Znogge, what interesting tips! Thank you very much! We will come back to them 🙂 .

The motorhome Helge, yes it was Wismar! Good guess! When it comes to the Black Forest, I think mostly of cake ... but they showed nice pictures from there at the Germany kickoff!

Matts, I can imagine that Germany and Sweden share a lot of history! I would probably like to read those books too (when I have more time).

Bosse and Gerd, yes we have heard other motorhome drivers talk about the Moselle Valley so we can imagine it. We probably have to go there too at some point! 🙂

Swedish Explorer, no it really looks like a castle in a fairy tale! 🙂

Hasse, good to hear that you like Rugen! We definitely want to go there at some point!

Henny, nice to get confirmation that you have included the most important things! And fun down photos, so you can relive and remember your trips! 🙂

Solan, health resorts sound nice 🙂 And we understand that they are good at asparagus!!!!

Marina, it is difficult to have time for everything you want! But we also feel that we have a lot left in Germany to experience!

29 January 2017 - 12:11

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Gärdsmygen says:

Was in Rűgen and Stralsund two years ago and is now planning to book again..... Need I say more?

30 January 2017 - 18:26

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Mias Mix says:

Love Germany! Especially the small cosy villages in the Hannover area like Celle and Burgwedel or Fuhrberg. Also southern Germany where they have great hiking. In addition, Germany is very good at labelling its hiking trails well, unlike Italy where you get lost quite easily.

31 January 2017 - 10:51

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Petra says:

Probably going to Germany in May. Will go with her husband when he works. Then it will be Leipzig and Dresden. Do you have any tips on what I should not miss?
Have a good start to the week.
Hug Petra

06 February 2017 - 8:02

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Travel Massive Stockholm Explores Ruegen, Germany - Travel Massive Blog

What does Germany have to offer?

Charmingly beautiful Rügen

Swedish festival in Wismar

More great Germany tips

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33 Comments

Lennart says:

Steve says:

Fantasy dining says:

Lanclin-Linnea says:

Bara brittiskt says:

Kors och Tvärs says:

admin says:

Geddfish says:

Anette says:

Evy Knoph says:

Husisblogg says:

Ama de casa says:

Ninnie says:

Ditte says:

Marianne - Glimt av verden says:

Johnny Friskilä says:

BP says:

admin says:

Znogge says:

Znogge says:

Husbilen Helge says:

Husbilen Helge says:

Matts Torebring says:

Bosse och Gerd says:

Swedish Explorer says:

Hasse says:

Henny says:

Solan says:

Marina says:

admin says:

Gärdsmygen says:

Mias Mix says:

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