Phila Airport Parking Vacations

Berlin, the capital city of Germany is the largest city in the country. It is best known for its historical sites, nightlife, cafes, clubs, bars, museums, palaces, and other tourist sites. Following the fall of the Berlin War, the city has turned into a veritable melting pot as far as culture is concerned. It has become a point where all forms of art, music, and fashion come together.

The city has a many museums. Museums owned by the government are free of charge to enter four hours before shutting down on Thursday, and there is also the three day Museum Pass which gives entry to approximately 70 museums.

Museumsinsel, also known as Museum Island is well-known for being the place where the Pergamon Museum is located, which has an enormous assortment of Greek and Islamic art. In addition, other museums on the island comprise the Altes Museum with Egyptian collections, the Alte National galleries with largely German collections, and the Bode Museum with Byzantine art.

You can visit many museums that cover the history of the country, in particular the Holocaust. Additionally, Berlin is one of those few cities that do not want to cover the negative sides of its history. You can witness ruins of the Berlin Wall as well as Jewish museums that cover the Holocaust.

The Deutches Historisches Museum has a large compilation of German history items covering all ages. This museum is particularly enormous, so make sure you have adequate stamina to spend hours looking at the whole lot. The Judisches Museum is the Jewish museum. There are a number of historical items about Jews in Germany in this museum. Furthermore, there is also a Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe which covers one complete block. There is an underground museum with facts regarding the Holocaust. This is one of the most visited as well as most extraordinary museums in Berlin.

The Berlin Wall may not be there anymore, but a part of it is still detectable next to the river. This has been renovated as a gallery, and there are especially great murals on it. There is also a Berlin War Memorial for those that died crossing the wall. There is a viewing platform that lets you envision accurately what it must have been like when the wall was still in place. Checkpoint Charlie used to be a crossing point linking the two sides of Germany, and is also well worth a visit.

The Tempelhof airport is the airport that was used throughout the Berlin Airlift in 1948. There is now a memorial here to honor the airlifts around the blockade. This airport has also been featured in a lot of films, and has a distinctive look to it. With its numerous halls and buildings, it was built to become an entry point to Europe, and is still one of the biggest buildings in the world.

Berlin is an amazing city to see for tourists, and if you can only go to one city in Germany then you should go to Berlin. Its history will help you connect to it, and you will be haunted the rest of your life by many of the historic sites you see here.

If you are thinking about river travel, you should spend a moment to consider a European cruise. These kinds of waterborne trips are great to explore the interior of a country, and especially so no the European continent, with its tightly packed and diverse cultures and nationalities.

There are probably few ways to visit a country which are as cool and pleasant as river travel, and whether you will be traveling alone, with friends, or together with your spouse and kinds, it will probably be a trip to remember.

On a river trip you have access to inland areas of countries that big ships just can’t get to, and you get to sail along serene waterways, rather than to drive along congested highways. Your comfortable hotel travels with you and you usually moor very centrally in most towns that you will visit.

Even though a European river cruise ship is smaller than an ocean going ship the facilities on board are no less numerous with most ships boasting a ball room, plentiful bars and restaurants, possibly a cinema as well as numerous viewing decks from which you will be able to admire the scenery and the architecture of many of the most beautiful European countries and cities.

There are many European river travel companies that you can go with, but the most important initial part is to decide on the length of the trip that you want to make, on the location and on the kind of comfort. just make sure that you begin with these details so that you can then relax and plan out the trip.

As for the length, you can find anything from three day cruised to break up a longer holiday to leisurely four week trips down major rivers such as the Danube. One or two weeks are pretty standard lengths.

As for the location, the most popular destinations are the Rhine, from Switzerland to Holland, and the Danube, which flows from Germany to Romania. Lots of lesser known alternatives are possible on the internal waterways of countries such as France, Italy, Poland, Russia, the UK and Spain.

Another crucial thing to consider is the season of the trip. The south of France or the flower-growing areas of Holland are great for a late spring or summer trip, for instance.

Trips in Germany are great in the winter months, especially if you like a traditional Christmas atmosphere and homely cooking and baking.

Concerning the level of comfort, you will find that there are a great number of alternatives, from Spartan drive-your-own houseboat hires to luxury cruse ships that have a lot in common with high-end hotels, but that retain an individual character.

With its crisp, clean air and snow-capped mountains, Germany is a vision for the soul. You’ll find any number of interesting villages from one end of the country to the other, each with its own special charm.

Bavaria is an absolute must, and Munich is the center of it all. You could easily spend a week exploring the city, but be sure to venture out of town and discover some of the villages and towns that dot the landscape, as well as one of the world’s great castles Neuschwanstein- the inspiration for the Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty castle. The Rhine and Mosel wine regions offer their own selection of castles and unique towns, such as Trier, which was founded in 15 B.C. and beautiful scenic drives. Another enjoyable travel option is to venture along the highways and byways of the famous Black Forest and explore its beautiful countryside.

If you have trouble narrowing down what to do and see, seasoned travel writer Karen Brown has already done the work for you. On her popular website, Karen Brown’s World of Travel, she details a variety of interesting itineraries complete with maps and suggested pacing for each region. Her readers also have voted for country’s top hotels and inns, and the following establishments were named as the best in Germany.

Situated across the Elbe River from the city center of Dresden, the Hotel Bulow Residenz offers romantic accommodations in a quiet neighborhood filled with historic homes. From the impressive Baroque exterior to the elegant interior with its mix of traditional and modern dcor, this is truly one of Dresden’s best hotels. Breakfast and afternoon refreshments are served in the charming courtyard. The hotel’s formal restaurant, The Caroussel, is Michelin-rated and ideal for a romantic, intimate dinner. Cocktails, wine and beer are served in the hotel’s piano bar. The hotel has been chosen by Karen Brown readers as Germany’s “Most Romantic” hotel.

Travelers flock to Rothenberg, a medieval town enclosed by ramparts, turrets and walls, to experience its history and fairy tale charm. But a visit to this enchanting village would not be complete without a stay at the Romantik Hotel Markusturm. The historic hotel was built in 1264 as a toll house and is absolutely filled with Old World German ambiance. Guest rooms are eclectic, filled with a mix of old and modern, including quaint touches such as a baby’s cradle in one guest room. Hosts Lilo and Stephan Berger infuse this hotel with their warmth, from Lilo’s welcoming dcor to the delicious meals served by Stephan. The hotel won the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for Germany’s “Warmest Welcome.”

The Gasthaus Die Krone in the Black Forest town of Staufen is a delight. This family-run hotel is located in a pedestrian-only area, so it enjoys a quiet and peaceful spot. The exterior of the building is charming with shuttered windows, window boxes bursting with color and a mural depicting the Revolution of 1848. Guest rooms are simple and pleasing with light pine furnishings and beds topped with white duvets and fluffy pillows. The hosts are friendly and welcoming and in addition to the guest rooms, there is a restaurant where dinner is served nightly. The hotel won the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for “Greatest Value” in Germany.

The Hotel Benen-Diken-Hof offers both a unique location and all the amenities of a full-service resort. The hotel is the recipient of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for Germany’s best “Splendid Splurge.” It is located on Sylt, a sand-dune island in the northernmost portion of Germany. Several farmhouses comprise the hotel, all connected by glass corridors. There are plenty of different room options, and this is an excellent place for families. The hotel has a babysitting service, as well as a room full of toys and a children’s program. The restaurant serves breakfast until 1 p.m., so guests can take their time heading out in the mornings. There is a sauna and swimming pool, and you can even book a massage.

A deeply dark and wonderful place, the Black Forest in Germany is what great tales are made of. Aptly named for the dense forest that surrounds the area, those that travel to the Black Forest will hardly forget the many things that they heard and saw there.

Perhaps best known for the Black Forest Gateau, this portion of Germany has a lot more to offer than the delightfully delicious cherry schnapps based cake. Many centuries ago this area was an important part of the logging industry, though today most tourists seek a wooden sculpture that makes a lot of noise.

As with most famous areas, the Black Forest is known for a particular knick knack. In this case, it is the wood carved cuckoo clock. Frankly, there is one for everybody. Big. Small. Wide. Narrow. They have them all.

The Black Forest is a hot bed of rumors. From elves to witches to sorcerers, the forest is the basis of many a fairy tale and plenty of folklore. Given the density of the woods, it is not hard to see why such stories and myths have developed.

Listen to the stories and myths long enough and you will build up an appetite. German food is solid and the Black Forest is no different. From meat to big cakes to sinus clearing schnapps, you will definitely not go hungry.

The Black Forest is a big area, but there are some areas you definitely want to visit. The small town of Freiberg is a classic German forest town. Rent a bike and go for a ride to take in the cute town and clean air.

If you are looking for jewelry, Pforzheim is the Black Forest town for you. Established long ago by the Romans, it was a mercantile trading center. Now, you can find hand made pieces and just take in the beauty of the area.

One of my personal favorites in the Black Forest is Triberg. It is a small town with a lot to do. After the heavy German cuisine, you are going to want to walk a bit. Triberg is full of paths through the forest for any level of hiker.

Much like tasting wine, experiencing the Black Forest is difficult to put into words. You just have to immerse yourself in it. Frankly, it is so powerful and eventful that it should be on your bucket list.

If you want to visit the world famous Oktoberfest, do not go to Munich during October! Many tourists make this common mistake based upon the assumption that this beer festival is held during October. The truth is that Oktoberfest is actually held during the month of September.

The festival in 2008 will be held starting the third week of September. The specific dates are September 20th till the 5th day of October. It is also vital that you realize you need tickets to get in. No tickets, no beer, pretzels or…beer!

With most festivals, you only know they start on a certain date. Not Oktoberfest in Munich. The mayor comes out to tap the first barrel of beer and does so to a 12 gun salute! The drinking starts, but a Bierliechen is not what you want to become.

Locals that watch tourists pass out year after year refer to these lightweights as Bierleichen, which translates into beer corpses. If this should happen to you, you will find yourself waking up the next morning surrounded in a soft white glow. Relax, you have not gone to heaven.

Instead, those that fall on the ground are carried to the medical tend where they are treated as patients. You will undergo a German ritual for sobering up, though this cannot be explained due to the fact that nobody seems to remember what happened. Either way, you will want to avoid this tent.

Of course, there will be plenty of food to keep your belly full, so there is really no need to visit the ethereal tent. From sausage to ox tails there is something for everyone. Vegetarians can even enjoy large, soft, pretzels.

If you want have a party atmosphere in mind when you think of Oktoberfest, you may want to spend the early evening hours outside of those tents enjoying the many park rides. A few years ago, a quiet law was implemented at the festival that forbade any loud music before 6pm.

During the day and late afternoon, there is definitely more of a local, family feel to Oktoberfest. Traditional woodwind music is played and the crowd has a more diverse feel from an age perspective. This makes Oktoberfest a festival for all.