DK Eyewitness - DK Eyewitness Road Trips Germany (Travel Guide)

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About this Book

Located in the heart of Europe, Germany offers its visitors a diverse experience. Historic monuments, evocative landscapes, scenic towns and romantic medieval cities await those driving through this fascinating country. From the green marshes and pristine sandy coasts of the north to the mountainous and wooded regions of the south, the 24 leisurely trips in this book take you on a trip through a hospitable country while showing charming, lesser-known places off the beaten track. The delightful landscape ranges from the windy Baltic Coast to the remote valleys of the Black Forest and from rolling green pastures to dramatic mountain peaks. Travellers will discover reminders of Germanys riveting past, delve into the alluring multicultural life of its cities, enjoy fine traditional cuisine and marvel at the countrys beautiful natural vistas. Expect delightful surprises around every bend, packed with the sights, sounds and flavours of the real Germany.

Getting Started

The front section of the guide provides all the practical information needed to plan and enjoy a driving holiday in Germany. It includes an overview of when to go and how to get there, advice on bringing your own vehicle or renting one and details of any documentation required. The motoring advice ranges from driving rules to road conditions, buying petrol to breakdown or accident procedures the kind of background knowledge that will help to make driving stress-free. There is information on money, opening hours, communications, health and safety and other practical matters, as well as advice on accommodation and dining options, to ensure that you experience the very best of Germanys hospitality. A language section at the back lists essential words and phrases, including key driving-related vocabulary.

The Trips

The main touring section of the guide is divided into 24 scenic trips, ranging in duration from one to six days. All the tours can be undertaken in a standard vehicle, and no special driving skills are required. Each trip begins with a list of highlights and a clearly mapped itinerary. There is useful advice on the best time of year to do the trip, road conditions, market days and major festival dates. The tour pages contain detailed descriptions of each stop on the route, linked by clear driving instructions. Side panels highlight information on the most authentic places to stay and eat. Tinted boxes feature background information and interesting anecdotes.

Each trip features at least one mapped town or countryside walking tour, designed to take a maximum of two hours at a gentle pace with stops along the way.

The tours are flexible: they can be linked to create a longer driving holiday; others can be shortened into day trips while based in a region.

Top left Outdoor caf, Oberammergau, Bavaria Top right Imposing Burg Hohenzollern, Baden-Wrttemberg Centre left Lake Titisee, Baden-Wrttemberg Centre right Back road to Immenstadt, Bavaria Below left Half-timbered houses, Tangermnde, Saxony-Anhalt Below right Sandy beach, Sylt, Schleswig-Holstein

Roadside viewpoint looking towards the Willibaldsburg, Eichsttt, Bavaria

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Introducing Germany

Germany is a country of marked contrasts and this is nowhere more apparent than in its geographic diversity. Modern cities of glass and steel sit only a few minutes away from thickly wooded forests dotted with romantic castles. Germanys combination of multicultural cities, historic architecture and charming medieval villages set in breathtakingly beautiful country-side make it an ideal holiday destination. The countrys main road network is extensive and well maintained, but it is the smaller roads that lead into the heart of the region. Here, through castles, villages and magnificent palaces, Germanys rich history is waiting to be discovered. Take a break to sample some exceptional wines the most famous vineyards are in the western part of the country, especially the Pfalz and Rheinhessen regions or take time to admire the natural landscape, from the stunning beauty of the German Alps to the myriad glacial lakes in the Mritz Nationalpark.

Panoramic view of Berchtesgaden from Hochlenzer in the German Alps

When to Go

The itinerary for each of the trips suggests the best times of the year to make the trip, based on the region. Visits to cities and historic buildings are best made in the spring or early autumn, as it can get very hot in summer. However, July and August are the ideal months for a vacation by the sea or one of the numerous lakes. Winter offers skiing in the Alps, southern Germany, the Black Forest or the Harz Mountains. The country also hosts numerous events throughout the year, which makes a visit worthwhile during any season. In autumn, visitors can participate in traditional folkloric festivals such as Freimarkt in Bremen, which is held in mid-October. In December, festive Christmas markets are held all over the country. They are particularly charming in southern German cities with historic town centres and are good places to pick up souvenirs and presents.

Times to Avoid

In late July and August, it can get rather hot, especially in the southwestern regions. The busiest period is during the school holidays, which see a great surge in traffic levels. These are set independently in each state and take place in early April (Easter holidays), July and August (summer holidays) and October (autumn holidays). Roads can get particularly busy around Easter and national public holidays. To enjoy a stress-free trip, it is best to avoid driving at these times of the year. A visit to northern and eastern Germany between November and late February can be unpleasant due to harsh winter winds and low temperatures. Ice, rain and sleet make it challenging to drive and sightseeing difficult.

Festivals

Nearly every town and village hosts a parade, street shows, concerts and fairs. These include folk festivals connected to local traditions, such as the asparagus or grape harvest. In April and May, the first spring fairs are held. It is also time for the solemn observance of Easter. In June, a number of classical music events take place and July is a popular month for lively wine and beer festivals. January and February are the Carnival season, while December is synonymous with Christmas celebrations.