Saturday January 28, 2012
During my last time in Munich, I finally visited the Deutsches Museum (German Museum) - celebrated as the largest and oldest science and technology museum in the world, it is famous for its larger-than-life exhibits, including everything from century-old sailing ships, and an A 300 Airbus, to gas turbines, and the laboratory bench where the atom was first split.
My tip for first-time visitors: Concentrate on certain parts of the museum instead of rushing through and trying to see it all. If you have kids in tow, head to the fantastic "Kid's Kingdom", where young explorers can sit behind the wheel of a real fire engine, fly into the air, or play on a giant guitar, just to name a few of the 1000 kid-friendly activities.
More info about this fascinating museum: Visitor's Guide to the German Museum Munich
Friday January 27, 2012
January 27 marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest death camp in Nazi Germany. The United Nations General Assembly designated this day as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, an annual day of commemoration dedicated to never forget the Holocaust and its millions of victims.
If you are traveling to Germany and wish to visit a Holocaust memorial, museum, or former concentration camp, check out this helpful list of Holocaust Memorials in Germany,. These memorial sites offer tours, exhibitions, documentary films, or original camp buildings to educate visitors about the history and horrors of the Holocaust in Germany.
(Photo Birge Amondson).
Tuesday January 24, 2012
If you are traveling to Cologne with your kids, put some sights on your itinerary that are interesting to both grown-ups and children. A piece of cake if you are in Cologne: From a chocolate museum, to boat cruises on the river Rhine, Cologne has many attractions that appeal to travelers of all ages.
One sight, that every Cologne visitor, big or small, should see, is the signature landmark of the city: The Cathedral of Cologne, one of Germany's most important architectural monuments. This Gothic masterpiece, situated in the heart of the city, is the third tallest cathedral in the world and boasts the highest church spires ever built. If you share some fascinating details about the cathedral, your kids will be even more impressed: It took 600 years to build the cathedral and it is home to a golden sarcophagus studded with jewels, which holds the crowned skulls and clothes of the Three Wise Men. Older kids will be interested in the modern stained glass window created by German artist Gerhard Richter. Composed of more than 11,000 identically sized glass pieces, it offers the modern interpretation of a stained glass window.
Friday January 20, 2012
Carbon-conscious travelers will love the small island of Hideensee, a car-free island in Germany's Baltic Sea close to Ruegen. Leave your car in Schaprode and take a water cab or ferry to Hiddensee, then explore the solitude and natural beauty of the rugged island by foot, bike or horse drawn carriage. There are rustic cabins and cottages on the island and restaurants serving local food. Don't leave Hiddensee without trying its local treat: Sanddorn (sea-buckthorns), little orange berries that grow on shrubs all over the dunes of Hiddensee. Sanddorn contains 15 times more Vitamin C than an orange, and the berries come in such tasty forms like jams, honey, juices, liquors, and oils.
Looking for more eco friendly destinations in Germany? FromĀ certified organic hotels, and solar-powered attractions, to bio-dynamic souvenirs, here is what Germany has to offer for ecologically responsible travelers.
(Photo GNTB/Joachim Messerschmidt)
