Monday April 30, 2012
Tonight, April 30th, Germany celebrates Walpurgis Night, or Hexennacht - "witches' night". According to German folk tales, this is the night when witches fly to Mount Brocken in the East of Germany to hold a celebration and await the beginning of spring.
So what can you expect in this magical night? Many people dress up as witches and flock to Mount Brocken, located in the Harz region of Germany. Big bonfires are lit, and the "witches" dance around the flames. If you want to skip the dressing up but still want to go dancing, visit one of the many Tanz in den Mai ("dance into May") events, held all over Germany.You can dance all night long to celebrate the spring of spring - tomorrow, May 1st, is Labor Day, a public holiday in Germany. Shops, banks, and offices are closed, so there is no need to get up early.
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Saturday April 28, 2012
Are you traveling to Germany in May? Then you picked a wonderful month: The weather is usually warm and sunny, the summer crowds haven't arrived yet, and you can take part in many German festivals, events, and holidays. And May starts off just right: May 1st is "Tag der Arbeit", Labor Day, which is a public holiday in Germany. Many families use this day-off for a picnic in the park, while whole villages in Bavaria come together to raise a traditional "Maibaum" (Maypole) with colorful ribbons and carved figures to celebrate the warm season.
Find out what's on in one of the loveliest months in Germany, from the stunning firework festival "Rhine in Flames", to concerts, and art fairs, in our monthly overview Germany in May.
Wednesday April 25, 2012
If you want to try some traditional German cuisine in Frankfurt, you don't have to look far; sausages, sauerkraut, and pork ribs are served in most Frankfurt restaurants. To get a taste of some hearty local specialties, make sure to look out for the famous Frankfurter Grüne Sosse, a creamy sauce made with seven fresh herbs and often served with potatoes and eggs; Handkäs mit Musik ("handcheese with music"), a sour cheese marinated with oil and onions; and, of course, apple wine, called Ebbelwoi in the local dialect.
Check out these recommended Restaurants in Frankfurt - all of them serve regional fare as well as international dishes. Guten Appetit!
Frankfurt Travel Tips
(Photo: HA Hessen Agentur GmbH)
Sunday April 22, 2012
Every spring, the Bavarian State Ballet puts up its "Ballet Weeks" in Munich; this extraordinary dance festival includes modern and classical dance, which are performed by the Bavarian State Ballet as well as international guest ensembles such as the Birmingham Royal Ballet. This year, the festival features "Illusions - like Swan Lake", which tells the dramatic story of Bavaria's mad king Ludwig (who built the world-famous castle Neuschwanstein), interwoven with the second act of Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky.
