Oppenheim is a place of wine and water, a small town on the banks of the Rhine where the circle of life is very much present. It is a place where you can get back to basics. Travelers can stroll past gorgeous buildings, wander sprawling vineyards, and emerge from aContinue Reading
Pforzheim embodies so much that is good about Germany. With more than 100,000 people, it’s large enough to offer something for every traveler, and small enough that navigating it doesn’t feel overwhelming. There is an excellent blend of culture, commerce and nature. And, crucially, Pforzheim offers wonderful access to oneContinue Reading
by Kat Nickola You know you’ve seen them. The Hahn Airport signs. They are everywhere; on the way north to Koln, on the way west to Trier, in dinky hamlets, on freeways, and even at intersections in the middle of the woods. It seems that Hahn is both everywhere and nowhereContinue Reading
Forests are an essential part of Germany. Naturally, autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons around. Golds, oranges and reds are yours to be had all over the country. Get out there and immerse yourself in autumn’s grandeur! One of the chief benefits of living in Germany is thatContinue Reading
The American love affair with pumpkins is well documented. On the other side of the Atlantic, autumn is the season in which decorative gourds pop to life all across the country. Coffee shops fill with pumpkin spice lattés. Kitchens everywhere give off the delicious aroma of pumpkin pie or pumpkinContinue Reading
There are 5000 different types of German beer which are made by more than 1300 breweries. So it might take you some time to sample them all!Continue Reading
For Americans living in Germany, it can be all too easy to never learn German. If you speak English at work and English (or another non-German language) at home, you might think, “Why bother?” However, learning to speak German – even a little bit – is a golden opportunity. TheContinue Reading
by Kat Nickola As we walked into the school for the first time last summer, I was more nervous than my daughter. She had taken a year of German language and was excited to start at the local high school. Me? Not so much. “I hope I’m not missing anything,”Continue Reading
by Kat Nickola This is our first year in Germany and our children are attending a local German high school. I thought I’d write about our experience as the year progresses, so this is the first in a series of German High School Primer articles. Before coming to Germany, myContinue Reading
Worms makes an excellent destination for a day trip. It is packed with outstanding architecture, pedestrian zones and green space. It is steeped in history, too. As one of Germany’s oldest cities, Worms’ most famous monuments testify to its role as a microcosm for the religious forces (and tensions) thatContinue Reading
Whether you love winter or simply endure it until spring arrives, one thing is true: getting outside and active is important for your health during the long, dark months. Fortunately, there is no shortage of excellent outdoor opportunities in Germany. You have lots of options for seeing the wintry worldContinue Reading
If you find you’ll be spending the holidays a little closer to home than you might have liked, don’t worry! Holiday beauty can be found in plenty of places in Kaiserslautern – both expected and unexpected. Here are five ideas to help you make the most of the holiday seasonContinue Reading
November 12, 2021 It is increasingly important to have a COVID digital certificate on you at all times. Depending on where you live, you might need it to get into a restaurant, museum, or even your child’s soccer match. Fortunately, Germany offers some really great guidance and app options forContinue Reading
Get started on your shopping journey beyond the gate guards – discover info on popular grocery and hardware stores as well as drugstores in Germany.Continue Reading
Story and photos by Kat Nickola Take advantage of the bike trails while you are in Germany! There is no need to find a specific trail, or do a special route. Those are fun, but one of the most rewarding experiences is finding out where you can go from yourContinue Reading
Cecelia Curtis shows us how to blend in while we travel to get a true European experience, stay safe and prevent cultural misunderstandings.Continue Reading
Story by Nicole Karsch-Meibom, featured image by Anna Nahabed Easter is a happy time. After a long winter, finally nature is in full bloom. Children are waiting for the Easter bunny. Employers usually manage to combine their free days into a long weekend. School is out for at least a coupleContinue Reading
Story and photos by Nadine Bower U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden community members are reminded that personal security can reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime. Staying safe is important on and off post. According to the crime prevention website of the German police, www.polizei-beratung.de, most break-ins are notContinue Reading
Story and photos by U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Easter time is associated with the beginning of spring and new life in Germany. Several Easter traditions have to do with banishing the winter and welcoming spring. However, before Easter Sunday, the church bells fall silent to remember the time of Christ’sContinue Reading
Story and photos by Paul Hughes, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart This is the first part of a three-part series that takes a look at what it’s like to live off-post, on-post and in the barracks at U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart. An overseas assignment to Germany can produce a bunch of uncertainty forContinue Reading
There’s a lot to love about the United Kingdom. If you like art and culture, the country’s got you covered. This is, after all, the land that brought us Shakespeare, the Beatles, and J.K. Rowling. The British isles also have a history that stretches back millennia. They’ve seen (and incorporated)Continue Reading
Zweibrücken makes for an excellent day trip. Located a few kilometers from the French border, the city is rich with natural beauty, history and a very interesting mélange of sightseeing opportunities. Plus, you get to visit a city that begins with the letter Z, which doesn’t happen every day! Zweibrücken:Continue Reading
If you talk to those who have traveled the world and checked off bucket list items like champions, you’ll often hear a common theme: they’ve never explored the places they live. Their hometowns – whether in Germany, the U.S. or elsewhere – were often just places to hang hats untilContinue Reading
Volksmarching is an ideal activity for the COVID era. Founded as a non-competitive sport in Germany in the 1960’s, volksmarching (or “wandering,” as it is also called) is essentially a well-organized hike. Which makes it healthy, social, safe, outdoors-oriented and purposeful. It’s also an excellent raison d’être for day trips.Continue Reading
As far as day trips go, Ulm packs a serious punch. It’s a large city, with plenty to do. Located on the banks of the Danube River, it offers history, art and culture. It also offers a great mix of random coolness – such as being the birthplace of AlbertContinue Reading
Trier is a beautiful, history-rich city with origins that are shrouded in mystery. One legend holds that it was founded by an exiled Assyrian prince 1,300 years before the birth of Christ. What is provable, however, is that Trier is Germany’s oldest city. On a related note, it boasts oneContinue Reading
Schönau almost seems like Shangri-la. Every twisting road that leads to the little village deep in the Pfalz forest leads you further and further into what feels like a forgotten valley. When you reach Schönau, nestled against the French border, you also discover that it is very much an outdoorContinue Reading
These are strange days, especially for Americans living in Europe. After all, one of the benefits of being here is that travel is so easy. So many world-famous cultures, countries, cities, and landmarks are so reachable. And even when travel is confined to Germany, life is still good. This isContinue Reading
A trip to Niederhausen is good for your body and your soul. This small wine village on the banks of the Nahe River is off the beaten path, and yet is filled with brilliant paths. And, during an era in which travel to quiet, rural places has never been moreContinue Reading
Time to don a Dirndl or Lederhosen and party like a German. Follow our guide to traditional dress and you won’t go too far wrong…Continue Reading
During an era in which access to great outdoor settings has become a critical travel criterion, Landau is almost the perfect destination. The large town in the heart of the Pfalz wine region has parks, vineyards, hills, forests, a lovely pedestrian zone and easy access to exotic animals. If you’reContinue Reading
Winter is Coming. Now you live in the country of efficiency, you might as well go native and start planning your winter preparations now.Continue Reading
You’ve been meaning to add new words to your German vocabulary, want to get to know key parts of Bavarian culture or you’re simply looking to learn some fun facts about Bavaria? Look no further, as this article will provide you with all kinds of general and niche knowledge onContinue Reading
Welcome to the rococo city Ansbach, an urban municipality in the Franconian region of Germany’s largest state, Bavaria, only 24 miles from picturesque Nürnberg (Nuremberg). A rich and well-documented history precedes your stay and can still be traced thanks to medieval architectural gems, a museum featuring an extensive collections ofContinue Reading
Welcome to Bavaria! Germany’s biggest state boasts beautiful sceneries, quaint towns, delicious food and fantastic outdoor activities year-round. Below, you will find a list of attractions from museums and golf courses to hikes, castles and castle ruins separated by region but they are all in a comfortable driving distance from each other so don’t shy awayContinue Reading
A variety of different breads, rolls, cookies, pastries or cakes are offered daily in German bakeries. Let us help you navigate the bakeries of Germany!Continue Reading
Keep in touch with Grandparents when you are far away.Continue Reading
featured image by Alex Yuzhakov ‘I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.’ -Mark Twain The first time I travelled without my parents, I was thirteen. My older sister took me on a €6Continue Reading
Cover photo by Still for Style / Shutterstock.com Whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s, or some other popular winter celebration, ‘tis the season for celebrating. If you think Americans are the only people who know how to light a yule log, think again. Germans practically invented Christmas. This country pullsContinue Reading
Did you know that Americans can study at a German university in English and for free? Find out how…Continue Reading