Official Name: Federal Republic of Germany
Capital: Berlin (Current local time)
Government Type: Federal republic
Chief of State: Angela Merkel, chancellor
Population: 82.4 million
Area: 137,821 square miles; about the size of Montana
Languages: German
GDP Per Capita: $31,900
Year of Independence: 1871
Web site: Bund.de
Go to the Germany Travel Guide »Exploring the New Berlin: Anyone who lived through the fear of the Cold War can't help but shudder at the memory of the Berlin Wall. Since reunification, civic planners, with almost manic enthusiasm, have demolished large sections of what once stood as a scar across the face of a defeated nation. The architectural changes and urban developments that constantly update the cityscape around Berlin's Friedrichstrasse and Potsdamer Platz can be confusing. But regardless of which renewal program is churning up rubble at the time of your visit, a pilgrimage through what used to be the most bitterly contested urban turf in Europe can't help but provoke powerful emotions.
Hiking in the Bavarian Alps: In summer, alpine hiking is a major attraction in Germany. Hikers can observe a variety of wildlife, often including endangered species. Two of the best areas are the 1,240m (4,060-ft.) Eckbauer peak, on the southern fringe of Partenkirchen, and the Berchtesgaden National Park, bordering the Austrian province of Salzburg.
Ascending the Zugspitze: If the gentle inclines of the Harz Mountains or the Thuringian forests aren't dramatic enough for you, ride the cable car from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to the top of Germany's tallest mountain, 2,963m (9,720 ft.) above sea level. The view from the top is suitably panoramic, and you'll find an appealing aura of German-ness that comes from the many hill climbers and trekkers who fan out across the hiking trails.
Spending a Midsummer's Night in a Biergarten: When the temperature rises, head for the unpretentious cheer of the nearest Biergarten (everybody in Germany seems to have a favorite, so we're not even going to try to name the "best"). These watering holes, which often feature trellises, climbing vines, Chinese lanterns, and arbors, offer low-cost fun on soft summer nights. You can order platters of hearty food with your beer or bring your own picnic.
Cruising the Elbe, the Danube, and the Rhine: This trio of rivers, along with their tributaries, dominated German commerce for hundreds of years. Today, an armada of tugboats, barges, and cruise ships still plies the muddy waters beside riverbanks lined with the historic majesty (and sometimes the industrial might) of central Europe. Cruises begin and end at large cities of historic interest and last anywhere from 6 hours to 7 days.
Boating on the Königssee: A romantic poet would praise this lake, near Berchtesgaden in Bavaria, for the forest-covered mountains that surround its cold, deep, dark waters. The baroque chapels and fairy-tale hamlets on its shores supplement its natural grandeur. The boat you ride will be powered by very quiet electric motors, so you can hear the extraordinary echoes that bounce off the rock faces.
Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=10637.0
