BERLIN GERMANY The Memorial Church on Kurfurstendamm is a monument to peace, a symbol of the German people's desire to rebuild after war. It consists of the ruins of an old church built in 1895 and nearly destroyed in an air raid in 1943... and modern buildings erected in 1961. Within this complex there are memorials from the war, a functioning church with matrimonial chapel, and the city's mission for the homeless.
After reunification in 1990, Berlin was again chosen to be the capitol. The Reichstag was again designated as the German Parliament building. In 1991 the Parlement decided the Reichstag should be transformed into a more modern building. Planning and construction took time, but by 1999 the plenary hall was enlarged and a new, high-concept glass cupola was completed. The photo above is of the historical Reichstag. You can visit and see the changes they have made.
If you wish to drive in Germany, inexpensive car rentals are available from Carrentals.co.uk. They have over 4,000 Rental car hire locations worldwide.
MUNICH
Points of Interest: Isartor, one of Munich's three remaining town gates, dating from the 14th century (currently housing the Valentin Museum.)
Altes Rathaus Gothic Old Town Hall and ballroom.
Ludwigstrasse, the pride of Munich, from Triumphal Arch to Commanders' Hall.
The Olympic Tower, at 951 feet Germany's highest television tower.
Magdalenenklause grotto and the Royal Stables Museum.
Hofbrauhaus Living up to its reputation since 1644.
Ruhmeshalle, a memorial to distinguished figures of Bavarian history.
HEIDLEBERG
On the Neckar River, a University town long known for dueling in times past
(no longer fashionable), and a very fine Castle, which sometimes hosts live theatre in the evenings. Agatha Christe's The Mousetrap has played there on occasion.
A very nice Town Hall, too (in middle picture, above.)
COLOGNE GERMANY
Home of the perfumery that produces 4711 cologne, as well as a central station for the highly up-to-date trains of the European railways which quickly and quietly reach speeds of up to 200 MPH.
There is also the Gurzenich, Cologne's best reception room. Dating from the 1400's, this Gothic building, previously a senate-house, was the most important non-church building of the Holy Roman Empire.
HAMBURG
The media capital of Germany. Also famous for its wide spectrum of nightlife, which includes:
The Hamburger Kammerspiele, an intimate, privately-run world-class theatre
The Hamburgische Staatsoper and Ballettcompagnie John Neumeier, are Hamburg's equally celebrated State Opera and Ballet Company.
Hamburg also entices visitors with one of the largest collection in Europe of cafes, nightclubs and other entertainment too risque to mention.
BREMEN/BREMERHAVEN
A unique, two-city state within Germany but independent of the Federal Republic of Germany.
It is an extremely important international seaport, with access to the North Sea.
Bremen is also headquarters
for the German Centre for Polar Research.
The cities also field an absolutely top-notch soccer team SV Werder.
Many restaurants serve traditional Bremen dishes, including Ernst-Waldau-Stuben, Hausbrauerei Schuettinger, Kleiner Ratskeller, Konig Kontor, and Spitzen Gebel.
BAVARIA
Actually, since Munich is capitol of Bavaria, they should be together.
However, there is City Bavaria, and Alpine Bavaria.
For the Bavaria of the Alps, think of the Sound of Music. Think of mountains dotted with chalets sporting a garnish of wildflowers in summer, an ermine coat of snow in winter. Hiking, yodeling, leather leiderhosen and the Teutonic folk dances of the German Volk are just a few exits away from the hectic life of the city.
Come, let's find the nearest hoffbrau and dance to the music.
Or find our true selves emerging as we listen to the wind in the trees.
If you can afford to go to Europe now, please don't wait. The individual countries are changing rapidly, and some of the fun is changing with it. The world is getting to be all the same. My feeling is that I want to experience the cultural differences that are still there, before it goes away. So I'm hoping to go back to Europe again, soon, with my wife, so we can live and experience the exciting differences once more,
and add them to this Europe travel website at informationeurope.com.
I hope you enjoy your trip tremendously. Pat.
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