After a year and a half of living abroad and nearly a decade of international travel, I have started a page specifically for Travel Tips and Resources. In this first post, I’m featuring simple, general tips that would be useful to someone traveling from overseas. Eventually I’ll write about specific aspects of travel, i.e. places to visit, restaurants and recommended routes. All posts about tips for travel will be added to the Travel Tips and Resources page, always easily accessible by clicking the heading instead of sorting through blog post after blog post. Please send comments or travel questions you have and I’ll respond by writing what I know on the topic.
General recommendations for Traveling in Germany
Stay at Motel 1-We have stayed in Motel 1 in Munich, Berlin and Leipzig. They have them in most big cities. It’s a great design and has a good breakfast. The rooms are contemporary and comfortable. Bathrooms are marble. The lobby is always nice for a drink or a coffee. And for all that they are affordable, clean and reliable.
Looking for something smaller? We have used Booking.com numerous times while we were driving and realized that we needed a place to stay. I have found that in Germany you can trust the smaller family owned Penzione and Gasthöfe to be clean, nice and affordable. For example we stayed here one evening on the way home from Mainau (a trip I’ll highlight in another post.) The woman was sweet and helpful and offered a wonderful breakfast the next day. It was nothing fancy but perfect for the night. In the US I might be suspicious of little places like this but in Germany I am always sweetly surprised.
Rent a car from Sixt– Our favorite car rental company. You hardly ever have to wait in line at the airport to pick up the car. Depending on the sights you are planning to see and how many people you are traveling with, a rental car can be a cheaper bet. Also, on most highways there is no speed limit, making driving a tourist activity in its own right! And in Germany we drive on the right side of the road, so if you are American there is no adjustment needed.
Flying into Munich? If you arrive in the morning make sure you have a Weisswurst Fruhstuck with a wheat beer either at the airport or nearby. Ask them to show you how to properly skin the sausage
Flying into Nuremburg? Make sure to order a “drei im weckla” at the sausage truck right outside the airport. Get mustard on it.
(Read the description of these delicacies here.)
Recommended Apps
City Maps 2 Go–Featured in blog post Meetings and Greetings. Great map app. Allows you to download maps ahead of time to your smart device. Does not need internet or data services to function, but uses GPS to show you where you are. I still use this app weekly if not daily.
Whatsapp-messaging app that requires less data than other services.
My taxi– Germany doesn’t have Uber but this app is great. It has taxi drivers in your vicinity practically fighting over who can get to you fastest.
Public Transportation Specials
Public transport in Germany is notoriously timely and safe. Unlike other places however, you must buy your ticket before you get on the train. You cannot purchase it on the train. Smart phones work for some tickets but it is always good to print your ticket and have it with you if you purchase it ahead of time.
Regional train ticket special– travel within any German state all day for one low price.
Weekend Ticket– Spend the whole weekend and travel anywhere in Germany.
Check back soon for more tips, travel itineraries and insights!
Laurie's Franconia 