germany - ilivetotravel's travel log

Some of My Favorite Spots in Berlin

20 February 2020 by Raul 1 Comment

Many times I write about my exploring right after I return home, when the memories are fresh and I first go through all the photos I took during my trip. Today, I thought I’d re-visit my days in Berlin less than a couple of years ago.

Reichstag Building, Dach, Berlin, Bundestag, rooftop view of Berlin, Alemania, Germany — From the rooftop terrace of the Reichstag Building

The capital of reunited Germany is laden with history and symbolism. I think it always has been. It is a peculiar place simply because of all the volumes of history written in its streets, buildings and fields.

All that provides someone visiting the city with many items to add to a list of must-sees. Here, I will share the places I enjoyed the most in Berlin. Maybe they will end up in your list of what to see in Berlin! I will start with the museums and move on to other places…

The many museums in Berlin’s Museum Island

Museum Island is a treasure trove of important museums. The Pergamon Museum, the Neues Museum, the Altes Museum, the National Gallery, and the Bode Museum are some of the museum options that will -I am sure- wear out even the most museum-addicted visitor.

berlin, museum island, bode museum, derliner dom, pergamon museum — Berliner Dom on the right, Bode Museum on the left, and the rest in the middle!

With museums, having a plan is key as covering all the works on display is about impossible with large museums or in an area with so many of them. I did not have enough days in Berlin to explore all of these (save the Pergamon Museum) so I can’t attest to their “visit worthiness”. However, the Neues Museum has the famous bust of Queen Nefertiti, an item I wished I had seen in person since I have visited the tomb where it was found in Egypt …

Of course, there are many other museums in town beyond Museum Island so, keep exploring! (Keep reading for a later entry in this post about a Berlin Wall museum…)

A museum of greatness: Pergamon

The Pergamon Museum stands out due to the grandeur of the building and some of the contents (like the Ishtar Gate and other grand remnants of historic places from antiquity. The museum was established before World War I and, thankfully, its art and objects were safeguarded so they survived the destruction brought to the city by World War II. The Pergamon Altar, the Ishtar Gate, the Miletus Market and the large collection of Assyrian statues/busts were some of my favorite things to see firsthand. It is a big museum and could consume a long time so plan properly. For my tips for a well-done visit, check my earlier post about the Pergamon Museum.

Post-World War II history museum

The Allied Museum in the “suburb” of Dahlem (in what used to be West Berlin) caught my eye and I made an easy trip on the U-Bahn to get to see it but, rookie mistake, I did not check opening schedule and it was closed that day. From the outside, I did get to see some of the large items placed outdoors from across the fence and it really made me regret not checking the schedule first!

Allied Museum in Berlin, checkpoint charlie, berlin, old airplane

I did walk around the residential streets of Dahlem and it was cool to see a very different type of neighborhood than most European cities have. I almost felt I was back in the U.S. (though there was still differences). I am not sure if the history of the area is that these homes were built during the American occupation of the area post-World War II, or if they pre-date those times. I knew of the area as a good friend was born there while his father was stationed in Germany in the early 1970s so that gave me context for the area and explains why the Allied Museum as well as a U.S. consulate office are located there vs. closer in to the heart of Berlin.

Dahlem, occupied zone, Berlin, Germany — A house in Dahlem

The DDR Museum – throwback to the Cold War

On the slight whimsical side, yet filled with interesting info and artifacts, is the DDR Museum right next to Museum Island. It takes one back to how life in Communist East Germany was and has great imagery (physical and digital) to do that. If you were born after the fall of the Iron Curtain (1989), this may be a curiosity but to those who remember the Cold War, it may be a more vivid reminder of those times that now seem like ancient history, almost surreal!

Great rooftop views of Berlin – and great food!

The Bundestag, Germany’s federal parliament, is housed since 1999 in what has to be one of my favorite buildings in the city: the Reichstag Building. It was built in the latter part of the 19th century and fell into disuse after a fire in the 1930s and the effects of World War II. It never functioned again as a diet or parliament until well after German reunification in the 1990s.

Its modernistic dome is fun to climb via the long ramps and it will offer great photo opportunities of the outdoor and the indoor (if you look straight down inside, you are looking at the chamber where the politicians meet).

what to see in Berlin, Reichstag Building, Bundestag, dome in Berlin, Germany, Alemania — The unique dome and its ramps

The rooftop terrace provides great views of the city.

SPree River, Berlin, Germany — The Spree River

German Chancellery, Bundeskanzleramt, Berlin, German government, Germany — The German Chancellery

But, being a bit of a foodie, my favorite part of the Reichstag Building was its rooftop restaurant (Dachgarten Restaurant) named Käfer. Its breakfast offerings are delicious. I hear that it is also a great place to go before sunset to enjoy the views with the sunset colors of the sky.

Tips to visit the Bundestag’s rooftop restaurant, Käfer

You need to make reservations to be able to go (on the link provided above, scroll down to get the reservation form). The exact info on every visitor will need to be provided when making the reservation for security measures. Upon arrival, allow extra time ahead of the reservation time to go through security where you will need to provide valid photo ID (I suggest your passport).

Bundestag, Reichstag Building, entrance for visitors to the Bundestag, Berlin, Alemania, Germany — Secured entrance for visitors facing the Tiergarten

Walking Berlin’s unique neighborhoods

I was lucky that one of my Godchildren lives in Berlin and besides spending time together, he showed me very unique neighborhoods that perhaps as a tourist, I may have never gotten to explore. If you have the time and don’t mind meandering, I highly recommend walking around these neighborhoods, mostly in the former East Berlin. Some areas to consider exploring: Alexanderplatz, Prenzlauerberg, and Kreuzberg.

I was told and I could tell that the areas of the former East Berlin have a slightly different feel than those of the former West. The difference may be blurring some but it is detectable and feeds the curiosity of those of us who never saw the city before reunification as to how things must have been…

Eatery in the former East Berlin, Berlin bar

Badfish Bar, Prenzlauerberg, East Berlin, Berlin best bar — I loved Badfish Bar!!

Berlin’s Cathedral

Compared to many other German European cathedrals, Berlin Cathedral’s (Berliner Dom) interior did not really do anything for me (though it still had some splendor).

However, its exterior is impressive and going up to the dome for the views may be cool to do if you are into that (I am!). There are other churches around town so if you like to check them out, I’d say go for it. My limited time in town, unfortunately, prevented more exploring. But Berlin has so many unique things other cities don’t have that I don’t regret my prioritization!

Kaiser Wilhelm’s Memorial Church

OK, I know I said I did not get to explore churches. But this one is different. Not much of the church remains and that is the point. It was not an old church to begin with. But, after it suffered destruction during the war, it was decided not to re-build it so it could serve as a reminder of the hard times Berlin has known and the horrors of war. It is well worth the visit though and, along the way, explore this more modern and commercial area of Berlin.

Kaiser Wilhelm Church, ruins in Berlin, memorials in Berlin, Berliner kirche, what to see in Berlin

Eating at KdW!

Oh, and while around there, do NOT miss “KdW“! Kaufhaus des Westens is a large department store à la Galeries Lafayette in Paris.

Not much of a shopper here but exploring its marzipan and chocolate section was a walk through paradise. And then do not miss eating one of the Berliner Currywurst in one of the food counters in one of the top floors!!!

KdW, Berlin department store, Berliner currywurst, famous Berlin hot dog, German dishes — Currywurst with fries and a beer at KdW!

The Brandenburg Gate

Of course, you were waiting for me to talk about this (and the next item), weren’t you? Well, yes, of course I have to list it in this post. The iconic Brandenburg Gate is a must for a photo (selfie or not!). It is located near important embassies and across one end of the Tiergarten Park. The gate dates from the late 18th century and is in a location where there used to be another gate in the past. It is monumental and impressive! The Berlin Wall used to go right in front of it (remember Reagan’s speech telling Gorbie to “tear down that wall”?) as the gate was in East Berlin.

Brandenburg Gate, Tiergarten, tear down that wall, monuments in Berlin, what to see in Berlin, Germany, Alemania

Remnants of the Berlin Wall

For many of us, likely, nothing evokes Berlin as the Berlin Wall that lived almost 30 years in the midst of this great city, dividing its people and its essence.

The history of the boundary between East and West Berlin is fascinating once you read up on it. Having lived in the era of the wall, I thought generally there had always been a hard barrier between the two halves of the city once the post-WWII period began.

Well, actually, that was not the case in the immediate years of the post-WWII period. People could cross through between the two parts of Berlin. It was not until the living standard of West Berliners started surpassing that of the East Berliners that the Communist regime had to erect a barrier to prevent people voting with their feet (since they had no free elections for their leaders…). Also, wanting to isolate and demoralize the Westerners also played part, I assume.

In any case, there are some remnants of the wall still standing (thankfully) such as the pieces in the large Postdamer Platz, right next to where I stayed during my visit. It is well-signed including photos of how the area looked while the city was divided, and a good spot for photos.

Potsdamer Platz, Berlin Ritz Carlton, Berlin Wall today, Berlin Mauer, muro de Berlin hoy — The Berlin Wall remnants at Potsdamer Platz

Even more fascinating for me are the places where the wall used to be is marked on the pavement or sidewalks of the city. This trail makes the past reality a little more vivid as you can feel the seeming randomness of the wall’s route. It also is puzzling as you see of all sudden the trail go into a new-ish building’s wall and wonder how the space was before the building was built. I loved running into this trail as I meandered around town!

Berlin Wall, muro de Berlin, Berliner Mauer, Alemania, Germany, what to see in Berlin — The 2-brick wide trail in the middle of the street marks where the wall was

Berlin Wall, muro de Berlin, Berliner Mauer, Alemania, Germany, what to see in Berlin, Brandenburg Gate — Find the trail looking towards the Brandenburg Gate from the Reichstag

Topography of Terror and the Wall

A very large portion of the wall is still in place by the Topography of Terror Museum. You can walk along it and read about the times… The museum itself has a LOT of information of the terrible events brought about by the Nazis in the many “boards” with plenty of photos. I think it was well-done but the topic is definitely overwhelming…

Berlin Wall remnants, Berliner Mauer, muro de Berlin, Alemania, Germany, Topography of Terror

Checkpoint Charlie is nearby. Go for it… #underwhelming

Memorial to the Murdered Jews

This large memorial between the Brandenburg Gate and Postdamer Platz deserves some time. I did not get to see the indoor exhibit due to the time of my visit but the outdoor place certainly made feel sad. Whoever had the inspiration for this very unique memorial’s design nailed it. It was really off-putting to see folks climbing on the pieces and posing for funny photos as if they were in a regular park. Of course, I don’t have an issue with photos but certainly expect some respect given the reason this memorial was needed… #neveragain

Memorial to Murdered Jews, Jewish memorial in Berlin, monumento a los judios, Berlin, Germany, post world war ii berlin

A non-site: Hitler’s bunker

Hitler’s underground bunker, as you may know, is where he and some of his minions lost their lives by their own hands or others’. The bunker was destroyed in the Communist period, I imagine, to prevent any crazies from ever making it a memorial, even if just in their mind.

Today, we do know where the bunker was (curiously, not far from the Memorial to the Murdered Jews) and there is a residential building and its yard built on the spot. A small, non-descript sign on the sidewalk gives some information. One cannot really memorialize such a place but, from a historical standpoint, I certainly wanted to see what the area looked like today. (The residential building is on Wilhelmstrasse.)

Hitler's bunker today, where Hitler died, World War II Berlin, places to see in Berlin, Germany, Alemania — The site today

This post does not Berlin justice. There is so much more to see and do that I can cover.

But, I hope, it gives you some interesting new places to consider while including some well-known ones. Berlin is a never-ending exploration!

Filed Under: Travel Journal Tagged With: Alemania, Berlin, berlin wall, germany, kafer

The Magnificent Cologne Cathedral

27 December 2019 by Raul Leave a Comment

The city of Cologne has been an important center in northwest Germany since the first century. It is the fourth largest city in Germany, is strategically located in important routes for commerce and transport, and is a center of culture, education and business. Its location on the Rhine River certainly plays a significant part in all of the above. And so it served as the starting point for the river cruise I took with my mother in December to explore Christmas markets along the Rhine River!

The Cathedral of Cologne from the edge of the Rhine River in Germany. — I saw the Cathedral at this distance from a train back in 1998!

Some important claims

Cologne’s Cathedral is the Cathedral of St. Peter though I did not know that until AFTER my trip. It is the tallest two-spired church in the world, and third tallest church overall in the world (it is the second tallest in Europe). This height gives it the largest façade of any church in the world. Its exterior screams “look at me, I’m Gothic” even to the most untrained architecture-amateur.

As reference, the Cathedral’s website provides the following key dimensions of the structure (among other interesting stats):

Top height: 157.22m (516ft)
Widest point: 86.25m (283ft)
Max length: 144.58m (474m)

Given its importance (read further down) and its magnitude, the Cologne Cathedral is Germany’s most visited site (6 million per year), something that surprised me considering the Berlin Wall remnants, the Brandenburg Gate, Dachau, and the Ulm Cathedral (the tallest church in Europe and second in the world).

All of this certainly makes it impressive and worth visiting and earned it being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

Long-awaited completion!

The Cathedral’s foundation stone got laid back in 1248. However, its completion delayed over the centuries; in fact, it sat unfinished and not being worked on for 300+ years! Work resumed in the mid-19th century and was finally completed in 1880.

Though it got started in the 13th century, there has been some form of a church on the site at least since the 6th century. Thankfully, it survived post-revolutionary French destructiveness in this part of Germany though it was closed for worship for a few years thanks to the French.

Relics R Us

Tradition holds that the relics (bones) of the Three Wise Men (or Magi) were brought to Cologne. The Cathedral was designed as magnificent as it is due to the important role it would have: the home of the relics. It also was to serve as an important place of worship for the Holy Roman Emperor which also explains the imposing structure and very detailed ornamentation on the exterior.

But back to the Three Wise Men… their relics had ended up in Milan (mental note to learn more about that part some time…). Around 1164, the relics were transferred to Cologne by an Archbishop who had been granted the relics by Barbarossa (the more-used name for Holy Roman Emperor Friedrich I) after he had taken Milan with the support of the Archbishop. This was a great move by the Archbishop as it helped make Cologne one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Europe (Rome and Santiago de Compostela being among others in that category).

Take a look at the Cologne Cathedral!

So with all that as backdrop, take a look at this 2-min video (give or take a few seconds!) to see some of the exterior and interior of the Cathedral. The images used were taken while I visited Cologne’s Christmas markets so you will also get to see how lively the plaza next to the Cathedral was!

(While the pictures themselves are hopefully good, the assemblage may show my level of inexperience at pulling a video together!)

Visiting the Cologne Cathedral

As many active religious buildings of any faith, visiting while services are conducted is either restricted or limited to just those participating in the services. If you do not practice, in this case, the Catholic faith, visiting during a service is OK as long as you are there sitting down like everyone else, not taking photos, and being silent: it is important to respect those services and the faithful who attend them who share their place of worship with you as a visitor. I do think it is beautiful to observe another faith’s services if one is allowed to be there so by all means I encourage you to do that as long as you mind the basic etiquette laid out above.

All that said, the Cathedral’s visiting hours are during daytime and the hours do vary by time of year (summer vs. winter, to be brief) so check their website for precise hours. Be aware that Sundays and religious holidays will have more limited visiting hours as services are being conducted.

The Cologne Cathedral does offer guided tours. A couple of times a day it is offered in English. Special guided tours are available to the rooftop and Treasure chamber (which you can also visit on your own). Oh, and the Cathedral has an app that you can use to explore the church on your own! It is available in Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Finally, if you are up for it, you can climb one of the towers for 6 euros (adults) as of this writing (reduced by half for children and other special categories).

Filed Under: Europe, Germany, Travel Journal Tagged With: Cologne cathedral, germany, rhine river cruise

Experiencing Christmas Markets along the Rhine River

14 December 2019 by Raul 1 Comment

One of the most iconic images of the Christmas season is the Christmas-time, outdoor markets common in many parts of Europe. In this post, I will share both how I experienced Christmas markets in three countries and my tips for a most enjoyable visit!

I have always wanted to visit these markets out of curiosity and also as a way to enjoy the Advent season in full spirit ahead of Christmas (technically, it is not Christmas until December 25th!). The opportunity came to do this with a Rhine River cruise friends of mine were doing. Doing a river cruise has been on my Mom’s travel “wish list” so I could knock out an item from each of our lists!

During your visit, in case you see street signs, know that Christmas in German is “Weihnachten” and “Noël” in French!

Place #1 – Aachen, Germany

We only got to spend a brief 1.5 hours in Aachen, mainly spent at its cathedral. But we had time to venture into the Christmas market next to it. Though we got distracted by a bakery across the street from it, we still had time to venture into the Christmas market next to the cathedral. By the way, it may seem I am kind of cheating mentioning this one as it is not on the Rhine but it was on our way to reaching the river coming from Brussels!

Tip #1 – Prepare for any weather

Tip 1a: Bundle up!

Clearly I am stating the obvious but… being outdoors 2-4 hours is different than a 15-minute walk in cold weather. While there are hot beverages available, that will not suffice! Depending on the day and the town, it could be quite cold. Then add the potential for wind and/or rain and it becomes even more a challenge to enjoying the markets!

Tip 1b: Wear shoes that can handle rain or snow

At a couple of places we had rain or a drizzle. It could be miserable – if you are not prepared or if you let it affect your spirits! While I cannot help much with the latter, for the former I recommend waterproof and “slip-proof” shoes.

Tip 1c: Avoid the hassle of an umbrella

Also, I would recommend a rain jacket/coat/poncho with a hood than using an umbrella for a couple of reasons. One, it leaves your hands free to check out the goods in the markets, or to hold your cup or drink while still allowing a free hand. Two, some of the streets or aisles are narrow and at times crowded. An umbrella creates for navigation issues as you walk around!

Place #2 – Cologne, Germany

It will not be a surprise that Cologne (Köln) has several Christmas markets as it is one of the largest towns on the list here. They are spread out enough so that you get to explore the streets of the town and happen by important places like the historic and imposing cathedral (as with many of the places mentioned here, more on them in future posts!), other churches, museums, town hall, etc. These interesting places can become a distraction from the Christmas markets – and rightly so! My advice: plan for more time in Cologne if you can so you can see more than the Christmas markets!

Main Christmas market in Cologne by the cathedral - Germany — Main Christmas market in Cologne by the cathedral

Tip #2 – Don’t judge markets by the first one

As in everything (or most everything) in life, don’t assume all Christmas markets will be like the first one you visit. Though many things will feel the same, markets can vary in terms of the types of goods offered. Also, a town may have just one or two markets whereas another may have several. And perhaps hours of operation differ (in Basel, for example, the market by the cathedral opened at 11 AM on the weekday I visited).

Place #3 – Rüdesheim, Germany

This small town certainly packed a punch when it came to the Christmas market scene! The stands were everywhere in the heart of the town and by the river. And the pedestrian streets were jammed pack with people! It felt like a fun place to be.

Christmas market and streets of Rudesheim, Germany by the Rhine River

Tip #3 – Partake in the glühwein and food

The Christmas markets are well-known for offering visitors hot beverages to help with staying warm. While hot chocolate and hot juices are available, the typical drink is spiced, watered-down wine called glühwein normally available with white or red wine. It certainly is a unique beverage and, being diluted, it is not as strong as a real glass of wine. Normally not a fan of spices like cinnamon and others but I can tolerate this spiced wine as it feels good to hold the hot cup in my cold hands!

Gluhwein stand in Colmar, France — In France, ask for “vin chaud”!

Also worth noting is all the good food around the kiosks (besides the regular cafes or restaurants available)! Many local specialties like baked goods, flammkuchen, sausages, pretzels, etc. Don’t miss out!

Sausage stand at Christmas market in Cologne, Germany by the cathedral — You can ALMOST smell the sausages!

Oh, and how could I forget! When you order the glühwein, keep in mind that if you return the mug, you get a refund. Or, if you want the mug as a souvenir, you don’t have to return it. What they charged you up front, assumes you will not return it. You can walk around the market or out of it while you sip your drink! In some towns like Strasbourg, we noticed that many stands only offer a cheap plastic cup whereas other stands have the real mugs. Also, in Rüdesheim we got some mugs from 2016. You may or may not care, just want you to be aware!

Gluhwein stand at a Christmas market in Heidelberg, Germany — Plenty of mugs in this Heidelberg stand!

Place #4 – Heidelberg, Germany

Again, we have a place technically not on the Rhine River but typically part of the itinerary of many cruises courtesy of a bus ride! Of course, the most important thing to do in Heidelberg is to visit its imposing castle above town. Not only is it an impressive set of structures and ruins, it also offers great views of the town and the Neckar River that goes through it.

I have to say the Christmas markets I got to visit there were the least impressive of the ones I visited (Aachen’s was smaller but felt nicer). Thankfully, Heidelberg has a lot of things going for it.

Tip #4 – Check them out at day and at night

Daytime is short this time of year in these latitudes so this will not be hard to do. The Christmas markets felt different at night than in the daytime. It may be that they seemed to become more festive but that could be related to increased alcohol consumption perhaps? In any case, I’d suggest checking them out at these different times. This could also give you the opportunity perhaps to sit down somewhere for a proper meal intown or enjoy the local kiosk food.

Christmas market in Rudesheim, Germany along the Rhine River — Rüdesheim fun-filled streets at night

Place #5 – Strasbourg, France

This important seat of the European Union’s Parliament is quite a city. Its cathedral is fairly magnificent and its streets are lined with beautiful shops. Of course, this is one of the best places for Alsatian cuisine so I recommend not only walking to all the Christmas markets and side streets but also investing in a good lunch or dinner! Read more about how I experienced Strasbourg at Christmas here.

Chrismas market by the Strasbourg Cathedral in the Alsace region of France — Stands in front of the Strasbourg Cathedral

Tip #5 – Don’t buy everything in the first market

As you may expect, some of the goods (souvenirs or regular Christmas decorations) available in the markets are similar. But, since the towns along the river don’t share fully the same culture or history, there will be some variation in the items available. Even markets in one town may have different focus so the goods can vary there too. So don’t spend all your money in the first market or town!

Goods at a Christmas market in Germany — Not just Christmas goods but local and practical crafts!

Place #6 – Colmar, France

As Aachen and Heidelberg, Colmar is not along the Rhine River. The main “port” on the river near it would be Breisach, Germany. This French town close to the border with Germany is a real gem, Christmas markets or not! It is breathtaking to meander its streets and see all the beautiful buildings all around (this town is definitely worth a separate blog post!). In Christmas, as in other towns, many establishments decorate part of their facade which adds to charm of Colmar.

Street in Strasbourg, France decorated for Christmas (Noël) — One of the best decorations (this store in Strasbourg)

Navigating the streets is easiest with a map as the streets twist and turn but maps also make it seem that it takes longer to reach a given location. I can’t recall actually how many markets we visited but we enjoyed at least half of the six that were pointed out to us in the map. The tourist info office offers maps especially marked with the Christmas markets.

Tip #6 – Buy it if you like it

While tip #5 is true (don’t rush to buy everything in the first town), the flipside is also important. If you find something that catches your fancy, buy it then and there. You are not guaranteed you will find it in a later town!

Place #7 – Basel, Switzerland

If I understood correctly, there should be three Christmas markets in Basel, Switzerland. I visited two and did not run into the third. The ones I visited were in the city center. One was right by the cathedral on the hill and the other was below near the Basel Historical Museum (on Barfüsser Platz). I found the latter to have a good variety of items. I bought not only a glass of glühwein there but also marzipan goodies (delicious!).

Traditional German Nativity Carousel/Pyramid - Christmas Market in Basel Switzerland — Traditional German Nativity Carousel/Pyramid

Tip #7 – Take time to soak it all in

Looking at all the goods, eating and sipping a hot glühwein is all well and good. However, standing for a few minutes (or more) is rewarding too. Though there certainly will be tourists, locals enjoy these markets too! For example, we stood by a small counter in Aachen sipping our drink and watching the atmosphere around us. We also found a spot to sit outdoors and chat with friends in a hole-in-the-wall in Rüdesheim. We got to watch tourists and locals enjoy this special time of the year when many people may think it best to sit in the warmth of the indoors at home!

Also, walking through the streets of these towns and looking at regular stores is a must. As mentioned earlier, many places decorate and the spirit is festive in the city centers!

Christmas market in Cologne, Germany — Christmas market in Cologne

In the end, however you want to “do” the markets, do them! It is certainly different than how I have experienced Christmas before and maybe it will be so for you too!

Save this pin to your travel planning board!

Christmas markets, Cologne, weihnachten, mercados de Navidad, Germany

Filed Under: Europe, France, Germany, Switzerland, Travel Journal Tagged With: christmas markets, France, germany, gluhwein, rhine river cruise

Great Drive Series – Frankfurt to Maastricht

4 November 2013 by Raul 19 Comments

Among the many ways to travel and explore, few things beat driving around yourself, whether it be Tuscany, New Zealand or across the U.S., there is a freedom that comes with being on your own, able to stop at will for a photo, to rest or… to relief yourself (yes, I said it …).

I have done some great drives and I thought I’d start a short series on these drives and, hopefully, hear back from you on your own favorite drives along the way.

Today, I share my drive to/from Maastricht, The Netherlands and Frankfurt, Germany over a dozen years ago. I was in Frankfurt for business for a few weeks and decided to visit a college friend who was an ex-pat in Maastricht. I rented my car in Frankfurt and made my way, in about 3 hrs, to Maastricht on the famous autobahn. The autobahn between some cities in Germany fails to meet the wild expectations we have in the U.S. about fast speeds as there is too much vehicular traffic on some of the routes. But some parts of the route I took where free and clear just for me. That and along the Mercedes-Benz upgrade they gave me were the perfect pairing for a FUN drive. On the outbound leg of the trip, I drove northwest towards Bonn and Cologne (Köln) on the A3 and then west on the A4 past Aachen straight into Maastricht. I wish I had had time to explore Aachen, having been a residence of Charlemagne and where many Holy Roman Emperors were crowned back in the day. For that matter also Cologne and Bonn. So much too see and so little time…

Maastricht, Frankfurt, drive, map, A3, A4, autobahn, Germany, travel

The outbound route I took

On the way back I took a different route based on my friend’s suggestion as the landscape would be much more rewarding. It was indeed! I don’t recall the details of the route (which cut at some point across the incredible Mosel River) but maybe someone will recognize some of the locales from the photos and let me know more precisely where I went through!

I highly recommend taking the “road less traveled”. In this case, not the A3! Western Germany, near the border with Luxembourg and France, is simply a beautiful place to visit, explore and drive. Get lost, take your time, and sample this area!