We love Germany at Gypsy With a Day Job! We made our first visit in 2017, and plan to return to see more of this fabulous country in 2018.
You may have figured out the FoxyRoxyK is a big history nerd, and Keyauni likes a bit more adventure, but we both love is getting to know the locals, and their lifestyle, and seeing the gorgeous scenery in our destinations. Perhaps every country has all of these things, but Germany has an abundance.
Germany has sea-front, rugged mountains, and protected forests. It castles and cathedrals, dating back almost a thousand years. It has religious and cultural traditions that have been practiced for centuries. There are modern and diverse cities, and quaint villages, that are just have remained unchanged over time. And of course, Germany has one of the most horrific tragedies known to mankind, in it’s history, that it exposes openly.
The German people also recognize the importance of their political systems and elections, and take their involvement and voting quite seriously. Although their country has grown to an economic, ecological, and cultural leader in the past two decades, Germans seldom demonstrate any sense of national pride. Three generations later, many citizens still feel a sense of shame for their countries past. But they are friendly and welcoming to outsiders and visitors, and equally interested in the lifestyles others have in their own homelands.
Our first visit was limited to only 2 states in Germany, North Rhine- Westphalia, and Baden-Wurtemburg. We visited cities, castles, forest, cathedrals, wildlife sanctuaries, the cities of Dusseldorf and Munster, and a lot more. It will take some time, but we will share it all with you. When we return, the first cities on our itinerary outside of our Dusseldorf base, will be Leipzig and Dresden. We look forward to seeing the home and church of Johann Sebastian Bach, where the choir still performs, and what has been described to me as one of the most beautiful cities in the country.
I so long to visit Berlin, and Munich, but the work schedule still controls the length of each visit, and of course there is so much other world to see as well. So we will make it to those cities one day.
Until then though, here is how one of our friends felt about Munich.
This post was most recently updated on May 18th, 2022. The notion of the fairytale destinations may seem like a trendy travel term, but the truth is many of these locations have been receiving travelers for years. It may not have begun in Germany, but when the country introduced some of its most popular tourist routes, such as the Romantic Road, […]
This post was most recently updated on August 3rd, 2022. Germany’s Black Forest, or the Schwarzwald, is known around the world, with a reputation of mystery and myth, beautiful scenery, and enchanting villages. But more importantly, it is one of the places that German locals choose when they vacation in their own country. After visiting the Black Forest, it is easy […]
This post was most recently updated on May 29th, 2022. In recent years, the term fairy tale villages has become popular with travelers throughout central Europe. Many of the most widely know fairy tale villages are in Germany, and in fact we have created a list of almost 30 of the prettiest towns in Germany, known for their historic architecture, […]
This post was most recently updated on June 13th, 2022. I don’t know what exactly it is we love about high places, but as a species, we just can’t seem to get enough. Although I don’t really understand, I feel the attraction myself, and in any new place I visit, I find myself drawn to the highest place, in hopes […]
This post was most recently updated on June 10th, 2019. If you happen to be planning a tour of Germany, you may be trying to take in as many of the big name cities as you can. We have done the same in our travels at times, and it offers a great taste of a country. However, the downside is […]
This post was most recently updated on May 29th, 2019. When I planned my first trip to Germany I was quite excited to be reuniting with a friend, and to learn that they would host us during our visit. Not only was this very personally meaningful, it also meant big savings on our travels. But, I have to tell you, […]
This post was most recently updated on September 4th, 2018. Munster is one of those overlooked cities that doesn’t show up on a lot of German travel itineraries. In a way it makes sense, since northwest Germany is loaded with amazing cities: Dusseldorf, Cologne, Hamburg, and Bremen, among others. But having spent some time in the city, I think everyone […]
This post was most recently updated on October 30th, 2017. Hulshoff Castle, or Burg Hulshoff, is another water castle, or Wasserschloss, located in Havixbeck in the Muenster area of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. The castle is one of those rare locations that is frequently visited by tourists, yet is still loved by locals, for some common reasons, and for some very different […]
This post was most recently updated on October 2nd, 2018. As a great big history and culture lover, visiting local castles is a must for me, in any destination, but particularly when in Europe. The entire continent boasts amazing castles of all ages. Burg Vischering, or Vischering Castle in English, is what some locals referred to as a Wasserschloss, or […]
This post was most recently updated on May 27th, 2019. “So you’re going to drive the Autobahn, right???” Inevitably, when planning a trip to Germany, many friends will ask this question. “Well of course,” I responded. Then the get a goofy, conspiring grin, with a faraway look in their eyes, and said “You go girl!” Yes, we Americans of all […]
This post was most recently updated on August 31st, 2017. Kiefernstrasse Kiefernstrasse, is an intriguing neighborhood in Dusseldorf, Germany, that attracts a lot of attention, from the media, and more recently, from tourists. It is also one of those special places in the world that reminds me how fast the world changes, and how much it has changed in my […]
This post was most recently updated on July 20th, 2018. Is Kaiserswerth Dusseldorf’s best kept secret? Kaiserswerth, Germany, is the oldest part of the city of Dusseldorf, and one which has something significant in relationship to everything in the original title of this post, emperors, nurses, saints and Michelin stars. On top of that, it is such a beautiful section […]
