Movimiento Travel

The capital of Germany is today one of the most important and emblematic cities across Europe. Founded and built in the thirteenth century, the ancient capital of several empires, like that of Prussia, has now become a city with a liberal lifestyle and a very particular style of art.

Berlin is a city haunted by the past, with an immeasurable historical significance. The former palace of Stadtschloss, former residence of the emperors of Prussia in 1701 became, later, the heart of the city, back in 1871. The Reichstag, with its bloody connotations, it rises in the center of town, near the ruins of the Berlin Wall. There are still remnants of the wall, which has remained at less than 1km in length from its demolition in 1989.

Wall apart, Berlin is a young city. The graffiti and urban life fills every corner of the city, a city with its own culture. Modernity is seen in the new Potsdamer Platz, where business and leisure meets. The Bundeskanzleramt, the new offices of Chancellor, is known as “the machine” by Berliners, because of its white cube-shaped with round windows.

Museumsinsel is recommended to visit the Museum Island, which houses art treasures from the time of Nefertiti to Beyus. Without doubt, Berlin is the heart of Germany, a city with an urban and unique art, but with all the German seriousness.

To start I would like to say that most people are right, Germany is a GREAT place to visit. I heard on the radio the other day that over 4 million Americans visited Germany in 2005 and to be honest it did not surprise me at all. With so many beautiful things to see and experience who wouldn’t be interested?

Lets start off with the obvious attractions:

Castles: Arguably the number one attraction of Germany. Castles are one of Germanys most historic prized possessions. With at least one Castle in every single decent sized town in Germany, you will always have a place to visit no matter where your travels in Germany take you. Most of these Castles have nice restaurants inside where you are given information on the historic value of the establishment, not to mention great food in my experience.

German Beer: Many say that German beer is the best in the world, because of this many German breweries are hesitant to give up their ‘tricks of the trade’ many saying ‘its in the water’. Whether this is true or not Germany definitely has a reputation for providing delicious preservative free beer. The German government actually mandates that only a few main ingredients are to be added to the beer and no preservatives can be added, BY LAW.

German Food: I am sure that you all have either heard about or tried some of the typical German dishes, i.e. Schnitzel, Wursts (German sausage) and Spatzle, but what you may not have tried are some of the ‘not so traditional’ but common dishes in Germany. If you are planning a trip to Germany I recommend going to any German restaurant and ordering the house special. Most restaurants, just like in the U.S., have a house special that is different from restaurant to restaurant and will usually be very delicious.

The castles were built as fortresses or houses of royalty and nobility. So many have stood the test of time in various states of preservation that allow us to enjoy today. Then we tell them what are the most beautiful castles in the world. This historical castle located on a rock at the entrance of the sea was a Benedictine monastery and one of the few strengths that survived intact Norman attacks. Today is one of the sites of World Heritage of UNESCO.

Neuschwanstein Castle
A nineteenth-century Bavarian castle in Germany. The design and the decoration of the castle are impressive and are very well preserved. It has very beautiful arches and towers.

Matsumoto Castle
It is one of four Japanese castles that are part of the national treasury. It was built in 1590 by Ishikawa Kazumasa and excellently preserved.

Castillo de Coca
This castle was built in the fifteenth century by Fonseca and was long considered it the finest castle in Spanish territory. The impression given by the fortress of power and admiration, is more like a palace, perhaps.

Potala Palace
This palace is located in the red hill in Lhasa, Tibet. This was the permanent residence of the Dalai Lama, until the fourteenth Dalai Lama escaped to India.

Hunyad Castle
Originally a fortress of the thirteenth century, this castle is believed Dracula stayed for seven years. The castle is located in Hunedoara, Romania.

Prague Castle
The castle is one of the main attractions of Prague. It was the largest complex in Europe during the medieval period and housed the rulers of the Czech Republic for years.

Bodiam Castle
Located in East Sussex, England, this castle is like a big bucket. Was built around the late fourteenth century as a fortress during the wars between King Edward III and France.