General: Germany

Today’s my last day at work in Germany. A year after I arrived, I have to say good bye to my colleagues, pack up my belongings and jump on a BA flight back to Manchester. I’ll be taking a break for the next few weeks as I get back to life in the UK, so what better way than to step down, temporarily at least, than with an op on the place I currently call home? GETTING TO GERMANY With flights from 60 GBP return, there’s never been a better time than ...
...(or won’t) fly, you can drive, or come by train or coach. The main airport is Frankfurt international, but along with this there are also many regional ones (Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Munich, Stuttgart) and thousands of little ones. If I wasn’t fussy about my destination I could chose to fly from any one of a dozen airports within 2 hours of my home (though some, it must be said, are in neighbouring countries). Getting around Germany is easy too, ...

zoe_page 29.08.2003 · Read full review
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Review of General: Germany

"The only difference between german Autobahns and british motorways is- the krauts drive one the wrong side." Well- not really. Far worse (and shocking, of course): germans do overtake on the left lane! So, if you ever go to Germany- here are some useful hints on surviving Autobahn-cruises: 1.) German Autobahns are described with an "A" and a number. I have no idea what the "A" stands for. If you think this letter is a grade of quality- forget ...
...condition. 2.) Did I mention to drive on the wrong side? 3.) Did I mention motorways in a lot of other european countries are the same stupid? 4.) The speed-suggestions (those can be easily recognized: with black numbers in red circles on a white ground) are given in "kilometers per hour". Kilometers are not the same as miles, the relation between miles and kilometers is about the same as pound to euro, but it doesn't change that much. Well, those ...

Powerkraut 10.04.2002 · Read full review
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Review of General: Germany

You are planning a trip to germany? You have never been there before? You don’t know what to expect and how to behave? Let me help you. Warning: A little bit of humour may have crept inadvertently into this opinion. Anyone knows, of course, that we Germans possess no such thing, but I wouldn’t guarantee that what I have written is irreproachably humour-free. So, complaints will be graciously accepted, but to no effect whatsoever. No, ...
...A very wise man once declared that he liked Germany so much he’d rather have two of them. Well, he got his ways – up to 1990. Then the two German tribes called Wessi and Ossi (no, they haven’t got anything to do with Aussies) found themselves quite unexpectedly under the roof of one single state and one single boastful chieftain with language pronouncing disorders. (His super-human physical size enabled him to function as a roof ...

dottoressa 24.10.2001 · Read full review
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Review of General: Germany

I've always liked the sound of the cuckoo, at least I thought I did. But, when you get a cuckoo that gets up at four in the morning and insists on cuckooing until late at night, the novelty soon wears off. I'm talking about a cuckoo here that can even out power the local cockerel who leads the cacophony that is supposedly the dawn chorus. Cuckoo, blooming cuckoo, all day long. Coffee, there's another thing. A good thing this time though. The Germans ...
...Perhaps it's the water. I've bought the exact same coffee but in my flat it tastes different. It's strange what gets lodged in your mind after a trip somewhere, and it's not always the obvious. We (my boyfriend und ich) landed at Hamburg, with the helpful assistance of a British Airways A319 Airbus. It only took one hour twelve minutes from Heathrow. We were heading for northern Germany to stay with some friends, older friends. I speak very limited ...

Sexy-Kay 01.06.2003 · Read full review
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Review of General: Germany

As one of the few German users of Ciao UK and someone who has lived and studied in Britain, I have decided to exploit my position and engage in a piece of cultural crossover, exclusively for Ciao's UK community. Do not expect any descriptions of cultural, architectoral or historical sights here. The purpose of this article is the same as should be with every opinion at Ciao, i.e. to answer the question "Should I buy this?", or, as in this case, ...
...this question in the view of recent reports of xenophobia, neo-nazism and anti-semitism in Germany, thus I am focussing on the aspect of how safe it is to travel there, how openminded people are or not, and what kind of experiences you can expect to collect when interacting with German people. You can imagine that this is one of the most difficult articles for a German to write on a British website, and this opinion requires a lot of rational from ...

From_The_Continent 20.02.2001 · Read full review
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Review of General: Germany

Hi :) I'm a 20-year-old girl from Germany and today I decided to visit YOU here at "Ciao-UK"! Ciao-Germany doesn't get boring or something like that, but some the other members already write & read here and I think it's a good way to confirm ones knowledge about the language, the people ... So I hope my english is not TOO bad for you ! :) _____________________________________________________________________ 1. GERMANY FOR VISITORS I've recognized ...
...visit some special regions: - Munich (ger: München) and the "Wiesen" (Oktoberfest) - Berlin (the capital) - Bavaria (and the beer :-) ) - Frankfurt (very much industry) When I was in school we all got penpals from UK, and nearly everybody thought about beer und traditional music when we talked about our country. But Germany has more for you! In the winter you can go skiing for very cheap prices. I prefer the Alpin Region - and, of course, its ...

Mataina 17.01.2002 · Read full review
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Review of General: Germany

Bremen is a town of contrasts. I was there a few years ago on a training course with work for two weeks. On the outskirts there is a heavily industrialized area that is not particularly attractive. However the centre and especially the old town is full of character. My husband joined me for a weekend while I was in Bremen and we had a wonderful time just walking around the town and we also travelled to Bremerhaven by train where there is a large ...
...- some of it is not as old as you might think. A lot of Bremen was destroyed in the war and some of the old town has been reconstructed since. This has been done so well that it was not something that I was aware of until I returned to the UK and was reading a travel guide on the town! Bremen is full of restaurants with a whole range of cuisine and prices. My personal advice would be to avoid the German style places since they seem to specialize ...

Donald 14.07.2001 · Read full review
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Review of General: Germany

Hello Ciao Members! I am from Germany, so I want to say sorry, that I am doing a lot of mistakes. Now, I want to tell you something about my homecountry, namelly Germany. In Germany live about 88 Million people, the capital of Germany is Berlin. In Germany are 14 % of the population unemployemt. And ca. 8 % of the inhabitants are from another nationality. Germany consists of 16 counties: 1. Nordrheinwestfalen 2. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 3. Bayern ...
...14. Thüringen 15. Saarland When you want to go on holiday in Germany, you can visit some very interesting cities. A lot of tourists visit Koeln, München or the capital Berlin. Koeln: In Koeln live about 1, 008 Million people. In Koeln you can visit different museums, TV Shows and the Koelner Dom. The Koelner Dom was built in 1248 and was ready between 1842 and 1880. So you can see, that it was really a long time, until it was ready. Koeln is very ...

Misterymagiclady 16.01.2001 · Read full review
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Review of General: Germany

Germany is not what you'd expect from a country like that. Despite tales of horror from tourists who have experienced bad service at the hands of germans, it's not that bad after all. Not to be biased, but after living in UK for the past 3 years, I find UK to be worse than germany, both in terms of efficiency and beauty. And yes, Germany is a clean country, shown in its recycling programs and in the cities. Most times, you can't see dirt anywhere. ...
...a different picture. The buildings here are nice and modern and cheerfully coloured. With nice architecture. British architecture and drap colouring are just plain depressing. As for the landscape, it is beautiful. The tourist has many spots to choose from, like the various lakes, the many forests, and the multitude of cities. Local cuisine is good too, and it varies on where you decide to travel. (Obviously!!!) Local festivals make Germany a must ...

dipstick 25.07.2000 · Read full review
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Review of General: Germany

Germany boasts some of the most idylic waterways in the world. The Rhine valley is an excellent example. The Rhine valley is one of the richest areas of Germany known for such wonders as perfume, the Rhine valley contains and abundance of natural resources that make the area very rich. The Rhine river is picturesque, a softly flowing river, surrounded by rich forests with 16th century castles dotted around. The countryside is beautiful, and very ...
...as commerce somehow manages to stay on the sidelines. Hundreds of German taverns welcome you on the Rhine Valley, providing an interesting escape from the river, with the rustic food and pleasant ales. Join in with a German Tavern song and enjoy the welcoming friendly people. Thr Rhine valley is full of vineries that often have lunch tours allowing you to sample the wonderful variation of wine that they have to offer, while eating traditional breads, ...

Simoncook1 07.02.2001 · Read full review
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Review of General: Germany

Well, this is my first opinion. So I don't know, if it will be good... I thougt I'll write about Germany, because I've lived there for 14 years. I lived in Düsseldorf, not far away from Cologne. I visited lots of germain cities. I was in Munich, Berlin and Frankfurt and in lots of rather little cities. I always remember them. A few thigs weren't that nice. When you were in a shop, the assitants were very unfriendly. Britain is much better in that ...
...could visit Berlin. It's the capital city. There is the "Brandenburger Tot", which is famous for Berlin. Or you could visit Munich and have a look at "English Garden". It is a garden in english style. Or go there in October and go to the "Oktoberfest" and have a typical Germain bear(the "Weissbier"). Or just go shopping. I think Germany is a really good country to visit. ...

MissSixty 02.01.2001 · Read full review
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Review of General: Germany

Wonderful, picturesque Rhine Valley with its half timbered villages, parks and vineyards. Spectacular in every Season - watch the colours, share the atmosphere, drink the wine. Travel by boat or steamer from Koblenz to Rudesheim. If not too intoxicated by the drink and atmosphere when you arrive at either end you can then sample the different town the Rhine has to offer ( particularly the Rudesheimer coffee). Driving down the Rhine you discover ...
...village delights or a meal at one of the the many castles that overlook the Rhine. One day a year part of the route along the Rhine is closed to cars etc and 'Family Day' enables the bicycles to come out and roller skates and you can enjoy the restfulness this area can offer ( as well as the many beer tents en route). Spectacular Rhine in Flames is a must - check relevant area for details - and experience the Rhine aglow. Visiting the Rhine Valley ...

cornishcoast 02.03.2008 (03.03.2008) · Read full review
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Review of General: Germany

I went to Germany for a week in about 2000 on a school exchange, and as I had never been before I did not know what to expect, and it was the first time I had been away from my parents for that length of time. I stayed with a family in Liederbach am Taunus, which is not far from Kelkheim - where the exchange was taking place and most of my school were staying. Kelkheim is twinned with a local town I lived near in England - High Wycombe, and my ...
...there for many years. And as my school was a sports college - we went there to play sport against the other school - not the part I was looking forward to. I found that it was extremely clean, you would not see litter around at all - unlike here in England. Kelkheim is a small-ish place, and the same with Liederbach am Taunus. They are not places with many shops - just the necessary. We took a trip to Frankfurt, where we went shopping. It was very ...

diddy1 06.08.2006 · Read full review
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Review of General: Germany

Lüneburg - only fourty kilometres on a wounderful new autobahn away from Hamburg - is a city full of tradition and history. Once during the 15th and 16th century it belonged to the most important and richest cities in Europe, because it was producing salt, a very expensive and very much wanted highlight of a tasteful kitchen. The salt merchants not only became wealthy, they showed their wealthyness and built wounderful houses. The big inner city ...
...Very impressive are the old Townhall, now a museum of outstanding quality, and various museums throughout the town. My first choice: The new salt museum and the Ostpreußen Museum. But Lüneburg has much more to show! The spa is very good for relaxing and getting back enough power to visit the small pubs and restaurants in the city or to have a walk to Kloster Lüne, one of the oldest cloisters in northern Germany. ...

minae 05.09.2000 · Read full review
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Review of General: Germany

The 3rd LUMINALE: The event was based on a serie of 160 kinetic experiments, demonstrating LIGHT-effects inside and outside houses and momuments. It took place from April 22nd through 27th 2006 ... Multi-coloured (moving) lights decorated common areas, public monuments as office scyscrapers / buildings of Frankfurt and other towns. As the event took place during the working week: Around midnight you had been all alone in the dark with your camera ...
...lonely walk and one felt like caught in the surreal atmosphere. In the past: Kinetic experiments were "in" only for a short time approx. 1966. In those days were happening the light visions of B. Riley, V. Vasarely and the first light-shows of Pink Floyd (Ufo, London) or Andy Wahrhols Exploding Plastic Inevitable (Silver Factory, New York). Glad to see that now - almost 4 decades later - it became hip again and recognized as a dramatic expression ...

silver-fir4 20.01.2007 (21.01.2007) · Read full review
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Review of General: Germany