Feeling Good-Good in Baden-Baden
Wellness has been a given since Napoleon III made Baden-Baden a trending destination in the mid-1800s, and Europe’s royalty, celebrities and politicians followed. What the tourism office smartly calls the “the good-good life” today is available to visitors of all ages as budget allows. Fresh air and abundant gardens, thermal spas and regal architecture, organic cuisine served in typical...
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Berlin, Germany Attractions
As one of Europe's hottest cities, Berlin, Germany is teeming with the latest shops, restaurants, galleries, clubs and boutique hotels. But it's also a city with a rich history and a lively art center, where monuments, government buildings, classic museums and creative venues have been designed for foreign visitors, locals and the next generation. Read on for what's best with kids, and for further...
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Celebrating the Bicycle’s Bicentennial in Germany
Bicycling, invented in Mannheim 200 years ago, is as natural to German families as eating apple strudel and reading Grimms’ Fairy Tales, making a Tour de SouthWest Germany a fun, eco-friendly adventure with teens. Mannheim, an easy 45-minute train ride from Frankfurt, is the ideal city to base a family bicycle trip exploring the neighboring bike-friendly, train-accessible cities of Schwetzingen,...
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Three Waterparks Worth a Detour in Europe
If you're taking the clan to Europe and feeling anxious about entertaining everyone, we recommend one of these terrific waterparks to guarantee fun. Need three good reasons to include one as part of a European Grand Tour? You will avoid sunstroke from touring public squares in the heat. You will relax the human brain, which can only absorb so much culture in a day. You...
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Exploring the Riches of Eastern Germany
Families are just beginning to discover the former East Germany, land of romantic castles, historic towns, beautiful beaches and German infrastructure… all at Croatia prices. We recently visited the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, 3 hours from Hamburg or Berlin and just 7 hours from Copenhagen, and found a perfect destination to experience rich European culture with kids in a safe, English speaking...
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Best Winter Fun in the Black Forest
For families with toddlers and school-age children –- or snowsports novices of any age -- Germany's Black Forest is a magical place to fall in love with alpine sports and the outdoors. Having toured the mountains of southern Bavaria in summer, we are dreaming of returning in winter, when the region’s towering evergreens have a dusting of snow. We will re-sample the region's cultural icons: cuckoo...
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Give Up a Night at 10 Unique Hotels
Want to skip the mass market hotel room for an Instagrammable sleeping experience your friends and family may envy – and the kids will remember forever? Travelers have a bigger choice of hotels and vacation rentals than ever before, as independent properties experiment with new forms of hospitality...
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The Best German Christmas Markets, A European Family Tradition
Traditional German Christmas Markets, also known as Chriskindlesmarkt, are located in a variety of big and small towns throughout Europe, but the tradition is perhaps strongest in Germany. If the wonderful custom of European Christmas Markets has not yet reached your hometown,...
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Saving Euros on a European Adventure
Since summer is the most expensive time to visit Europe, we're sharing the euro-saving tips we learned from our own recent adventure. And, with the strong exchange rate, drop in tourism due to several factors, and bargains we've uncovered in our summer vacation roundup, you can find some good deals, too....
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The Real Oktoberfest
Cologne is known for Carnival, Berlin has its Film Festival, and Munich -- celebrating the 500th anniversary of Germany's Beer Purity Law -- may be the epicenter of Oktoberfest. Surely, though, those three cities aren’t the only worthy hosts of internationally celebrated events. Of all of Germany's festivities, my particular interest is Oktoberfest and Nuremberg...
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