Germany:
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Please note: I have been in Germany before. This time I originally planned to spend longer in Germany, but had to way up the finances vs the possibilities of living there, and so unfortunately past though quickly. Buyinbg memory cards, sim cards and everything else practical that I needed to work along the way.
Some memorable places I have been
Stuttgart: The industrial capital and home to Mercedes Benz.
Tubingham: Untouched university town well worth the visit to see what old Germany looked like.
Frankfurt: Big banking city, with a nice central area.
Ways into Germany (link to top)
Coming from France on Euroli es we were stopped just over the border for over 40 minutes for passport inspection. Two people were taken off and their bags searched. They did police checks on all passports.
The Food (link to top)
I seriously enjoyed German dishes. The huge meat breakfasts are stunning to the carnivores out there. Germany has more meat varieties than any other country I have visited. Breads and pastries were also a surprise as they were great tasting. Supermarkets were relatively cheap, and street stalls offered a wide variety of food.
The People (link to top)
I liked the Germans. Structure and sense of humor aside. Meet some German's that know they have a different sense of humor and you will have a good time. Strangely I found young student types to be a little arrogant and over confident. I found the average German very helpful and pleasant.
The Language (link to top)
Not a chance. At least for me its a tough one. The German's I met were even more fussy, though nicer, about how non German's speak their language. English is however taught in all secondary schools, and the average German does know some.
Do's & Do not's (link to top)
Do shop for things you can't find anywhere else in Europe. I found Germany a great place to ask for something, and then having someone find it fast. Do try as much local German food as you can, it's some of the best. Do try the beer, not my favorite, but seems to be everyone else's. Erm ... Don't mention the war ;-)
Places I stayed (link to top)
I am lucky enough to have some german friends so no need for expensive accommodation again here. That said, hostels are considerably cheaper in the main cites here than in France. But go too far out, and it's welcome to some expensive guest houses. The same can be said for the industry cities. Couchsurfing anyone?
Potential for home? (link to top)
Living in Germany I would imagine could be quite nice. It would take a few years to get the language issues sorted. But again personally it would be a huge financial problem to set up in Germany without a job, a big commitment would be needed otherwise.
FAQ's (link to top)
How much is a daily budget?
This is a tough one to answer considering my journey through Germany. Some cities are seriously expensive and do not cater to backpackers, local transport is also quite expensive. Most hostels are 15-22 Euro. If there is no hostel in town then a guesthouse can be upwards of 35-40 Euro. Food is cheapish. So all in all sticking to a city/town with a hostel I would budget 30-35 Euro per day.
How to save money on transport?
All German Cities and towns seem to have a good tourist office. Head in and ask about metro, bus and rail weekly passes. It's worth it if you are staying in a place like Berlin for a week.
Money in Germany, what to do?
International Credit cards like VISA or Mastercard work everywhere as do most debit cards.
Please keep in mind all the above is based on my own personal experience in Germany. It's not intended to be a guide. If the information here can help you on your own travels then that's a good thing!
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