Germany Travel Forum

Hi I would like to visit Germany next year in 2009 but I am not sure which is the best area to visit. I have been to the The Black Forest which was nice but I would like recommendations. I like visitng museums and shops etc, and I am learning german but it is not very good as yet as I hope to learn in September. Any in put would be most helpful. Many thanks.

Can you also recommend any places to stay which are not too expensive and are not in dodgey area's?

As far as shopping and museums are concerned, I'd say Berlin, but I'm biased. Tons of museums, especially the Jewish Museum and Pergamon Museum are worth a visit. And Berlin is still comparatively affordable.
Try to find an accomodation in Prenzlauer Berg (i.e. here: http://www.pension-guesthouse-berlin.de/), Mitte or Friedrichshain.

While in Berlin, you could spend a couple of days at the Baltic Sea and/or Spreewald and do day-trips to Potsdam and Quedlinburg. This would save you some money, you'd otherwise spend on traveling.

Other than that, here's a brief introduction to different regions in Germany.
http://tinyurl.com/5lfs8r

I think Dresden and Leipzig in east Germany are amazing. And you are only about three hours from Prague. VT member "Leipzig" has the best pages (in my opinion) on these two destinations - http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/2a8b3/

The Rhine River area is lovely around Rudesheim ... the Lorelei Rock area. The ferries are a good way to see this part of Germany.

Hi,
I loved Berlin and Munich the best of all places.From Munich,you could take a day tour to Bavaria and visit the castles of Ludwig.Munich city itself has much to offer in terms of monuments,museums,the Marienplatz,Odeon Platz etc..I second the opinion of the previous reply on Berlin.
One more place that is cute and relaxing would be the Helgoland which is an island off Hamburg.
Have fun,
Vpas

i agree Berlin,and the pergamon museum is good.
i stayed at hotel pension kima wielandstrasse?,it was basic but well priced.
and about 50 metres from kudamm?with lots of designer type shops.
with lots of places to eat nearby.
another trip,i visited Koln and travelled down to koblenz,and then followed the mosel accross to Trier,all very different style of places but equally interesting.

I did Christmas shopping in several parts of Germany. It's magic! It was breathtaking, it's to bad you're not going later in the season. BUT...I like a village called "Vignabalsta" close to Dusseldorf. Dusseldorf has great shops and beautifull musea. When I was there they a exhibition of the teletubbies. And I love Tinkywinky! But they also have more common exhibitions...