As tour operators wind up to offer last-minute, Black Friday holiday trip deals, why not consider
planning your next holiday wandering around the Christmas markets of Germany, joining in on a Bavarian beer bar crawl or exploring the numerous picturesque castles scattered throughout Germany's countryside.
This past November marked the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall which not only played a monumental role for migration within the country but also contributed to its popularity as a European travel destination as a whole. Last night the German National Tourist Board hosted media at an intimate event at the Storey's building in Toronto and TravelPulse, had a chance to catch up with Julia Dywelski, the Director of Marketing and Sales in Canada, to learn more about how this monumental occasion shaped the country. "I am gathering you tonight because we are commemorating the fall of the wall. It was such an important event for Germany itself as well as inbound tourism, and we are also trying to showcase the tourism offerings that have developed since," shared Dywelski.
Today, Germany has become an increasingly popular destination especially amongst European millennials and it is only a matter of time before that trend spreads to Canada. Currently, Germany has more than 20,000 hotels offering 800,000 rooms which amount to almost 1.5 million beds that can cater to every need, price point and standard of service a Canadian traveler may have. Germany also has more than 300 Michelin Star restaurants across all regions of the country making it a dream destination for all those food-focused travelers. "So last year we had 670,000 overnights into Germany [from Canada] and they typically stay between 4-8 nights…yes we have the best beer country in the world, we are the car country and all the castles you could wish for but we also have an amazing coastline up north, the mountains in the south, the beautiful lakes - so we have it all," elaborated Dywelski.
When it comes to unique attractions of both historical and cultural importance, Germany has extensively restored cultural hotspots such as the center of Dresden (located in the eastern German state of Saxony) where visitors will find the exquisitely restored Church of Our Lady. Residenzschloss, a former royal palace where the notorious 'Green Vault' can be found, is also located in Dresden and visitors can try and get a glimpse of the palace's famous treasures. In Berlin, Museum Island, an outstanding ensemble of five world-renowned museums, radiates a newfound splendor while City Palace, which has been undergoing restoration for many years now, will soon be finished. Leipzig, Halle, Schwerin, Magdeburg and many other towns and cities throughout the country have vibrant, multi-genre arts scenes that regularly offer cultural attractions that draw artists and art lovers from all over the world. Further, before 1989 there were eight UNESCO World Heritage sites in the former West Germany. Since then, the number of German world heritage sites has ballooned to 46.
Adventure-seeking travelers can also enjoy the 200,000 kilometers of footpaths and 70,000 kilometers of long-distance cycle routes available in Germany's low-lying mountain regions. The German Unity cycle trail runs for 1,100 kilometers through seven federal states - from the former West German capital of Bonn all the way to Berlin. In addition to breathtaking views of the Germany countryside, there are about 100 historical sites cyclists can stop at and explore along the way.
Direct flights from Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver are available to Germany destinations like Frankfurt and Munich through airline carriers like Lufthansa and Air Canada. "Germany has amazing lift into Europe, so with Air Canada and Lufthansa, we have a really good number of direct seats. We have about 100 direct flights per week to Germany from Canada so there is so much potential," finished off Dywelski. With all this in mind getting to Germany this holiday season could not be easier and after all the highlights I have shared, finding ways to keep yourself occupied will not be a difficult task.
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