Central Europe is a core region of the European continent lying between the variously defined areas of Eastern and Western Europe. The term and widespread interest in the region itself came back into fashion[1] after the end of the Cold War, which, along with the Iron Curtain, had divided Europe politically into East and West, splitting Central Europe in half.
The concept of Central Europe, and that of a common identity, is somewhat elusive.[2][3][4] However, scholars assert that a distinct "Central European culture, as controversial and debated the notion may be, exists."[5][6] It is based on "similarities emanating from historical, social and cultural characteristics",[5][7] and it is identified as having been "one of the world's richest sources of creative talent" between the 17th and 20th centuries.[8] A UN paper employs 8 factors "to define a cultural region called 'Central Europe'".[9] Cross Currents: A Yearbook of Central European Culture characterizes Central Europe "as an abandoned West or a place where East and West collide".[10]
From the 2000's on, Central Europe is going through a phase of "strategic awakening",[11] with initiatives like the CEI, Centrope or V4. While the region's economy shows high disparities with regard to income,[12] all Central European countries are listed by the Human Development Index as "very high development" countries.[13]
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Top Attractions in Germany
Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria
Neuschwanstein Castle is Germany’s most famous castle and is best known for being the model used by Walt Disney for the Sleeping Beauty Castle. Initiated by King Ludwig in 1869, it took hundreds of craftsmen from around the world almost 16 years to build and only about a third of it was ever finished. Neuschwanstein looms over the Hohenschwangau valley. From the outside it is a magnificent work of mock- medievalism, a true piece of fairy-tale fantasy. The interior style borrows from Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic styles and features spectacular woodcarvings and murals. Take a tour of the castle and then view it and its 45meter waterfall from nearby Mary’s bridge to see it in its true splendor.
Website: Neuschwanstein Castle
Oktoberfest, Munich, Bavaria
The Munich Oktoberfest is now one of world's biggest public festivals. It was originally begun at the royal wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxony Hilbrughausen on October the 12th, 1810. The celebrations went on for five days. Today, the festival goes on for over 16 days. Despite its name, the Oktoberfest begins on the last few days of September and spills into the first week of October. Prepare yourself for copious amounts of food and drink! Have a go on the wide variety of fun fair rides if you can manage it. The city is filled with hundreds of thousands of committed beer drinkers swigging litres of Bavaria’s finest for days on end. It is a lively and unforgettable festival.
Website: Oktoberfest
The Romantic Road
The Romantic Road is one of several ‘themed’ roads in Germany and is one of Germany’s most famous vacation routes. It is a stunning 220-mile journey from the River Main to the Alps offering the traveler one of the most beautiful and engaging combinations of scenery, cuisine and ambience that Germany can offer. One surprising highlight of the walk is to be found at the Noerdlingen’s Ries Crater, where America's astronauts trained for their moonwalk!
Website: The Romantic Road
Dachau
A visit to Dachau or any other concentration camp is a deeply upsetting experience, but is nevertheless an essential part of any visit to Germany. Dachau was Germany's first concentration camp. It was built in 1933 by Heinrich Himmler. It is distinctive because it was here that SS personnel trained for work in newer camps such as Auschwitz. Dachau ‘processed’ more than 200,000 prisoners and over 31,500 people were killed here. Outside the main exhibition hall is a monument inscribed ‘Never Again’. The main exhibits show photographs of the camp and depict the horrors carried out within its walls. A guided tour of the camp is essential to fully understand the true extent of what went on in Dachau during Hitler’s reign.
Cologne and Cologne Cathedral
Cologne is located on the banks of the Rhine and is probably best known for producing Eau de Cologne and for its impressive Cathedral. The Cathedral is a magnificent 13th-century Gothic structure with a twin-spired structure, supported by 56 pillars and highlighted by splendid stained-glass windows. The Cologne museum complex contains paintings from Dutch and German masters as well as a great collection of modern art. Cologne is also famous for its wild carnival celebrations. Starting each year on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, it is a definite must-see if you’re in the area.
Website: Cologne Cathedral
The Black Forest
Countless fairy tales originated in the valleys and wooded heights of Germany's Black Forest. Its name (Schwarzwald in German) describes the dark firs and pines that cover this mountainous region. Otherwise known as the Home of the German Soul, its landscape rises to about 1,200m and drops off steeply into picturesque valleys. The Black Forest area is very popular with hikers and cross-country skiers. Areas of interest include Titisee, Triberg, Gutach and Furtwangen. The region starts 130 km south of Frankfurt and runs to the Swiss border.
The Frisian Islands
These North Sea islands are reminiscent of the islands off Scotland. The sea is rough, it’s often foggy and there is a distinct crispness in the air. The islands are divided into two groups: the Eastern Frisians and the Northern Frisians. Both groups have tall sand dunes and long stretches of beach. The Eastern Frisians include the busy islands of Borkum, Norderney and Wangerooge. Langeoog and Juist are car-free. The Northern Frisians include Sylt, Fohr and Amrum. Sylt is by far the most popular island especially with uppercrust Hamburgers. Amrum has one of the widest beaches and, like most of the islands, is open to nude sunbathing and swimming. Another popular activity is guided walks on the wattenmeer (mud flats) once the tide has receded.
Website: The Frisian Islands
Heidelberg
Heidelberg is for many the city that reflects the true romantic Germany. The River Neckar flows past its ancient towers and bridges and the ruins of its red sandstone castle rise splendidly over the roofs of the old town. The castle was built between the 14th and 17th centuries. You can walk from the city up to the castle in about 10 minutes or take the mountain railway. Heidelberg is also the home to modern Germany's oldest University, which was founded in 1386. The University is still very active today with tough standards and an emphasis on Biology, Physics and Mathematical research. Take a walk along the delightful Old Bridge (Alte Brücke) to get beautiful views of Heidelberg. There are also breathtaking views from the Philosophers Path (Philosophenweg) on the opposite bank of the river.
Website: Heidelberg
Lake Constance (Bodensee)
Lake Constance is Germany’s largest lake and is shared with Switzerland and Austria. The area is very unusual as it has one of the warmest microclimates in Germany. It is an old-fashioned resort and very popular with Germans in summer. There are numerous pretty resort towns along the shores of the lake, most notably Meersburg which is surrounded by vineyards, half-timbered houses and the oldest structurally intact castle in Germany. A visit to the island of Mainau at the northern end of the lake is worth visiting as is the small picture-postcard town of Lindau at the southern end. There is a ferry service across the lake from Friedrichshafen into Switzerland, so make sure not to forget your passport on the trip.
Website: Lake Constance
Berlin
Check out our guide to the top ten attractions in Berlin.
Neuschwanstein Castle is Germany’s most famous castle and is best known for being the model used by Walt Disney for the Sleeping Beauty Castle. Initiated by King Ludwig in 1869, it took hundreds of craftsmen from around the world almost 16 years to build and only about a third of it was ever finished. Neuschwanstein looms over the Hohenschwangau valley. From the outside it is a magnificent work of mock- medievalism, a true piece of fairy-tale fantasy. The interior style borrows from Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic styles and features spectacular woodcarvings and murals. Take a tour of the castle and then view it and its 45meter waterfall from nearby Mary’s bridge to see it in its true splendor.
Website: Neuschwanstein Castle
Oktoberfest, Munich, Bavaria
The Munich Oktoberfest is now one of world's biggest public festivals. It was originally begun at the royal wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxony Hilbrughausen on October the 12th, 1810. The celebrations went on for five days. Today, the festival goes on for over 16 days. Despite its name, the Oktoberfest begins on the last few days of September and spills into the first week of October. Prepare yourself for copious amounts of food and drink! Have a go on the wide variety of fun fair rides if you can manage it. The city is filled with hundreds of thousands of committed beer drinkers swigging litres of Bavaria’s finest for days on end. It is a lively and unforgettable festival.
Website: Oktoberfest
The Romantic Road
The Romantic Road is one of several ‘themed’ roads in Germany and is one of Germany’s most famous vacation routes. It is a stunning 220-mile journey from the River Main to the Alps offering the traveler one of the most beautiful and engaging combinations of scenery, cuisine and ambience that Germany can offer. One surprising highlight of the walk is to be found at the Noerdlingen’s Ries Crater, where America's astronauts trained for their moonwalk!
Website: The Romantic Road
Dachau
A visit to Dachau or any other concentration camp is a deeply upsetting experience, but is nevertheless an essential part of any visit to Germany. Dachau was Germany's first concentration camp. It was built in 1933 by Heinrich Himmler. It is distinctive because it was here that SS personnel trained for work in newer camps such as Auschwitz. Dachau ‘processed’ more than 200,000 prisoners and over 31,500 people were killed here. Outside the main exhibition hall is a monument inscribed ‘Never Again’. The main exhibits show photographs of the camp and depict the horrors carried out within its walls. A guided tour of the camp is essential to fully understand the true extent of what went on in Dachau during Hitler’s reign.
Cologne and Cologne Cathedral
Cologne is located on the banks of the Rhine and is probably best known for producing Eau de Cologne and for its impressive Cathedral. The Cathedral is a magnificent 13th-century Gothic structure with a twin-spired structure, supported by 56 pillars and highlighted by splendid stained-glass windows. The Cologne museum complex contains paintings from Dutch and German masters as well as a great collection of modern art. Cologne is also famous for its wild carnival celebrations. Starting each year on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, it is a definite must-see if you’re in the area.
Website: Cologne Cathedral
The Black Forest
Countless fairy tales originated in the valleys and wooded heights of Germany's Black Forest. Its name (Schwarzwald in German) describes the dark firs and pines that cover this mountainous region. Otherwise known as the Home of the German Soul, its landscape rises to about 1,200m and drops off steeply into picturesque valleys. The Black Forest area is very popular with hikers and cross-country skiers. Areas of interest include Titisee, Triberg, Gutach and Furtwangen. The region starts 130 km south of Frankfurt and runs to the Swiss border.
The Frisian Islands
These North Sea islands are reminiscent of the islands off Scotland. The sea is rough, it’s often foggy and there is a distinct crispness in the air. The islands are divided into two groups: the Eastern Frisians and the Northern Frisians. Both groups have tall sand dunes and long stretches of beach. The Eastern Frisians include the busy islands of Borkum, Norderney and Wangerooge. Langeoog and Juist are car-free. The Northern Frisians include Sylt, Fohr and Amrum. Sylt is by far the most popular island especially with uppercrust Hamburgers. Amrum has one of the widest beaches and, like most of the islands, is open to nude sunbathing and swimming. Another popular activity is guided walks on the wattenmeer (mud flats) once the tide has receded.
Website: The Frisian Islands
Heidelberg
Heidelberg is for many the city that reflects the true romantic Germany. The River Neckar flows past its ancient towers and bridges and the ruins of its red sandstone castle rise splendidly over the roofs of the old town. The castle was built between the 14th and 17th centuries. You can walk from the city up to the castle in about 10 minutes or take the mountain railway. Heidelberg is also the home to modern Germany's oldest University, which was founded in 1386. The University is still very active today with tough standards and an emphasis on Biology, Physics and Mathematical research. Take a walk along the delightful Old Bridge (Alte Brücke) to get beautiful views of Heidelberg. There are also breathtaking views from the Philosophers Path (Philosophenweg) on the opposite bank of the river.
Website: Heidelberg
Lake Constance (Bodensee)
Lake Constance is Germany’s largest lake and is shared with Switzerland and Austria. The area is very unusual as it has one of the warmest microclimates in Germany. It is an old-fashioned resort and very popular with Germans in summer. There are numerous pretty resort towns along the shores of the lake, most notably Meersburg which is surrounded by vineyards, half-timbered houses and the oldest structurally intact castle in Germany. A visit to the island of Mainau at the northern end of the lake is worth visiting as is the small picture-postcard town of Lindau at the southern end. There is a ferry service across the lake from Friedrichshafen into Switzerland, so make sure not to forget your passport on the trip.
Website: Lake Constance
Berlin
Check out our guide to the top ten attractions in Berlin.
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