Explore the history of Germany, new and old
Germany’s legendary capital, Berlin, was once the center of political tension…but now it is a vibrant, artistic city and all of its history remains intact. Famous for its beer and its Riesling wine from the magnificent Rhine valley, Germany has great culture, warm, English-speaking locals, and world-class transport and health care…not to mention affordable prices.
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Germany Fast Facts
Population: 81,305,856
Capital: Berlin
Language: German
Climate: Maritime and temperate, wet summers and winters
Coastline: 2,389km
Location: Central Europe, bordering Netherlands, Poland and France
Country Code: 49
Time Zone: GMT+1
Read more articles about Germany below
Germany Articles
Deals With the DevilPosted on May 31, 2013 by Steenie Harvey
In the Black Forest, the darkest tales often seem linked to the loveliest places. So it’s no surprise that Staufen’s historic center of cobblestones, courtyards and fountains is straight from central casting’s Enchanted Germany file.
Cool Berlin: Five Places to Drink, Dine, DancePosted on April 22, 2013 by Barbara Diggs
Of all the ultra-cool things about the German capital, Berlin, here’s what I think is coolest: You don’t actually have to be cool to partake of the hip scene. Sure, like anywhere, failing to have neon-blue hair or a withering stare may bar you from certain places. But generally, to experience some of the trendiest restaurants, bars, and clubs, you need only know how to find them…literally.
Balloons, Bangkok and Burning “Bööggs”Posted on March 25, 2013 by John Joe Worrall
On April 1 only a fool would miss the feast on offer at Le Pince d’Or Crab Festival in Martinique, an island in the eastern Caribbean. In the capital of Fort-de-France, riverfront restaurants each set up a stall to sell matoutou (a spicy crab stew), as chefs compete to make the best bowl.
Dirndls, Sausages, Superstition: Germany’s Black ForestPosted on March 25, 2013 by Steenie Harvey
Cheery waitresses in dirndl frocks. Wooden chairs with carved-out hearts. Walls of glassy-eyed hunting trophies, a stuffed bear included. If seeking a traditional Black-Forest restaurant, seek no farther. But now I almost regret finding the Jägerstüble, a wood-panelled inn under the Marktplatz arcades in Freudenstadt—home to Germany’s largest market square and a werewolf legend.
Enjoy the Luxe Life in Cultured EuropePosted on January 24, 2013 by International Living
As the day begins and the sun turns the snow-capped peaks of the Alps to gold, my husband Dave and I take a leisurely stroll. With our little dog Magic, we walk along the lake front to our favorite café, where for $4 we enjoy steaming cappuccinos and fresh buttery croissants. Our dog is welcome everywhere here, in cafés and restaurants, on buses, ferries, and trains.
Voodoo, “The Great Clamor,” and VikingsPosted on December 20, 2012 by International Living
Take to the streets in Santiago, Chile, from January 3 to 20 for the Santiago a Mil international theater festival. You’ll find large-scale spectacles like “the noise of colors” extravaganza, a forest of paper giraffes, and outdoor performances of Romeo and Juliet.
Piñatas, the Sphinx and Waltzing in ViennaPosted on November 26, 2012 by John Joe Worrall
Begin your holiday season in earnest in Mexico City with a huge Christmas Market running throughout December. In amongst the stalls, piñatas and ice rinks you’ll find the world’s tallest Christmas tree. In Europe, Christmas markets large and small brim with handicrafts, mulled wine and seasonal fare, but Germany is king of them all.
Turnips, Russian Wine, and a Monkey BuffetPosted on October 22, 2012 by John Joe Worrall
Experience the Day of the Dead in Mexico on November 1 when people gather to honor their departed love ones with big parties across the country. If you’re in India the first two weeks of November, then head to the capital, Delhi, where you’ll find music, theater, dance, film, and poetry in 50 venues across the city for the Delhi International Arts Festival.
News & Notes from Around the WorldPosted on October 22, 2012 by International Living
Venice is one of the world’s most romantic cities, a place where graceful vessels glide along 700-year-old canals in the shade of historic mansions. Lots of people come to visit, but not many get to stay. You could, however, by taking advantage of one of the many opportunities that exist for funding a life overseas. In fact, there are more of these opportunities than ever these days, opportunities that often don’t reveal themselves until you are on the ground.
Chopin, Matchmaking, and Indian GodsPosted on September 27, 2012 by John Joe Worrall
The renowned Malaysia International Gourmet Festival in Kuala Lumpur runs the whole month of October. Expect a “Theatre of Cuisines” and a “Gourmet Village.” The wonderfully-named Madajazzcar, Madagascar’s leading jazz festival, takes place from October 3 to 15 with performances around the island.
Pudding, Oysters, and Moroccan SalsaPosted on August 24, 2012 by John Joe Worrall
Parades, dancing, and the election of a Sara Ñusta (Queen of Maize) mark the Fiesta del Yamor in Imbabura, Ecuador, the first week of September. Join in and offer thanks to the sun god for a bountiful harvest. Street traders take over the French city of Lille for the Grande Braderie on September 1 and 2.
- Finding the Silver Lining in Europe Today
Posted on July 26, 2012 by Jennifer Stevens
The Spanish Soccer team aside, the doom and gloom in Europe runs deep. But there is a story not being told…one of opportunity borne of this crisis. A story of places where you could own your own piece of the Old World…for less than half the price of a budget family sedan.
Low-Stress, Low-Cost, Action-Packed Life in BerlinPosted on July 26, 2012 by Norman Wolfer
Boredom is the only thing you won’t find in Berlin. Despite being small for a capital city—only three million people—it’s Europe’s happening hub. Packed into its districts—each its own urban adventure—you’ll find more than 200 museums, large tracts of parkland, countless restaurants, bars and clubs to suit every taste, elegant old buildings, and ultra-modern architecture. You can boat on the canals, cycle, stroll, or just sit in a deck chair at an outdoor café and watch the world go by.
- On the Rhine: German Opera, Art and Breweries
Posted on May 28, 2012 by Eoin Bassett
Loaded barges cruise upstream on their way to any of the half-dozen countries the …
Blooms, Tango and Horseback PatrolsPosted on April 25, 2012 by Darius Fisher
Europe’s buzzing boho center, Berlin, bursts into life this month with the Carnival of Cultures. Thousands of performers will take to the streets and stages of the German capital to entertain over a million revelers. The party starts May 25.
Earlier in the month, Cinco de Mayo (May 5) takes place all over Mexico, especially the U.S. border towns. The day commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Puebla, a city and state in the south, has the best parades in the country.
The Holy Grail of Jobs…Getting Paid to Drink BeerPosted on March 13, 2012 by Steenie Harvey
Getting paid to drink beer in Berlin, Germany—it’s so much fun being a travel writer! The first beer of the night, a sparkling wheat beer called Kristall Weizen, cost a very reasonable €2.10 ($2.79). Around 30 minutes later, I ordered a second. This time, it cost $2.52. Snigger if you must, but it was thrilling to get the timing right and save 27 cents.
Why Livable Europe Should Be On Your List…Posted on February 21, 2012 by Jennifer Stevens
What Life Overseas Really Looks Like…
Skeptics inquire: Are the opportunities overseas really as great as we at IL portray them to be? The short answer is “yes.” But don’t take my word for it… Listen, instead, to the many firsthand stories we’ve collected in this month’s issue—on-the-ground reports from folks who decided to answer the question for themselves…at the beach…in the hills…in cities…or on islands…
Adventures and Life in Old World EuropePosted on February 21, 2012 by International Living
When Elizabeth Milovidov stood on the cobbles before the thousand-year-old Notre Dame Cathedral and wandered Paris’s narrow stone streets, soaking up the history and elegant architecture, she knew that her heart was lost.
Unsung Berlin: A European Urban DreamPosted on February 21, 2012 by Steenie Harvey
When it comes to lifestyle and location, it would not surprise me if one European city rarely enters your thoughts: Berlin, Germany’s capital.
This month: Steenie Harvey, IL Europe CorrespondentPosted on February 21, 2012 by Steenie Harvey
Five years into my expat life, I look forward to downsizing. In fact, I recently bought a small, manageable, lock-and-leave property in Guanajuato, in the Colonial Highlands.
Real Estate and Lifestyle in Berlin, GermanyPosted on January 26, 2012 by Steenie Harvey
Compared to other major European capitals, Berlin property is remarkably inexpensive. For example, 89,900 euro ($117,000) buys a well-maintained, 45-square-meter apartment with stucco details in a Prenzlauer Berg Altbau dating from 1902. Prices like that don’t exist anywhere in London or Paris, let alone in their fashionable districts.
Good Fortune in Japan, Fishing in Africa…Posted on January 19, 2012 by anon
A round-up of the weird and wonderful events taking place around the world over the coming months.
The One and Only Time it’s OK to Duck a TabPosted on January 11, 2012 by Steenie Harvey
I don’t enjoy spending my own money. Not if I can spend someone else’s. After all, travel writers give publicity to a destination which then helps ‘sell’ it to a wider audience. And studies have shown that readers pay far more attention to a travel story than an advertisement.
Video: Berlin’s Christmas MarketsPosted on December 16, 2011 by Steenie Harvey
Whether you’re shopping for traditional wooden toys, nutcrackers, tree decorations or unusual gifts, nowhere does Christmas markets quite like Germany. And Berlin, the capital, has over 50 Weihnachtsmärkte to investigate in the four week Advent run-up to Christmas.
Culture in Venice and Oysters in IrelandPosted on August 22, 2011 by Darius Fisher
Here’s a round-up of some of the weird and wonderful events taking place across the globe this September.
The Hottest Economy That Nobody Is Talking AboutPosted on February 8, 2011 by Chris Hunter
When you think of economic miracles, you tend to think of China…or Brazil…or India. These are the basket cases turned good – the wayward teenagers who ended up studying hard…going to a good college…and coming top of their class.
The One European Investment You Should Own Right NowPosted on June 18, 2010 by Chris Hunter
The rocket boomed overhead. A deep, reverberating explosion that sounded more like an artillery shell then a firework.
2010 Quality of Life Index: 194 Countries Ranked and RatedPosted on January 1, 2010 by International Living
Every January, we rank and rate 194 countries to come up with our list of the places that offer you the best quality of life. This isn’t about best value, necessarily. It’s about the places in the world where the living is, simply put, great.
Put Your Macho on: Test Drive a Porsche in GermanyPosted on January 1, 2010 by Mike Cobb
You jump on the gas pedal and accelerate to nearly 100 mph before jamming the breaks of your Porsche to enter a 90-degree turn. You think the car is going to kick out from underneath you, but it doesn’t. Instead, you are propelled around and out the other side with rocket-like force.
2010 Quality of Life Index By the Staff of International LivingPosted on January 1, 2010 by International Living
Every January, we rank and rate 194 countries to come up with our list of the places that offer you the best quality of life. This isn’t about best value, necessarily. It’s about the places in the world where the living is, simply put, great.
Where to Find Christmas Festivals and Markets Around the WorldPosted on December 5, 2009 by International Living
Christmas festivals, fairs and markets around the world.
Europe’s Most Relaxing Vacation SecretPosted on June 25, 2009 by Anna Skellern
We’re always told in life to enjoy the journey, not the destination—but sometimes it’s hard to slow down. We take vacations to get away from it all, and end up needing a second vacation to get over the first one.
A castle to Call Home: Live like Royalty Without Paying a King’s RansomPosted on March 25, 2009 by Anna Skellern
Have you ever imagined living in castle? Dreamed of hearing your footsteps echo through acres of passageways and years of history? Then take note—with the current financial crisis still growing, it’s getting much easier for you to make the dream of owning a castle a reality.
Buy Berlin—with strong rental yields and prices set to risePosted on July 30, 2008 by Ronan McMahon
I recently viewed a 40-square-meter unit on Wiclefstrasse in the leafy area of Moabit, Berlin…on the market for $63,580. A studio like this would rent for $400 per month.
Berlin Rentals RockPosted on June 26, 2008 by Dan Prescher
My friend, Ronan McMahon, thinks he knows where the next hot rental market is…and it’s not where you think.
“Berlin?” I asked. “Are you kidding?”
“Property prices in the German capital haven’t roared ahead like they have in the rest of Europe,” Ronan said, “but rental yields have rocketed.”
World NewsPosted on February 28, 2008 by International Living
Major infrastructure improvements for Nicaragua Word has it that a group of Spanish investors …
Americans don’t like Europe? Codswallop!Posted on January 31, 2008 by Steenie Harvey
Some IL colleagues say Europe is too expensive. That Americans aren’t interested. That our readers’ insatiable desire is for cheap beachfront.
Escaping from 14-hour work days for a better quality of life in New ZealandPosted on December 24, 2007 by Karin Scharfenberg
I was born in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, to a German father, and a New Zealand mother, and although I went to high school in Christchurch, New Zealand, for a brief term when I was 15, I spent most of my school years and university years in Germany, including doing a law degree and a masters in International Economic Law.
The perfect way for a hassle-free bet on a 10-year German property bull marketPosted on May 22, 2007 by Sven Lorenz
What sounds tempting in theory is often so much more difficult in practice. Figuring out that German property is the cheapest in all of Western Europe is one thing, but actually buying an investment property in Europe’s largest economy is an altogether different matter.
Shaking your shamrock around the world this Paddy’s DayPosted on May 22, 2007 by International Living
A much bigger event overseas than in Ireland itself, St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) is a good excuse for expats around the world to get nostalgic and indulge a little. Here’s a whirlwind tour of how this green day is celebrated on different parts of the globe…
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