Accommodation in Germany
For hotels in Germany or if you wish to make your own travel arrangements you may find www.germantouristhotels.com a very useful source of information.
German Tourist Hotels includes a full list of chain hotels, recommended German hotel guides and for your convenience a choice of online hotel reservation services, where you can book and check in, real time, the availability of hotel rooms. Plus there is a detailed explanation on Germany's hotel star rating system plus a section for frequently asked questions, for example, what is a Hotel Garni? What should you expect from a 1,2 or 5 star hotel? How do I book a Zimmer Frei or Gasthaus B&B? What are the alternatives to hotels? For all your hotel and accommodation requirements visit www.germantouristhotels.com
Self-catering can now be booked just as easily as a hotel room. An extensive database and online reservation service is available on our self-catering in Germany page.
Just because it is winter it doesn't mean camping isn't an option. Well over 60% of campsites are open in Germany during the winter season. An online camping guide is available at: www.germanycamping.co.uk
Getting to Germany by Rail
Rail travel from Britain to Germany has never been easier or faster. Passengers simply travel with Eurostar from London St. Pancras International or Ebbsfleet International through the Channel Tunnel to Belgium and into Brussels.
Once in Brussels it's usually only a very short walk through customs and on to a nearby platform. From Brussels there is a choice of two high speed services to Cologne. The Thalys operates from Paris via Brussels to Cologne and the German Intericity Express (ICE) operates from Brussels via Cologne to Frankfurt.
The total journey time from London to Cologne is only 4h30 minutes. or you could travel all the way to Frankfurt in less than 6hrs.
Further improvements are likely all the time and journey times could be reduced by a further one hour in 2012 when German Rail and their flagship ICE is launching a new direct service from Frankfurt via Cologne through the Channel Tunnel to London and vice versa. Watch this space for further news!
Cologne station is right in the heart of the city and just a few minute’s walk from all its seven Christmas Markets. After several years of restoration and renovation the historical station building has been turned into a really nice and modern travel centre.
Watch out for the Special Christmas fares from Deutsche Bahn UK (German Rail) which could be as low as £98 return to Cologne, for further information about fares, train times and reservations call 08718 80 80 66 or visit: www.bahn.co.uk
Made in Germany
Made in Germany has always been a symbol of long lasting quality and great value for money. Shopping in Germany is also a fantastic adventure!
If you like shopping you will find shopping in Germany very exciting, even if you are on a small budget.
The range of products is immense and often very much different to what maybe available in the UK or in the rest of Europe. When it comes to shoppping, Germany is very proud to provide a very high level of service. Expert and friendly advice is always at hand, most shop keepers will speak English and will have been fully trained about all there is to know about their products .
Unlike many other European countries Germany does not yet suffer from cloned high streets and independent traders still thrive here.
Käthe Wohlfahrt's Christmas Village
Opened on May the 8th, 1981, Käthe Wohlfahrt's "Christmas Village" became a Christmas shopping and tourist attraction for thousands of tourists every year, arriving from every corner of the globe.
When visiting the "Christmas Village" one can experience at first hand a fascinating journey of German Christmas traditions, all in breathtaking surroundings and unforgettable settings.
Käthe Wohlfahrt's Christmas Village is located on the Romantic Road and in the medieval town centre of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, just a few feet off the market square.
In Käthe Wohlfahrt's "Christmas Village" you will find the largest selection of German Christmas decorations WORLDWIDE! And they are open all year-round!
A collection of Christmas items from various historical periods is also available to see in the German Christmas Museum, which is located in the same building as the Käthe Wohlfahrt's Christmas Village.
Here you can admire some rare Christmas decorations, advent calendars, Christmas postcards, nutcrackers and nativity scenes. The Christmas Museum is a great place to discover the true secrets of Christmas, for example, have you ever wondered where Farther Christmas really comes from? The entrance to the museum is inside the Christmas Village shop, where yuletide goods are on sale all year round.
