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How to travel on the cheap in Germany

February 26, 1:46 AMSF Gay Travel ExaminerEd Walsh
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Frankfort skyline.  Photo by:  Jochen  Keute

 

 Tight budget? No problem!

In Germany the dollar goes a long way. In fact, in many of Germany’s top cities, including Berlin, Cologne, Dresden, Duesseldorf and Frankfurt, visitors can get their fill of culture and good food with an overnight for $100 or less. It does not take a fortune to stay in Germany but you still get world-class culture, history and beauty. City cards, local restaurants, charming inns and fantastic sights and museums add up to a top-class, inexpensive experience. Cut back on your budget, but not on the fun!

Germany ranks seventh in a worldwide price ranking of travel destinations by BAT Foundation for Future Issues. Compared to many other European countries, Germany is the most affordable destination with an average cost of approximately $100 per day for travel fare, hotels and dining. The GNTO elaborates on its new $100 per day offers at "Saving $$$ in Germany" at  www.cometogermany.com Here you can find itineraries how to stay for only $100 per day in a great hotel with fantastic meals in one of Germany’s magical cities.

Discover Germany’s buzzing capital Berlin and stay in the completely renovated modern hotel Agon Franke Hotel near the famous Ku’damm Boulevard for $55 per night. www.agon-franke.de Dive into the city and its amazing cultural offerings by enjoying free city tours  www.newberlintours.com. You can also discover the Reichstag and have a great view from its glass dome  www.bundestag.de or visit one of the many museums - mostly for free. There are no admissions fees for museums in Berlin on Thursday (four hours before closing); furthermore most memorials and regional museums are free every day.  www.museumsportal-berlin.de
You also don’t have to compromise on culinary delights; some of Berlin’s finest dining has great deals. A meal on top of the Reichstag at the Kaefer roof garden restaurant with its spectacular view is less than $20. Enjoy a gourmet dinner at the Felix restaurant in the Hotel Adlon, one of Berlin’s oldest and most luxurious hotels, for $36.  www.felixrestaurant.de For a snack along the way try the Doener Kebab, a German-Turkish sandwich for $3.

Dresden is a historic delight. The beautiful city on the River Elbe in eastern Germany boasts historic castles and great museums including the treasure chamber, the Green Vault. With the Dresden city card, you can visit most of these museums and enjoy public transportation for only $28 per day. A great and environmentally friendly way to discover Dresden and the Elbe valley is by bike. The city offers 30 miles of sign-posted bike paths  www.dresden.de and you can rent a bike for $5 per day  http://nextbike.de Just outside of the city lies the beautiful Pillnitz Palace, former home of the Saxon kings with its fantastic gardens, admission to the Baroque palace and gardens is free.  www.schloesser-dresden.de
With a view of the famous landmark, the Church of Our Lady, you can eat regional delicacies for only $10 at the Café zur Frauenkirche.  www.cafezurfrauenkirche-dresden.de
Hotels in Dresden are affordable, many are recently renovated and are located directly in the city center. A great deal is the Ibis Hotel Lilienstein for $62, located in the pedestrian precinct.  www.ibishotel.com

Duesseldorf on the Rhine is known as Germany’s luxury shopping and fashion capital, but also here you can have a great day for $100. You can stay comfortably for only $50 in the 4-star Lindner Airport Hotel  www.lindner.de and discover the museums, art galleries and fashion boutiques in Duesseldorf’s city center, which boasts diverse architecture from historic buildings to modern design. Don’t miss a fascinating one hour Rhine cruise for only $8 per person.  http://stadtfuehrungen.duesseldorf-tourismus.de Back on land visit the Film Museum, a fascinating exhibition on the history and future of cinema, or the Ceramics Museum, displaying the 8000 year old history of ceramic handicraft - both museums are admissions free.  www.duesseldorf.de
For dinner enjoy regional food and the local Alt beer, a dark malt brew, at the traditional brewpub "Zum Schluessel" in the heart of the city. The beer comes straight from the in-house brewery, it does not get fresher than this and for about $25 you can truly feast and drink.  www.zumschluessel.de

Cologne in Germany’s west, located on the River Rhine and a short ride from Duesseldorf, is known for its art galleries, the carnival and of course the Cologne Cathedral, the most visited tourist attraction in Germany. For only $3 you can climb up the cathedral tower to enjoy the majestic view across the Rhine. Afterwards indulge your senses in the Chocolate Museum with a time travel through 3000 years of chocolate history ($9.50).  www.schokoladenmuseum.de
Cologne is famous for the special Koelsch beer. For only $14 you can have a regional dinner with beer at the cozy and traditional restaurant "Em Koelsche Boor." www.koelscheboor.com Afterwards stay for $70 in the 3-star hotel Mercure Cologne West.  www.mercure.com

Frankfurt is known as Germany’s major hub and business center, but it is a cultural travel destination as well with its many museums and its mixture of modern metropolis and historic charms. For $63 per night you can stay in the Ibis Hotel Frankfurt, a perfect place to start your ventures.  www.ibishotel.com
Take the Ebbelwei Express Tram for a sightseeing tour. The tram takes you for only $8 through the heart of Frankfurt and stops at most attractions, such as the Goethe House, the Old Town Hall Square and at the Main Tower.  www.ebbelwei-express.com/
The Main Tower is one of Frankfurt’s main skyscrapers and the only one with a public panorama viewing platform. From the 53rd floor you have a perfect view across the city and its surroundings ($6.50). In the attached bar you can enjoy a cocktail and especially in the evening have an unforgettable view.  www.maintower.de
For dinner or lunch enjoy local culinary delights: "Ebbelwei" is a local apple-cider specialty and you can have it alongside a traditional Frankfurt platter, sausage with Sauerkraut, for only $10 at the restaurant Dauth-Schneider, specializing in apple cider since the 19th century.  www.dauth-schneider.de

 

For more info: 

For more information and other itineraries for $100 per day please visit   www.cometogermany.com .

 
 

 

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