Germany

Germany is a spectacular country renowned for its stunning castles, tranquil villages and vibrant cities. No time is better to visit than December, when the nation overflows with festive markets and prepares itself for a New Year’s celebration like no other.

HOW TO GET A VISA

To visit Germany, you’ll need a Tourist Schengen Visa which will allow you to enter for up to 90 days. Head to the German Embassy in Cairo at least 3 weeks before your holiday with the documents listed on the Schengen Visa information website. You will have a short interview and pay a visa fee of € 60. Then, it will take around 10 days for the visa application to be processed.

TRANSPORT IN GERMANY

Germany’s public transport is perfect for tourists, with cheap long-distance bus routes, excellent rail networks and airports in each of Germany’s main cities. You can also explore rural areas using hire cars very easily.

WEATHER

In winter months, average temperatures range between -3 °C and 5°C, so make sure you wrap up warm! If you’re in Germany during December or January, the chances are you will encounter some snow during your stay. That’s why gloves, scarves, hats and a warm coat should be added to your shopping list before you go.

GERMAN DELICACIES

  • A popular dish for breakfast is Kartoffelpuffer. Grated potatoes, parsley, eggs and onion are mixed together and deep-fried to make the dish, which many like to call a ‘potato pancake’.
  • Black Forest Cake can be found almost everywhere in Germany (including the Black Forest of course!) and is rich in cherries, chocolate, liquor and whipped cream.
  • In the winter months the ginger smell of Lebkuchen fills the air. Moulded into all kinds of shapes as well as the traditional ‘gingerbread man’ shape, these biscuits are amazing! Head to any of Germany’s festive markets and you’ll be sure to find these in large quantities.
  • While German food is amazing, the country is also known for its love of beer and mulled wine. Each year in Munich you’ll even be able to find the world’s largest beer festival, Oktoberfest. If that doesn’t prove German love for beer, I don’t know what will!

UNIQUE PLACES TO VISIT IN WINTER

  • Berlin. As the capital city, you can find a huge array of restaurants, museums and places of historical significance here. The Neues Museum in particular is worth a visit, as Queen Nefertiti’s bust is on exhibit here, alongside many other interesting ancient Egyptian artefacts.
  • Zugspitze. Home to the highest mountain in Germany, you can try all kinds of different winter sports here, like skiing, snowboarding and ice skating. Just make sure to wrap up warm and rent all the specialist sports equipment when you’re there – this is a true family friendly spot.
  • The Black Forest. With hundreds of miles of walking trails, this is the perfect place to catch some fresh air and unwind from the chaos of city life. Named after the sheer number of pine trees found here, The Black Forest hosts a collection of small towns famous for their quirky cuckoo clocks and traditional food. Also known as ‘The Romantic Road’, it’s a really popular destination for couples.
  • Füssen. This small town hosts multiple castles including Hohes Schloss, which features gothic architecture and a regional art museum. Nearby you can admire snowy mountain peaks from the comfort of a panoramic cable car which heads up the side of Tegelberg mountain. You can also choose to head back down by alpine slide, although be warned you will need to hold on tight!

TOP 4 GERMAN FESTIVITIES TO EXPERIENCE

  • Wrap up warm and browse handmade gifts at one of Germany’s many Christmas Markets. Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is a popular choice for tourists, as it contains goods from all over the world, as well as traditional Lebkuchen (gingerbread biscuits) too!
  • Take a camera and prepare to be amazed at Berlin’s Botanical Garden which lights up like a winter wonderland in December and January. The light displays, illuminations and 3D figures last a staggering 1.5km, which is why it’s definitely worth a visit.
  1. A day-trip to one of Germany’s many castles is a must, especially Hohenzollern Castle on the outskirts of Stuttgart – at this time of year, it hosts an infamous chocolate market!
  2. Plan a holiday so that it overlaps with New Year’s Eve and stay in the capital, where you can experience Berlin’s world-famous street party and firework display at Brandenburg Gate. It is thought that around a million people flock to the streets each year to witness this spectacle, so certainly add it to your bucket list!

Enjoy the apple strudels and Germany, in general!