Fodor's Exploring Germany [antikvár]

Robert Tilley has lived in Germany for more tlian 30 years, wliere lie writes (mostly film-scripts, travel articles, and books) and produces English-language shows for German television. He commutes between homes In Munich, the Bavarian Alps and Mallorca. My Germany Visitors may encounter only a few of the facets of this surprisingly diverse country—certainly too fewf to form a complete picture of present-day Germany and its people. But just a handful would be sufficient to supply a positive picture to add to the collection of snapshots from a holiday tour. First impressions are of course provided by the landscape and the people within it. Germans are uncharacteristically reticent about the often astounding beauty and variety of their country, probably because it would take the lifetime of the average German to discover them all. From the deserted beaches and dunes of the North Sea and Baltic coastlines, the country rises through regions of vast forests and thick woodland, haimtingly romantic river valleys, wild upland and on to the towering Bavarian Alps. Punctuating this map are cities and towns of outstanding beauty and cultural energy and villages where time stands still—each commvmity a living tribute to its people. And so to the people—the Germans themselves. In general, they are scrupulously correct, friendly and helpful, but that doesn't mean the Germans are unable to relax and just have fun. Only the Spanish can rival the Germans in seizing on any opportunity for a party; it's significant that Spain and Germany have more public holidays than any other European country. And nowhere in Europe is it easier to stock up for a party—the beer is Europe's best and cheapest, and the wine is by no means the worst. A Bavarian lakeside beer bash, a Rhineland wine festival, Berlin's annual "Love Parade", Hamburg's "Dom" festivities. Carnival in Mainz and Cologne, Fasching in Munich—the opportunities for celebration are endless. Other benefits of life in Germany include a public transport system that's the envy of other European countries, moderate prices and a wide range of accessible cultural activities in even the most provincial towns. The only drawback can be the weather! Robert Tilley