photo by Karl Weisel

There’s More to Munich

Don’t wait for the Oktoberfest to enjoy the charms of Bavaria’s capital! While Munich’s Oktoberfest may account for a large number of those annual visitors, the Bavarian capital city on the Isar River beckons those from far and wide year-round.

Oktoberfest Germany

Oktoberfest lessons from Munich

I attended my first Oktoberfest in Munich a few years ago and although it was a memorable experience, I learned from the mistakes of not planning ahead and flying by the seat of my pants. Here is our Oktoberfest experience to help you plan yours!

8 Spas in Germany near Kaiserslautern and Ramstein military communities

8 Spas in Germany

The naked truth about etiquette at Germany’s many spas and wellness resorts.

PCSing to Germany

PCSing to Germany

Take a look at these helpful websites to make your move and settling in a little easier. You’re going to love being stationed in Europe! Great food, friendly people, road trips, inexpensive flights to other countries, and the largest American military community outside of the U.S.!

Hiking Around Ramstein & Kaiserslautern

If you like to hike, the Pfalz is the place to be. There are 92 parking areas leading to hiking paths covering over 2,200 kilometers of beautiful territory.

30 Hours in Cologne, Germany

Melissa Shock takes us along on her whirlwind trip to Cologne. Check out everything you can see and do in Cologne in just 30 hours!

Time to clean out those closets!

Buy and sell your stuff while stationed in Germany with this new website and your local military newspaper.

wine-festivals

It’s Wine Festival Season in Germany!!

It’s impossible not to love Germany during Wine Festival season. Although wine fests can be found around the region nearly year round, the largest and most well known festivals happen in the early fall, starting this weekend!

Let your kids explore science at the Dynamikum (Science Center)

The Dynamikum (Science Center) in Pirmasens is filled with over 160 science-based exhibits for your kids to explore.

Berlin’s Tropical Island Indoor Waterpark

Tropical Island waterpark in Berlin is a perfect way to enjoy a rainy weekend, a summer holiday or a winter getaway.

Kaiserslautern Volkspark & Wildpark: Let the kids run wild

Learn about these two huge parks in the center of Kaiserslautern where you relax in the shade while the kids explore the local wildlife.

13 Places to see while you’re stationed in Germany

New to Germany? If you’ve just PCS’d to Europe, it’s time to unpack, get settled, then start traveling! Here are our top 13 places to see while you’re stationed in Germany:

Explore the charming city of Koblenz

Koblenz is a charming town, approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Kaiserslautern, and is the third largest municipality in Rheinland-Pfalz.

Explore a local castle!

The hundreds of castles in Germany are one of the most wonderful things to explore on the weekend and the perfect location for a light hike or a picnic.

Golfing tips for Americans in Germany

Golfing in Germany

Learn a little bit about golfing in Germany.

7 things to see in Münster, Germany

Münster is a great place to go on a long weekend. Put this on your travel calendar to enjoy your time in Germany!

Prague – just a drive away

This Czech city is driving distance from many U.S. Army and Air Force bases here in Germany (5.5 hours from Ramstein, 5 from Wiesbaden, 4.5 from Stuttgart and only 2.5 from Grafenwoehr) and with a little planning, can be a much more affordable trip than to Paris or Venice, without sacrificing the incredible architecture, wonderful restaurants and conveniences of it’s more well-travelled counterparts.

Tips for getting to (and around) Amsterdam

This beautiful city is a must visit for Americans in Europe. Amsterdam’s canal infrastructure, its bicycle culture and its personality, which is closely associated with tolerance, open-mindedness and liberal points of view, makes it truly unique.

Car and motorcycle racing at the Nürburgring in Germany

One of Germany’s premiere car and motorcycle racing tracks is the Nürburgring, located just outside the village of Nürburg in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. Motorcycle and car racing take place all year long at the track.

USO in Kaiserslautern, Germany

Explore Germany and beyond with the USO!

Check out the 2013 USO tour schedule for February and get ready to explore Europe!

An inside look at Trier, Germany

Marvel at the wide range of architecture in Trier, with a variety of French, Gothic, and traditional German influences lining every street. This is what living in Germany is all about!

The Parkstein Ruins and Volcano Church in Grafenwoehr

The cute town of Parkstein is built on an inactive volcano and is a 15-20 minute drive from Grafenwoehr in Germany.

Bike paths and cycling in the KMC

The groomed paths and trails wind through the local towns and cities and are located well away from the road in almost all cases, so you can bring the kids with you easily.

Celebrating Easter in Germany

There are plenty of events in the Kaiserslautern, Ramstein, Wiesbaden and Stuttgart areas to help you celebrate Easter in Germany. Check them out here!

Exploring Garmisch in winter

We recently asked Lisa Schlereth, a photographer, military spouse, and mother of four to let us see Garmisch through her eyes on her recent trip. Check it out!

Ski clubs for Americans in Germany

Ski Clubs in Germany

A list of local ski clubs for the U.S. community in Germany, meet new people, and ski some of the best mountain ranges in the world!

Explore Venice in winter and early spring

Venice is one of those cities that enchants you long before, during, and after your visit. The fact that it is the backdrop for so many movies, books, love stories and drama means it has a unique place in history and sits on most people’s dream travel list. So, if you are living in Germany and have the opportunity, be sure to go!

Share your ideas with the community!

Tell us what you want to read about, learn about, or see pictures of and we’ll do our best to make it happen on Military in Germany.

fasching-germany

Get ready for Fasching (carnival) season in Germany!

Learn all about Fasching in Germany and find an event near you to take part in this annual tradition while you are living in Germany.

The Beginner Skier’s guide to Austria

The Wilder-Kaiser is the largest ski area in Austria, and it provides endless opportunity for winter sports enthusiasts of all skill levels. Not an enthusiast yet?

Perfect shop for all your household needs!

The brand new Möbel Martin furniture store in Mainz-Hechtsheim is a huge furniture and housewares store in Germany.

4 places to go ice skating in Germany

Ice skating is a budget-friendly way to spend an afternoon or evening and the perfect way to impress a date or entertain the family.

German artists on display in Wiesbaden gallery

KunstKontor in Wiesbaden has a Christmas exhibition running from now until January 31st, 2013 called “Impressions, color, encounter”.

Metz USO tour

Visit Metz, France for a taste of French culture

Metz, France is approximately 2 hours from Wiesbaden and 1.2 hours from Ramstein and the perfect introduction to the architecture, food, and fashion that France is famous for.

Paris' Pere Lachaise cemetery

Explore Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris

Père Lachaise Cemetery (Cimetière du Père-Lachaise in French) is the largest cemetery in Paris (110 acres) and the resting place of Jim Morrison, Balzac, Maria Callas, Molière, Marcel Proust, Richard Wright, Oscar Wilde and many more interesting people.

American Football Team in Saarbrücken, Germany

The American football team Saarland Hurricanes have signed fomer Western Michigan head coach Al Molde to head the team and are looking for new players.

The Belgium beer experience

In Belgium, small local breweries produce complex and unique batches of beer that lend themselves quite easily to a even the most picky of wine connoisseurs.

Christmas Markets in Germany

Tips & Tricks for Visiting Christmas Markets in Germany

The Christmas Markets of Germany are the best part of Christmas in Germany. If you are stationed in Europe during the holidays, this is a something you can’t miss out on. Even if you plan to travel or head home for Christmas, the markets kick off at the end of November, so you’ll have plenty of time to get your share of Glühwein (mulled wine) and Nutella smothered crepes or waffles!

Explore Phantasialand

Phantasialand near Cologne might be a bit of a drive (2.5 hours from Ramstein) but it’s the perfect place for a weekend away, with or without the kids. This theme park is has hotels, restaurants, dinner shows, and regular events. The 6 different theme areas in the park will let you take your kids around the world, without leaving Germany!

Kid-friendly activities in Kaiserslautern and Ramstein

Kid-friendly activities in Kaiserslautern and Ramstein

Are the kids driving you crazy?  Have you run out of way to keep them busy?  Check out these five kid friendly activities in and around the Kaiserslautern and Ramstein… Read more