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:
Koblenz is a charming town, approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Kaiserslautern, and is the third largest municipality in Rheinland-Pfalz.
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.
Münster is a great place to go on a long weekend. Put this on your travel calendar to enjoy your time in Germany!
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.
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.
Check out the 2013 USO tour schedule for February and get ready to explore Europe!
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 cute town of Parkstein is built on an inactive volcano and is a 15-20 minute drive from Grafenwoehr in Germany.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
The Porsche Museum in Stuttgart is one of the best ways to delight the car enthusiast in your life with 80 vehicles on display.
As the capital of Germany, Berlin is (after London) the second largest city in the European Union with a population of over 3.5 million and a must-see for anyone living or traveling through Germany.
Frankfurt is often overlooked by tourists passing through the international airport, but its city center is a unique blend of traditional and modern and is the perfect place to explore and experience the best of what Germany has to offer.
Amsterdam is the capital and largest city in the Netherlands. It is also home to some of the most wonderful views and interesting history Europe has to offer.
The city of Würzburg (sometimes spelled “Wuerzburg”) is a must-see for Americans living in central Germany! Only 60 miles southeast of Frankfurt, a 2.5 hour drive from Ramstein and only 1.5 hours from Wiesbaden or Stuttgart military communities. It is located along the Main River in one of largest wine-growing areas in Germany, Würzburg boasts numerous world class historical sites, unique Frankish cuisine, and great hospitality.
Heidelberg is only an hour away from either Wiesbaden or K-town and a 1 1/2 hour drive from Stuttgart. The city of Heidelberg is famous for its university, fountains, memorials, and Old Town (Altstadt), but the most famous landmark is Heidelberg Castle.
If you like an active vacation that includes hiking, biking, and rafting you might want to consider a trip to Southern Bohemia in the Czech Republic.
The Herald Union newspaper has some great ideas for getting outdoors and exploring in Wiesbaden.
In this series, we’ll give you some great ideas for road trip destinations easily reachable from the Kaiserslautern Military Community. Let’s get started!
The Gutenberg Museum lies across from the cathedral in the historic section of Mainz and is a treat for those interested in the advent of printing.
| One Dollar buys: |
| Euro: € 0.9238 |
| Pound: £ 0.7692 |
Other currency rates, not available at the Community Bank:
| Czech Krone: | Kč 23.96 |
| Egyptian Pound: | E£ 49.49 |
| Hungarian Forint: | Hf 388.01 |
| Israeli Shekel: | ₪ 3.73 |
| Polish Zloty: | zł 4.10 |
| Turkish Lira: | ₵ 34.4533 |
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