operator view: germany

operator view: germany

We asked three operators to name their favourite places in Germany. Here is what they said:

bavaria

Babette Braun,business development manager, DERTravel Service

“Coming from Munich either by train or car, seeing the majestic Alps slowly rising in the distance always makes me take a deep breath and switch into holiday mode.

“Garmisch-Partenkir-chen at the foot of the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain, is a lovely resort, suitable for all ages where the walking in the village is on level ground, but the hiking in the mountains can be very demanding.

“Garmisch has retained some of its typically rustic charm aswell as featuring more upmarket hotels and restaurants.

“For a gourmet meal, I love the Reindl’s Parten-kirchner Hof where Mr and Mrs Reindl still welcome all the guests personally.

“On the way to the Passion Play village of Oberammergau, I highly recommend getting off at cloister Ettal, for a visit to this famous monastery and walking a well signposted path through the forest to Oberammergau.

“The warm welcome the locals extend to any visitor still takes me by surprise. Watching the local woodcarvers in their studios creating delicate figures, or hiring a bike and cycling to one of the nearby lakes passed lovely painted houses are all terrific ways to occupy your time.”

Gothic romance: the fairytale landscape of Bavaria

berlin

Ian Ackland, cities brandmanager, Cresta Holidays

“I would say my favourite German city is still Berlin. I first visited in February 1990 when it was in the midst of turmoil, and remnants of the Wall were clearly visible all around you – I even managed to chip a bit away and still have it at home.

“Ten years after reunification, trendy shops, bars and restaurants are springing up all over the place. My last visit took in the usual shoppingtrip to the KaDeWe, the largest department store in mainland Europe.

“For some of the best delicacies Germany has to offer, a visit to the Feinschmecker Etage is a must. Then I visited a newly opened bar on Oranienburgerstrasse, Bar Lounge 808, followed by dinner in one of the many restaurants around Unter den Linden or on the Ku’damm.

“During the day, I like to visit the historical monuments, such as the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie. It doesn’t matter how many times you visit these places, it is still amazing to imagine exactly what went on when Berlin was a divided city.”

Reminder of division: part of the Berlin Wall

lake constance

Janet Rains, product manager, Inghams

“Lake Constance is nestled in a corner of southern Germany between Switzerland and Austria and is becoming popular in the summer as an alternative destination, especially due to its very mild climate where even palm trees and exotic plants flourish. One of the great attractions is to spend the days on the lake, jumping on and off the boats that stop at different points.

“At one end of the lake is Constance, a beautiful university city right on the lakeside, where you can meander through the traffic-free town centre and enjoy some of the excellent local wines in numerous wine cellars.

“Lindau, at the other end of the lake, is a quaint Bavarian village with cobbled streets. The harbour is a lively spot at night and during the day there are local markets and plenty of cafes and shops to browse around.

“The village of Meersburg with its old castle and vineyards easily reached by boat is stunningly romantic.”

Lake Constance