Schmalzgebäck: Germany’s Carnival Fried Pastries
From Berliner to Krapfen, discover the regional names and traditions behind Germany’s beloved fried pastries that mark the days before Lent.
Regions & Nature
Sauerland: The Ruhr Valley’s Mountain Playground
Just an hour from the industrial Ruhr, the Sauerland offers forested hills, medieval towns, and Germany’s deepest caves. Here’s how to explore this green escape.
The Luftwaffe Over London: Tracing Germany’s Bombing Campaign from Berlin
The Luftwaffe’s bombing campaign against London (the Blitz) was directed from Berlin by Hermann Göring and the Reich Aviation Ministry—verifiable historical fact documented in military archives and museums in both cities.
From Germany to New York: Tracing the Great German Migration to America
Millions of Germans emigrated to the United States between 1820 and 1920 through New York City, which during the 1850s-1880s was the third-largest German-speaking city in the world; this is documented in immigration records at Ellis Island and Castle Garden.
Aachen and the Netherlands: A Cross-Border Heritage
Aachen and Dutch Limburg share geographical proximity near the German-Dutch border, centuries of common history in the broader Carolingian realm, and participate together in the Euregio Maas-Rhine cross-border cooperation zone since 1976.
Attractions
The Loreley Rock: Legend and Beauty on the Rhine
The most famous cliff on the Rhine combines dramatic scenery, ancient legend, and some of Germany’s steepest vineyards. Here’s what you need to know about visiting the Loreley.
The Altmühl Valley: Bavaria’s Gentlest River Journey
Between Nuremberg and the Danube, the Altmühl meanders through limestone cliffs, medieval towns, and Germany’s most relaxed countryside. Here’s why this quiet corner of Bavaria deserves a place on your itinerary.
John F. Kennedy’s Berlin Moment: When Irish-American Heritage Met Cold War Germany
President John F. Kennedy, whose great-grandfather emigrated from County Wexford, Ireland, delivered his famous ‘Ich bin ein Berliner’ speech in West Berlin on June 26, 1963, and the square was renamed John-F.-Kennedy-Platz after his assassination.
The Eagle and Child: Germany’s Historic Beer Hall Culture
Beyond beer gardens, Germany’s grand beer halls tell centuries of civic pride, brewing tradition, and communal gathering. From Munich’s famous Hofbräuhaus to lesser-known treasures in Franconia and Bavaria, here’s what makes these vaulted spaces special.
Monschau: The Eifel’s Half-Timbered Gem Near the Belgian Border
Tucked into a narrow valley in the Eifel hills, Monschau is a perfectly preserved medieval town of crooked half-timbered houses, cobblestone lanes, and a mustard mill that’s been running for 120 years.