EVENT HIGHLIGHTS IN GERMANY 2010/2011
With anniversaries and unique events all year long, 2010 is shaping up to be a year of variety and diversity in Germany. From modern to traditional, the festivals and anniversaries offer something for every taste, including the RUHR.2010 European Capital of Culture, the decennial Passion Play performance in Oberammergau, the 300th anniversary of the renown Meissen Porcelain, the 200th birthday of composer Robert Schumann in Leipzig, 175 years of German Rail in Nuremberg, and last but not least, the 200th year of the world’s most famous beer festival, the Oktoberfest in Munich! Year-round, Germany’s event calendar is brimming with high quality concerts, art exhibitions, festivals and fairs. Check out these event highlights for 2010 and 2011 and you will see that any time is a good time to go! For a complete list of events, please visit www.cometogermany.com/events. Experience new things, have fun and relax. Vibrant cities with amazing architecture, fabulous shopping and pulsating nightlife. Enchanting medieval villages and traditional wine villages with friendly festivals and regional specialities. Picturesque countryside which is perfect for walking or simply relaxing in. Castles, palaces and abbeys that are the epitome of German romanticism. Fun & sport, wellness & relaxation. A land of a thousand possibilities.
Political and cultural capital with a turbulent history Once the capital of Prussia and leading cultural centre of the 1920s, today the new capital of Germany is characterised by its dazzling modernity and breathtaking architecture. Berlin is reinventing itself once again. Few cities have been shaped to such an extent by history and undergone as much major transformation as Berlin. The events of the past have left their mark on Berlin's cityscape - and the city is still changing today. "Berlin is always in the process of becoming", remarked historian Karl Scheffler, and this is one of the traits that makes it one of Europe's most vibrant, exciting and colourful capitals. Berlin, Germany has a vibe all of its own, and wherever you go, you can experience the pulsating life on the boulevards, in the art galleries and at the flea markets, and in the city's 300 clubs and 7,000 bars and restaurants - many of which are open around the clock. Places of interest Brandenburg Gate, the TV tower on Alexanderplatz – a 368-metre observation tower with rotating restaurant; Memorial Church on Kurfürstendamm, Gendarmenmarkt square – a beautiful and harmonious architectural synthesis with the Konzerthaus concert hall, the German Cathedral and the French Cathedral; the dome of the Reichstag – fascinating architecture and splendid views of the government quarter and the city centre; Hackesche Höfe – Berlin's famous nightlife; Potsdamer Platz – ultra-modern buildings, shops, entertainment and commercial centre.
Places to Stay: Berlin
Melia Berlin 4-1/2 star
The Melia Berlin is a modern hotel situated in the city centre, within one kilometre of Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Reichstag
Steigenberger Berlin 5 star
The Steigenberger Berlin, in Berlin, Germany is on Los Angeles Square in the city's center.
Kempinski Hotel Bristol Berlin 5 star
The modern Kempinski Hotel Bristol Berlin is in the bustling Kurfurstendamm shopping district of Berlin, Germany, 500 metres from Tiergarten park and Uhlandstrasse underground station. The hotel is within three kilometres of the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag parliament building. Berlin-Tegel Airport (TXL) is 20 minutes' drive away
Lindemanns 3 star
Lindemann's is located in Berlin, Germany, 800 metres from the Winterfeldplatz, and three kilometres from the Reichstag and the Brandenburg Gate.
All these great hotels and more can be booked online or by calling your itravel2000 Germany expert.
Bavaria's glittering capital Munich, the modern metropolis on the banks of the river Isar, is a dream-city-come-true, deep in the south of Germany. With its uniquely laid-back attitude and tolerant cosmopolitan outlook, Munich is always worth a visit!"Munich nestles between art and beer like a village between hills." Originally written by Heinrich Heine some 150 years ago, these words remain true today. With the oktoberfest and opera, Hofbräuhaus beer hall and Pinakothek art galleries, BMW and Bayern Munich, Munich manages to marry Germany's old Bavarian tradition with vibrant modern life. It really is a dream city come true.Places of interest With its famous onion domes, the 15th century Gothic Church of Our Lady is Munich's unmistakable landmark. Not far away, at Marienplatz, the carillon plays three times a day. And just a stone's throw from here is probably the most famous tavern in the world, the Hofbräuhaus beer hall. Other sightseeing highlights include the Olympic centre where the Olympic Games were held in 1972.
Places to Stay: Munich
K&K Hotel am Harras 4 star
The K & K Hotel am Harras is in the downtown area of Munich, Germany. The hotel is within walking distance of the Theresenwiese fairgrounds, where Oktoberfest is held.
Ambiance Rivoli 4 star
The modern Ambiance Rivoli hotel is in Munich, Germany.
Maritim Hotel Munich 4 star
The Maritim Hotel Munich is positioned near the central U-Bahn Station that connects the hotel directly with the Munich Trade Fair
Tryp Muenchen 4 star
The modern TRYP Muenchen hotel is located in Munich, Germany, 200 metres from Theresienwiese, site of the famous Oktoberfest.
Flemings Hotel Munich Schwabing 4 star
The modern, six-floor Flemings Hotel Munich Schwabing is in the upbeat Schwabing district of Munich, Germany, 500 metres from Dietlindenstrasse station.
Gateway to the world Hamburg has it all: a wonderful location on the Elbe and Alster rivers, lively nightlife in St. Pauli, captivating musicals, unforgettable theatre, the "Michel" and the harbour. Hamburg is also loved for its culture.Hamburg is Germany's second-largest city. Its grand merchants' houses and magnificent promenades, international musicals, shopping malls and St. Pauli district give Hamburg a cosmopolitan feel. A touch of the exotic clings to the warehouse district and the city's trademark canals. With its many parks and gardens, Hamburg is also Germany's greenest city.Places of interest The port is the second-largest container terminal in Europe and Hafencity is Europe's largest urban construction project. The river Elbe, where the port is located, has been vital in shaping the city's development throughout history. The Alster lake is a recreational area in the heart of the city. Blankenese is an exclusive residential suburb; the baroque church of St. Michael is Hamburg's most famous landmark. The Speicherstadt warehouse district is the world's largest former warehouse complex – and last but not least there is the Reeperbahn, the renowned "red light district”.
Places to Stay: Hamburg
Sofitel Hamburg Alter Wall 5 star
The Sofitel Hamburg Alter Wall occupies an eight- storey contemporary steel and glass building situated in the centre of Hamburg, in between the town hall and the harbour, directly on the Alster River
Best Western Hotel St. Raphael 4 star
The modern Best Western Hotel St Raphael is located 600 metres from the Alster Lake and one kilometre from Hamburg's main art gallery and the Spitaler Strasse Shopping Centre
SIDE Design Hotel 5 star
Set in a cutting-edge glass-and-stone building, the 12-storey Side design Hotel is in Hamburg, Germany, 500 metres from the main shopping district.
Das Smolka 4 star
This charming, white-fronted hotel is located in a quiet residential part of Hamburg's Harvestehude district, just 100 metres from Klosterstern Station
Best Western Hamburg International 3-1/2 star
The Best Western Hamburg International is a modern six- story hotel with brick façade, situated within four kilometres of Hamburg centre, which can be reached by the underground
City of contrasts Frankfurt, "city of contrasts", has the tallest building in Europe, the famous Zeil shopping street and an internationally renowned trade fair centre. The picturesque Römerberg square is lined with historical timber-framed buildings.Frankfurt am Main is a metropolis at the heart of Europe characterized by compelling contradictions. The traditional and the modern, business and culture, big-city bustle and tranquil havens all exist happily here side by side. Frankfurt is Germany's most cosmopolitan city, an important financial services centre and the venue for major international trade fairs including the International Motor Show (IAA) and the International Book Fair. Frankfurt also has a vibrant cultural scene and benefits from excellent transport connections.Places of interest Goethe House, birthplace of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, provides a fascinating insight into upper-middle class life in the mid-18th century. Of all Frankfurt's buildings, St. Paul's Church has perhaps played the greatest historical role: this is where Germany's first freely elected parliament met in 1848. Römerberg square and the old town hall, known as the "Römer", are the very heart of the old quarter.
Places to Stay: Frankfurt
InterCityHotel Frankfurt 3 star
The modern InterCityHotel Frankfurt is located in central Frankfurt, Germany, 100 metres from the main station and 500 metres from the high-rise financial district.
Fleming's Deluxe Hotel Frankfurt-City 5 star
Fleming's Hotel Frankfurt-City is located in Frankfurt, Germany, 50 metres from the 15th- century Eschenheimer Turm and 300 metres from the Stock Exchange.
Tryp Hotel Frankfurt 4 star
The modern Hotel TRYP Frankfurt - Fair is located in Frankfurt, Germany, 500 metres from the Frankfurt Messe exhibition grounds
Quality Hotel Kaiserhof City Center 4 star
The Quality Hotel Kaiserhof City Center is housed in a modern, seven-floor building located 150 metres from Frankfurt's main station and 700 metres from Goethe's House.
Golden Leaf Hotel Frankfurt 3 star
A modern high-rise building, the Golden Leaf Hotel Frankfurt is situated in a quiet area of the prosperous East Town district, 500 metres from the lively Sachsenhausen Quarter and four kilometres from the opera house.
Fashion capital and center of culture on the Rhine Düsseldorf is a vibrant, modern city on the Rhine – elegant, welcoming and cosmopolitan with a typically light-hearted Rhenish attitude. Fashion, culture and lifestyle are its signatures. Düsseldorf, Germany's elegant side is typified by the upmarket Königsallee shopping street, while the Gehry buildings in Media Harbor represent modern Düsseldorf. There are more than 260 bars and restaurants in the old quarter – plenty of opportunity for sampling Düsseldorf's top-fermented altbier and seeing how the people of the Rheinland have a good time. With outstanding museums, theatres, concert halls and galleries, Düsseldorf also has an international reputation as a center for art and culture. Places of interest Düsseldorf's hallmark is the upmarket Königsallee The old quarter has quaint passageways, old churches, traditional brewpubs, bars and restaurants and is also very much on the "must see" list. Düsseldorf's attractive riverside promenade runs alongside the old quarter to the Media Harbour, which world-class architects such as Frank Gehry have transformed into an architectural showcase.
Places to Stay: Dusseldorf
Madison Hotel 4 star
The Madison Hotel is located in Dusseldorf, Germany, within 200 metres of the main train station and one kilometre from the shops on Konigsallee.
Duesseldorf Mitte Hotel 3 star
The hotel Dusseldorf Mitte is a modern property located next to the Konigsallee shopping boulevard and within one kilometre of the sights of old town and the historic district.
InterCityHotel Dusseldorf 4 star
The InterCityHotel Dusseldorf is a modern hotel situated at the city's main train station, one kilometre from Dusseldorf's centre.
Mercure Hotel Düsseldorf Hafen 4 star
The Mercure Dusseldorf Hafen is located in Dusseldorf, Germany, in the government and media quarter, "Bilk," three kilometres from Old Town.
relexa Hotel Airport Duesseldorf-Ratingen 4 star
Relexa Hotel Airport Duesseldorf- Ratingen is located in Ratingen, Germany, three kilometres from Dusseldorf Airport. The centre of Dusseldorf is 12 kilometres from the hotel
German festivals, events, and celebrations are an important aspect of Germany's culture. Check out information on the many Germany festivals and events below, from the Passion Play to Schumann’s Birthday, the 200th Oktoberfest and much more.
RUHR.2010 – European Capital Of Culture
The city of Essen and the surrounding Ruhr area were chosen by the European Committee as European Capital of Culture for 2010. Year-round festivities and celebrations will showcase the newly developed cultural richness of the region that went from heavy industry to a modern metropolis-in-the-making, and today boasts 120 theaters, 100 concert halls, 200 museums and over 1,000 industrial monuments. Exhibitions in former plants and mines, light illuminations, concerts in old mine shaft and workshops will highlight the spectacular transformation of the Ruhr area that is already a hub for art lovers and green travelers. Whether your clients look for culture, entertainment or adventure, the Ruhr area is the place to be in 2010!
www.ruhr2010.de
May 15 – October 3, 2010
Passion Play 2010, Oberammergau
The world famous Passion Play in the town of Oberammergau dates back to 1633 during the thirty year’s war, when a plague epidemic raged in the little town in upper Bavaria. In order to spare themselves from the devastation of the plague, the surviving population of Oberammergau begged for mercy from God and solemnly swore to perform the Passion Play depicting the life and death of Jesus Christ every ten years. This year the people of Oberammergau will keep that promise for the 41st time; performances take place four times a week with a cast of more than 2,000 local residents. To be able to participate, you must have been born in the town or lived in Oberammergau for at least 20 years.
www.oberammergau‑passion.com
300 years of Meissen Porcelain
Just an hour outside of Dresden, you will find the town of Meissen and the Meissen Porcelain Manufacturer. Before it was invented in Europe, porcelain had been imported from China since the beginning of the 13th century. In the early 18th century in the town of Meissen, researchers discovered the key to porcelain manufacturing and in 1710 white porcelain was manufactured here for the first time in Europe. The former exhibition hall in Meissen, originally opened in 1916, is open to the public today and houses a unique porcelain museum. Visitors can view historic pieces of porcelain, learn how it is created, and view the demonstration workshop to discover how Meissen pieces are hand-designed and created as they have been since the start 300 years ago. During the anniversary year, special exhibitions and events are held throughout the year.
www.meissen.com
Robert Schumann’s 200th Birthday
In 2010, the musical world will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Robert Schumann, one of the most famous and important composers of the 19th century. Several events showcasing Schumann’s work in original places and settings will take place in Saxony, including the anniversary concerts in the Leipziger Gewandhaus on June 3 and 4, a one‑week Schumann Festival in Leipzig (September 9-19), and several concerts at the Dresdner Philharmonie and the Staatskapelle Dresden. (www.visitsaxony.com). Other cities such as Düsseldorf, Bonn, Heidelberg and
Frankfurt will host also various concerts throughout the year.
60th anniversary of Romantic Road
The Romantic Road, Germany’s most popular scenic route, celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2010. More than 1.3 million people travel this 250-mile long road through Bavaria each year. The Romantic Road connects great attractions from charming Würzburg to the medieval atmosphere in Rothenburg to the fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein. Rothenburg is also hosting the official launch of the 60‑year anniversary celebrations on May 7 and 8, 2010, and special events and festivals will attract travelers to experience the Romantic Road throughout the year.
www.romantische-strasse.de
175 years of German Railway
Celebrate 175 years of German Railway and experience unforgettable railway nostalgia with theme trains from all historical periods in one of Europe’s most beautiful sceneries. Center of the festivities are the cities of Nuremberg and Fürth in Bavaria’s north, that were connected by the first railway on its maiden voyage. During the "Blue Night" (May
15, 2010), artists will stage spectacular projections to kick off the Railway Year: The past will be brought to life again with major locomotive and vehicle parades planned by German Rail, and a comprehensive jubilee exhibition in the Deutsche Bahn Museum in Nuremberg will focus on 175 years of railway history.
www.dbmuseum.de
200th Oktoberfest
The world’s most famous beer festival, the Oktoberfest in Munich, celebrates its 200th anniversary from September 18 to October 3, 2010. It took place the first time in 1810 as a festival honoring the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Today it is an enormous festival, attracting 6 million visitors every year from all over the world with Bavarian music, food and of course, beer!
www.oktoberfest.de
Germany's gay & lesbian culture is legendary and needs to be experienced first-hand to be believed. Here’s a taste of Germany: a Germany whose many faces will surprise you; one that combines traditions with the modern, art with culture, partying, gastronomy and shopping in a whole new way.
Come with us on a tour through Germany, your gay and lesbian vacation destination. Visit your favorite gay hotspots and experience Germany's gay diversity throughout the whole country!
Get to know: Berlin, Germany's Capital - one of the leading gay metropolises in Europe!
With approximately 300,000 homosexuals living in Berlin, the German capital ranks as the third largest gay metropolis in all of Europe, with only London and Amsterdam boasting greater numbers. Long gone are the days when gay and lesbian life was tucked away in the catacombs of Berlin's subculture. For many years now, this thriving, dynamic and diverse scene has greatly contributed to and enriched the city's vitality.
There is a plethora of activities, services and institutions in Berlin specifically designed by and for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transsexuals, drag queens and drag kings. This includes 150 gay bars as well as a gay bar owners' union, two free city magazines, a broad spectrum of publishing houses and bookstores, pharmacies, sports clubs, same sex dance lessons and studios, language courses, specialty clothing boutiques, even a gay French fries kiosk, radio broadcasts focusing on gay related topics, the TEDDY film award as well as countless organizations, meeting places, counseling services, associations and other resources.
Visitors also shouldn't miss Berlin's main attractions such as Brandenburg Gate, the TV tower on Alexanderplatz Square with a rotating restaurant on top, the Memorial Church on Kurfürstendamm, Gendarmenmarkt Square, the dome of the Reichstag, Museum Island - an UNESCO World Heritage Site. A new landmark gay travelers to Berlin should not miss is the Memorial to Gays Persecuted by the Nazis. Just inaugurated in May 2008, it is located at the southern edge of the Tiergarten in the heart of the city.
Berlin's Events and Parades
There are some great events and parades taking place in Berlin all year long. The Teddy Queer Film Award which is part of the International Berlin Film Festival marks the start of the annual party season in February.
The Ostertreffen (Easter Meeting) is a traditional international leather meeting and includes the "German Mr. Leather" contest.
In summer there are many open-air events, festivals and street parties.
Gay Pride Week - one week of gay and lesbian events in Berlin - takes place every year in June. It starts traditionally with the lesbian and gay street festival at Nollendorfplatz Square and is the biggest event of its kind in Europe.The finale and highlight of Berlin's Gay week is the Gay Pride Parade "Christopher Street Day" (CSD) celebrating gay and lesbian lifestyle. The colorful floats of the parade are escorted by hundreds of thousands along the Kurfürstendamm to the Victory Column at Brandenburg Gate.
December 1st (World AIDS Day) commemorates victims of AIDS with demonstrations and numerous events.
* June 20/21, 2009: 17th Gay/Lesbian City Festival, Berlin
* June 27, 2009: 31st CSD, Berlin
Accommodation for Gays & Lesbians
Tom's Hotel is one of the gay hotels in the district of Berlin-Schöneberg. TOM'S BAR, located in the same building, is one of the oldest and most popular gay bars in Berlin. The ArtHotel Connection, also situated in Schöneberg, features 18 rooms with special furniture, "Club Connection" as well as a movie theater.
ARTEMISIA is a hotel exclusively for women. This old building of modern style is centrally located near the Ku'damm and features a roof top terrace and changing exhibitions by contemporary female artists.
Stars Guesthouse wants you to feel like a star. Located in the heart of Berlin, this guesthouse offers 11 exclusively furnished and individually designed rooms, as well as completely furnished vacation apartments in walking distance to the guesthouse.
Aletto Jugendhotel Schoeneberg provides young people with everything they can wish for: a 24 hours staffed multilingual reception, cozy rooms, lounge with internet access, football table, video games, darts and for movie fans a collection of 200 DVDs and wide-screen TV are available. Free tea and coffee, a selection of beverages, and snack machines are on offer.
Other recommended Hotels include Myer's Hotel Berlin *** garni, an individual, privately-run hotel in the lively Prenzlauer Berg district, and the Art-Hotel Charlottenburger Hof *** garni with atmosphere and flair of an art hotel near to Ku'damm and the exhibition grounds/ICC. Subway and S-Bahn train lines at your doorstep.
Many highlights of the gay community can be found around Motzstrasse: shops, clubs, restaurants, cafés and many bars. The famous KaDeWe department store and the Ku'damm shopping street are within walking distance.
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