Germany Archives

Hanseatic League

The Hanseatic League, or German Hansa, was a medieval trading confederation of merchant guilds and market towns along the shore of the Baltic and North Sea, and across great swathes of the north German hinterland.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin, capital of Germany, venue of the Berlinale, seat of the German Parliament, and location of UNESCO-protected Museum Island, occupies a place of prominence as a cultural and economic powerhouse. Dynamic and vibrant with a richly textured history, there is no shortage of things to see and do in Berlin

Walhalla Memorial, Germany

Walhalla Memorial, Germany The Neoclassical Walhalla Memorial, reminiscent of the Parthenon and reaching for the grandeur of the mythological Norse Valhalla after which it was named, is located high above the Danube River, east of Regensburg, Bavaria. The white stone temple was conceived in 1807 by King Ludwig I—at the time still the crown prince […]

Bayreuth, Germany

Bayreuth, Germany Bayreuth is located on the Red Main river in Northern Bavaria. The pretty, mid-sized town is world famous for the Bayreuth Festival, and for its affiliation with the German composer Richard Wagner. The composer lived here from 1872 until his death in 1883. He constructed a villa here, called “Wahnfried” (a compound of […]

Munich, Germany

Old Town Hall at Marienplatz Square in Munich

Munich, Germany Munich, capital of Bavaria, lies on the elevated plains north of the edge of the Bavarian Alps. The city of Munich is the third largest city in Germany after Berlin and Hamburg. It traces its origins to a monastery founded in 750; Munich, or Munchen means “Home of the Monks”. Munich was first […]

Dresden, Germany

Dresden, Germany Dresden is the capital of the German state of Saxony, and the third largest city in eastern Germany after Berlin and Leipzig. It lies in the basin of the Elbe River between Meissen and Pirna, 30 kilometres north of Germany’s border with the Czech Republic. Historically, this “Florence on the Elbe” had been […]

Questions About Germany

Questions about Germany for seniors on a escorted small group tour. Odyssey Traveller specialises in crafting unforgettable experiences for senior and mature-aged travellers seeking educational experiences as a couple or as a solo traveller. Providing adventure and educational programs for small group tours since 1983. Odyssey has built up a reasonable knowledge bank to answer questions […]

Gothic Germany

The term Gothic is often used to refer to a turning point and new era of European architecture that is generally seen as starting in the mid 12th century. Gothic architecture was in stunning contrast to Romanesque architecture which emphasised few windows, massive stonework and heavy walls. In comparison, the Gothic style featured stained glass windows, flying buttresses and more light-filled interiors that made use of cavernous spaces.

Sanssouci Palace,Germany

Often described as the Prussian Versailles, Sanssouci refers to the ensemble of palaces and garden complexes built under Frederick the Great (1712-1786).

Leipzig, Germany

Leipzig, encircled by a ring of parks and gardens, the city is a major industrial centre and buzzing with life. It has long been regarded as a major intellectual and cultural centre, known since the Middle Ages for its fairs and markets.

15 Must-See Sites in Berlin

15 Must-See Sites in Berlin | Small group tours Germany Berlin, capital of Germany, venue of the Berlinale, seat of the German Parliament, and location of UNESCO-protected Museum Island, occupies a place of prominence as a cultural and economic powerhouse. The city dates back to the 13th Century and has served as capital of the […]

Oberammergau Passion Play 2020

Oberammergau Passion Play 2020 | Small group tours Germany In 2020, Odyssey will offer three small group tours of Europe that will include the Oberammergau Passion Play: Contemporary Germany, The Habsburgs, and our Berlin tour. This article is written as a backgrounder for these tours, where we will learn about the fascinating traditions of this Bavarian Alpine village and […]

Ancient Routes, Fresh Eyes: European Pilgrimage Routes for the Modern Traveller

Ancient Routes, Fresh Eyes: Nine European Pilgrimage Routes for the Modern Traveller The word ‘pilgrimage’ or ‘pilgrim’ comes from the Modern French word pèlerin, which means ‘foreigner, stranger’, highlighting the concept that the faithful is not of this world but is simply passing through. As described in the second-century Letter to Diognetus: [Christians] live each in his […]

Bauhaus Movement: The Definitive Guide for Travellers

The Bauhaus School and its 100-Year Legacy The Bauhaus School was the brainchild of Walter Gropius of Germany, who reimagined art and utility as a single form that combined architecture, fine arts, and crafts (MET 2007). Though it started as a School for practical artists, it developed into a movement, even a lifestyle, which swept […]

Your Next Holiday Destination: Germany

Destination Germany | Small group tours Germany The Moselle River, which runs through Trier, Germany’s oldest city. Once labelled the “sick man of Europe”, Germany is now the continent’s largest economy and the sixth largest economy in the world. This article outlines some of the highlights of any visit to Germany. If you’re interested in […]

History of Berlin Germany for tourists

Discover the history of Berlin | Small group tours Germany Berlin is a city rich in history. At every turn are traces of a past plagued by conflict, and stories of powerful resistance. By the 14th century, Berlin had established itself as a trade city. In the 15th century, the powerful Hohenzellorn came to power, […]

10 books to read about Berlin

10 books to read about Berlin There are few cities in which history is as palpable as it is in Berlin. From its medieval origins, to grand Baroque capital of Prussia, and on to its tragic 20th century history and current rebirth, Berlin has had a troubled but always fascinating history. Here at Odyssey Traveller, […]

History & European Pilgrim Walks

History & European Pilgrim Walks Walking pilgrimages provide solitude and tranquillity in an increasingly busy and fast-paced world. These walking tours follow ancient pilgrimage routes, giving the modern pilgrim the chance not only to meet new friends, but also to deepen their knowledge about art, architecture, culture, and history. This article on pilgrim walks will follow […]

Books on Johann Sebastian Bach

The life of Johann Sebastian Bach While Bach’s compositions receive worldwide acclaim, and are among perhaps the most famous and beloveds works of music, the man himself is somewhat of a mystery. Born in Eisenach, Germany in 1685, to a family that already had significant music credentials, his use of counterpoint, harmonic and motivic organisation […]

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Category: Germany