Top Ten Tips for Planning a Family Holiday to Germany

Germans sure know how to have fun as evidenced by the burst of festivities when celebrating their festivals. With several festivals spread throughout the year, a visit to Germany promises fun, excitement and revelry no matter what time of the year you visit.Whether it's at a wedding or holidays such as Christmas, Germans have been known to partake and take great pride in their traditional celebrations.Moreover, from family-friendly outdoor adventures to exploring the treasure-trove of history, Germany is an idyllic country waiting to be discovered.  Let’s take a look at how you and your family can plan a holiday in Germany so that you and your family can relax and make the most of your time together. Do make sure to take a look at some of the many affordable international holiday packages offered by Musafir which will surely help in making your trip, all the more memorable.

1. Most family holidays in Germany commencefrom the capital city Berlin.Other cities of equal significance and worth visiting are Stuttgart, Munich, Dusseldorf and Hamburg.

2. Germany has tonnes of attractions catering to both young and old. Europa-Park and Phantasialand are in particular high up the popularity charts. Close on their heels are the sensational Legoland,  RavensburgerSpiellandGo, and Playmobil-FunPark which takes you and your kids through a journey like no other.

3. One thing Germany has in abundance is museums and art galleries guaranteed to tickle the enthusiasm of historical buffs. Littered all across Germany, these bespoke museums and Interactive exhibitions take you down history and gives you an insight like no other. In fact, many of these museums are geared specifically taking into consideration a younger audience.

4. If you’re planning a trip around October, do pay a visit to the city of Munich which is not only known for its historical significance but also for the annual Oktoberfest. Arguably, the world’s most celebrated German Festival, Oktoberfest is a celebration of beer along with traditional Bavarian foods like no other. Celebrated in honour of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig's marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen, this festival which began in 1810 attracts an estimated 6 million people every year! Held in Munich, men wear traditional costumes such as liederhosen while women put on the dirndls while consuming beer in typical Masskrüge (one-liter glasses) along with delicious sausages and pretzels.

5. Dusseldorf is popularly known as the fashion capital of the country and no visit to this eloquent country is complete without a trip to this magical city. Located on the banks of River Rhine, this city has several malls making it a popular shopping destination coupled with a happening nightlife. Furthermore, Dusseldorf plays host to the yacht and water sports trade fair, besides holding a gamut of fashion and fun fairs which make it a primedestination for Germany family holidays.

6. Nature lovers rejoice as Germany has all kinds of exotic and indigenous animals spread across a jaw-dropping 800 zoos and wildlife parks across Germany. One zoo which warrants a visit, in particular, is the world-famous Berlin Zoo which plays home to highest number of species in the world. Another zoo worth mentioning is the Leipzig Zoo which has the world’s biggest ape enclosure. Kids will surely love seeing animals run wild and free devoid of any metallic obstructions in their natural habitat.

7. Christmas is when Germany truly comes to life and four weeks counting down to Christmas, Germans celebrate Advent which is a delightful and romantic time of the year. Christmas trees are decorated with apples, nuts, candy, candles, cookies, tinsel and angels throughout the streets. This is also the time of the year when you will find cute little hand-crafted Christmas decorations, adorable little incense burners, intricately carved wooden toys and nativity scenes at traditional Christmas markets. As a matter of fact, some of the most famous Christmas carols have their roots firmly established in Germany. The much-desired Gingerbread houses also have its roots in Nuremberg, Germany in 1643. German families celebrate by creating gingerbread houses, replete with frosting and gumdrops, every December.

8. Munich’s Sea Life Aquarium holding nearly 4,500 animals in 33 different displays is another popular attraction worth visiting.

9. Adventure enthusiasts, don’t worry, we have something in store for you as well. There are several adrenalin- pumping activities like skiing and snowboarding available at the scenic Bavarian Alpswhich prove to be the ideal choice for any tourist seeking thrills. While the south of Germany has several mountainous activities such as biking, trekking, skiing and skydiving the northern part is famed for its wide expansive beaches and water-based activities such as wakeboarding, kitesurfing, sailing, paragliding amongst others. When in Germany, rest assured you and your family will find fun-filled adventures every season of the year.

10. Another perfect time to plan your family holiday in Germany would be around Easter time. Celebrated all across Germany with grand fervour, Easter is as German as it gets. The Easter Bunny was in fact first mentioned in German writings dating all the way back to the 16th century. According to several stories, the pagan goddess of spring, Eostre, once saved a bird whose wings had frozen during the winter by turning it into a rabbit. Because the rabbit had once been a bird, it could lay eggs and there lies the mystery behind the lovable Easter Bunny. Easter is celebrated traditionally with a hearty breakfast with hard boiled eggs and family members then take turns to find hidden eggs. Furthermore, they have a traditional meal comprising of either pork, beef or lamb.