GERMANY
GUTEN TAG, MY FRIEND
Germany, the home of pretzels, Karl Lagerfeld and an interesting mix of history and modernity. There is something for everyone in Germany and so many places to explore and discover that have nothing to do with Oktoberfest (although that’s fun too).
There is creativity, culture and amazing restaurants in Berlin, posh Hamburg with it’s mix of wealth and grit, rich history and amazing museums in Munich or the mountaintops and castles of the Bavarian Alps. Not to mention all of the other German towns and villages, large and small.
We have a team of Tastemakers based in Germany that would love to help you build a trip that has the right blend of everything you want out of your travel there.
Meet our Germany Tastemakers
-
EXPERTISE | Luxury Travel + Northern Germany, Berlin and Munich
PROFILE | Born and raised in Spain with both German and Austrian nationality, Carolina studied in Switzerland before earning her MBA in Paris. She is truly an international citizen - she has travelled to 22 countries across 5 continents and is fluent in English, German, Spanish and French. Her professional background is in the hospitality industry and she has worked for several companies such as L’Oréal in Germany, France, Switzerland and the UAE.
Having travelled the world and with her knack for discovering places off the beaten track, she also tends to be the travel planner when it comes to trips with friends and family. Her hobbies have included travel blogging and itinerary creation; she is also a sports enthusiast that loves natural, animals and exploring Hamburg, her current home. She can’t wait to match travelers with the right experience on their next trip to Germany!
What is your favorite part of Germany? It’s hard to pick a favorite - you can discover Germany in many ways! You can enjoy city trips, beaches, forests, vineyards or endless scenery in the alpine landscape, surrounded by lakes and castles. If you’re new to the country, I’d pick Berlin, Hamburg, and/or Munich to visit as they are complete opposites in terms of architecture, nature, culture, and cuisine.
What is the best time to visit Germany? I would suggest summer (June - August) as the weather tends to be great and the days are long with sunlight until almost 11pm. Early autumn (September/early October) is also a good time when the alpine regions look especially stunning. Finally, I would suggest the festive season around December for Christmas as Germany has a lot of beautiful Christmas markets and if you’re lucky, you can ski or snowboard as well!
IG | @carolinawithc
-
EXPERTISE | Berlin Food & Art
PROFILE | Kim is a San Francisco native that pursued a career in the music industry in New York, eventually establishing her own management and touring agency for DJs. This venture took her across the globe, nurturing her love for travel, food and exploration. Since settling in Berlin in 2010, she has fallen in love with the city's vibrant food and cultural scene.
Her extensive travels, spanning over 30 countries, have taught her the value of immersing in local culture. She has now combined in all of her passions to curate authentic experiences that showcase the heart and soul of Berlin.
What is the best way to spend a Sunday during the summer in Berlin? My favourite way to spend a weekend day during the summer starts with roaming around the various farmers markets and flea markets with friends. That would be followed by an amazing brunch at one of the newly opened restaurants and afterwards, visiting currents exhibitions showing in a gallery or museum around the city. Top that day off with a delicious meal and drinks in the courtyard or patio of a local restaurant and it’s the perfect day.
What is the best way to explore Berlin? Experiencing Berlin via some of its 127 canals is an absolute necessity. Taking a boat tour offers an unparalleled viewpoint of the city, its hidden corns and its abundant history. Renting a bike is another great way to effortless traverse the city; there are a multitude of bike-sharing apps that make locating one a breeze. Berlin has also made substantial investments in establishing safer and more expansive bike lanes so it’s a great way to travel.
IG | @kimcokimmy + @lifeinaberlinminute
-
EXPERTISE | Western Germany + Berlin
PROFILE | Born and raised in Germany, Nicole became a world citizen when she traveled to 29 countries and lived on 3 different continents before the age of 23. Following her studies in the Netherlands (where she would happily go broke each semester break by spending all of her hard-earned cash on long-haul trips), she continued building her career internationally working in tech and then starting her own business in online marketing. Anytime she travels she is on the hunt for local experiences, seeking out friends in each country to gain the most authentic recommendations.
Her ingredients for a perfect trip include providing options to make room for spontaneity, seeking out local guidance and allowing yourself to explore by getting lost once in a while. Beautiful surprises always happen!
After spending several years living and experiencing the vibrancy of Berlin, she is moved closer to family in the West of Germany. Fun fact: from her town, she can walk through the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany on the same day.
What is something you especially love about Berlin? I love that Berlin can feel like multiple cities settled into one, each neighborhood with its own unique personality. Whatever vibe you are feeling that day, you can find it in Berlin whether you’re looking for elegant, edgy, artistic, historical, modern, bustling or quiet. You can find the same diversity in Berlin’s cuisine - it’s heaven for a foodie!
What would surprise a traveler visiting Berlin? As big, wild and overwhelming as Berlin can sometimes be, it is balanced out by its many close nature getaways. With 3,000 lakes and more than 30,000 km of rivers, Berlin and the surrounding state of Brandenburg have the most inland bodies of water in Germany with many secret beaches to enjoy peace and solitude.
IG | @nici_lis
Germany Testimonials
-
"I had my call with Kim this morning and she was terrific! I could tell she took the time to go through my ridiculously long spreadsheet of restaurants and made great recommendations. She really understood my tastes and helped give me direction on where to go. Can’t wait to read my summary from our meeting!"
/ -JENNIFER J. /