Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park, Germany by Vincent van Zeijst

The group of islands is located in northern Germany which is in Elbe estuary and it is the protectant of thousands of coastal mudflats. Tourists and visitors often have a wonderful time exploring this unique destination which has a variety of different attractions. The tern colonies are of a huge variation including Common, sandwich, Artic, and little. There are areas where guides will take visitors on walks throughout the terrain so that people can have a better opportunity to explore the lands. There are several natural features at this destination that are very much appreciated by the tourists. Many of these features have a historical story line to them since they have been around for so long.

Neuwerk’s affiliation with Hamburg is a very interesting one. Their affiliation reaches all the way back to the year 1299. There are paths that are located along the island of Hamburg which lead to the countryside all the way to a tower at the front of Elbe. The tower was used to fight off those that would commit piracy which occurred during the Hanseatic era. Those that visit are able to take walks in between Scharhorn and Neuwerk on the mudflats. The mudflats seem as though they are endless so the tourists are able to walk as far as they desire.

One of the main attractions that people enjoy when they visit Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park is the Seabirds. There are several colonies which were created for the seabirds to reside.

The sandbank is an area that is untouched but people can view it from afar. The bird colony that is there is closed off to those that visit there but they can take a glimpse of the colony when passing by.

Summary of Highlights

• Visitors can take carriage rides across the mudflats starting in Sahlenburg and ending at Neuwerk
• Take boat rides in Cuxhaven; they end in Neuwerk
• Tour guides lead walks across the mudflats
• Tours to view the birds, mudflats, salt marshes; in Neuwerk
• Tour guides to Scharhorn
• Visitors can go on a search for Amber on the island of Kleiner Vogelsand
• View the Amber exhibition on the Neuwerk island

Other Things to Do

Walking along the main dyke is one suggestion that many people enjoy doing while visiting Wadden Sea National Park. While you are on this walk you can see the foreshore; there is a great view of it. The bird colonies are very popular, and many people love exploring them.

There are not vehicles allowed on the island. Tourists can either walk or ride in a horse carriage to the different locations.

If you are looking for some accommodation in or around the national park, then try trivago’s comparison tool and find the best hotels.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Marcel Janus

The area is popular tourist destination thanks to the beautiful countryside and unspoilt nature. Allgäu Alps with an altitude reaching more than 2000 metres above sea level are popular places for winter sports. Its highest point is Großer Krottenkopf with the hight of 2,656 metres above sea level, however, Nebelhorn is the most famous peak reaching an attidue of 2,224 metres.

Allgäu is one of the most popular tourist areas and winter resorts in Germany. For Alpine skiing lovers, there is a large selection of well groomed slopes – and it does not matter whether you are a beginner or an experienced skier with high demands. Most of the slopes are artificially cared and such they have enough snow until the end of March. After skiing you can drink in one of the cozy cottages, cafes and pubs, or lately at night in one of clubs.

You can choose from a number of skiing resorts that include Adelharz-Breitenstein Lifte, Alpsee Bergwelt, Balderschwang, Bolsterlang/Hornergruppe, Breitenberg, Buronlifte Wertach, Fellhorn – Kanzelwand, Grasgehrenlifte, Grunten, Halblech, Hornergruppe/Fischen, Hörnle, Hündle-Thalkirchdorf, Luggi-Leitner-Lifte Scheidegg, Oberjoch Bad Hindelang, Oberstdorf/ Nebelhorn, Oberstdorf/Sollereck – Hollwies, Ofterschwang, Scheidegg, Schwäbeleholz / Sonthofen, Steibis, Steibis-Hochgrat, Tegelberg, Thalerhöhe Skilifte, Weiler/Simmerberg.

In the eastern part of the Allgäu is located famous Neuschwanstein Castle. Allgäu is also known for the dairy industry. One of the best known product is Hirtenkäse – herdsman’s cheese.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Sebastian Fuss

Once planning your trip to Harz National Park, beware of the cooler and rainy mountains – although this is not a high mountain range, but due to its geographical location is under constant onslaught of moist ocean air from the North Sea. Local climate is therefore similar to high mountains, reaching the altitude of about 2,000 metres above sea level. Be also prepared for a huge number of tourists, Harz National Park is one of the most visited places in Germany.

Among the most beautiful places to visit are Rübeland cave, the highest peak of national park – Brocken (1,141 m) which is also the highest peak of Northern Germany, Hohneklippen crags, Eckerstausee lake, Falkenstein Castle, Harzgerode Castle, hill top resort of Sankt Andreasberg, or saltwater spa and climatic health resort of Bad Harzburg.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Mike Jentsch

The management of national park: Nationalparkverwaltung Harz, Lindenallee 35, D 38855 Wernigerode, Deutschland
Official Website: nationalpark-harz.de

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by sacratomato_hr

Oberstdorf is the gateway to the five ski areas (Nebelhorn, Söllereck, Fellhorn / Kanzelwand, Ifen, Walmendingerhorn) which together have “only” 50 km of slopes, but this may just be ideal for a long weekend.

Right above the city rises 2224 metres high mountain of Nebelhorn with the skiing season lasting until May. It is a good place for snowboarders and freestyle enthusiasts. On the other side, six kilometers from the city you can get into the main and largest site of Fellhorn / Kanzelwand that overflows to the Austrian valley Kleinwalsertal. It offers a nice mix of shorter and longer rugged trails with modern comfortable lifts.

Söllereck and Ifen offers rather easier descents and are suitable especially for families with children. The smallest of the local centres is Walmendingerhorn primarily offering a unique experience of skiing in deep snow.

Oberstdorf is naturally very attractive, from Nebelhorn you can enjoy amazing views of 400 Alpine peaks.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by BildSpracheundCo.de

Fares are different in each of five centres, e.g. one-day ski pass to Nebelhorn will cost €37.50 for adults and €14 for children. In the centre of Ifen you will pay €32 for adults and €14 for children.

Oberstdorf ski resort offers all kinds of services at the highest level including spa and wellness activities, rich cultural program and great restaurants and bars. Right on the slopes you will find children’s areas, fun parks, several snowboard parks and a range of extreme sports. Practically under each lift you will find parking place, but you can travel by skibus for free. In addition, a resort offers the longest downhill slope in Germany.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Udo Schröter

Muskau Park is located on the border between Poland and Germany, along the Neisse River. It covers an area of over eight hundred hectares, thus it is one of the largest and certainly the most famous English parks in both countries. The park includes also two magnificent castles – An Old Castle, dating back to the 13th century and two centuries younger New Castle. Right here, beside those two castles, was Muskau Park founded in 1815. The founder was Prince Hermann Ludwig Heinrich von Pückler-Muskau, whose name is probably not missing in any publication of the garden architecture. He was an excellent artist in landscape gardening and wrote also several great publications about a harmony between a nature and human activity. In 1834 he summarized his ideas and findings into the publication, which meant a complete breakthrough in this area. Unfortunately, not all plans could be implemented. The cost of construction of the park and extensive reconstructions of the adjacent castles greatly exceeded the architect’s investment options. In 1845 Pückler was forced to sold a park and the adjacent estate and the new owner engaged for completion works the famous landscape architect Eduard Petzold.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Udo Schröter

Muskauer Park was seriously damaged during the World War II. Both castles and surrounding structures, including bridges, were destroyed by bombing. In addition, the park was in 1945 divided into two parts, which made its reconstruction very complicated. More than two thirds of the area fell to Poland and and the rest to Germany. The closer cooperation between those two parts started in the 90′s of the last century, while the reconstruction work is still being done.

Not only the life-work of Hermann von Pückler, but also the way how Muskau Park was created, greatly influenced the development of landscape architecture in Europe and America. This is why the park was in 2004 inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The park is now open for visitors every day from 10 to 18 hours, winter months excluded. The admission is free.

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Tree Top Walk is the longest trail of that kind in the world, with a total length of 1300 metres. You can enjoy unspoilt nature at a height of 8-25 meters above the ground. The experience of walking through mixed forest is extended with three stations with a rope adventure elements, the swaying bridge, trapeze and the beam, which thrill not only children but also adults.

Walkway ends with 44 meters high observation tower, from which you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding nature. In clear weather you will even be able to see the north ridge of the Alps.

Both the trail and also the tower are barrier-free. Admission is €8 for adults, €6 for children of 6+ years, family ticket costs €19. The trail is open year round except for Christmas Day, every day from 9:30 am, according to an annual period closes at 15:30, respectively, at 18:00 or 19:30. In bad weather, such as storm or hurricane, the trail is closed.

For further details visit the official site of The world´s longest tree top walk.

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Zoo Karlsruhe was founded in 1865 and now have more than 1000 animals representing 150 species. There are about 800 trees and more than 15,000 roses (300 different species).

Zoo Karlsruhe is thematically divided into 10 main sections:

• Water exposure (polar bears, penguins and seals)
• The African savanna (giraffes, zebras, antelopes, ostriches)
• Owl aviary
• Wild cats
• Pachydermata
• Australian animals
• Exposure to South America
• The world of birds
• Children’s Zoo

Among the most popular animals are polar bears. The first descendant of this representative of Arctic fauna was born in the zoo already in 1889. Your attention should be given also to penguins, Chinese leopards, emus, kangaroos, meerkats and giant tortoises. It is worth to see also a House of monkeys, with more than 30 species of primates.

Zoo Karlsruhe is open all year but the opening hours change frequently, so it is better to visit Official site of Zoo Karlsruhe before your visit. Basic whole-day ticket costs €5,50.

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At the area of ​​240,000 square meters you will find more than 750 species of birds from all continents. Visitors have the opportunity to see a unique show of birds of prey or to feed the tame birds out of hand. The reservation owns the largest collection of parrots (more than 200 species), including the rarest ones. Rare species of birds fly without any restrictions above the heads of visitors.

But Weltvogelpark Walsrode is not about the birds only, you will find there also great gardens.

Next to Weltvogelpark Walsrode there is a huge parking space available also for the caravans and mobile homes. Basic admission fee is €16, but you can get there also for free at the day of your birthday. Weltvogelpark Walsrode is open daily from 18 March to 1 November 2011 from 09.00 am to 19.00 pm.

For further information visit the official website of Weltvogelpark Walsrode

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Best known cliffs are the Wissower Klinken and together with the Königsstuhl (King’s seat) offer an imposing view.

Hiking, cruising, horse riding and cycling are much loved options to explore the almost pristine nature of the Jasmund National Park, a picturesque place perfect for relaxing vacation everybody should have seen.

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The Röthbachfall is not only the tallest waterfall in the country, it is also one of the most popular ecotourism destinations in the nation. Every year countless individuals make their way to the national Park in order to view the awe-inspiring splendor of the falls.

Röthbachfall from above, Germany by Fjutsch

When it comes to visiting the Röthbachfall, you are in for an exciting and adventurous trip into the German outdoors. The first leg of your trip occurs aboard an electric powered boat that will take you from one side of Königssee Lake, to the other. It is here at Salet where you will get off the boat and begin your hike up to the mountainous Lake Obersee.

Make sure that you bring a good pair of shoes with you because you will definitely need them on the hike up into the mountains. Luckily, the path leading up to the lake and the Röthbachfall are well-worn and easy to traverse. However, if you are feeling a little more adventurous you can get off the well-beaten path and see more of what the national Park has to offer.

Roethbach waterfall, Germany by Fjutsch

You will find that there are many things to see and do in around the Berchtesgaden National Park which makes visiting the region even more enjoyable. Not only do you have the 470 meter tall Röthbachfall to check out, but there are so many beautiful lakes in the area. The views are awe-inspiring and picturesque.

While countless people choose to visit the large cities within Germany, many more people today are choosing to visit the more popular ecotourism destinations instead. The Röthbachfall as well as the national Park in which it resides, are one of the more popular destinations within the country. Make sure you set aside at least a full day to spend at the park.

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