Before being stationed here, I was not really interested in visiting Germany. I did not believe that Germany was as beautiful as it is. I'm not sure what I thought, or what I was expecting, but I had no knowledge of German culture. I was not even sure what Germany looked like before landing here. It is common to see pictures of France, Italy, or Spain, but it is not very common to see any pictures of Germany. It seems that the country is often overlooked because it is not as famous as the other countries. Germany might not be home to the Eiffel Tower, but there is still plenty of reasons to visit this country.
1. The scenery
Contrary to popular belief, Germany is a gorgeous country. It's lined with farmland and greenery, not to mention the occasional castle or castle ruins. When I first arrived here, I was shocked by the way they preserve their environment. I know that the US looked like this before we modernized and became more fond of cities than towns. I personally just prefer the old time feel of driving into a small town, rather than the city feel of seeing skyscrapers and concrete sidewalks.
If you've ever felt like you were born in the wrong time period than Germany is the place for you. It'll make you feel like you've gone back to colonial times. Especially, with all the wide open space and trees lining the highways.
2. The castles/castle ruins
I have never seen a castle or a castle ruin until I stepped foot in Germany. Castles seem like something you only see in Disney movies, but here they are actually pretty common. The Cinderella Castle was actually based on a castle that can be found here in Germany. Apparently, Walt Disney liked it so much when he went to see it, that he decided to base the Cinderella castle on it.
Not too many people know that about Germany. I actually found out while I was on the plane, before landing here. I haven't gotten the chance to see it yet, but I've heard it's really mystical.
The castle ruins that can be found around here are also great sites to see. They are well taken care of, and the majority of them sit on top of towns.
Once you reach the peak of the ruin you can overlook the entire town, and beyond. When you're up there, it's almost like the world around you doesn't matter. It's a great place to go to relieve stress, or just to escape from the daily pressures of life.
3. The food
Some people do not enjoy eating the food here, but I think it's amazing. Of course, the most famous food here are the bratwurst sausages, which Germany is known for. The first time I had one, I was surprised by the taste. I don't really care like to eat sausages on a regular basis, but this one tasted exquisite. They even put a special sauce on it to bring out the flavor. The one I purchased came with fries, and it was a hearty meal after a long day.
Thus far, I have no complaints about the food. I've truly enjoyed every meal that I've had here, and I find it to be much healthier than the food served in the US.
4. The mountains
If you're not an avid mountain climber, then the mountains you'll find here are a perfect fit for you. If you do not enjoy hiking, there is another way to reach the top of the mountain. Lifts are available for those who do not want hike up to the top. The tickets are expensive, but it's worth it to see the mountain without being forced to strain your left muscles by hiking it. Once you exit the lift, they even have a mini restaurant set up. You're able to enjoy a nice warm cup of coffee or bite into a blueberry muffin while you look out over the surrounding mountains. There is truly nothing like it in the US. When you're up on that mountain, you feel like you're on top of the world. Nothing can touch you, you are lighter than air.