Slow Travel through Germany Q&A
Germany is a country that many people dream of moving to, and for good reason. It's safe, it's clean, and it has a thriving economy. As an expat living here, you'll find that Germany offers a quality of life that's hard to beat. In the past, Germany was not considered a top destination for remote workers. But now, this country has become one of the most sought-after places for people who want to work remotely.
What is the history of Germany?
Germany is a country in central Europe. It is bordered by Denmark to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, France, Luxembourg and Belgium to the west, and the Netherlands to the northwest.
In prehistoric times, Germany was home to many tribes of ancient humans. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD, Germanic tribes took control of the area. In 800 AD, Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor and ruled over much of present-day Germany.
After Charlemagne's death in 814 AD, his empire split into three parts: East Francia (which later became known as Germany), West Francia (which later became France), and Lotharingia (which later became Lorraine). The Holy Roman Empire lasted until 1806 when Napoleon Bonaparte defeated it at Austerlitz.
In 1871 Otto von Bismarck unified all of Germany under Prussian rule. In 1919 after World War I ended with defeat for Germany, its territory was greatly reduced by Treaty of Versailles. In 1933 Adolf Hitler came into power and began building up military forces again. He also started persecuting minorities such as Jews and Roma people (Gypsies).
Germany's history after Hitler is a complicated one.
First, let's talk about the Soviet Union. Germany was occupied by the Soviets after World War II, and they set up a government in Berlin that was supposed to be democratic but turned out to be communist. The Soviets then split Berlin into two parts, East Berlin and West Berlin, with all of West Germany surrounded by East Germany.
West Germany became a democratic country in 1949, but East Germany wasn't as lucky—they were run by a dictatorship until 1989, when they finally became democratic too.
In 1990, both countries joined together as one nation: The Federal Republic of Germany (sometimes called "West Germany"), which has since become one of Europe's most powerful nations.
What is Germany known for?
Germany is known for its beer, beautiful nature, and of course the fact that it's the birthplace of the world's best-known and most loved animated character, Mickey Mouse.
The country is also known as the largest exporter of cars (Mercedes, BMW) in the world, and it has an international reputation for being a leader in engineering and technology.
What is the cost of living in Germany?
The cost of living in Germany is quite high compared to other countries in Europe. In fact, it is one of the most expensive places to live in the world. If you are planning on moving to Germany, you should be prepared to pay more for everything from food to rent.
The cost of living in Germany depends on where you live and what kind of lifestyle you want to lead. In general, however, things tend to be more expensive than they would be in the United States or Canada.
Food prices in Germany are among the highest in Europe. This is especially true if you eat out at restaurants frequently or buy imported ingredients that are not available locally. For example, cheese is often imported from France or Italy instead of being produced locally because it tastes better and costs less than local alternatives.
The price of meat also tends to be higher than it would be back home due to import costs and stricter standards on animal welfare practices (which require higher standards for raising livestock). The same goes for produce grown outside of Europe/Germany such as bananas which must often be imported from Africa due to climate issues affecting local farms).
Renting an apartment can be very expensive in areas like Munich, Berlin and Hamburg, where there are many tourists visiting every year. Although, rent is more expensive on average in Germany than its EU counterparts.
What food should I try in Germany?
The first thing you should try in Germany is a bratwurst. It's a kind of sausage that is made from pork, beef or veal.
It's usually grilled over an open fire and served with sauerkraut and mustard. You can also get it on a roll with fries if you're hungry!
Another popular German dish is schnitzel—it's breaded meat that's been fried in oil or butter. Schnitzel comes in many different styles, including chicken schnitzel which is often served in restaurants outside of Germany as well as Wiener schnitzel which is veal cutlet that has been breaded and fried.
Another great meal to try in Germany is currywurst—this is basically meat covered in curry sauce served with fries on top! Most people eat currywurst with ketchup mixed into the curry sauce because there isn't much flavor from just eating the curry alone.
Is Germany a good option for digital nomads?
Germany is a great option for digital nomads—especially if you're looking for a place to settle down!
It's a safe country with a good economy and free healthcare. The cost of living is high but manageable, and there are plenty of jobs available. You'll have access to great public transportation, which makes it easy to get around the country and see all its sights.
The people are friendly and helpful, and there's lots of culture to explore. There are also plenty of co-working spaces in major cities like Berlin and Munich where you can meet other nomads who will help you make friends and find work.
Does Germany have a large expat community?
Germany does have a large expat community, although it's not as large as some other European countries. In fact, the number of expats who call Germany home is relatively low compared to other European countries with similar economies and levels of development.
The reason for this is that, while Germany is one of the most popular places for expats to live in Europe, it also has one of the lowest rates of immigration in all of Europe. This means that most people who move to Germany are either Europeans who are relocating within the continent or Germans who are moving back after living abroad.
In fact, only about 25% of immigrants in Germany come from outside Europe—the rest come from other countries within Europe or from Asia and Africa. As a result, Germany has a relatively small population of people who speak English as a second language, which can make it difficult for non-native speakers to integrate into German society if they want to stay long term.
Does Germany have co-working spaces?
Yes! There are a number of co-working spaces in Germany. You can find co-working spaces in Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, and Hamburg.
Berlin is one of Europe's most exciting cities for startups, and it has an amazing array of co-working spaces to match, 132 to be exact. You can find co-working spaces dedicated to helping refugees start businesses, or ones that specialize in technology or design.
Munich has a great ecosystem for startups as well; it's one of Germany's leading entrepreneurial hubs.
Frankfurt has a number of co-working spaces that focus on specific industries, such as energy or healthcare.
Hamburg also has a great selection of co-working spaces that are focused on specific industries or interests.
What is the best way to learn the German language?
The best way to learn German is by immersing yourself in it. You can do this by going to Germany, or by watching a lot of German-language movies, TV shows, and listening to music.
You should also try out Duolingo, an online course for learning languages that uses gamification techniques and a friendly interface to make learning fun! The free version has a lot of great content and should keep you busy for quite a while.
What are the best attractions to visit in Germany?
Germany is a beautiful country with a lot of interesting attractions. There are many things to do in Germany and people come from all over the world to visit its historical sites, museums, castles and cathedrals.
Here are some of the best attractions to visit in Germany:
- The Berlin Wall (Berlin) - This was built by the East German government between 1961 and 1989 as a barrier against Western forces. It divided Berlin into East and West Berlin for almost 30 years until its fall in 1989. Today, you can walk along it or even climb over it!
- Cologne Cathedral (Cologne) - Cologne Cathedral is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Europe and was built between 1248 and 1880. It stands as an architectural masterpiece that has been recognized as one of the world's most visited landmarks by UNESCO World Heritage Site status since 1996.
- Neuschwanstein Castle (Füssen) - This castle was built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria between 1869-1886 but never actually lived in because he died before it was completed! Instead, it became one of Germany's most popular tourist destinations due to its fairy tale-like appearance from outside as well as inside thanks to elaborate paintings.
- Take a tour through Munich's Olympic Park! This park was built specifically for hosting events during the 1972 Summer Olympics, where it hosted athletes from around the world competing in sports like athletics (track & field), rowing/canoeing/kayaking, swimming and cycling.
- Munich Oktoberfest: This festival takes place annually and beer lovers from all over the world flock to Munich.
What should I do in Berlin?
Berlin is a city of many things: history, art, culture, and food. It's also the home of some of the world's most famous museums!
One of my favorite places to visit in Berlin is the Pergamon Museum. This museum features an incredible collection of ancient Greek artifacts and architecture. It's so cool to see how other cultures have influenced modern art and architecture. The museum also has several pieces from around the world that have been restored from their original state. If you love history and art, this is definitely a place for you!
If you're more into music than museums and historical items, I'd recommend taking a tour through Berlin's club scene. Clubs like Berghain (pronounced Ber-Hain), Leipzig (pronounced Leep-Sigh), Watergate (pronounced Water-Gate), and Tresor (pronounced Treh-Sohr) are known for being some of the best spots for electronic music in all of Europe! If you're into house music or techno, these clubs are sure to blow your mind.
If eating is more your thing than clubbing or going out on tours, then I'd suggest checking out a restaurant called Viet Thanh.
Should I visit Hamburg?
Yes! You should visit Hamburg.
Hamburg is a city in northern Germany and the second-largest city in the country. It's famous for its port, which has been an important trading hub for centuries. Today it's one of the largest ports in Europe and serves as a major import hub for goods from Asia and Africa into Europe.
The city also has a rich history that dates back to the Middle Ages—it was founded in 983 AD by Count Adolf III of Holstein. The city was originally called Hamme and was re-named Hamburg after it became part of the Hanseatic League (a group of cities that traded with each other). The city flourished under this alliance, but after it disbanded in 1854, Hamburg began to decline economically until World War II brought economic revitalization through its role as a major industrial center during wartime production efforts.
Today, Hamburg is home to about 1.8 million people who live in an area roughly equal to twice the size of Manhattan Island. The city is known as "Germany's Gateway to the World" because of its diverse culture and population; there are many languages spoken here including German, English, French, Spanish, Turkish and Arabic just to name a few!
