Things I Love About Life in Germany.

Living in Germany was never part of any master plan. Now im settled, I know there are things I will truly miss when my time here is up. So, things I love about being a Brit based in Germany…

1) Germans take the concept of wellness really seriously. It isn’t viewed as self-indulgent to  invest in taking care of yourself. Spa towns, usually with prefix Bad , can be found all over Germany. Most towns and villages will have a therme with leisure pools, saunas, salt or mineral baths and various treatments on offer.Go alone or use the time to catch up with friends, visiting the therme is just part of life here. It’s really affordable too, compared to UK prices for a similar experience. Add to that the fantastic range of health and beauty brands available in the average German Apotek and your onto a winner. Read a bit more about my love of the German Spa experience in German Saunas-Nakedness, Wellness & Better Body Image.

2) It’s a great place to be if you love to travel.Most of Europe is there for the taking. Germany has nine land border neighbours-Denmark, Poland,Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium,Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Good road ,air and sea connections make travel within and outward of Germany  straightforward and surprisingly affordable. You don’t even need to leave the country, there are a diverse choice of destinations to explore within the German borders. Whatever you seek, there is a destination that will please. The challenge is choosing where to go next.

3) Green spaces and public parks. Germans do not seem to feel the need to build on and develop every  available patch of  land. Parks and open spaces are abundant and valued. In the small town I live in, there are three  parks and miles of forest walks. In a society that has embraced apartment living, parks become community gardens. Social spaces, year round. Be it a small town space or something on a larger scale, these open spaces are important to Germans. And a much-loved part of life out here for me.

4) Bread and cakes. The German bakery is a place of pleasure. They are cheap, everywhere and the reason my jeans are tight. Go in the morning for fresh rolls and/or the afternoon to catch up with friends for kafee und kuchen. But , really,anytime is good. Between the many and varied bread rolls and the indulgent cake options , there is always a reason to visit. If you’ve embraced low carb eating or don’t like the idea of a slice of sugary, creamy, buttery deliciousness then maybe this isn’t going to excite you as much as it does me. But if you are that person, trust me, you are missing out.

5)History, everywhere. Many instantly think of the Holocaust when thinking of German history, and there is  much to find if that’s of  interest. Stolpersteine. for example, can be found all over Germany . But there are also castles galore. Historical towns with fascinating stories attached to them. Hike medieval pilgrimage trails, if you’ve the time and fitness. Be enchanted by The Fairy Tale trail and explore the settings of well known stories. Delve into the history of the automotative industry and one of Germanys autostadt attractions. Love history, love Germany.

All of the above is just my personal opinion, and by no means an exhaustive list. There are many things to love about life in Germany.I’d love to know what you love about where you live. Talk to me in the comments, it makes my day to hear from you!

Helen x