Germany Travel Planning with Cate

Can you really visit Hamburg, Cologne, Paris, and London by train in 8 days as a family with teens? Yes - and my guest today is here to talk all about it!  If you're weighing up a multi-country itinerary, are considering traveling by train or are seeking tips for planning a fast-paced trip, you'll love this trip report episode with Nathan.  We talk about:  Why Nathan and his wife chose H...

If you're wondering what else to do and see in Germany beyond the destinations you always year about, this episode is for you. Today I'm sharing a conversation I had with Lynne Nieman over on her Wander Your Way podcast. She invited me on her show to share my favorite destinations in Germany and also go deeper into the parts of Germany most first-time visitors don't know about. In t...

If you want the food on your Germany trip to be as memorable as the sights, this episode is for you. I'm thrilled to have Kori Knappe, one of our awesome Complete Custom Itinerary clients, back on the show to talk about her favorite food experiences from her 1 week Christmas market road trip through Bavaria.  Listen in to hear about Kori's favorites so you can add them to your own itiner...

If you're thinking about a road trip through Germany and neighboring countries, this episode is for you. In this trip report episode, I talk with Angela, about her 3 week roadtrip through Slovenia, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.  Listen in to hear what renting a car and driving across four countries was like, the day in Bavaria her twin teenage boys still talk about, Angela's tips fo...

If you're feeling nervous about something going sideways on your Germany trip, this episode is for you. Travel mishaps happen to the best of us.  That's why today I'm sharing 5 mishaps of my own from traveling around Germany and other parts of Europe, as well as what I learned from each one and what they taught me about handling the unexpected.  None of these mishaps were much fun i...

Does getting your phone set up to use in Germany sound intimidating? In this episode I talk with Michelle Chang from the DIY Trip Summit and Intentional Travelers about what you need to know about using your phone in Europe so you can spend less time stressing about connectivity and more time actually enjoying your trip. If you love what we share in our podcast, just wait until you see what we can...

Getting around Germany and elsewhere in Europe on your vacation is one of the most important decisions you'll need to make. Drive, train, bus, plane, or hire a driver - each option comes with trade-offs. In this episode, I and other destination experts from the UK, Portugal, Ireland, and Spain share how to think through transportation decisions, including when driving makes sense and what to...

When you're planning a trip to Germany or elsewhere in Europe, narrowing down where to go can get overwhelming.  Which city should you start in?  Should you skip the overcrowded spots?  How do you know if a place is "worth the hype"? In this episode, I and other destination experts from the UK, Portugal, Ireland, and Spain walk through how we help travelers make these decisions. 🗺️...

Travel costs in Germany and all over Europe have gone up - and that means the decisions about where to spend and where to cut back matter more than ever. In this episode, I and other destination experts from the UK, Portugal, Ireland, and Spain share the most commonly enjoyed splurges, where smart travelers save so they can spend on what matters most, and insider money saving hacks. 🗺️ Meet the de...

What does it actually take to plan a trip to Germany for 3 generations — grandparents, parents, and teenagers — and have everyone love it? That's exactly what our client Tracey Lavelle did, and she's here to tell us how everything went. In this episode, Tracey takes us through all 8 days on the ground and shares the highlights, logistics tips, and her family's most magical moments....

You can find travel advice all over the internet. The problem? Much of it is oversimplified and not actually right for your unique trip.  That's why in this episode, I talk through my answers to recent travel planning questions from our Facebook community that are more complex than they might appear at first.  If you love what we share in our podcast, just wait until you see what we can do fo...

If you're flying to or from Germany and you've ever thought about stopping elsewhere in Europe, Portugal might be exactly the detour you've been looking for. It's stunning, the food is outrageously good, and it couldn't feel more different from Germany!  I recently sat down with Julie Dawn Fox, a Portugal destination expert with nearly two decades experience living there....

Are you thinking about taking FlixBus on your trip to Germany? We've taken FlixBus several times in Germany, Hungary, Serbia, Slovenia (and a tiny bit of Italy), so in this episode  I share our experiences to help you decide if it's a good option for your trip.  If you'd like to explore taking the train in Germany, listen to Ep 23 here next! For show notes, photos, links, and helpfu...

How do you maximize 1 week in Bavaria during the magical Christmas market season? In this trip report episode, Kori shares what made her and her husband's first-ever Germany trip so special and memorable. We talk about the Christmas markets, food, accommodations, and the moments Kori enjoyed the most. If you've been dreaming about traveling Germany at Christmas, you definitely want to li...

A private tour guide can completely change how you experience a city, especially in Berlin. But it's not the right choice for every traveler or every trip. In this episode, I talk with Matti Geyer, a private tour guide in Berlin and Potsdam and one of our preferred partners, to answer the questions travelers ask us all the time so you can decide if hiring a private guide is right for your tri...

Here's a quick update about the podcast before tomorrow's regular episode!  If you love what we share in our podcast, just wait until you see what we can do for your trip! Complete custom itinerary + travel plan   One-on-one travel planning consult with Cate   Itinerary review by Cate  DIY Germany travel planner Germany train travel made easy   Our recommended tours, guides, and more   1...

In this episode I talk with Netherlands travel expert and private guide Gerrit van den Berg from Hidden Holland about how to make the most of an Amsterdam stopover on your way to or from Germany.  Gerrit shares where to stay, what to eat, which museums require booking months out, and why 1 day outside the city could be the best decision you make. If you're thinking about adding Amsterdam to y...

Nobody wants to come home from Germany with regrets! In this episode, I share 2 important questions I ask myself before I get too deep into planning a trip. These questions are worth pondering because your answers will shape your entire trip!  For show notes, photos, links, and helpful trip planning resources, visit >  https://www.mygermanyvacation.com/podcast-episode-45 If you love what we sha...

Got a minute? I have something to ask you in this episode.  Mentioned in this episode:  Our Germany travel Facebook group  MyGermanyVacation.com   If you love what we share in our podcast, just wait until you see what we can do for your trip! Complete custom itinerary + travel plan   One-on-one travel planning consult with Cate   Itinerary review by Cate  DIY Germany travel planner Germany train t...

Are you wondering how to plan your first day in Germany after a long international flight? Do you want to minimize jet lag and set yourself up for a successful trip? After over 35 years of repeatedly flying from the US to Germany and testing every jet lag hack we came across, Aaron and I have our arrival day down to a science.  Today, I'm sharing our exact routine to stay awake, beat jet lag,...

How do you plan a family Germany trip that keeps 3 teenagers engaged? In this episode, I talk with Casey, a mom of 3 teens, who shares highlights and tips from her 2 week family Germany adventure.  Discover Casey's tips for finding the perfect mix of sightseeing and family fun, navigating unexpected heat waves and train hiccups, accommodations for 5, and more! For show notes, photos, links, a...

Today I’m diving into real-world questions from our community and clients to help you navigate Germany with confidence! I first advise a traveler on whether they should rent a car or take the train, then I give feedback on an 18-day itinerary, and finally I share what to pack for a Christmas market adventure.  For show notes, photos, links, and helpful trip planning resources, visit >  https://...

This week I’m reviewing a Salzburg strudel baking class that our clients consistently rave about. I dive into what actually happens during the session, why it’s a fantastic break from standard sightseeing, and the insider tips you need to know. Spoiler alert: we loved this class!  Book your spot in this Salzburg Strudel Class here! For show notes, photos from the class, links, and helpful trip pla...

In this episode I talk with Ireland travel expert Jody Halsted from Ireland Family Vacations about how to create the the perfect Dublin stopover on your way to or from Germany. We talk about where to stay, what to do, where to eat, what to book ahead, easy day trips - and why we LOVE flying to the US from Dublin airport. If you're considering including Ireland or even just Dublin in your Germ...

Today I'm sharing 5 "on the ground" essentials to help you skip common rookie mistakes and navigate Germany with ease, so you can stay fully present and enjoy every minute of your trip! For show notes and helpful trip planning resources, visit > https://www.mygermanyvacation.com/podcast-episode-39 If you love what we share in our podcast, just wait until you see what we can do fo...