Germany
Patrick McGill
High Point, NC
Europe and United Kingdom Travel Specialist
I am your travel expert travel agent specializing in memorable journeys through Europe and the United Kingdom. I have an unwavering passion for exploration and a deep appreciation for these magnificent destinations' diverse cultures and rich histo...
I am your travel expert travel agent specializing in memorable journeys through Europe and the United Kingdom. I have an unwavering passion for exploration and a deep appreciation for these magnificent destinations' diverse cultures and rich histories.
My perspective on European Travel is this: When you travel to Europe, it's more than just "getting away", it's about "getting in touch" - with the world we live in and the people in it. And by connecting with our world, we connect with ourselves.
I am here to help you make that connection.
My love for travel began when I first went to Germany on a 3-year military assignment. It continued in my business career, working for international companies. Over a lifetime, I have lived, worked and traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United Kingdom.
Whether you dream of strolling through the picturesque streets of Paris, marveling at the ancient wonders of Rome, or discovering the mystical landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, I have done all of these and more.
I understand that every traveler has their own vision of the perfect European getaway. My concept to travel is that when we travel, we make connections with the places we visit. And when we experience the places we visit, we enrich ourselves.
Whether you seek a trip focused on art, history, cuisine, ancestry, or just a stroll through historic towns and beautiful landscapes, I will work closely with you to understand your desires, preferences, and budget. With my in-depth knowledge of the region's vibrant culture, art, architecture, and cuisine, I will craft an itinerary allowing you to create lifelong memories and cherished moments.
Can Be Reached At
1-336-681-2970
This post will be a bit different, because this isn't part of a trip that I took. Instead, it is a collection of my time living in Germany and later working there. And as a result, some of the pictures in the album associated with this post are not mine, but they do represent places I have personally visited in Germany.
I'll start with one of my favorite cities in the world: Munich. After World War II, the cities of Germany went in different directions - they either restored or modernized. For example, Frankfurt modernized. Munich restored. Munich is also a convenient place to start, because it is easy to get there, and convenient to other locations. You can reach Munich directly from several major international airports in the US, including Atlanta, Charlotte, and Washington-Dulles. From Munich, you can very easily visit Salzburg, Austria, Neuschwanstein Castle, Dachau, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Berchtesgaden, and Switzerland by car or train.
Munich is a very easy city to visit. Like most German cities, Munich has a large pedestrian zone, where vehicular traffic is extremely restricted. Included in this area is the Marienplatz - the large central square bordered by the "old" and "new" city government buildings. From this location, you can also visit the Deutsche Museum and the English Gardens. The Olympic Village is just a short subway ride away, as is also the grounds where Oktoberfest is held each year.
A little farther north, about 3 hours by car, is Rothenburg ob der Tauber. This is one of the oldest walled cities in Germany, and gives a very vivid picture of life in Germany in the 1500 - 1700's. We lived about 40 minutes away from Rothenburg, and would go there for an afternoon.
The next stop in your travels here is Heidelberg. It is located along the Neckar River is a popular stop for River Cruises on the Rhine. Heidelberg has the oldest University in Germany, and the Heidelberg Castle ruins.
Moving again north, into the Nordrhein-Westphalen region are Cologne and Duesseldorf. The main attraction in Cologne is the Cathedral. At one time in history it was the largest structure in the world. The cathedral is an engineering marvel, in that construction was started in the 1200's, and construction took over 300 years. It predates the discorvery of North America and the creation of Protestant Christianity. To see that this structure was made with medieval technology is amazing. The cathedral is so large that Allied bombers would use it as a landmark on their missions into Germany. Also located in Cologne is a Roman museum, showcasing some of the Roman artifacts found in Cologne.
Just north of Cologne is Duesseldorf. The "Altstadt" (Old City) part of this city is a great way to spend the day. It is full of restaurants, and nicknamed "The Longest Bar in the World". Duesseldorf is also known s the fashion capital of Germany. Along the KönigsAllee (King's Street), you can find shops like Versace, Burberry, Prada and Gucci. There are several very nice hotels in Duesseldorf as well. And, from Duesseldorf, Amsterdam is a very convenient drive.
Other places to visit in Germany include Berlin, Baden-Baden, Strasbourg, Frankfurt and Hamburg.