Autumn trip to Germany

Short car trips are extremely popular this year, and the fall season is especially suitable for that. Data from 2020 show that autumn trips are chosen by those who want to avoid the crowds of tourists, seek savings and like short trips.

"Autumn is an ideal season for short trips. The long summer vacation is over, but the weather is still suitable for weekend trips. A frequent traveller has recently chosen countries, which are convenient to reach by car", says Vaidas Klumbys, DFDS Communications Manager for the Baltics, presenting the idea of an autumn trip - a trip by land and sea to major German cities: Kiel, Hamburg and Berlin.

In total, such a trip covers as much as 1,300 km by car, it takes 14 and a half hours to drive alone, but travellers hardly feel this time, because the sights are waiting every few hours. The autumn trip starts in Klaipeda, boarding the ferry, which takes travellers directly to the German city of Kiel during the night. The journey by sea takes about 19 hours, during which the ferry crosses almost 800 km. V. Klumbys reassures that you will not get bored on the trip, because there are restaurants, bars, children's playrooms and shops on the ferries. Those who like peace and seek to limit contact with other people can spend time in the cabin.

Kiel and Hamburg are history and entertainment port cities

Only after getting off the ferry in Kiel, you should not rush to the depths of Germany, because there is a lot to see in the port city itself, there are many museums and attractions in the city. To learn about the maritime and fishing culture and traditions of northern Germany, visit the Kieler Stadt und Schifffahrtsmuseum (Museum of Shipping and Fisheries) and the various marine animals in the Zoological Museum or the Geomar Aquarium. History enthusiasts can admire the St. Michael's Church (Nikolaikirche) built in the 13th century. According to V. Klumbis, the port city of Kiel is special in that it is located at the intersection of the North and Baltic Seas. It is rich in maritime-themed events, such as the Kiel Regatta, one of the largest sailing festivals in the world, on the last weekend of June.

Exploring the port city of Kiel, Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany, just 90 km south. In Hamburg, you will find another port called the "Gateway to Germany", and you will also be able to further your knowledge of shipping at Hamburg's Maritime Museum. For those interested in art, it is recommended to visit one of the largest art galleries in Europe, Kunsthalle Hamburg, and architecture lovers should visit Hamburg's St. Michael's Church. A 132-meter-high tower called Michel, can be reached or taken off by elevator. The observation deck of the tower offers a spectacular panorama of the city. For those travelling with children, the Miniatur Wunderland, the world's largest toy train line, is worth a visit. It consists of more than 15,400 meters of railway tracks with 1,040 trains. Visit park in the city center, decorated with many different types of flowers and fountains, where you can take a walk, sit on a bench to admire the view or take a picnic on the lawn.

The German capital is a necessary stop

From Hamburg heading southeast, after a good 3 hours, you will reach the German capital Berlin, one of Europe’s major cities. You can spend more than a week in Berlin, but in a short trip Vaidas Klumbys offers to see the most memorable objects. “Berlin is full of modern history objects. First, visit the Reichstag, the German parliament building that has been performing this function for more than 100 years, and the building itself is an impressive blend of old and modern architecture. It is also worth visiting another symbol of Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate. These gates separated West and East Berlin and are now a symbol of unification. When looking for more historical sites, the Berlin Wall must not be forgotten. After 1989, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the city has reunited, to this day only a small part of the wall has survived, which is frequently visited by tourists, ”says V. Klumbys.

Continuing the tour of the German churches, one cannot miss the Berlin Cathedral, built in the 19th century, destroyed during the war and later rebuilt. After a walk around Berlin, a frequent traveller wants to go shopping. According to Klumbis, this can be done by going to Potsdamer Platz, where you will not only find shopping malls, but you will also be able to admire modern architecture, visit a theater or a cinema.

Journey home - by land

The trip does not end, even if you turn towards Lithuania - there is something to visit along the way. After leaving Berlin, travel east and cross the German-Polish border. After a couple of hours, you will reach another historic city, Poznan. It is also worth visiting the sacral architecture here: St. Stanislav Church, where you can admire the intricate frescoes and the 13th century altar. The oldest cathedral in all of Poland, in Poznań, was built in the late Gothic style and preserves many valued works of art. V. Klumbys recommends to go to the Market Square, where there are bars and restaurants, so it is a great place to spend a cozy evening. After resting and strengthening, it is worth visiting the Royal Castle of Poznań, equipped for Kaiser Wilhelm II. Although built at the beginning of 20th century, the castle from the outside resembles a fortress of medieval nobles.

"After leaving Poznań, do not rush to return home. The next stop is Warsaw, the capital of Poland. This city leaves a great impression on visitors. Tourists from Lithuania should visit the Royal Castle, where you can get acquainted with the history of the rulers of Poland and Lithuania, admire the 17th century. architecture ", says V. Klumbys. Near the castle is the UNESCO-listed Old Town Market Square, the former center of city life. The colorful buildings surrounding the square are built by wealthy merchants, and the Siren Statue adorns its center is a symbol of the city. For those interested in science and its history, it is recommended to visit the Museum of Nicolaus Copernicus, perhaps the most famous Polish scientist, where both children and adults will find interesting activities, the exposition is rich in interactive exhibits, visitors can do various scientific experiments. At the end of the trip you can relax in Lazienki Park and visit the palace next to the park pond. After visiting the largest city in Poland, the last stage of the trip begins: after passing Białystok, Augustów and Suwalki, you will be in Lithuania.