Air Berlin Announces Summer Fare Sale

Air Berlin, Germany’s second largest airline, announced its summer sale available for booking as of April 24 through June 13, 2008. Air Berlin offers the only nonstop service to Düsseldorf from Los Angeles, New York, Miami and Ft Myers. Fares are based on roundtrip travel and start as low as $448* from New York, $698* from Los Angeles, $558* from Miami and $548* from Ft Myers for travel from May 19 through June 30. These fares are also valid to most of Germany’s premier cities such as Munich, Berlin, Stuttgart and Nuremberg. (*Taxes and fees from $346 are not included and total depends on final destination. Check your CRS for other rules and restrictions.)

You will also enjoy convenient connections from this centrally located airport to numerous European cities. Air Berlin’s new business class features, enhanced seat comfort, courteous and efficient service, selection of multi-course gourmet meals specially created in one of Germany’s exclusive restaurants on the Island of Sylt, individual entertainment systems and much more.

Air Berlin has consistently been recognized world-wide for its excellent service, friendliness and safety standards receiving numerous awards from industry experts such as Business Travel World and Skytrax. Air Berlin can be booked through your travel agent or for more information you can contact our service center at 866-266-5588.

Berlin has Something for Everyone

“Something for Everyone” was originally West Berlin’s travel slogan, but today it’s actually more true. There were many buildings in East Berlin near the wall that were illegally inhabited by young people. The wall came down, the kids came out and the nightlife erupted from their jubilation. Thanks to the youth culture that spawned during the first years the wall was down, Berlin has a diverse selection of nightclubs and after hours venues unrivaled in most other capitals of the world.

The town is also host to the Art Forum yearly global art fair. Many young Germans and artists from around the world continue to settle in the city and Berlin has founded itself as an significant center of youth and popular culture in the European Union. Signs of this expanding role were the 2003 announcement that the yearly Popkomm, Europe’s largest music industry convention, would be held in Berlin.

There are so many things to see and do in Berlin that staying short term just doesn’t do it justice. Staying long term in a hotel can be prohibitively expensive, and kind of misses the point of staying in a foreign country. Renting an apartment makes you part of the scene instead of part of the scenery. A rental means coming home after you leave the concert.

Aachen–Not Just the Way to Cologne

The region of Eifel in Germany has something for every kind of traveler. A good part of the area has been designated a nature preserve, probably to ensure that the round crater lakes–the product of unusual volcanic activity–and undeveloped hills in the north of the region remain unspoiled. This northern part of the Eifel is also home to several old towns notable for their half-timber construction and old castles.

One town which can give you a taste of what Germany was like in ages past is Aachen. Aachen’s history as a resort goes back to Roman times when it was a spa favored by the aristocracy. It wasn’t until the 8th century, however, that it gained great prominence as the second city and favorite residence of Charlemagne. It became a center of learning then, and remains one to this day. Charlemagne’s influence is still felt in the university and other construction, not the least of which is one of the great king’s thrones. Built of plain marble slabs, the throne is a testament to the philosophy of simplicity, glory and power that has kept the city one of the most beautiful and understated destination in Germany.

What Aachen is best known for is being a stop on the path to Cologne. Cologne is undoubtedly a vacation capital. Riding in on the train you can see how Cologne gets its nickname, Cathedral City. Dominating the skyline not by force but by delicacy, the cathedral’s spires define the view of Cologne. It is unfair to Aachen, however, to be dominated in reputation by another city. Aachen’s university attitude and amazing architectural tributes to generations past deserve just as much attention, and its slower pace of life makes it a great town in which to lodge.

A Walk in Vienna

Vienna was, for hundreds of years, the capital of the Austrian Empire. It is renowned for the wealth of interesting buildings, churches and palaces in many architectural styles. Some, up to 700 years old, are graceful Gothic structures, others Renaissance and Baroque. The vast majority were built in the 19th century at the peak of the Empire’s power and wealth. These are predominantly, large opulent structures in Neo-gothic and Neo-renaissance styles, with some striking examples of the turn of the century Art Nouveau, in Vienna called Jugenstil.

The center of Vienna is easily explored on foot, and it’s richly rewarding to do so. There are a couple of sites that no one should miss. One such site is the Hoffsburg fortress. Began as a small fortress in 1275 it became the residence of 600 years of ambitious rulers, each eager to put their mark on the place. In such fashion it expanded greatly, each generation adding something in the style of the day from Gothic right up to the 19th century neo-renaissance.

Crossing town to the north-west you will come to the Burgtheater, the most prestigious theater in the German speaking world. An affair of crimson and flaxen in Italian renaissance style, the Burgtheater is a great place to end up as the last point on a walk. Be sure to get tickets in advance, the theater is almost always sold out and the view is best from the inside.

« Previous Page