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 listen to this one! 

Topics covered:

• Why Kori and her husband chose Germany for a first-ever Europe trip
• Renting a car vs. taking the train  
• Favorite Christmas market moments from Nuremberg, Rothenburg, and Innsbruck
• The standout accommodations: a castle hotel, a charming Rothenburg inn, a resort with castle and mountain views, and a convenient Munich hotel 
• Food highlights including Christmas market favorites and an unforgettable hole-in-the-wall spot in Munich 
• Tips for making the most of a 1-week Germany Christmas market trip
• What made planning their Christmas market adventure easy 

For show notes, photos, links, and helpful trip planning resources, visit > https://www.mygermanyvacation.com/podcast-episode-48

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 
• 15 things we take on every Germany trip
• Our hotel recommendations

Loving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes!

1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers.

2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.  

Thank you for listening! 

A private tour guide can completely change how you experience Berlin, but it's not the right call for every traveler or every trip. 

In this episode I sit down with Matti Geyer, a born-and-raised Berliner and private tour guide in Berlin and Potsdam, to walk through the questions I hear from travelers all the time so you can decide whether a private guide belongs in your Germany itinerary.

Matti has been guiding since 2008, covers everything from World War II and Cold War history to street art and off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods, and is one of our most trusted preferred partners for clients heading to Berlin.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why a private guide helps you maximize your time in a big, spread-out city like Berlin
• How private tours differ from group tours and which type of traveler gets the most out of each
• The tour options Matti offers, from a three-hour best-of tour to full-day excursions to Potsdam and Sachsenhausen
• How to find a qualified guide in Berlin when there is no formal licensing requirement
• How kid-friendly, mobility-friendly, and introvert-friendly private tours actually work in practice
• How to contact Matti, what to expect from the booking process, and what tours typically cost

Not sure where to start with planning your Germany trip? Grab my free Germany Travel Starter Kit at https://www.mygermanyvacation.com/ and I will walk you through the five key decisions every first-time traveler to Germany needs to make.

For show notes, photos, links, and helpful trip planning resources, visit > https://www.mygermanyvacation.com/podcast-episode-47

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 
• 15 things we take on every Germany trip
• Our hotel recommendations

Loving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes!

1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers.

2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.  

Thank you for listening! 

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 
• 15 things we take on every Germany trip
• Our hotel recommendations

Loving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes!

1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers.

2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.  

Thank you for listening! 

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 your Germany itinerary, definitely listen to this episode!  

For show notes, photos, links, and helpful trip planning resources, visit > https://www.mygermanyvacation.com/podcast-episode-46

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 
• 15 things we take on every Germany trip
• Our hotel recommendations

Loving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes!

1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers.

2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.  

Thank you for listening! 

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 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 
• 15 things we take on every Germany trip
• Our hotel recommendations

Loving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes!

1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers.

2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.  

Thank you for listening! 

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 travel made easy 
• Our recommended tours, guides, and more 
• 15 things we take on every Germany trip
• Our hotel recommendations

Loving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes!

1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers.

2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.  

Thank you for listening! 

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, and kick off the adventure of a lifetime...including the 3 things we never do on day 1.

For show notes, photos, links, and helpful trip planning resources, visit > https://www.mygermanyvacation.com/podcast-episode-44

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 
• 15 things we take on every Germany trip
• Our hotel recommendations

Loving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes!

1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers.

2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.  

Thank you for listening! 

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, and helpful trip planning resources, visit > https://www.mygermanyvacation.com/podcast-episode-43

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 
• 15 things we take on every Germany trip
• Our hotel recommendations

Loving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes!

1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers.

2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.  

Thank you for listening! 

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://www.mygermanyvacation.com/podcast-episode-42

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 
• 15 things we take on every Germany trip
• Our hotel recommendations

Loving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes!

1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers.

2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.  

Thank you for listening! 

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 planning resources, visit >https://www.mygermanyvacation.com/podcast-episode-41

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 
• 15 things we take on every Germany trip
• Our hotel recommendations

Loving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes!

1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers.

2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.  

Thank you for listening!