I’ve been to Germany several times, the first in December 1994 and the last time was in March (2006).

The areas I’ve spent the most time in is around Cologne, Dusseldorf, Aachen, Hamburg, and Dannenberg to the east. For my next trip, I’d like to visit Munich, to the south.

When I’ve been to Germany, since most of that time was to visit friends and do some sightseeing, my experience does not include hotels or guesthouses. The advantages are many, and I’ll be the first to admit I am a spoiled tourist in Germany re: the challenges posed to the average tourist, eg. language and transportation and restaurants, etc.

If you remain in the cities English is widely spoken, but if you end up in the countryside, be prepared to point things out on maps and such.