Travel Tips
The Ultimate Guide to a Cross Country Road Trip
Crossing New Zealand is one thing. Going on a Road Trip in Australia is something else, but going on a trip through the United States of America is the ultimate adventure of adventures. It spans a continent, features deep canyons and tall peaks, deserts, and massive forests. Some of the world’s most famous cities, like New York City, San Francisco, LA, Las Vegas, all call the United States of America home, and the best way to enjoy all that it has to offer is on the road.
The Best Way to Get Across the Country
You have options when it comes to a road trip. Some want to feel the road as one and opt for a motorcycle. Others check out a car and drive from destination to destination. The best way, however, is with an RV rental.
RV Options
Large RVs can fit up to seven people and are perfect for big group road trips. They have air conditioning, a working bathroom, a gas-powered kitchen that includes a fridge and microwave, and can even pull additional weight behind them.
Standard RVs are perfect for an average-sized family of five or less. They feature all the great amenities of the large RV, just with a smaller design.
Compact RVs are perfect for small families or couples who want just a little bit more space than the truck camper. They are fully equipped with a working bathroom and kitchen and are great for both winter and summer road trips.
Truck Camper RVs are great for those who have never driven large RVs before or other similar trucks. They are much easier to drive and can even come with a working bathroom, though their cooking capabilities are more limited.
Packing for Long Haul Road Trips
The next important step for your RV road trip is to prepare is what you are going to pack with you.
Tips for an Efficient Road Trip Suitcase
Good road trips are a few weeks at least, meaning that it isn’t feasible to bring enough clothes to wear once per day. The clothes you bring will, therefore, need to be hard-wearing and okay to wear again without being ironed or even being washed. The RV camps you stay in should have laundry facilities, but it’s best to choose items that can go a few wears without washing, just in case.
This means choosing natural fabrics that wick away moisture. Jeans, for example, can be worn again and again without needing to be washed. Linen and wool are also great at keeping you dry, and wool is even hypoallergenic.
The point is, they can be worn more than once, and chosen correctly can be worn in different ways throughout your trip.
Tips for Stocking Up on Food
Most RVs will come with a fridge and a microwave, but not all of them will come with a gas cooker. Even then, you are still down an oven, and it is important to plan your meals around that.
If you have a cooker, stocking up on dry goods like pasta, rice, and other grains is a good idea. If you don’t, then there are options in stores, like microwavable rice. With a microwave, ready meals are, of course, always an option, though your ability to store them will be limited.
Protein snacks, oatmeal, soups (which can be microwaved instead of cooked), and cereal are all a great set of basics to have with you. Try to stock up emergency provisions to ensure you always have something during your trip, and then as you travel to towns or pass by stores you can stock up more special meals. This way you’ll have food even if the weather takes a turn and pours down rain.
Tips for Stocking Up on Toiletries
You will have a shower and toilet in your RV, but that doesn’t mean you should just use any and all toiletries. Toilet paper, for example, can clog up septic tanks very easily. You will want to invest in a brand that is designed specifically to be used with RVs so that you can keep your toilet working for longer.
Similarly, you won’t want to use toiletries that produce a lot of waste. You cannot throw it in the toilet and RVs have limited space to store garbage until you find a proper disposal unit. By using zero-waste products and reusable products you keep your RV spacious and clean.
Tips for Planning Your Trip
To help you plan a perfect trip, try implementing these top two tips:
Choose a Region to Explore
The United States of America is a big place and it would take months to explore the whole thing, even years. There is also a lot of farm space that doesn’t contain a lot of interest for a traveller. That’s why it is a good idea to explore a region. This could be the east coast, west coast, the south – whatever you pick, stick to that region and do it fully.
You’ll have an excuse to go back and make the most out of your one trip.
Stick to One or Two Big Things Per Day
In order to see all the big-ticket items you will need to plan something, however. A good way to do this is to stick to either one or two big-ticket items per day, and then to give yourself three or four days at the end. These days can be used as break days whenever you want.
As you are in an RV, you have more freedom in terms of your schedule. Unless you are travelling during the high season you should be able to find an RV camp along the way that has space for you for the night, and for a great price.
Staying Safe on Your Road Trip
Staying safe is very important. You will want to ensure that you are covered either by your own credit card or by travel insurance for emergencies and damages. You will also want to have roadside assistance and to prepare in advance, so you know safety tips when camping, on the road, and for all the activities you plan on doing.
Germany—the Land of Poets and Thinkers—is not only home to world-renowned composers like Beethoven, Bach, Brahms, Schumann, and Wagner. It is also well-loved by tourists for its stunning sceneries and landscapes, serene rolling hills, picturesque meadows dotted with grazing cattle, quaint medieval villages, rich culture, and hearty, scrumptious German cuisine, among others. If you want a cornucopia of unique experiences rolled into one great adventure, you definitely have to put Germany at the top of your travel bucket list.
Traveling to Germany for the first time could be a daunting and thrilling experience. At the same time, it can also be overwhelming and intimidating if you absolutely know nothing about the country you’re visiting. For such reasons, it will be helpful to book a Germany guided tour to make sure everything is already taken care of for you so that the trip will go effortlessly smooth sailing. If you are unsure where to begin for your preparations, this ultimate travel guide to successfully exploring Germany is an excellent starting point!
The Basics You Should Know
First things first, here are the basic things you should know about Germany before hopping on that plane:
Requirements for Entry for US Citizens
Germany is a Schengen country, which means that tourists from the allied 27 European countries don’t need to present a passport to gain entry to Germany. With little to no border control at their mutual borders, tourists from the other Schengen countries can seamlessly cross borders into their neighboring countries, including Germany.
Now, if you’re from the US, you would need to present a passport to be allowed entry in Germany. This U.S. passport must be valid for at least 90 days beyond the intended departure date from the Schengen area.
Budget Allocation
The prices of lodging and commodities in Germany are definitely cheaper than in the US, so you would find that most things are affordable here. If you are an average spender, expect to shell out $55 to $90 per day on accommodation, food, and transportation. Meanwhile, mid-range travelers may have to spend around $110 to $160 per day, and luxury spenders may have to shell out $200 or more daily.
The Best Time to Visit Germany
Like most European countries, Germany has four seasons, each having its unique charm and appeal. This means that the best time to visit Germany would ultimately depend on your preferences.
Summer
If you like to participate in outdoor activities and festivities, it is best to visit Germany during its summer months—from June to August. However, take note that this is also the peak season, so there will inevitably be larger crowds, and the commodities tend to be more expensive.
Winter
Meanwhile, if you fancy engaging in winter sports, it is best to visit during the winter months—from December to February. Expect that the quaint German villages will have a snow-capped snow globe-like charm to them. Additionally, prices of accommodations and commodities tend to be lower since the crowds are sparse during the cold winter months. However, take note that many stores are closed down for the winter, except during the days leading up to Christmas. The German Christmas Markets are definitely not to be missed!
Spring and Fall
The shoulder season in Germany falls under both Spring—from April to May—and fall—from September to October. During these months, the weather tends to be milder, the prices of hotels and commodities tend to be lower than in the summer season, and there are also fewer tourists around.
Festivals and Events
Germany is known for having two essential festivals: the Oktoberfest and Christmas Markets.
Oktoberfest is a festival held yearly in Munich that celebrates beer, food, and Bavarian culture, along with some live music and carnival rides for 16 days straight. This world-renowned festival runs from late September to early October, attracting countless visitors from all around the world.
On the other hand, come late November til the end of December, Germany transforms its tranquil towns into a magical winter wonderland, complete with snow-dusted Christmas trees and cobbled lanes. During winter, everywhere you look, you will see festive wooden huts draped in lush Christmas garlands, sparkling string lights, and handcrafted Christmas ornaments and gifts. The delightful smell of roasted nuts, gingerbread, mulled wine, and German sausage hangs around the air as you make your way through the German Christmas markets. Christmas in Germany is truly the jolliest time of the year!
Transportation
Germany boasts an extensive public transportation network comprising of buses, trams, U-Bahn (or subways), and trains. You don’t really need to rely solely on driving cars to get around the area, as Germany’s public transportation system is reliable, efficient, clean, and comfortable to use.
If you want to get to your destination quicker, you should ride ICE Trains, which are speedy but tend to be expensive. On the other hand, regional trains tend to be slower in terms of speed but are much more affordable. But if you are on a tight budget, riding the bus will do as it is the least expensive option. You can even plan your travel using public transportation via apps like Deutsche Bahn or Rome2Rio.
To ensure a hitch-free ride, make sure you always validate your ticket at the machine in the stations before you board the train or bus. And do take note of the schedule of the vehicles as the trains in Germany are very punctual. They arrive on the dot, so it is important for you to arrive at the station early so you won’t miss your train. Lastly, you may need to push a button to open the doors so you can get off at your stop, or may need to alert the driver that your stop is approaching.
Best Places to Visit
Germany has a pocketful of mesmerizing sights, medieval architecture, and landscapes to marvel at. At a glance, here are the best places to add to your itinerary:
City Escapades
- Berlin
Germany’s capital city is one of the top tourist destinations, thanks to its marvelous museums, opulent art, and vibrant culture. This is the best place to appreciate Germany’s striking contrasts, where the past and present intermingle as historical buildings stand alongside modern architecture.
- Munich
It is Bavaria’s capital, which is known as the home of the world-famous Oktoberfest celebration. If you love beer, you will love Munich’s beer halls, most especially the famed Hofbräuhaus.
- Köln (Cologne)
This two-millennia-old city is famed for its twin-spired Cologne Cathedral and its gilded medieval reliquary alongside sweeping river views.
Quaint Medieval Towns
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber
This German town nestled in northern Bavaria is known for its charming medieval architecture. As you walk its cobblestone streets, you’ll be amazed at the panoramic sight of its well-maintained half-timbered houses. Arguably, this is the best medieval town in Germany.
- Nuremberg
Back in the Middle Ages, the Imperial Castle in Nuremberg was once considered the most important imperial palace in the Holy Roman Empire. For centuries, the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg stood as a secure base and prestigious residence for the head of the Empire.
Charming Fairytale-Like Castles
- Neuschwanstein Castle
This fairytale-like castle nestled deep within the Bavarian Alps is one of Germany’s best tourist attractions. It is famously known as the inspiration for the castle design of Disney’s Cinderella. This castle was built by the orders of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, who was infamously known as the “mad King Ludwig.” The ever-so-beautiful castle of Neuschwanstein was supposedly a hideaway for this reclusive mad king.
- Burg Eltz
This 1,000-year-old fairy tale castle is nestled at the heart of the hills above the Moselle between Koblenz and Trier. It is among the oldest castles in Germany, and to this day, it is still owned by the House of Eltz, a clan who have lived there since the beginning of the 12th century.
We have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We think our blog is thought provoking and a little witty. But we have been proven wrong before. Find out more about us here...
-
Adventure Travel3 months agoA Beginner’s Guide to Yacht Charters: How to Choose the Right Yacht and Plan the Perfect Trip
-
Business3 months ago7 Tips for Levelling up Your London Business Trip
-
Travel Tips3 months agoThe Benefits of Bundling Car Rentals with Hotel Stays in Orlando
-
Entertainment3 months ago7 Tips for Organising an Amazing NYC Bachelor Party
-
Travel Tips3 months agoThe Essential Guide to Exploring Cancun’s Nightlife
-
Asia2 months ago
12 Pieces of Useful Advice for First-Time Travellers to Singapore
-
Travel Tips3 weeks agoAdventurer’s Manual: How to Successfully Explore Germany