Are you doing an internship in Germany, about to do one or hesitating to leave? Then this blog is for you 🙂
Germany is at the heart of Europe, so it seems obvious that you’ll be able to travel easily during your internship. In this blog, I’m going to introduce you to several destinations that could make your German experience even crazier. Germany and its surroundings are full of surprises. Between the beach, Prague, Amsterdam and the Rhine, you won’t get bored without spending too much, I promise!
Take a trip to the German beaches at Timmendorfer Niendorf.
And yes, it’s often forgotten, but Germany isn’t all land. The country isn’t landlocked, and boasts a wide range of beaches and coastal towns along the Baltic Sea. So, yes, it’s not a Mediterranean setting, but it has its charm all the same.
In this blog, I’d like to tell you about Niendorf, and more specifically about Timmendorfer beach.
How do I get there?
Train:
Less than 100 kilometers from Hamburg, Niendorf can be reached by train in less than 1 hour 45 minutes. Also less than four hours from Berlin, Niendorf is well served by public transport. I recommend using the FlixTrain service, which offers low-cost train tickets for travel throughout Germany.
Bus :
A slightly longer solution, but less expensive, as Flixbus services are much cheaper than the train to get to Niendorf.
In any case, you’ll have to pass through the city of Lübeck, and I’d recommend taking the time to do a mini-tour there, as it’s quite nice. In fact, you’ll be able to enjoy the Gothic brick architecture dating back to the time when Lübeck was the medieval capital of the Hanseatic League (a powerful trading confederation).
For Instagram, I promise you that a little story in Lübeck goes down well.
To quickly introduce you to the town of Niendorf, I have to tell you about the harbor with all its colorful little fishing boats, an explosion of color in the fishing port. This harbor is a perfect representation of the Baltic German harbor: colorful, traditional and dynamic.
Once you’ve passed the port, all you have to do is head for the beach. Timmendorfer is considered one of Germany’s most popular and beautiful beaches. At 6.5 km long, this sandy beach is a breath of fresh air where you can sunbathe, walk with your feet in the water and, if you’re brave, go for a swim. In summer, the water is between 18 and 20 degrees, so I hope you’re not chilly.
And why not pay a visit to our Czech friends in the capital?
It’s often forgotten, but Berlin and Prague are relatively close (the shortest distance (as the crow flies) between Berlin and Prague is 279.75 km).
If you ever want to get to Prague, Czech Republic, from Germany, you have several transportation options, here are three of them:
Train: The train is a fast and convenient way to travel between Germany and Prague. Journey times may vary according to the German city of departure, but in general, you should allow between 4 and 6 hours. As for prices, expect to pay between 40 and 80 euros for a one-way ticket. I’d advise you to check in advance and use FlixTrain – trains costing less than 50 euros can be booked from Berlin.
Bus: The bus is a more economical option for getting to Prague from Germany. As mentioned above, it’s less comfortable and takes a little longer, but you’ll easily find round-trip tickets for less than 50 euros.
Carpooling: I recommend using mitfahrgelegenheit.de (BlaBlaCar translated into German) if you want to carpool between Germany and Prague. Carpooling rates vary according to the driver, but you may find options at prices similar to bus fares. On average, the site offers around 30 different routes per day.
After a few hours of more or less pleasant transport, you’ve finally arrived in Prague, the Czech capital! But what’s there to do? Here’s a non-exhaustive list of things to do once you’re here:
Explore the Old Town: Take a stroll through the streets of the Old Town to admire the historic architecture and lively Old Town Square.
Visit Prague Castle: This majestic castle offers a breathtaking view of the city and is home to numerous historic buildings and museums.
Take a cruise on the Vltava: Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Vltava River to discover Prague from a different angle.
Discover the Charles Bridge: This famous 14th-century bridge is one of Prague’s landmarks, offering superb views of the river and the city.
Taste Czech cuisine: Don’t hesitate to sample traditional Czech dishes in local restaurants and pubs. If you’d like to find out more about the culinary specialities of the Czech Republic, click here or blog about it (yum yum).
Visit Wenceslas Square: This lively square is Prague’s nerve center, with stores, cafés and important monuments.
Take a stroll in Letná Park: This park is an ideal place to relax and enjoy nature while taking in panoramic views of the city.
If you’d like to learn a little more about the Czech Republic, read our Top 10 Czech Republic trivia!
Looking for fun and culture? Amsterdam is the perfect compromise!
In this blog, I’d also like to tell you about the Dutch capital. A true symbol of conviviality and open-mindedness, Amsterdam is the perfect compromise between having fun and learning something new.
By train: Less than four hours by train from many major German cities (Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Cologne or Bremen) and 6 hours from Berlin. The city of bicycles, as we like to call it, is very well served by the rail network.
By bus: Well, to be honest, if you’re coming from Berlin, I don’t think the bus is the best solution, as you’ll have to wait more than 10 hours sitting down for the same price as the train. The bus is preferable, especially if you’re in western Germany. On average less than 20 euros for the cities listed above (Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Cologne or Bremen).
Carpooling: I’d also recommend carpooling, as you’ll be able to socialize with other people and improve your language skills at the same time – a practical language course ahah 🙂 Carpooling rates can vary depending on the driver, but you may be able to find options at prices similar to bus fares.
As for things to do in Amsterdam, I suggest you take a look here.
For beer lovers, the German beer route!
We’re not going to hide the fact that we’re big beer fans… so it was a must for us to talk to you about hops and malt (the components involved in making beers) in this blog. In Germany, beer is present in every region, town and village. Here, I’d like to suggest a few days’ itinerary in Germany, on the banks of the Rhine. Head for Cologne, Düsseldorf and Mettmann!
How to get there :
To start your itinerary, I’d advise you to start in Cologne, which is certainly the city with the best rail, bus and car-sharing connections. As mentioned above, use Flixbus or FlixTrain to get around more cheaply.
For transportation during your beer journey, all three cities are well served by public transport (less than 30 minutes for each city).
Once you’re there, you’ll have a lot to do, so I suggest you do this:
Brewery tours: Remember the names of traditional German breweries: Brauerei Päffgen (Cologne), Schreckenskammer Brewery (Cologne), Brauerei Im Füchschen (Düsseldorf) and Braukeller (Mettmann).
- Discover beer museums: In Cologne, don’t miss the German Beer Museum, where you can learn more about the history and brewing process of this iconic beverage. In Düsseldorf, the Museum of Beer and Brewing is also a must for beer lovers.
- Take a Rhine cruise: Enjoy a boat trip on the Rhine and admire the magnificent scenery along the river. Some cruises even offer tastings of local beers on board.
- Discover local architecture: Every city has its own unique architectural charm. In Cologne, don’t miss the majestic Gothic cathedral, while in Düsseldorf, the narrow streets of the old town are well worth a visit. In Mettmann, take a stroll through the historic center to discover its traditional buildings.
I hope you find this information useful! If you still need to find an internship in Germany, don’t worry, International Horizons is here to take care of everything. As a specialist in internships abroad, you can sign up with complete confidence, because there’s no obligation.
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