Germany may be slightly smaller than Montana, but travel expert Sarah Dandashy of AskaConcierge.tv discovered it packs infinitely more variety into its Historic Highlights cities. Trading the typical Munich-Berlin tourist circuit for lesser-known gems, Dandashy’s train journey revealed where Germany’s true heart beats – in charming towns where medieval puppet makers share bridges with chocolatiers and 500-year-old wine bottles share cellars with modern vintages. Fun fact: One city she explored actually rents out apartments inside a UNESCO palace – imagine calling the “palace of palaces” home!
Sarah’s Four Historic Highlights Discoveries:
Rostock-Warnemünde – This Baltic duo blindsided Dandashy despite being familiar to cruise passengers. Rostock’s 800-year-old Brick Gothic treasures (including St. Mary’s astronomical clock) paired perfectly with Warnemünde’s beach culture, where Wilhelm Bartelmann invented the beach chair. She discovered 60 retro loungers await visitors, and learned Rostock purchased Warnemünde centuries ago for sea access. Her picks: Blue Donkey restaurant and Fischbrötchen at Teepott.
Potsdam – “One palace, two palaces, three palaces… wait there’s more!” Dandashy counted 20+ palaces within walking distance in Frederick the Great’s 25-minute escape from Berlin. Sanssouci (“without cares”) topped her UNESCO must-sees, while Babelsberg Studios – Europe’s second-largest, producing films from “The Pianist” to “Inglorious Basterds” – added Hollywood glamour. She recommends several days over day-tripping.
Erfurt – This medieval revelation delivered Dandashy’s favorite experience: The Merchants’ Bridge, Europe’s longest inhabited bridge. She visited Martin Gobsch’s puppet workshop, Goldhelm’s Bridge Truffles, and the 200-year-old BORN Mustard. The Old Synagogue’s 1200s treasures (found in 1998), Luther’s Augustinian Monastery beginnings, and the sobering former Stasi prison Memorial provided historical layers. Thuringian dumplings at Zum Güldenen Rade proved essential.
Würzburg – This charming university town on the Romantic Road combines architecture with an oenophile’s paradise. BuergerSpital Weinstuben amazed with bottles from the 1500s, while the UNESCO Würzburg Residence offered rentable palace apartments. Marienberg Fortress (origins: 1000 BC) and the Old Bridge’s wine scene trumped Prague’s famous bridge. Kaiserschmarrn at Backöfele delivered sweet perfection.
After taking 13 trains that easily connect the Historic Highlights of Germany with each other, as well as major German cities and adjacent European capitals, Dandashy enthusiastically endorsed Germany’s rail system, recommending train travel in first-class and making bookings in advance. English-speaking locals everywhere ensured smooth connections between these crowd-free, history-rich hearts of Germany.
For Sarah Dandashy’s comprehensive guide, featuring accommodation reviews and dining recommendations, visit her XXL article on her website AskaConcierge.tv. Her media trip was organized in a partnership between Germany Tourism and Historic Highlights of Germany.