November is the 30th anniversary of German reunification

Aerial view of "Mad' Ludwig II's Neuschwanstein Castle
(Courtesy: GNTB)

GERMANY — Difficult as it may be to believe, this November will mark three decades since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

Since those turbulent days when Germans endured the transition of reunifying into a single nation once more, it has been a testament to German ingenuity and resolve that they have rebuilt their economy to become a major European leader while also playing a significant role in Western diplomacy in the global marketplace.

Rothenbug ob der Tauber is one of 46 UNESCO sites
(Photo:  Berthold Werner - licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share

Alike 4.0 International license)

With 46 UNESCO World Heritage sites, an extensive “Autobahn” (highway) and railway system, newly developed hotels and restaurants, countless attractions of historical and cultural importance, architectural attractions, numerous industrial heritage routes, 16 national parks and events such as the 100th anniversary of Bauhaus, the unity of the formerly divided nation is thriving with renewed vigor and energy.

Modern day Germany clearly has its eyes focused on the future.

The  Berlin Wall fell in 1989
(Courtesy: Pixabay)

Since the opening of the border between East and West Germany on 9 November 1989, millions of international travelers have rediscovered the natural beauty and cultural  heritage of the former GDR. During the thirty years since reunification, tourism has contributed more than $130 to the German economy  - about 4% of gross value added – including more than three million jobs.

Combined with investments by numerous entrepreneurs, many national and international hotel companies have helped in the development of hotel and restaurant infrastructure, so that the standard of service in the former East Germany is now indistinguishable from that in the old federal states. More than 300 Michelin-starred restaurants in all regions of the country attest to the excellence of Germany’s high-end cuisine.

When wurst comes wurst,
German pastries are great
(Courtesy: Pixabay)

Newly enlarged Destination Germany, the German National Tourist Board (GNTB), promotes unique attractions of historical and cultural importance that have been extensively restored since reunification including cultural hotspots such as the center of Dresden with its restored Church of Our Lady and palace containing the treasures from the ‘Green Vault’.

In Berlin, Museum Island radiates with new-found splendor while the renowned City Palace is currently also undergoing restoration.

Berlin's Museum Island has been renovated
(Courtesy: GNTB)

Leipzig, Halle, Schwerin, Magdeburg plus many other towns and cities have vibrant, multi-genre arts scenes such as the Elbe Philharmonic Hall in Hamburg that regularly attract culture lovers from all over the world.

Cultural highlights in the new federal states are not limited to the big cities, however. Marking the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in Germany, there has been considerable investment in some of the places most closely associated with Martin Luther in Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia.

Bauhaus is celebrating 100 years of cultural influence
(Courtesy: GNTB)

In addition, modern exhibition facilities have been built in Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia in time for the “100 years of Bauhaus” celebrations.

Storytelling in Bremen
(Photo: GNTB)

Prior to 1989, Germany claimed just eight UNESCO world heritage sites, all of which were located in West Germany. Since the wall crumbled however, the country has added 38 new sites, 14 of which are located in the former East Germany.

International sporting events have also been a boon to Germany's economic resurgence and its global image since 1989. In 2006, the men's World Cup soccer championship came to Germany, and the women followed five years later in 2011. 

When they say"Take a hike" in Germany, they mean it
(Photo: Taylor)

German unification has had an impact for active travelers  as well with nearly 125,000 miles of well-signposted footpaths and another 45,000 miles of long-distance cycle routes, many of which pass through the unspoiled beauty of Germany’s low-lying mountain regions.

Martin Luther
(Photo: Public Domain)

For history enthusiasts, the German Unity cycle trail runs 685 miles through seven federal states – from the former West German capital of Bonn through North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hessen, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg to Berlin. Here visitors can experience first-hand the unique story of reunification at  approximately 100 historical sites along the route.

At Oktoberfest, a whistle means get out of the way
(Courtesy:GNTB)

It's only been 30 years since the infamous Berlin Wall crashed to the ground, but Germany has thrived since it has become one nation again.

Simply put, modern-day Germany is WUNDERBAR for travelers!