Helpful Sites Regarding
Bonn, Germany & Europe

 
Please note that I moved back to the USA in April 2009.

I no longer update this web page. Therefore the information on this page is OUTDATED.

I have NO information AT ALL regarding employment in Germany!

I have NO information AT ALL about obtaining a visa to live in Germany!

Go here for OFFICIAL information from the German government on working in Germany.

You can also find helpful advice on The Local DE (in English).

  If you click on a link below and it no longer works, visit www.archive.org
and you can probably find an archive of the site you are looking for.

  I moved back to the USA in April 2009.

_______________________________________________________


E S S E N T I A L   B O O K S

If you are going to live in Germany, or want to, you MUST read these two books,
and have them ready for constant reference:

The Xenophobe's Guide to the Germans (Xenophobe's Guides)

Lonely Planet Germany

 
O N L I N E   M A P S

Maps of Germany and Europe

 
 
G E N E R A L   O N L I N E   R E S O U R C E S

Anne Frank House
Every person who visits Europe should go to Amsterdam and go here.

a comprehensive rundown of events around the world.

Lonely Planet
For my money, whether traveling to another country or wanting to live there, there's no better set of books than those produced by Lonely Planet. Its guide for Germany has been my bible for living abroad.

First-hand accounts of travel across the globe.

 
 
H I K I N G   &   B I K I N G
O N L I N E   R E S O U R C E S

The Hiking Trail Database
Wunderbar!

Rhine Valley / Ahr Valley Cycle Route

Bicycling in Germany
by the German National Tourist Board, which suggests, in German and English, four bicycling itineraries (each could be broken into many days), has information on "Rail and Bike" vacations, and offers a free "Discovering Germany by Bicycle" brochure.

BicycleGermany.com
The basics of bicycling in Germany, with tips on whether to rent a bike or bring your own, and do-it-yourself tour itineraries.

Motorcycle Adventures in Scandinavia, Iceland, and the United Kingdom
Beautiful pictures and travel tips by my favorite motorcycle riding adventurer... Be sure to sign his guest book!

Small Campsites in Germany

Why so many biking resources

 
 
H I S T O R Y

Alemannia Judaica
This site details Jewish communities and culture in Germany. It's mostly in German, but using its English information, as well as an online translation program, I was able to find out about the Jewish communities of the area I live now (around Remagen). A sobering site, showing the rich heritage of Jews in the area, and how events like Kristallnacht (in November 1938) happened all over Germany, even in tiny villages. You can use this search function to look up specific cities.


R E L O C A T I O N   &
L I V I N G   T H E R E -
O N L I N E   R E S O U R C E S

Very basic tips for an American moving to Germany
The very basic, key points you should know. Includes a listing of key points regarding taking a dog on an international flight (or, in my case, taking two dogs on an airline).

Spiegel's Germany Survival Bible
A hilarious, insightful and helpful series of articles and editorials about living in Germany, from the country's most respected news magazine.

American Citizens Abroad
A nonprofit nonpartisan association dedicated to serving and defending the interests of individual US citizens living outside the USA. Lots of info on taxes, and good links to other resources, including those relating to living and working abroad.

Expat Page - Information and links of interest to Anglophone expats living in German-speaking Europe
Resources for expats, expats-to-be, and former expats, tips for living overseas, life in Germany (and Europe in general), employment sources, moving suggestions, using electrical appliances overseas, telephone tips - and lots of links!

Expatriates working and living in Germany
Resources for English-speaking expats. The best, most comprehensive and easy to use resource online regarding this subject. How I found just about everything else listed here. Includes information about bringing pets into Germany. If this site no longer works, then visit www.archive.org and you can probably find an archive of the site.

Expat Women: Helping Women Living Overseas

tapxe a blog about "Moving to and Living in Germany - How to Thrive as an Expat."

U.S. Customs Service
Go to this site and search for "pets" in the search function for the latest info on bringing your pets back into the USA after you have been gone.

Travel.State.Gov
By the U.S. State Department. Tips for USA citizens traveling or residing abroad. Frequently updated.

Germany Customs Info-Transit of Domestic Animals.

Delta Airlines - Pets Policy
I traveled to Germany with my dogs via Delta, and this airline was FABULOUS. I highly recommend them.

U.S. Embassy in Germany

Info on embassies and visa requirements

U.S. Library of Congress
Country Study - Germany

good starting point for learning about the country; includes facts-at-a-glance and sections on history, the economy, and government.

soc.culture.german FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions and their answers

Lonely Planet Guide to Germany
Maps, general advice on when to go, overview of events, information about money and costs, suggested attractions, history, culture, tips for getting around, related web links -- but it's NOT substitute for the book, which you definitely should buy if you are moving here!

HowToGermany.com
Really good stuff here, very helpful, practical information.

 

B O N N   &   C O L O G N E   &   K O B L E N Z
A R E A

Bonn English Network (BEN)
A web site of information by and for English-speakers in Bonn, Germany, including a listing of English-speaking clubs.

fun things to do with your kids in Koblenz
Most of this stuff is good for people of all ages.

fun things to do with your kids in the Eifel Region
The Eifel Region is south of Bonn, and is absolutely breathtaking. Beautiful old villages, rolling hills, remnants of volcanic activity, and the Radioteleskop of Effelsberg (it's HUGE).

fun things to do with your kids in the Rhine Valley
Again, this list isn't really just for kids!

Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Winegrowers Association
This area is between Koblenz and Bonn, and is definitely worth an all-day visit; or even longer!

Rheinisches Freilichtmuseum
A "Freilichtmuseum" is an outside exhibit, usually a recreation of an old German village. This one is in Kommern, out in the middle of nowhere. It's HUGE, and it's all a real working farm community, made up of three pre-electricity German villages, each representing a different region near the Rhein. It's open every day of the year, and often includes demonstrations of wood carving, basket weaving, whatever. Farm animals abound, but commercialization does not. Get there early -- the place closes at sunset. And don't miss the indoor museum there. This is an all-day adventure!


Webcams at Foundation Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland
(German Museum of Contemporary History). In Bonn.

Webcams aimed all over Bonn
My favorite is the Beethoven statue up close -- its on the second row, farthest to your right. I check this out at least once a week -- the Beethoven statue is a rockin' place on the weekends. Best views are around 5 a.m. Central U.S.A. time Saturday.

Webcam of a main Bonn marketplatz
Another webcam worthy of a look at least once a week, particularly Saturday mornings and early afternoons in the Central U.S.A. time zone.

Die Stadtbahn von BONN
in English!

Bonn Bus and Train Info

Movies in Original language in Bad Godesberg
And that means, usually, English. For ex-pats and movie lovers who like to hear things in their original tongue, it's a god-send.

Coyotebroad travel advice pages

My Germany resources | about me | contact me


This is a personal non-business-related page

The personal opinions expressed on this page are solely those of Ms. Cravens, unless otherwise noted.