This summer vacation plan a return to your Childhood, Travel to Germany


So kids’ summer vacation is commencing soon and all you have are clichéd holiday destinations to go to? How about living through the fairy tales and legends of your childhood with your children?

Germany, the country which people generally associate with cars and world history, has a 'Maerchenstrasse' or a Fairy Tale Route that can regale kids and adults alike during the summer months. The world famous Grimm brothers had gathered the plot lines for their fairy tales from these mofussil towns of Germany. 

Who is who!!!

Rat breads in Pied Piper's city Hameln
The rat bread!



One could see rats everywhere in Hameln
The notorious rats everywhere!

The musical enactment of Pied Piper Story in Hameln
The Pied Piper in action- the musical show at Hameln.





Remember Pied Piper - the musician who led the hypnotised children of village far away after elders of the village refused to pay him remuneration for getting rid of the rats becoming a menace in the town?  I used to think it was the figment of imagination of some author unless I visited Hameln. This story from my younger years, came to life here in this city, there were tell-tale signs all over the town that the Pied Piper was real!



The moment you stepped into the Hameln, right from your station the rats and figurines of the unnamed Pied Piper adorn everything whether it is the delicious pastries or the streets of this small town. In other words, the whole town conspire to make you believe in those childhood legends.



The adults can enjoy the world of fairy tales through museums or through enchanting fairy tale musicals, while enjoying the chilled beer from the small cafes. You can undertake a guided tour by the Pied Piper himself as he will take you through the cobbled streets dusting your memory for the scenes from this story. The emotions of excitement, sadness and horror will be rekindled as you experience the unique Pied Piper mechanical figurine theatres. 

Grimms' Cafe
Sip a coffee with the spirits of Brothers Grimm


The Brothers Grimm - Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm- compiled a book of over 500 'German legends' in the form of a children story book. The book 'Tales of Children and the Home' is part of UNESCO World Document heritage. Cindrella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White were all part of their work. The book was collected and published in 1816-18. Germany is now celebrating the completion of two centuries of this book through a slew of events across the Fair Tale between mid-2016 to early 2018.



The city of Marburg where the brother duo had lived have also come up with Grimm path with alluring fairytale characters and; Sound and Light Show.



You can also include Göttingen in your itinerary to see the medieval churches and the “Most Kissed girl in the world” also known as the Gänseliesel girl. It is a tradition among the young students to kiss the girl after completing their doctorate in this student town.



How to reach – One would need to take a flight to Frankfurt or Munich and then plan the route ahead with Deutsche Bahn or various bus services available across the country. After landing in Germany, one could also explore the opportunity of car-pooling through websites like mitfahrengelegenheit.de



Where to live – Hotels can be expensive, it is better to try Bed and Breakfast options through Airbnb.com.


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