Great ideas for short trips
Table of contents
Table of contents
It’s fine weather outside, bright sunshine and warmth.
And what are you doing? You’re still stuck in your apartment because you have no idea what to do.
You don’t have time and/or money for a long vacation, you remain trapped in the hamster wheel of everyday life, between university, part-time job and study stress.
Feels be💩, doesn’t it?
Okay, time for a short vacation, a mini-relaxation.
You google events in your city and are overwhelmed by a huge range of options. You don’t like most of them anyway, and the few events that you find exciting cost a lot of money.
You realize how the unsuccessful search for cool events is getting you down. The day is already half over when all the bad feelings come up.
Despair.
Lack of drive.
Listlessness.
What a bummer, you don’t want to feel like this! After all, summer is supposed to be the best time of the year!
Don’t let yourself get discouraged.
With our short trip tips, you’ll get out, switch off and finally experience something. From top concerts to relaxing in nature, we’ve put together the highlights for you. 😎
Short trips around Berlin
Our beautiful capital Berlin has a wonderful surrounding area to offer, where you can discover a lot of places. We present two great destinations for short trips and an insider tip.
#1 Spreewald
With the Spreewald (Spree Forest), a magnificent natural and cultural landscape stretches out before the gates of Berlin. Hikes, bike tours, canoe trips: In the Spreewald all this is possible, even romantic gondola rides. What is especially nice is that the Spreewald is worth visiting at any time of the year. In summer the dense foliage of the trees offers cool shade, in autumn the rich pumpkin harvests and art markets impress, in winter the landscape fascinated again completely new with ice and snow, until nature awakens to new life in spring.
#2 Beelitz-Heilstätten
Once a sanatorium for lung diseases, the Beelitz-Heilstätten (Beelitz Sanatorium) have become one of the most famous lost places. The eventful and sometimes dark past fascinates adventurers and tourists alike, and several documentaries and feature films have been made about the sanatoriums.
Buildings such as the Old Surgery, the former combined heat and power plant and the sanatorium are definitely worth a visit, but since they are ruins, we recommend a professional guided tour, where you will also learn a lot of exciting background knowledge about this historic place. A special highlight here is the treetop path, which winds through the railing at a height of up to 23 meters.
Lost Places Extra Tip
Do you like historical lost places like the Heilstätten in Beelitz? Then we recommend Teufelsberg in Berlin for a day trip. During the Cold War, the U.S. military operated a listening and flight surveillance station here. Urban art has long since emerged from the relics of that time, and you’ll also find a downhill trail on the mountain and lots of exciting historical information.
#3 Pfaueninsel
Honestly: “Peacock Island” sounds super nice, doesn’t it? And the name is no exaggeration: On this island, you can observe real peacocks and walk in the footsteps of kings through a park with a white fairytale castle. The castle itself is currently closed for renovation work, but the view from the outside alone is definitely worth a visit.
For a day trip, you will need a little over an hour from the apartment building by bike or public transport, but you will definitely remember your time there. There is a coffee garden on the sunbathing lawn (pure chill-out) and … honestly, do we need to tell you more? Well, we do have one more: there’s a swimming area where you can jump straight into the Havel. So don’t forget your swimming trunks and bikini 😉
#4 Berlin Art Week
Five days of pure contemporary art – that’s what Berlin Art Week offers you in concentrated form. Artists from all over the world exhibit their works. The festival meeting point is the BAW Garten at the Gropius Bau, where performances and cool drinks await you. You will also meet other exciting people interested in art.
Tip: Berlin Art Week has great spots to discover all over the city, including near your Staytoo apartment! These include the Daadgalerie (Oranienstraße 161), the Konrad Fischer Galerie (Neue Grünstraße 12) and the Ivo Wessel Collection (Michaelkirchplatz 1-2). You can find all locations on the website.
When?
September 11-15, 2024
Where?
Various locations in Berlin
Short trips around Bonn
You want to get out of the big city? Then the surroundings of Bonn offer perfect opportunities.
#1 Drachenfels
The Rhine Cycle Route stretches from the Swiss Alps to the North Sea over 1,391 kilometers. Don’t worry, that’s way too much for a short trip, of course. But part of the Rhine Cycle Path is ideal for getting a great view of the Drachenfels in the Siebengebirge.
On the way there, you’ll have the opportunity to pay a visit to the Nibelungen Hall and Drachenburg Castle. In addition, you’ll be driving along the Rhine almost the entire time, so you’ll get to enjoy nature and culture in equal measure.
#2 Skywalk Rabenlay
Feel like Luke Skywalker for once and … wait, the 24 square meter Skywalk Rabenlay viewing platform has nothing to do with Star Wars. But with a fantastic wide and deep view of Bonn on the Rabenlay mountain.
Online, the travel community recommends enjoying the vantage point in good weather with sunshine. But even on a starry night, the sky above the skywalk, which opened in 2017, shows itself in unforgettable beauty. And who knows: Maybe you’ll see Luke Skywalker’s X-Wing light up on such a night?
#3 Beethovenfest
In September, you will be treated to 70 concerts, with everything from soloists to renowned international orchestras. Beethoven fans will get their money’s worth here, as will friends of classical music or those who want to become one.
Our tip: The opening concert “Beethoven & MEUTE” starts on September 6 at 7:30 pm and you shouldn’t miss it. Why? Because MEUTE is a techno marching band that is “starting a mutiny at the opera”. It’s sure to be exciting.
Extra tip for Berliners: As part of the Beethovenfest, the “Sonderkonzert Berlin: Beethoven 9” will take place on Tuesday, September 3rd at 8 pm in the Gedächtniskirche.
When?
September 05 – October 03, 2024
Where?
Various locations in Bonn
#4 Bonner Stadtgartenkonzerte
The famous Bonn City Garden Concerts are now in their twelfth year, featuring well-known artists such as Nicholas Müller (Jupiter Jones) as well as international newcomers from a wide range of musical genres: pop, jazz, folk, punk … take your pick! You can find all the dates and bands on the Bonn city website.
When?
August 02-31, 2024
Where?
Old customs
Adenauerallee
53113 Bonn
Short trips around Kaiserslautern
If you look at the Barbarossa city of Kaiserslautern on the map, you will quickly recognize its favorable location. At the gates of Kaiserslautern, the Palatinate Forest to the south and a more than 100-year-old tunnel to the west are waiting to be discovered by you.
#1 Pfälzerwald
The Pfälzerwald (Palatinate Forest) offers fascinating landscapes and cultural monuments that are great to explore with a hiking backpack as well as with a mountain bike. The Palatinate Forest is especially famous for the Karlstal Gorge, Berwartstein Castle, Hambach Castle and Orenfels with an excellent viewpoint.
#2 Over 100 years old tunnel
Anyone who has ever passed through this tunnel, which is over 100 years old, on a hot summer day will remember the experience. In the past, an old railroad line passed through here, but today cyclists and hikers cross the cool, almost cold illuminated tunnel. But this is not the only highlight: in the immediate vicinity there are other great spots such as the Ohmbachsee as part of the “Pfälzer Seentour” and the old railroad line. A water treading pool provides refreshment for the feet on this short trip.
#3 Japanischer Garten
The Japanese Garden opens its doors in the season between April and October. Never been there before? Then it’s about time! Not only Japan fans will get their money’s worth here. Waterfalls, teahouses, imposing rocks and ponds will whisk you away to another world that is very different from our European one.
How about forest bathing to switch off from the stress of university? There is a course every third Wednesday of the month. You can also book regular yoga classes with a certified yoga teacher and relaxation trainer, which often take place on Saturdays. This promises pure relaxation!
When?
April-October 2024
Where?
Am Abendsberg 1
67657 Kaiserslautern
#4 Volksparkkonzerte
The Volkspark concerts take place every 14 days on Sundays in the city center of Kaiserslautern. The whole thing runs until the beginning of September. On August 18, you can expect the best of 100 years of brass band music, and on September 1, the Blue Light Big Band Ludwigshafen will treat you to lush sounds, including Latin, pop, soul and swing.
The Volkspark concerts then go into their fall and winter rest until May, when it’s “(almost) always Sundays again!” So make a note now to check the Kaiserslautern city events calendar for the concerts in spring!
When?
May-September 2024
Where?
Volkspark Kaiserslautern
Short trips around Leipzig
The “secret capital of Saxony,” as Leipzig is known behind closed doors, is a great place to live. Also and especially because natural highlights have developed around the city over the decades.
#1 Leipziger Neuseenland
During the GDR era, there was a lot of lignite mining in the Leipzig region. When open-cast mining was discontinued, the question arose in landscape planning at the time: What to do with the gigantic holes in the ground?
They were flooded, creating the so-called Leipziger Neuseenland, which includes Lake Cospuden (“Cossi”), Lake Hainer, Lake Markkleeberg, Lake Kulkwitz and many others. For the first exploration of the Leipzig Neuseenland we recommend as a destination the Cospudener See, which is not even 5 kilometers away from our apartment house.
#2 Leipziger Wasserfest
Singer-songwriters, storytelling theater, guitar music: the Leipzig Water Festival is all the rage in the trade fair city. Cruise along the canal in a boat or relax in a deckchair with a fresh, cool cocktail – Leipzig celebrates its cultural and natural diversity, the elegant balancing act between city and nature. In any case, it will be colorful, cheerful and summery!
When?
August 16-18, 2024
Where?
Lindenau harbor, Plagwitz district park, Karl Heine Canal
#3 Highfield Festival
Are you ready for a festival in a class of its own at Lake Störmthal? Highfield is a legendary indie rock festival with a deluxe line-up including Macklemore, Rise Against, Peter Fox, Cro, Ski Aggu and so on. Get your tickets for this unique summer event now!
When?
August 16-18, 2024
Where?
Lake Störmthal
#4 Halle
Compared to Leipzig, Halle does not have a particularly good reputation. Unjustly so! The city on the Saale River is considered a cultural center in Central Germany with the municipal theater, the opera house, the art museum Moritzburg Halle and numerous other institutions. Striking sights are also the Red Tower, the Halle Cathedral, the Botanical Garden and the zoo.
In addition, Halle had several hip clubs, such as the dance bar Palette or the club Drushba. Halle is also a university town, where many young people live, similar to Leipzig.
Short trips around Nuremberg
Located north in Bavaria – and yes, strictly speaking in Middle Franconia – is Nuremberg, one of the most beautiful and diverse cities in Germany. If you’re wondering why Franconia is in Bavaria and why there are such vast differences … you’d better ask a local (Lower, Middle or Upper) Franconian. We give you here in this article great short trip tips for the region around!
#1 Schwarzachklamm
Schwarzachklamm is one of the most beautiful so-called geotypes and is located directly near Nuremberg. Follow the course of the Schwarzach River and discover the region, which has been under nature protection since 1936. Over millions of years, the Schwarzach has washed geographic formations into the sandstone, which look impressive and are worth at least one visit.
#2 Beer hike Fränkische Schweiz
Over the centuries, a beer brewing culture has established itself in the Fränkische Schweiz (Franconian Switzerland), a hilly and mountainous landscape in Upper Franconia. 69 breweries in the region brew Franconian beer of various kinds and are happy to welcome hikers who want to combine the pleasure of beer with a beer hike or walk. The great thing is that you can put together your own route for the beer hike according to your mood and include overnight accommodations.
#3 Herbstvolksfest Nürnberg
The Nuremberg Volksfest is a festive event. On August 23, the festival traditionally begins with the beer tapping in the Papert marquee. Afterwards, be amazed by the magical lights in the sky with fireworks.
You probably won’t be attending the Senior Citizens’ Afternoon on August 27, but you might be attending exciting events such as Princesses, Superheroes and Movie Stars: Meet your Idols! (August 30) or Magic Friday meets Steam Punk (September 6), where you can immerse yourself in the world of Victorian science fiction.
You can find the complete program on the Autumn Folk Festival website.
#4 Stadt(ver-)führungen
Go in search of treasures on the city tours in Nuremberg and Fürth. This includes works of art, monuments, but also church, land, book and art treasures and much more.
With over 500 tour topics, city guides offer you a wide variety of perspectives from which you can experience the two cities. These include, for example, guided tours to the treasures of medieval folk art or to Nuremberg’s Old Town, which is considered an open-air museum with legendary treasures. We think: There’s no better way to get to know your adopted city! Check out all the events on the Nuremberg website.
Where?
Various locations in Nuremberg & Fürth
When?
September 20-22, 2024
More articles in our blog
Have you caught the travel bug? In further articles on our website you will get to know the most beautiful railroad routes in Germany and get further valuable tips.
