The hospitals in Germany are considered to be the best in the world with facilities that boast of very advanced equipment and infrastructure and a team of experts who are known for their expertise in various fields. Hence, the country is considered the primary health travel destination in Europe and the world.

A 2001 estimate projects that the total number of medical tourists in Germany rose to 50,000, which is significant in its own way, considering the fact that the figure might have mounted in the years between. Another significant statistics is that among these medical tourists, over 10,000 were patients, coming from the Middle East and Arab countries.

Why Germany?

Mostly visited by patients from Eastern Europe, especially from countries like Russia, Romania and Bulgaria, Germany plays host to patients from the United States and the United Kingdom too. While providing some of the best treatments and advanced solutions to even the most critical diseases, the country also enables reducing the patient waiting time, prevalent in the West and the East.

According to WHO, Germany has an average of 368 doctors per 100,000 people. This, in fact, is higher than the combined average of the USA and Canada. The hospitals and healthcare units are required to go through rigorous surveillance programs that are conducted under Government supervision. These units have to acquire certificates from the German Institute for Standardization and the Cooperation for Quality and Transparency in Healthcare.

The doctors and the healthcare staff undergo rigorous training and examination-both in theory and practice-to prove their eligibility. After a two-part university training, the doctors are required to pass the specialization training that can span between a time period of about 5-7 years, depending on the chosen field of expertise by the doctor. Prior to practicing, they need to sit for another examination, qualifying them as practicing doctors.

Best For

Medical tourism in Germany is best for Nephrology, Fertility treatment, Cardiac surgery, Orthopedic surgery, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology, Oncology, and Rehabilitation. With top-notch doctors and medical facilities, these areas of treatments are worth the high cost. With advanced and the latest technology, the healthcare units in the country are known for their sure shot treatment and medical counseling. Complicated medical procedures can be executed with ease and the safe environment helps you heal faster. Treatment in Germany, however, could be a costly affair, but it is suggested to be the best in Europe and the world.

Hospitals

Some of the leading hospitals in Germany that are also considered to be the best for all kinds of treatment include Heidelberg University Hospital, University Medical Center Hamburg, and Klinikum Stuttgart.

Breads are a popular delicacy in Germany and they are a must in a menu card. Some of the most popular bread types include toast bread, Multi-grain, Wheat-rye, Sunflower seeds in dark rye bread, Pumpkin seeds in dark rye bread, Rye-wheat bread, Whole-grain, Roasted onions in light wheat-rye bread, White bread, and Rye bread. In fact, you can try them or even pack them as souvenirs for your family and friends back at home. However, it is best to try them as a traditional, complete with assortments and side dishes, for a better idea of the people’s eating habits. Some of the best restaurants in Germany include:

Paris-Moskau Restaurant

Located in the plush setting of the Tiergarten, the restaurant is known for its beautiful ambience and state-of-art services. Set in an old house that belonged to a railroad signalman, the restaurant is renowned for its Limousin lamb with pepper-bean ragout, chicken in Riesling with vegetable risotto, and rotbarbe with pea purée. The wine list is exhaustive and you can have anything from Spanish, Portugese, French, Tuscanian or even Australian wine.

Alt Luxemburg

Exhibiting an ambience that is both traditional and modern, the restaurant is known for its German and international dishes. Set up in an old customs house, the décor boasts of elegance and class, and the furnishing can beat international standards. The food is absolutely fantastic; however, the most recommended include honey-glazed duck breast and Brandenburg duck with pineapple puree. The uniqueness lies in the way the traditional cuisines are prepared with an international tinge, especially with the spices of the East.

Altes Zollhaus

This is another famous restaurant that has a setting and a location to die for. Facing the Landwehrkanal, the restaurant’s interiors are rustic in style, presenting an appeal that is exciting and adventurous to a foreigner. The menu is equally interesting and the food is delectable. While it serves some of the best wines of the world, the food includes seasonal cuisines like roasted steinbutt with lobster sauce, cauliflower purée, and spinach. Try out the Brandenburg duck with cream potatoes and experience the traditional cuisine at its best.

Some of the other famous restaurants in Germany include Restaurant Quarré, VAU, Vivaldi, FELIX ClubRestaurant, Restaurant Maxwell, Kartoffel Kiste, Prater Garten, Margaux, Schlossgarten, and the Lowenbrau Bavarian Tavern in Berlin. So, be there and get the taste of the country, while absorbing the lifestyle, culture and the tradition of Germany.

Switzerland

At ETH Zurich (The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) in Zurich, Switzerland, students can earn degrees in engineering sciences, mathematics, construction sciences, architecture, management, social sciences, and more. This University produced such minds as Albert Einstein, as well as 23 other Nobel Laureates.  Although the degree fields are extremely focused, they also allow for collaboration between disciplines. The facilities are modern and up to date, and the faculty members encourage the students to practice what they learn.

Students attending school in Zurich will find its professional atmosphere the ideal place to live after graduation. Zurich houses the world’s fourth-largest stock exchange and is the financial capital of Switzerland. The city is stylish, trendy and beautiful, its residents whiz around on segways, the fondue is delicious, and it sits upon a pristine lake.

France

ENS Paris (École Normale Supérieure de Paris) in Paris, France, is a highly ranked school with a rich history. It was developed during the French Revolution, when the focus was on training students about the ideals of Enlightenment. The university still encourages training and research and focuses on giving students a well-rounded education.

In their spare time, students can further their studies by touring the attractions of Paris. Whether they are visiting the Eiffel Tower, strolling the corridors of the Louvre, or walking along the Seine, they will immerse themselves in a different culture and learn about history and the arts. They will never be bored, as the nightlife in Paris is just as energetic as the curriculum at the university.

Denmark

The University of Copenhagen in Denmark is the largest university and research institution in the country. The majority of the student body is female, which is uncommon at institutions of higher learning. Classes are taught in Danish, with some classes taught in English and German. With several campuses around the city, the scattered venue gives students access to the best parts of the largest city in Denmark. Students going to school in Copenhagen will have a great time; in fact Copenhagen has been recognized as a city that offers a spectacular quality of life. It is very environmentally friendly; people may look at you strangely if you don’t pull up to class on your bicycle. The city also has many parks where students can exercise, study, or picnic. If they love the water, they can even spend time at one of the three beaches in and around Copenhagen.

Germany

Heidelberg University in Germany is set in a picturesque city that inspires the mind to run wild. The quaint town, with its gingerbread-style architecture and majestic castle is awe-inspiring, and so is the university. Many famous scientists and politicians graduated from Heidelberg University, and researchers there are making significant new scientific and medical discoveries every day.

Students attending the university will want to leave time for sightseeing; the city is stunning, and quiet a lure for young people. Perhaps because of the university, or perhaps because so many businesses have offices in Heidelberg, it’s a comfortable place for students to begin their professional lives.

College is a time for students to learn about themselves as they learn about their fields of study. When they are immersed in cities full of culture, art, history, and modern trends, they can’t help but absorb well-rounded knowledge from all directions.

Photo credits: ETH Zurich by Todd Huffman; Ecole Normale Superieure by Guyomard; The Niels Bohr Institute at University of Copenhagen by Lars Landstrom; Heidelberg University Library by Ralf Peek

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The hotel is ideally located at the business district which is the Potsdamer Platz, Berlin. You don’t need to worry of wasting time on getting to one spot to another or spending too much time on the road just to go someplace to enjoy. The hotel is walking distance to the historic Brandenburg Gate, Check Point Charlie, the Philharmonic and of course the city center of which where all the action happens as they say. Whether your stay at the Berlin Marriott Hotel is for business or leisure, you know you will be getting the best of either worlds since the hotel will cater to all your needs whatever it may be. If you’re done from a busy and tiring day, enjoy the amenities of the hotel like the swimming pool in their Fitness Centre which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you need to job in the open air, then you can opt for a jog away from the hotel in the near area of Tiergarten.

The Berlin Marriott Hotel’s club has two floors that cater exclusively to the privacy to the travelers whether for business or leisure. More so with business travelers which offer a private lounge that caters to complimentary breakfasts, snacks, open bar, wireless internet and the use of fax services all that with a superb view of Berlin. Their main restaurant, the Midtown Grill also caters exquisitely prepared cuisines that are of the local and internationally suited.

You know you are really taken care of by the Berlin Marriott Hotel because of having your stay become exceptional than it already is. The associates in the hotel are versed in almost fifteen languages to assist their guests in a more personal and convenient manner which is how Marriot is known for.
If you’re looking for excellence and comfort in one place then this will definitely be the hotel that will work for you, regardless if you’re on a serious business, conference, meeting or just for that needed break, the Berlin Marriott Hotel is somewhere you can unwind and relax your senses in all aspects.

Best Season to Make a Trip

Budget conscious people can arrange a trip in the off season from November to April. During this off season, you can also get good hotel facilities and hire private cabs or taxis to roam around in a much cheaper rate.

Best Tourist Places

The Town Hall

It is the renowned market place in Bonn where you can find a variety of desired stuffs to bring home. The Town Hall was brought into existence in 1737 and hence it is the oldest stone to shop artistic marvels. The town hall’s flight of outdoor stairs with its golden grating had been the scene of historical events for several times already.

Beethoven House and Other Museums

The museums in Bonn are the must visit spots during a budget trip. There are various museums which hold plethora of Academic Art Museum representing rare issues like the Egyptian death deities. Museum of Rhineland is worth a visit, particularly if one is interested to explore cultural history. Beethoven House is the tribute to famous musician Beethoven where his numbers of musical instruments are kept and his historical record can also be found.

Numerous Theaters

People of Bonn are theater lovers. The theater tradition of this city goes back to the times of the Prince Electors. There are a number of theaters which present a reflection of Bonn culture and fiction from the past times. You can find a number of government and private theaters here as well. Every person can enjoy the theater work as per their choice.

Welcome to Bonn, a vibrant university city with a history of more than 2000 years! Today, Bonn is one of the popular cultural centers of Germany that hosts prestigious concerts and exhibitions. The city is also a hub for technologies of the future and home to the headquarters for several United Nations organizations. It seems that the vibrant and lively people in and around Bonn know the secret to enjoy all the good things in life. They head for the wine bars along the Rhine in the summer to enjoy the views of the Siebengebirge hills and enjoy the Riesling wines produced here. The association of traditional and ultra-modern with numerous conference facilities has established Bonn as a popular city amongst the congress organizers from Germany and abroad.

Place of Interest

Enjoy the city at its best by booking a tour in the ‘Cabrio Bus’. Such a guided tour will allow you to have a view even to the top of the Post Tower. This ‘open air’ sightseeing tour around Bonn offers a unique and unusual perspective to the passengers of this convertible bus. If the weather is good, you will surely enjoy to be guided through this city that has more than 2000 years of history.

Beethoven House

When it comes to the culture in Bonn, nearly everybody first thinks of music. Ludwig van Beethoven was born here in 1770 and thus, the Beethoven Orchestra is a significant ambassador of Bonn’s culture. Beethoven House has the world’s most extensive collection of Beethoven exhibits that attracts large numbers of tourists each year. It is the only house in Bonn that has been occupied by the Beethoven family and is still preserved today. The 150 original exhibits reflect the life and work of Beethoven and the collection includes his famous portrait and his last grand piano.

The Old Quarter (Old Town Hall, Minster Basilica and Beethoven Statue)

The market square is dominated by the decorative Old Town Hall. The steps here with the gilded railings are the witnesses of many historical events and provide the backdrop for the “Bonn Summer” open-air cultural festival. The city is also historically the home of the German Post Office. In front of the post office building, there is a masterpiece of baroque architecture; a famous bronze statue of Ludwig van Beethoven. The Romanesque Bonn Minster was completed at around the time the foundation stone for Cologne Cathedral was being laid (1248).

Poppelsdorf Palace

The Poppelsdorf Palace is a magnificent example of German architecture. It was completed by baroque architect Balthazar Neumann. The palace has four wings arranged around a round courtyard covered with walkways. The “Poppelsdorf Palace Concerts” are being held here each summer. In 1818, the palace and its grounds were given over to the University of Bonn and now it is home to the university’s Mineralogical Museum and Botanical Garden.

Museum Mile

Bonn’s key attraction for art and culture is the Museum Mile that counts more than one million visitors per year. This museum is actually consists a number of different museums. Spread nearly 3 kilometers, the museum begins with the Alexander Koenig Zoological Research Institute and Museum in the north. The museum was founded in 1912 by the zoologist Alexander Koenig, who became renowned for his research and collecting tours to Africa and the Polar Regions. It houses exquisite zoological collections, dioramas, in particular of African habitats, and the famous Bengt-Berg bird collection. The permanent exhibition entitled “Our Blue Planet – Life in the Network” shows specimens of the richly varied collections that cover the savannah, rainforest, Arctic/Antarctic, central Europe, birdlife and vivarium. Next comes the Bonn Museum of Art. It is an architectural masterpiece of Axel Schultes that attracts visitors from all over the world and houses an impressive collection of masterpieces by August Macke and other Rhenish expressionists. This is followed by the Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany. It was founded in 1992 and since then, the hall is serving as an institution for changing exhibitions and since then offered a varied program of international significance. German Museum Bonn is the first museum for contemporary research and technology in Germany. You can opt for a guided tour. Disabled access is possible by prior arrangement. The Museum of the History of the Federal Republic of Germany, opened in 1921, presents aspects of political, economic, social, cultural and everyday history. The contemporary museum also holds temporary exhibitions and special events. Together, these museums form an impressive and unique cultural amalgamation in the heart of the city.

Arithmeum

Arithmeum is a museum that offers a fascinating insight into the world of mathematics. Opened in 1999, the museum is home to a collection of more than 1,200 exhibits presented by research institute for discrete mathematics at Bonn University. You can see the largely functional historical calculating machines or the math books that date back to the time of Gutenberg here. The bizarre cogwheel mechanisms in mechanical calculating machines, the exciting world of modern, highly integrated logic chips and the symbiosis of technology, science and art are only some of the exhibits that the visitors will encounter. The museum is closed on Mondays and you can request a guided tour here.

by The German American Connection – CULTOURINARIA

We offer two wonderful escorted 10-day tours for small exclusive groups to Berlin and East Germany at Advent – Travel to the roots of German Christmas traditions and modern crafts & art!

Tour 1: November 27 – December 06, 2009

Tour 2: December 11 – December 20, 2009

Discover the magic spirit of the Advent time, explore traditional and modern German handcraft & art and listen to the magnificent sounds of church music, choirs and organs. It’s the perfect destination to explore German history, culture, classical music and arts – not to forget about all the fantastic shopping opportunities! The tours take you to Germany’s inspiring capital Berlin, to the charmeful Royal Prussian city Potsdam, to artistic glass and porcelain manufacturers in the rural Thuringian Forest, to fine woodcraft manufacturers in the Saxon Ore Mountain region Erzgebirge, to Saxony’s splendor in Dresden, to the centre of young art and design Leipzig and to Thuringia’s medieval capital Erfurt.  The Advent season in late November and December is also the perfect time to savor local culinary delights at family-run restaurants. We always travel in small groups of 18 guests maximum in order to provide a flexible individual travel experience. Groups are escorted 24/7 by an English speaking guide.

Tour Program: Berlin – Potsdam – Leipzig – Castle Moritzburg – Dresden – Ore Mountains – Toymaker village Seiffen – Annaberg Buchholz – Erfurt – Thuringian Forest – Glassmaker village Lauscha – Berlin.

Itinerary, registration form and terms & conditions are available online at
http://www.tgac-us.com/
http://www.cultourinaria.com

Please contact us for further information and details. We would love to welcome you on one of our tours.

by The German American Connection
http://www.tgac-us.com

In cooperation with the German Heritage Commission Fredericksburg, Texas, we have created an unique and tailor-made tour to the Passion Play 2010 in Oberammergau, Germany – and to the roots of German Christian Culture. This small group tour takes you to impressive and inspiring historic sites of German Culture – Catholic pilgramage sites, Protestant Reformation & Luther sites, UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites and much more….

Centerpiece of the tour is the world-famous magnificent Passion Play performance. Oberammergau, a picturesque village in the Bavarian Alps, has faithfully performed its passion play every ten years since 1634 in fulfillment of a vow. More than 2,000 citizens bring the play to life in approx. six hours of playing time. In keeping with a centuries-old tradition, Obergammergau’s passion play is an authentic local production. It is performed entirely by amateur actors who have been residents of Oberammergau for at least 20 years.

This special tour starts in Leipzig, Houston’s German Sister City. We travel in the footsteps of Martin Luther in Saxony and Thuringia – the historic cradle of European Culture. In the 16th century, Martin Luther’s challenging theological ideas inspired the Protestant Reformation and chenged the course of Western civilization. We continue our tour to Bavaria and its impressive historic sites of the Catholic Community – including the world-famous Wiesn Church and Altoetting, the homeland of Pope Benedict XVI.. We take you on an uniting Ecumenical Trip to the roots of German and European Christian Culture. Along the tour you will enjoy the beautiful and versatile countryside, medieval towns, castles & fortresses, traditional handicraft, authentic German food and much more…

Passion Play tickets and tour spots go fast – Secure your spot – First come, first served.

Travel date:    September 08 – 22, 2010 (15-day trip)

Tour program:  Leipzig – Luther towns Eisleben and  Wittenberg – Meissen – Dresden – Leuchtenburg – Erfurt – Eisenach – Luther
Fortress Wartburg – Schmalkalden – Lauscha – Dinkelsbuehl – Munich – Altoetting – Wies Church – Oberammergau
with Passion Play – Neuschwanstein / Murnau  – Speyer – Heidelberg – Montabaur – Limburg an der Lahn – Frankfurt

Tour price:      $ 2,854 (ground package, double occupancy)
Early bird:       $ 55 discount for bookings until September 25th, 2009

The tour price includes the one-night Passion Play package with a net value of $ 500. This customized tour is tightly priced. We don’t spend money on commissions for 3rd parties – Every $ will be expended on the actual trip program and your comfort. The small group of maximum 22 travelers will be escorted 24/7 by a bilingual tour guide. We’ll use a private tour bus throughout the whole trip with a experienced professional driver.

Itinerary, registration form and terms & conditions are available online at http://www.tgac-us.com/

Don’t hesitate to contact us for detailed information and to secure your spot: info@tgac-us.com