German: The fatherland that sparkles!

The ever effervescent debate between beer and wine is what sums up the story for Germany for many of the tourists who plan to visit the country. However, there is a lot more to this seemingly pilsner-oriented culture that meets the eye. Certainly, a country that plays host to one of the world’s greatest parties, the Oktoberfest, has to be much more than just a nation obsessed with alcohol.

The country is essentially one of endless choices, and one is never forced to decide, since he/she can always have both.

Berlin: World class museums by the day and happening nightclubs during the evening is what describes the ideal itinerary while on is in Berlin! More than 2 decades after its walled existence came to an end, the city today is a heady concoction of the grand opera and guerilla clubs, alongside gourmet restaurants and a veritable collection of museums and galleries that is the envy of the entire Europe. For many, it’s like the New York of the 80s, and the reason is the influx of so many people from different parts of the world, encouraged by the tolerant atmosphere of the city. True, there is also the element of affordable lifestyle that adds to the beauty of an immigrant’s haven! The city seems to be fervently focused towards the future, probably because it has such a forgettable past. There seems to be a big celebration going on at all times. Cafes are always packed, and drinks are more of a means of relaxation; they are a way of life, to mention nothing of the obvious rush in nightclubs. However, the city is also absolutely organized – smooth flow of traffic, excellent public transport and economical meal options – Berlin has it all!

Rugen Island: For the better part of history, this destination has been talked about. Back in the 19^th and 20^th centuries, the island was visited by the likes of Bismarck, Einstein and Thomas Mann, while the chalky coastline was immortalised by Caspar David Friedrich. However, the beaches of Rugen Island were also a favourite of Hitler, who built a holiday resort for his troops here. A majority of the coast, spanning 574 kms, comprises of vegetation, and one will witness many trees of chestnut, poplar, elm and oak, while the surrounding areas are protected nature reserves or national parks. The main resort of the Binz and the white chalk cliffs of the Jasmund National Park in the Stubbenkammer area are constant attractions for tourists.

Tourists in Germany often find themselves without much reliable assistance when it comes to communicating with friends and family back home. Pay phones are expensive, and domestic sim cards on roaming aren’t much use either. In such a scenario, Matrix international calling cards come as a welcome change from the rest of the options, as they deliver flawless network coverage and as much as 80% savings on every international call to major destinations across the world.

Germany: The land not yet explored

There are so many facets to Germany that even a person who has been to every nook and cranny would not know it properly. Following is a look at its most prominent destinations:

Berlin: It has been more than twenty years since the Berlin wall was demolished, and the city has witnessed a sea change of its persona and displays glamour and determination in all its fervour. Be it design, fashion, music or art, the capital of Germany is a must visit, what with so many fantastic museums, galleries, guerrilla clubs, the grand opera, snack shacks and gourmet restaurants. The cultural scene is as diverse and as rich as one would want it to be, with so many inputs coming in from all parts of Europe. Tourists are attracted to the open environment and thinking of this city, above all else. Also, there is a feeling that something better is just about to happen, which also helps its cause as one of the most anticipated cities in the world, so to speak. There is so much vivacity here that it's really hard to picture the tumultuous past Berlin has been through, i.e., a revolution, serving as a headquarters for fascists, bombed back to stone age and then reunited. There are many important landmarks like the Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie and the Brandenburg Gate, not to forget the remains of the Berlin Wall.

Rügen : There is a certain element of mythology to Rügen, an island that has played host to greats like Bismarck, Thomas Mann and Einstein, while Romantic artist Caspar David Friedrich gave new life to its coastline in 1818. However, Hitler was also pretty intrigued by the magnanimity of this island, and built a holiday resort for his troops on one of Rügen's most beautiful beaches. The coastline stretches 574 kms, but a majority of the island is covered with flora and fauna, and a drive would reveal poplar, oak, chestnut and elm trees. The surrounding areas are protected naatural reserves or national parks. A majority of the tourists throng to the resort of Binz and the Stubbenkammer area in the Jasmund National Park, but there are many parts of the island which need to be explored as they contain some really interesting structures of historic importance.

Dresden: To sum it up, there are very few cities that will have silhouettes as majestic as Dresden. The spellbinding view from the Elbe's northern bank presents a collection of sky-high towers, marvellous domes that belong to palaces, churches and spires. Many artists, like Canaletto from Italy, have been more than eager to utilise their skill to immortalise this setting. This Saxon capital was also known as the ‘Florence of the north’, in the 18th century, a time period when it was the hub of artistic activity, and even though it had a struggling past, the resurrected Frauenkirche is a symbol of this 800 year old city's determination.

A trip to Germany would entail keeping in touch with friends and family, and there is no better (and more economical) way to do so than with Matrix international calling cards, which guarantee up to 80% savings on every call, along with great savings.

A sojourn to Germany

Besides the usual fetish for beer, there is a lot more that Germany has to offer. And believe it or not, people from all parts of the world swarm to the country, a significant portion of them waiting to indulge in the Oktoberfest. Although much of beer flows like a river at one the world's greatest parties as well, the point is, while one is enjoying liquor from green stemmed glasses, there are quite a few questions that are floating around the environs, like whether one should buy a BMW or Mercedes, hand out at the club, or soak in royal ambience at the castle, revel in Munich, or burn the roof in Berlin! All this, and more, awaits the visitor who takes the sojourn to Adolf Hitler, the Führer's fatherland.

Munich: A lot has been said about this vibrant city, and for all the right reasons. Munich, or München, has a lot many different time zones existing simultaneously. On one side, there are shining BMWs and chic designer boutiques, while on the other, locals still practice the age-old traditions with fervour. The music and cultural environment has always been happening, and for those who appreciate the finer things in life, Munich's museums have the world's finest antiques on display. However, provincialism certainly retains most of its charm, and the prevailing attitude is 'live and let live. The metropolis is kind of like a global village, and the concept is reinforced by the fact that during Oktoberfest, the whole planet seems to come down here!

Sylt: Shaped like an anchor that is hooked on to the mainland, Sylt is having the aggressive surfs on its west coast that charge fiercely at the shoreline that constantly changes shape. Owing to the strong winds, the place is often the meeting spot of the best windsurfers from across the world, who convene here every September for the final Surf World Cup of the tour. However, totally in contrast of this picture, the Wadden Sea's serene shoreline, with the water retreating twice a day to reveal the sea bottom, is an invigorating and unique experience par tranquillity. Towards the northern side of the island, one can find sand dunes shifting shape and location alongside lighthouses guarding over 'streams' of yellow rape flower. Owing to its stunning and picturesque landscape, Sylt has been the favoured destination of celebrities from Germany and the world, a fact that is reinforced by the scores of expensive restaurants, plush homes, expensive cars and designer boutiques on the street.

Bremen: The name of Germany's smallest state is derived from the description of a Hanseatic city, although many would like to think of it more as a town, or for that matter, two towns, the reason being that the terrain is divided between riverside Bremen and industrial Bremerhaven at the mouth of the Weser River. The destination is the perfect resting spot while on a long tour of Germany, with its peaceful and enchanting setting.

Going to Germany is incomplete without a reliable communication partner, and Matrix international sim cards, with calls 80% lower than other service providers are certainly the best one could ask for. Now, one can stay in touch with friends and family without having to fret about expensive bills.

Gorge on the German holiday

Greece can easily be referred to as one of the most exotic European countries that is slowly becoming a haven for tourists wanting to break away from the regular holiday routine. Following is a glimpse of the most revered destinations in the country.

Berlin: More than 20 years after its post-wall rebirth, the city of Berlin has transformed like anything from practically every angle. Right from the top-notch galleries and museums to the grand opera and guerilla clubs, snack shacks and restaurants serving sumptuous and exotic German and international delicacies. Talking about fashion, design, art or music as well, Berlin scores high on all counts. The capital of Germany is today a simmering pot-boiler of creativity and culture, alike the New York of the 80s. The open environment, with acceptance for all kinds of religions and ethnicities, is what gives the city life, and attracts tourists as well as immigrants from all parts of the world, along with the economical living expenses! Just within the 20th century, the city set the stage for a revolution, was bombed back to the stone age, divided into two, and eventually, reunited. All this makes it a must visit on all counts, along with the bustling activity of the classy metropolis that it is.


Rügen Island: Mythologised in German history, the island was the place to be, so to speak, in the 19th and early 20th century for the country's great men, including Bismarck, Thomas Mann and Einstein, while Romantic artist Caspar David Friedrich etched its coastline in history. Despite having more than 550 kms of coastline, a majority of the island is covered with vegetation. There are lush canopies of chestnut, elm, oak, and other popular trees as one drives around the island, while the surroundings are full of national parks and protected nature reserves. Tourists generally head off to the main resort of Binz, and the Stubbenkammer area, that is capped with white cliffs in the Jasmund National Park, but the island has much more to offer, with historical buildings interspersed all around its surface area.


Dresden: In short, the silhouette of this marvellous German city is unparalleled by any other destination across the world, as the view from the Elbe's northern bank shows one a stunning landscape of glorious spires, palatial domes belonging to churches and stately buildings, along with sky high towers. The city has played host to the masterpieces of many artists, the most notable among them being the Canaletto. Termed as 'Florence of the north' in the 18th century, Dresden was the hub of artistic innovation back in its days of glory, and was ruled over by Augustus the Strong (August der Starke) and his son Augustus III, who were chiefly responsible for many of the iconic buildings in the city one witnesses today. However, the very fact that these buildings are present is a miracle, as the city was razed to dust during the second world was, only to emerge all over again like phoenix rising, and retain its long lost glory.

Matrix international sim cards deliver fantastic savings on international calls, with discounts up to 80% compared to regular calling charges, to make sure that travellers to Germany never have to miss out on any opportunity to talk to their loved ones.

For more information related to international SIM card, sim card for Germany, International communication, international travelling sim cards please visit: - http://www.matrix.in