German Driver’s License Reciprocity

How to Get a German Driving License – der Führerschein – Reciprocity Life isn’t fair, especially when it comes to driving legally in Germany. Non-EU: If you are NOT a citizen of Canada or the United States, see this page: Driving License Reciprocity for Non-EU...

Shopping Hours in Germany

Shopping Hours in German-Speaking Europe For almost 50 years, shopping hours in Germany were the most restrictive in Europe. Since July 2006, the situation has improved, but all of the German-speaking countries still have the most limited shopping hours in Europe. And...

Albert Ballin, Inventor of the Pleasure Cruise

“Der Reeder des Kaisers” – “Ship operator to the Kaiser” The German shipping magnate Albert Ballin (1857-1918) was responsible for turning Germany into a world leader in ocean travel prior to World War I. It was Ballin who also invented the Mediterranean...

Thomas Gottschalk

The Famous German You’ve Never Heard Of “Even as a first-grader he may not have been the most studious one, but always the funniest one.” — Thomas Gottschalk’s mother, Rutila (1922-2004) Unless you live in German-speaking Europe, Thomas “Thommy” Gottschalk is...

Conrad Veidt: The Urn Chronicles

Veidt’s Exile in Death A Conrad Veidt TIMELINE from the date of his death When Conrad and Lilli Veidt sailed to America from England in April 1940, they never could have foreseen or imagined how and why they would return to London in April 1998 — 58 years later,...