There’s more to skiing in Germany than the northernmost bits of the Alps. As the new season begins, The Local introduces some alternative slopes that just might be closer than you think.
Virtually unknown to foreigners, Germany’s oldest hiking trail, the Rennsteig, winds deep into the country’s “green heart” in Thuringia. Gentle panoramic views, a host of outdoor activities and cosy hospitality make for a restorative getaway.
Safety concerns have prompted Berlin officials to remove the city’s only cricket pitch, in use for more than six decades beginning with British troops. But cricketers suspect ulterior motives and argue it’s a “death blow” for a sport that promotes multiculturalism and integration.
A German-born diplomat who was fired from his job in Paris with the UK’s Department for International Development (DfID) is suing the British government for racial discrimination, he told The Local.
Accusations Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg plagiarized his doctoral thesis highlights Germany's unhealthy obsession with academic titles, anti-cheating expert Prof. Debora Weber-Wulff told The Local.
"Almanya," a Turkish-German film debuting at the Berlinale, has received rave reviews for its humorous and sensitive take on immigration and integration. The Local spoke with the sisters behind the movie about learning to live and laugh together.
What would have happened if the Nazis escaped to the Moon after World War II? The space fascists thrive and one day return to attack Earth, according to a fan-backed “science fiction black comedy” film set for release in 2012.
With almost 400 films and countless other events accompanying this year’s Berlinale, choosing what to see can be a daunting task. Fortunately, The Local has sifted out a sampling of the festival’s most interesting offerings.
The 61st annual Berlin International Film Festival runs from February 10-20 and boasts almost 400 films. Don’t get lost in the frenzy – check out The Local’s tips, event picks, and ongoing coverage to make the most of this year's Berlinale.
The Berlinale, while offering a bounty of great films, can be logistically challenging. But fear not, The Local has a few tips on keeping any funny business from blocking your escape into show business.
Ski jumping can be thrilling to watch, but it’s not a sport most people imagine doing themselves. The Local’s <b>Kristen Allen</b> heads to Germany’s picturesque Thuringian Forest to strap on some fat skis and go flying – without fear of death.
Decking the halls wouldn’t be the same without the aroma of fresh-baked treats, but many expats in Germany struggle to find familiar baking supplies. Check out The Local’s tips on finding key ingredients and substitutions so Santa won’t go hungry this year.
Three entrepreneurs have brought the single-source coffee movement to Germany, directly connecting customers to an Ethiopian community producing their gourmet beans.
Historians in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia announced on Tuesday that they have deciphered mysterious 500-year-old graffiti left in an old abbey attic. The etchings are likely practice drawings made by handwork apprentices.
Almost 100 US military and civilian families have lost most of their possessions in a warehouse fire outside Stuttgart, American officials told The Local on Tuesday.
What German car fan hasn’t fantasized about shifting into high gear on the autobahn behind the wheel of a BMW, Porsche, Audi, or Mercedes? The Local's motoring series Abgefahren explores the “European delivery” schemes of Germany's top luxury brands offering overseas drivers enough travel perks and discounts to make a new car <i>and</i> unique vacation affordable.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been the victim of a stalker, a government spokesperson confirmed to The Local on Tuesday. The mentally disturbed man has been detained after he twice trespassed on the grounds of Merkel’s weekend home.
Berliners can now feel good about their hangovers. For every bottle of a new beer the capital’s denizens guzzle down, the profits will go to social initiatives in their own neighbourhoods. The Local met with the founder of <i>Quartiermeister</i> for a drink.
The Berlin Museum of Natural History celebrates 200 years of scientific innovation this month with the inauguration of its restored east wing, destroyed by Allied bombs, and a special exhibition full of remarkable rarities.
A 35-year-old man in North Rhine-Westphalia has lived for the past several years unaware a bullet became lodged in his head one drunken New Year's Eve, police told The Local on Tuesday.
The grime and grit of Berlin’s U-Bahn metro may not seem very glamorous. But this month a dozen designer-model teams will take inspiration from their favourite underground stations for the city's first fashion show in beauty pageant form. Who will become Miss U-Bahn 2010?
Hollywood actor Bruce Willis caused some hot and steamy commotion in Frankfurt over the weekend by taking a shower so sweltering that it set off the fire alarm in his luxury hotel suite, officials told The Local on Tuesday.
Bats are among Germany's most endangered animals, but Berlin is home to more of the furry flying mammals than any other central European city. The Local’s <b>Kristen Allen</b> gets face to fangs with the nocturnal beasts to investigate.
While bats are particularly plentiful in Berlin, curious folks around the country can also catch a glimpse of the nocturnal hunters with a little patience and these tips gathered by The Local.
There are many simple things that residents can do to help protect the endangered bat population in Germany. The Local has compiled the most important tips.
