In previous article I slightly mentioned one of the oldest and one of the most famous German car-makers, which I would like to write about – it is BMW. Due I am a MINI-owner, I was always keen on BMW issue and its history! So, this article is not an advertisement; that is just what I find interesting and entertaining.

The company was founded in 1916: on the 7^th of March the company celebrated its 100^th birthday! Many years ago the company started with aircraft production first, only then (after the Treaty of Versailles) it shifted to motorcycle and car production. Since 1916 BMW has become a world-known car-manufacturer, which has also a history of success in Grand Prix running, Dakar Rally, Formula One, in touring car racing, etc.

BMW Isetta

If you ever go to Munich, you may visit BMW Museum and BMW World there. You will be able to find all the models of cars (including the old ones such as Isetta) – some of them are really rare nowadays, various motorcycle models, aircraft engines, sport cars, etc. Moreover, you will have the chance to learn the history of the company in particular details (for example, in terms of design issue or future concepts).

How do you like super-
modern and stylish BMW i Series? True fans have an exciting opportunity to visit car-maker plant in Leipzig, where i Series are produced: there you will get a deep understanding and know some peculiarities of production process of cars. What really aroused my curiosity there were automatic robots and an assembly line! Using carsharing service in Berlin you may even try i3 by yourself! Motor-lovers may visit plant in Berlin where they will be guided through the birth place of motorcycles. Just visit this page https://www.visit-bmwgroup.com/en/bmw-group/ and find much more awesome things about BMW in real-life experience!

Today’s article is dedicated to the capital and the largest city of Bavaria – Munich. It is the third largest city in Germany and one of the most expensive cities with the #1 standard and quality of living in the whole country. Munich is a centre of finance, advanced technologies, art and innovation as well as it is home to the well-known FC Bayern Munich. BMW also comes from this Bavarian city. Everyone will find here something interesting according to the interests and preferences!

Neue Rathaus

Siegestor

If you are fond of historical sights and monuments, you can visit an old part of the Munich: here you will find the buildings of New (Neues Rathaus) and Old Town Halls (Altes Rathaus), very famous Mary’s Square (Marienplatz), Cathedral of Our Dear Lady (Frauenkirche), etc.

If you are art-lover, you should definitely visit Old Pinacotheca (Alte Pinakothek), New Pinacotheca (Neue Pinakothek) and Gallery of the Modern (Pinakothek der Moderne), where you will be able to admire collections of art from the 14^th to 18^th century, from the 19^th century and modern art, accordingly.

Englischer Garten

If you are a fan of sports, you will be interested in Allianz Arena which is widely known for its colorful changing exterior and which home teams are represented by FC Bayern Munich and TVS 1860 Munich. Olympiastadion may also be impressive for you as it was the main venue for the 1972 Summer Olympics.

If you are keen on walking, The English Garden (Englischer Garten) is a must-visit place: here you can find a wide green area with a beautiful Munich landscape, the Japanese tea house (Japanisches Teehaus), The Chinese Tower (Chinesischer Turm), small waterfalls and surfing people in one of the Garden’s streams.

Finally, Munich is really famous for its festivals. Oktoberfest is the largest beer festival in the whole world! So, if you are lucky to visit the city in the second half of September, do not miss the chance to take a dip into this mind-blowing event!

Another amazing German city which I liked most is Cologne! It is the largest city in the German federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia which is located on both sides of the Rhine River. This river has been a vital and navigable waterway carrying trade and goods deep inland since ancient times.

Kölner Dom

One of the most famous sightseeings is Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom).  It is also residents’ most loved landmark so that the church appears now as a kind of a symbol of Cologne and its heart. The Cathedral was started in 1248 and completed in 1880. So if you visit this city, this place should be your number one in the list of planned sights!

In, approximately, 5-7 minutes by foot from the church you may reach the Rhine River. At its shore front you can find nice cafes or small park to have a seat and to admire the river’s landscape.  The surrounding buildings look so fairily due to their size, architecture and colors! Here you can also find a lot of boat excursions: panorama round trips, trips to Düsseldorf and Bonn, and even special logistics tours of Cologne’s harbors.

Kranhaus

Apart from old-fashioned houses, in Cologne you can also find super-modern buildings which are made in the form of cranes (Kranhaus).  They replace real cranes which were standing at the same place when the harbor was used for transshipments of goods.

Last but not the least in Cologne is chocolate museum (Schokoladenmuseum) for real chocolate-lovers! It will tell you about the origin of chocolate, its history, its transportation peculiarities, numerous varieties, etc. Moreover, you will be able to see every step of Lindt chocolates production in real-time. And if you are not very greedy and can spend extra 4.50 Euro, you will have an opportunity to design your own chocolate: just choose chocolate and its filling (starting from raspberry and finishing with Haribo bears)!

Have you ever been to Bremen? If not, you MUST visit it. This town is one of my favorite places in the world. It is really nice, small, warmly welcoming and, finally, FAIRY!

Town Musicians of Bremen

The first thing that is associated with Bremen for the majority of people is (I assume) Town Musicians of Bremen by Brothers Grimm. Even though these characters had not ever arrived in Bremen, in the centre of the town you may find sculpture dedicated to the musicians.

Musicians’ monument is placed in the centre of town – on the Marktplatz – and surrounded by old town buildings which are really gorgeous.

Due Bremen is a small town you will need only one day (at least two days) to walk it throughout and to fall in love with it!  Shnoor neighborhood, narrow streets and peaceful Weser River create romantic and fairy atmosphere there.

Marktplatz

If you are done with promenades, you may visit Mercedes manufacturing here. There you have an exciting opportunity to learn, for example, about E-class Mercedes production in real-time and to walk through the whole process of car assembly. Prior to assembly you will go through the shop where everything is run automatically by smart robots! Unfortunately, photographs are not allowed at production due to commercial confidentiality. That is why I cannot provide you with breathtaking pictures of smart robots. And this is another reason for you to come to this town and to see it by yourself.

What is more important about Bremen in the context of logistics, there is a port of strategic role which is named Bremerhaven. It is sixteenth-largest port in the world and the fourth-largest port in Europe. In Bremerhaven more than one million cars are imported and exported annually. Container-fans will definitely love it!

If you have a chance to visit this wonderful town, do not lose it!

Hello everyone! My name is Valery and I am 23 years old. I came to Berlin from Moscow (Russia) to continue my Master’s Double Degree Program in Strategic Management of Logistics in bbw Hochschule. This is the second time I have been to Germany. Last year I had an internship here for two weeks (in Bremen and Berlin) and now I am going to study here for one year more.

Germany is really famous for its well-developed logistics infrastructure, environmental responsibility in logistics sector and advanced logistics approaches. This is the reason why I am here! There are so many things to learn in Germany in professional sphere and in every-day life! I truly believe that this year in Germany will provide me not only with the specific knowledge and skills in logistics but also with really invaluable life-experience!

I am learning German in DeutschAkademie as it is really crucial to know it and to speak it if want to be full-fledged citizen! Currenty I am getting A2.1 level. Good level in German is my another target here. I asume that this issue appears as our common goal!

Franky, I have never thought about writing a blog but now I have this opportunity – I really appreciate this! Now I am full of enthusiasm and ready to share all important stuff I have with you. For today I have visited a lot of interesting places in Germany (not only in Berlin) which I would like to tell you about and which you can also visit (for example, plants of famous automobile producers or aircraft production area). In my articles I would try to make a slight accent on the logistics issue so that my blog might arouse your interest and curiosity in a specific manner. Hope, you will enjoy it!

Valery Kondrateva

Liebe Teilnehmer,
es war wieder ein gemütlicher Abend mit euch im Café Berio. Wir hoffen, dass ihr Spaß mit dem Bilderrätsel und viel Gelegenheit zum Deutsch üben hattet. Bis zum nächsten Mal!
Euer DeutschAkademie-Team