Lifestyle

Military service overseas leads to the intermingling of cultures, culture shock and sometimes love. Finding love was the case for one Air Force couple stationed in Germany, and it has led to quite a few fights between the two of them.

Living abroad can be complicated. Shopping, traveling and working overseas can be vastly different from life in the United States. One way to simplify the transition is knowledge and understanding of local and national holidays in Germany. Many German holidays are based on religious or traditional beliefs. While some overlap with American holidays, others may be unfamiliar. Here is a list of upcoming 2017 German national and Rheinland-Pfalz-specific holidays.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The holidays are upon us and approaching quickly. The good thing is, when it comes to Christmas and the holidays, Germany has got you covered. Christmas is one of its biggest holiday seasons. It’s so big and special, they actually start celebrating anywhere from four to five weeks ahead of the actual day. Because Germans celebrate Advent, most of the “Weihnachtmarkts,” or “Christmas markets,” start around the end of November.

New Year’s Eve, or “Silvester” as the Germans say, is a popular holiday for celebrations around the world. However, the combination of post-December holiday exhaustion, a late night out, champagne drinking-induced dehydration and midnight snack cravings can ruin a good party faster than the Times Square ball can drop. Here are some helpful tips to keep your guests hydrated, fed and happy.

Maybe this is your first Christmas market season in Germany or maybe you feel like you’ve visited every one you can handle. What if I told you about one that is underground? When I say underground I don’t mean it’s a secret. I mean it is literally in caves!

The winter holiday season is a popular travel period in Europe. Christmas markets in and around Germany draw large crowds from the KMC, but they are not your only options. Low-priced airfare and Europe’s interconnected rail system make many cultures and attractions well within your reach. Here are a few alternative destinations for your winter getaways that will not disappoint.

Whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s or some other popular winter celebration, most people celebrate some version of the holidays between the months of November and January.