Back to those bucketlists! Next comes one of the most beloved quests in the world, and it belongs to Jenn! Taking a drive on the Autobahn in Germany is one of the best concepts I know, but it is not the Autobahn. It is the Autobahn system.
The 555 from Cologne to Bonn was the first road to be called an Autobahn. It is now a historic road and not the Bundesautobahn that we are seeking to drive on today. It is not a continual four lane highway, and it does have speed limits in a lot of areas.
The longest part of the high speed Autobahn is between Hamburg and Berlin and is one of the best places to get your speed on.
The German Autobahn system is one of the longest highway systems in the world with roughly 13,000 kilometers of roadway within the country. Little known fact. During WWII, the Nazis also built their autobahns in other countries and they are still linked today. Therefore, you can take them into the Czech Republic, Austria, Belgium, and France to name a few. Germany, however, is the only country in the world to have no speed limit on their super highway system.
There are many interesting places to visit along the Autobahn system, such as the Nurburgring. This legendary race track is open often for people to come and try their skills with track days. If you go to Germany to race around, this could be a great activity to go along with your trip.
Things to remember when driving the Autobahn include; there are speed limits in many urban areas and around most cities, there are many rules that you must follow or you will face penalties, the rules are more strictly enforced because there are no speed limits. You must have an emergency kit in your car. You must carry the proper papers and ID. All rules and laws are strictly enforced along these highways, because there is not a speed limit enforced.
Another great thing about the Autobahn system is that it connects the entire country, and some of its most beautiful areas. This allows you to visit a lot of places pretty quickly. Whether it's Bavaria, the Black Forest or even the North Coast; you get access to some great places along the Autobahn.
Another thing to remember about traveling the Autobahn is that there is a recommended speed limit and that is 130 kilometers per hour. It is a recommendation, not a law. There is a law against going less than 80 kilometers per hour in the unrestricted areas. Something to keep in mind. In the cities, you will see posted speed limits which are strictly enforced. Also, passing on the right is a grave offense, so don't do it. Also, Tailgating is not tolerated.
There are great attractions that are accessible from the Autobahns. If you want to stop and see a great view or one of the most amazing castles in Europe, you can reach it from the Autobahn. Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most famous castles in the world, and is just a bit off the Autobahn in southern Germany.
It's important to remember that you will have to rent a car to drive around Germany. There are several ways to do it. I would pay particular attention to what make and model you rent if you intend to exercise your right to speed along the Autobahns. If you rent an economy car, it will not handle well enough to go the high speeds that people travel on the Autobahns. My best advice is to rent a German car and it should probably be one that's famous for its handling.
With that in mind, the Porsche Factory is right along an Autobahn. Some of the other factories are great tourist attractions as well, like the Volkswagon Factory.
There are endless sights to see in Germany, and the Autobahns connect some of the most famous cities in the country. You can check out the capital of Berlin, the industry of Frankfurt, the history of Bonn, Cologne, Hamburg, Nurenburg, Munich, Rothenburg, Stuttgart, or Leipzig, to name a few. Germany is a fabulous country with endless history, beauty, and creativity. The Autobahns are a great way to get around and have a thrill while doing it.
Just one caution; have patience. There are high traffic times on the Autobahns. Rush hours are much the same times of day as they are here in America. Try to travel at other times if you want to exercise your right to drive really fast. There are traffic jams on the Autobahns. Other than that, make sure that you follow the rules that do apply, while you're taking advantage of the lack of a speed limit. Make the most of the freedom to speed as much as you want on ironically some of the safest roads in the world. Just remember to take the time to stop and see the sights and enjoy!
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