Ulm, Germany - Birthplace of Genius
08/24/2007 04:08 a.m.
Bundesautobahn 7 bisects Germany in virtually a straight line drawn north to south, and could be called the country's Main Street if it weren't for the BMWs passing you at well over 150 mph. To exercise such speed on this highway is a pity since you are going to miss some of the most spectacular scenery in NorthCentral Europe.
The southern stretch of this autobahn rolls along the high plateau of the Swabian Alb on the edge of the Black Forest, and is blessed with sweeping vistas of craggy limestone mountains and rolling, bumpy emerald hills. You will definitely want to thank your travel agent for suggesting this memorable and awe inspiring drive.
Almost on another planet from Germany's industrialized north lies the charming and pleasant town of Ulm on the Danube. Virtually bombed into rubble in WWII, Ulm has rebuilt some of its most impressive historical buildings such as the world's highest church steeple at the Ulm Munster. The Rathaus Town Hall was built in 1340 and features an astronomical clock on the gable dating from 1520.
While at the Rathaus, you have to dine at Alexandre, a huge, bustling, gymnasium-sized restaurant whose modern decor contrasts sharply with the 14th century architecture of the building. It's a great place to meet locals and visitors, but keep in mind that with music playing loudly all day and night, you might have to shout to be heard!
The aura of this marvelous town is so picture perfect that you might think that Disney had a hand in creating it. It's one of Europe's best kept secrets known primarily to specialized travel agents who understand Ulm's charms.
Definitely worth visiting is the Fischerviertel which is a 16th century river fisherman's village frozen in time. While there, don't miss the Gerber Haus restaurant for fine Swabian cuisine, relying primarily on amazingly fresh fish and vegetables that taste like they were just picked. There are a wealth of fine dining establishments in Ulm and your specialized travel agent will be able to point out the best.
When the sun goes down, Ulm starts to party and the hot place is the Roxyhallen, a converted factory which now houses a movie theater, a live theater and an enormous party area that stretches across three floors where you can dance to everything from classic rock to Euro/electro/techno and then some.
Of all of Germany's towns, Ulm is by far one of the cleanest, most organized, most decent and safest. Your travel agent will be able to suggest an Ulm hotel to suit every taste and budget.
For many visitors the main reason to visit Ulm is to pay homage at the tiny memorial on the Bahnhofstrasse, on the site where a house once stood before the fearsome firebombing of 1944. In this modest home, the man who is arguably the greatest mind of the 20th Century was born: Albert Einstein.
The emotions that will pass through the heart of any devotee of this great genius while standing in front of this memorial simply must be experienced to be believed. For a fleeting moment you would be excused for believing that you could feel the actual presence of greatness.
Tags: western europe, munich, stuttgart, germany
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