Fasching
Feb. 1-13, Munich

Grab your friends, don a fancy costume and celebrate Fasching the Bavarian way! During this celebration, 800 fancy balls will be held.

Mamma Mia
Feb. 8, Kaiserslautern

You don’t need to travel to London to see this Broadway hit! Get off your seat as you sing along to the hits of Abba!

Snow Patrol Concert
Feb. 8, Frankfurt

Get ready to put your lighters in the air as you sing along to “Chasing Cars.” The rock band will be performing at the Jahrhunderthalle in Frankfurt at 8 p.m. www.eventim.de

Cologne Carnival
Feb. 8-13, Cologne

Celebrate the “fifth season of the year” by wearing funny costumes and watching parades, eating food and drinking beer for Karneval.

Dirty Dancing Live
Feb. 12, Stuttgart

You’ve seen the movie, now watch the live performance held at the Porsche Arena in Stuttgart. Sing along to your favorites to this classic movie!

Nicki Minaj Concert
Feb. 21, Munich

The famous rapper will be performing at the Olympiahalle. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets can be bought online. 

Twenty One Pilots Concert
Feb. 24, Stuttgart

Come see the musical duo perform hits such as “Stressed Out” and “Heathens” at the Hans Martin Schleyer Halle in Stuttgart. The performance starts at 8 p.m. 

PLAN AHEAD: 
Stuttgarter Frühlingsfest 
April 21-May 13, Stuttgart 

Stuttgarter Frühlingsfest is Europe’s biggest spring festival! Enjoy rides, yummy food, beer and wine! Although it takes place a few months down the road, it’s best to start reserving hotel rooms, tables in beer tents and figuring out your transportation. Be sure to find proper attire for the fest, to include dirndls for women and lederhosen for men. 

Whether you’re worried about random acts of terror, criminal targeting or performing your unofficial ambassador duties, as a U.S. servicemember, civilian or dependent you have a responsibility to protect yourself while living abroad.

Take the next few minutes to analyze your daily routines and personal appearance to help lower your profile and possibly keep you or your family from being targeted.

1. Clothes

Don’t allow your need to wear an American flag t-shirt with cargo shorts and flip-flops outweigh your need for safety. Some common items you should avoid wearing are American sports memorabilia, baseball caps, bright white sneakers and other exercise apparel if you aren’t going to the gym.

Take a moment to observe the local residents where you live, do you and your family blend in or stand out? If you stand out, reconsider.

2. Language

Make an effort to learn the local language, but don’t worry if you aren’t fluent. Try to use words and phrases you know. You’ll find a little effort goes a long way in most European cultures.

When you speak English, try to control the volume and tone of your voice. Shouting or speaking in sharp tones when you’re excited is a sure sign you aren’t a local. Make a conscious effort to use calm casual tones during conversations.

3. Large groups

Travel in small groups of less than 10 people to avoid easily being targeted by terrorist groups or criminals. Traveling in a large group significantly increases your overall visibility while reducing the group’s overall situational awareness. You will find it’s more demanding to keep track of everyone in a large group and difficult to convince everyone to listen or follow directions. Complicating the situation with confusion or panic may create a recipe for disaster.

4. Patience and tolerance

Living in Europe as a U.S. citizen can be a challenging but rewarding experience, especially if you exercise a little patience. Daily routines vary from region to region so getting to know the local customs, expectations and traditions will make your stay more enjoyable.

From waiting in line at the local café to opening a foreign bank account, you will find challenges in nearly every activity due to the different expectations from both you and the community. Preparation is the key to successfully accomplishing tasks in any location.

5. Excessive intoxication

Alcohol consumption can lead to unnecessary attention and could create a bigger headache than just a hangover. Alcohol is available to a younger age group than in the U.S. and is more socially acceptable in Europe; however, intoxication is not.

Binge drinking, drunk driving and alcohol-related incidents are guaranteed ways to draw negative attention and increase the risk of any activity. If you plan to drink, consume responsibly, have a plan before you travel and always let someone know where you’re going.

Remember, make an effort to blend in with the local culture, learn the local language, practice patience and tolerance for others and drink responsibly.

For more information on Operational Security (OPSEC) and local threats, contact your Security Manager.

The booming metropolis of Berlin is Germany’s capital city and home to the largest city in both population and size in Germany. Inside the city you’ll find numerous museums, architectural wonders, churches, a castle and even Germany’s oldest zoo. Find time to visit this area that is teeming with cultural history. The following locations are not to be missed:

The Berlin Wall separated east and West Berlin from Aug. 13, 1961 to Nov. 9, 1989. The East Side Gallery is the longest surviving section and features artwork from over 100 artists. You can also see Checkpoint Charlie, the most famous crossing point from East to West Berlin that still has a turnpike, sandbags and flags modeled after the original venue.

Brandenburg Gate, built between 1788 and 1791, is a symbol of both the tumultuous history of Germany and Europe and also peace and unity. This landmark is an 18th-century neoclassical monument that was inspired by the Propylaea in Athens.

Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to five museums: Pergamon Museum, Bode Museum, New Museum, Old National Gallery and the Old Museum. The most interesting exhibits include the Nefertiti Bust, the Pergamon Altar and the Ishtar Gate.

The Berlin Cathedral allows visitors in the sermon, baptismal and funeral church, the Hohenzollern crypt, the museum and the cupola seven days a week. It is an Evangelical Church on Museum Island. The present building was inaugurated in 1905 and includes a monumental dome and four towers.

The Berlin Zoo is Germany’s oldest zoo and home to over 1,400 species. Here you’ll find Germany’s only giant pandas, elephants, gorillas, hippos, meerkats and more. See if there’s a special time for visiting your favorite animal if you have one.

Shopping on Kurfürstendamm is perfect for anyone looking for West Berlin’s legendary shopping boulevard. Start at the Europa-Center, filled with about 70 shops and then continue down the street for high-end boutiques, international brands and cafés that last for over two miles.

Charlottenburg Palace, Berlin’s largest palace, was built in 1699 as a summer home and has since been expanded several times. Visitors can enjoy the Baroque and Rococo rooms, royal apartments, Chinese and Japanese porcelain collections, the orangerie and more. The palace has extensive gardens that can be enjoyed at your leisure.

With so many things to see and do in Berlin, why not plan your trip today? From shopping to a close up encounter with a giraffe, you are sure to have a splendid time in Germany’s capital city.

As of Jan. 22, Priceline has launched a leisure travel website called American Forces Travel. This website is for active military, retired military, DOD civilians and their families to book hotels, flights, cars, packages and cruises at discounted prices. With deals all over the world and savings galore, it’s a great option for families looking for a getaway.

Once you’ve visited the website and verified your eligibility, you’ll have access to over 1.2 million properties in more than 71,000 destinations worldwide, a DOD dedicated helpdesk line open 24/7, savings of up to 60 percent off hotels and a single website for all your travel needs.

Renting a car is easy, with free cancellation on post-paid cars, exclusive promotional rates and prepaid rates for bigger discounts. Flight benefits include no booking fees, reduced fees for reservation changes, cancelable flights within 24 hours of booking and exclusive flight options with split ticket fares. You can even find cruises up to 80 percent off on the website!

An article on businesswire.com states that the CEO of Priceline Brett Keller said, “American Forces Travel was developed for a simple reason. The people who support the United States of America through military service have earned access to the world’s most exclusive travel deals ... We were thrilled to be selected by the Department of Defense, and have worked closely with them over the past year to bring the site to life.”

With discounted travel at the tip of our fingers, there has never been a better time to book that dream vacation. Whether you rent a car or fly, stay in a discounted or swanky hotel, the savings are sure to make you smile about all the extra money you will have to spend elsewhere. Perhaps you can get that souvenir you’ve been eyeing or stay an extra day in paradise!

When the weather turns cold and the sun hides for days behind a gloomy gray ceiling, sometimes you need a little getaway. Jobs, kids and budgets can all factor in to the time and money you have to spend on a trip. Instead of dealing with airfare and traveling to another country, stay in Germany and visit an indoor tropical paradise — great weather guaranteed. With 400 real palm trees, water at a constant 93 degrees and orchids galore, you can forget about your winter blues at Thermen & Badewelt Sinsheim.  

This luxurious indoor hideaway has a little something for every visitor. If you want to relax in a sauna, there are eight with various themes, ranging from a koi themed sauna to a Viennese coffeehouse. You can even choose the infusions that are in the sauna. If pouring sweat after exiting the sauna isn’t you favorite part of the day, head straight to the warm foot bath to cut down on the amount of sweat produced.  

After heating up in the sauna, head to Palm Paradise. There’s a delightful lagoon to float in with water that never strays from 93 degrees, despite the cold that rages outside. Sit in one of 53 bubble beds or hit up the pool bar for a tropical cocktail. If you’re really hard up for the sun, lounge in one of the solariums (3 euros for five minutes) and soak up the vitamin D. This will help prevent osteoporosis and relieve acne and dermatitis. If you’d rather not pay extra, find the infrared loungers for some heat to help relax the muscles and strengthen the immune system. There are also four hot tubs and a brine mineral pool that is 18 percent salt. Floating in the water is said to increase circulation and skin metabolism, strengthen the protective function of the skin and relieve the musculoskeletal system.

For the athletically inclined, hit the lap pool for a great exercise. Here you’ll find six lap lanes that are 82-feet long. On sunny days there is even a convertible roof over the pool! Hit up the diving boards for a little extra thrill.        

For the solo traveler this location is great because there are so many ways to relax. Start the day with a workout in the lap pool, then head to one of the saunas to get a good sweat going. After the sauna, recharge in the lagoon to cool off a little. To make the most of your day, finish up with a manicure and a massage. There are various types and length of massages, so one is sure to suit your needs. You survived the holidays, might as well treat yourself!

For couples this location can be a romantic getaway. Schedule a massage together or snuggle up in one of the hot tubs. You can even rent a two-person lounge (ranges from 42 - 75 euros) and know you’ll have a place to come back to after that luxurious massage or soak in the whirlpool. What better way to escape your worries and the cold than lounging under some palm trees?

For families this location is recommended only on Saturdays, as that’s family day. Children over the age of 4 or under the age of 16 are not allowed in the area any other day. For the children under the age of 4, there is a toddler pool. Unless you’re coming here specifically on a Saturday, it’s best to leave the kids with a babysitter and enjoy some adult only time, whether it be as a couple or by yourself.

Maybe you just need to relax after the holidays or maybe you really love swimming; regardless of your reasons, the Thermen & Badewelt Sinsheim is a great place to forget your troubles and unwind. Splurge on the extra spa services and have a fantastic time. Your body and mind will surely thank you!