Discover Europe Beyond the Base
The independent guide for American military families in Germany — day trips, the PCS process, and English-speaking services, all in one place.
Built by a U.S. Air Force veteran who's lived in Germany since 2016.
Explore Destinations
Discover amazing places within driving distance from your base
Stuttgart – Mercedes, Porsche, and Swabian Soul
London – Where Shopping Meets Royal Pageantry
Berlin – Fast Heartbeat, U-Bahn Art, and Electric Neighborhood Energy
Strasbourg – Christmas Capital Where France Meets Germany
Hamburg – Port City Grit, Miniatur Wunderland, and Sunday Fish Market Magic
Amsterdam – Where Canals Meet Creative Chaos
Frankfurt – Apple Wine, Skyscrapers, and Main River Magic
Cologne – Kölsch, Cathedral, and Christmas Market Magic
Munich – Beer Gardens, Pretzels, and Bavarian Spirit
Lucerne – Chapel Bridge, Alpine Peaks, and Postcard Switzerland
Paris – Champs-Élysées, Macarons, and Timeless Romance
Vienna – Sachertorte, Coffee Houses, and Imperial Grandeur
Budapest – Where Thermal Baths Meet Ruin Bar Culture
Prague – Beer Gardens, Trdelník, and Fairy Tale Architecture
Dresden – Baroque Beauty, Phoenix City, and Student Energy
Lisbon – Where Yellow Trams Meet Pastéis de Nata
Aachen – Where Three Countries Meet and Romans Bathed
Barcelona – Where Beaches Meet Gaudí's Dreams
Rome – Gelato, Trevi Fountain Wishes, and Ancient Wonders
Copenhagen – Colorful Harbors and Danish Design
Marburg – Two Cities Stacked on Top of Each Other
Ghent – Medieval Grandeur Without the Crowds
Würzburg – Baroque Palaces and the Start of the Romantic Road
Dortmund – Football, Beer Halls, and Ruhr Region Grit
Mainz – Gutenberg's City, Right Across the Rhine from Wiesbaden
Nuremberg – Christmas Markets, Bratwurst, and Bavaria's Beating Heart
Bruges – Canals, Chocolate, and a City Frozen in the Middle Ages
Brussels – Grand Place, Waffles, and the Heart of Europe
Salzburg – Mozart, Mountains, and Sound of Music Magic
Düsseldorf – Fashion, Old Town Beer Halls, and the Rhine Promenade
Koblenz – Where Two Rivers Meet, Close to Ramstein and KMC
Wiesbaden – Belle Époque Elegance and a Water-Powered Funicular
Bad Homburg – The Spa Town That Invented Monte Carlo's Casino Culture
Speyer – A Cathedral, a Space Shuttle, and Roman Roots
Kühlungsborn – A Baltic Sea Escape, Steam Train Included
Konstanz – A City Split by a Lake, a Border, and a 9-Meter Rotating Statue
Colmar – Little Venice, Half-Timbered Fairy Tales, and the Statue of Liberty's Hometown
Freiburg im Breisgau – Germany's Sunniest City, Gateway to the Black Forest
Don't see your favorite destination? Let us know!
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Worth your attention right now
Timely recommendations, events, and reads — refreshed as the season changes.
Buying a Car in Germany? Read This First
Moving to Germany? Buying a car here is different from back home. Learn everything about SOFA status, TÜV inspections, insurance, registration, and finding English-speaking dealerships near your base.
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8 Wild Swimming Lakes Near the KMC
Go Wild Swimming What a glorious summer we are having here in Germany. But you might be finding the temperatures a little hot to handle. If so the ideal solution is to cool off with a nice swim. There are lots of lovely outdoor pools to discover in the area, but for real nature lovers you will find that Germany offers some amazing wild swimming lakes. Most charge a small entrance fee and those that do usually offer some basic facilities like toilets and a kiosk for drinks and snacks. But don’t be afraid to explore swimming lakes that don’t have these facilities and go really off-grid! The water quality is excellent and it really feels like you are embracing the European outdoor lifestyle!
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Mein Kult, Dein Kult, !!! Wein Kult !!!
Exceptional bar with focus on wine and wine shop in Sindelfingen with culture! Welcome to Weinkult, the first wine bar and wine shop in Sindelfingen! We are proud to offer a large selection of German and European wines that are of the highest quality. Our wines are carefully selected and come from the best winemakers from the region and beyond. In addition to our excellent wine offer, we also offer a selection of cold dishes of Italian delicatessen of the highest quality. Such as our cheese selection, antipasti and mixed ham plates. We also organize various events in our bar for our guests. From wine tastings, to after-work parties and girls' evenings offer varied opportunities to meet people. We have events with live music in the offer. We attach great importance to quality and service and want to ensure that every guest feels comfortable with us. Visit us in our cozy wine bar in Sindelfingen and let yourself be inspired by our offer and our events. We look forward to welcoming you soon at the Weinkult, the bar in Sindelfingen!
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The Auld Rogue!
We are a family-run IRISH PUB in Stuttgart-Vaihingen. Both the owner and the bar manager are real Irish lads, so they know what an Irish pub needs to offer! We serve typical Irish pub food, lots of Irish beers, whiskeys and other drinks! Have a look around our homepage to get to know us! WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU SOON IN THE AULD ROGUE !
Learn MoreFor Families
Family Adventures in Europe
Europe is an incredible playground for kids. Find family-friendly destinations, activities, schools, and services — all tailored for military families near US bases.
Theme Parks & Attractions
LEGOLAND, Europa-Park, Phantasialand and more — perfect for all ages.
Castles & History
Bring history to life at fairy-tale castles kids will never forget.
Parks & Playgrounds
Beautiful parks, nature trails, and playgrounds near every base.
Schools & Education
International schools, homeschool resources, and tutoring near base.
Sports & Activities
Soccer, swimming, gymnastics, martial arts and more for every age.
Family-Friendly Dining
Kid-friendly restaurants that welcome families with English menus.
Base-specific guides for Germany · Travel highlights for UK, Italy & Spain
Travel Tips & Essentials
Expert guidance for living and traveling in Europe
Transportation Made Simple
Navigating Germany and Europe's transportation system is easier than you think. Here's your complete guide to getting around efficiently and affordably.
Staying Connected Abroad
Between mobile data, Wi-Fi, and eSIMs, staying online in Europe is easier than ever — once you know the best options.
English-Speaking Services
Finding English-speaking professionals in Germany can be challenging. Here's your comprehensive directory of services you might need as a newcomer.
Registering Your Residence (Anmeldung)
Moving to Germany means paperwork — and registering your address (“Anmeldung”) is your first official step toward settling in.
Essential German Phrases
Master these key German phrases to navigate daily life with confidence. Even basic German goes a long way in showing respect and making connections.
German Culture & Etiquette: The Complete Guide
Understanding German social norms will help you avoid awkward situations and build better relationships. Here's what you need to know to blend in.
Driving & Getting Around Europe
Exploring Europe is one of the biggest perks of living here — and getting around is easier once you know your options.
German Etiquette Cheat Sheet
Understanding local habits helps you fit in faster — and Germans appreciate politeness and punctuality.
Budgeting & Payments
Understanding money management in Germany is crucial for a smooth transition. Here's everything you need to know about banking, payments, and managing your finances.
Making Payments in Germany
Germany’s banking system is reliable and modern — but a little different from what most Americans are used to.
Accommodation Assistance
Finding the right place to stay in Germany can make or break your experience. Here's everything you need to know about hotels, hostels, apartments, and long-term housing.
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Say it in the local language
Greetings, directions, and ordering dinner in the eight languages you'll actually use on trips from your base — German, French, Italian, Spanish and more, each with pronunciation and audio.
Hello
- GermanHallo
- FrenchBonjour
- ItalianCiao
- SpanishHola
Thank you
- GermanDanke
- FrenchMerci
- ItalianGrazie
- SpanishGracias
Excuse me
- GermanEntschuldigung
- FrenchExcusez-moi
- ItalianMi scusi
- SpanishDisculpe
The directory
English-Speaking Services Near Your Base
27 personally checked, English-friendly businesses that understand U.S. military and expat families — car dealers, doctors, lawyers, tax advisors, and more.
Contact
Get in Touch
Whether you're an American relocating to Europe, already living here, or simply exploring, we're here to make your experience smoother.