My annual pilgrimage to the holy land of Heavy Metal is the highlight of my year. Germany / Hamburg…read more/ Wacken is the perfect host for this event. What is Wacken? Four days (24 hours/day) of heavy metal, beer, camping and partying with metal fans from every inch of the globe - life just doesn't get better than this for me. Although the music is incredible - this experience is really about the people. 100K metal fans from all over the world coming together on a farm located in northern Germany for a common cause - Heavy Metal. Unlike many festivals of this size (with unlimited alcohol), you will not witness a fight, argument, violence or discrimination - it just doesn't happen. Although the music is angry / aggressive, the fans share a love for the music & metal culture that translates to an instant sense of community / belonging (regardless of race, sex, age income level, language etc). I made awesome friends over the years from Japan, U.S. Sweden, Europe, Finland, Brazil and Australia. Nice to bump into these guys / gals each year Bottom line: If you are a metal fan lucky enough to have attended this festival, you know exactly what I'm saying. If not - you probably will not understand! Quote from Sam Dunn (film producer - A Headbanger's Journey): "Ever since I was 12 years old I had to defend my love for heavy metal against those who say it's a less valid form of music. My answer now is that you either feel it or you don't. If metal doesn't give that overwhelming surge of power that make the hair stand up at the back of your neck, you might never get it, and you know what? That's okay, because judging by the metalheads around me we're doing just fine without you" Wacken - see you in 2015 (264 days to go) BK

One of the most thrilling music events in germany. 4 days full of metal, alcohol and an…read moreinternational audience. Just awesome. If you like Metal and if you like new contacts, you must visit this unique festival.

I think, the Kieler Woche is the most important event in the city. Every year over a million…read morevisitors watch the spectacular Windjammerparade, enjoy concerts or the delicious food from the international market. Many nations send their official marine-training-sailors, especially the ones from Russia are very impressive! Therefore you can meet a very interesting mixture of different people. In the past it was really a big deal going to the Kieler Woche, not only because the music-acts are some of the most successful ones in Germany, but also because every concert was free, and in the meantime you can enjoy one of the delicate meals from one of the numerous food-huts. After the official program one can party until twilight in one of the clubs or just on the street (especially Eggerstett-Straße). By now it is less fun going there (my opinion). Many of the concerts ares not free anymore, the access is regulated, the program is nearly the same from year to year, and once you have tried every single snack, there is nothing more to explore. By the way,the prices are really high, so be sure to have enough money in your pocket!!! The only thing I really enjoy every year is the firework at the last sunday. I have never seen something more impressive, and I have seen many fireworks in my life ;)