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Thomas Gundlach, a tour guide from Bacharach, Germany, explains what average Germans think of their nation's role in the economic bail-out of other countries in the European Union.

Playwright Peter Wortsman tells Rick how his Jewish heritage has drawn him to make Berlin his second home.

When most Americans think of travel in Germany, they think of the clichés of the south, the Black Forest and lederhosen. Rick explores a very different part of Germany: the lesser-known — and less crowded — north.

Nygil Murrell, an American who lives in Berlin, talks with Rick about the city's attractions and energy, its intense reconstruction projects, and the half-million Turks who now call the city home.

Berlin native Fabian Rueger joins Rick to talk about living with the Berlin Wall and what it was like when the wall came down.

Rick chats with three Berlin residents who were there when Berlin was a divided city and when the wall was finally brought down in 1989.

Tour guide Christoph Dressler, who grew up a few miles east of the Berlin Wall, sheds light on life in the eastern parts of modern Germany and shares the must-see sights in Berlin, Dresden, and the land of Luther.

To mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, a Lutheran pastor and her husband retraced Luther's trek from Germany to Rome.

Rick and German tour guide Christoph Dressler share stories of fresh air and relaxation in the beautiful Black Forest, where stressed-out Germans soak in mineral spas and "power hike" in the mountains.

Munich-born tour guide Daniela Wedel chats with Rick about laid-back, traditional Bavaria, where pretzels and beer combine with legendary castles and fairy-tale scenery. They also share ideas for enjoying Oktoberfest and the annual Passion Play.

This excerpt from Rick's travel memoir "Postcards from Europe" describes a recent visit to Germany, mixed with memories of his first visit to Germany as a gum-chewing teenager in 1973, reluctantly dragged there by his parents.

Travel writer Neil Taylor talks about the attractions of Berlin's overlooked neighbor, Potsdam, a one-time center of Prussian power and communist-era intrigue.

Tour guide Fabian Rueger takes Rick on a tour of the distinctive regions of Germany.

Fred Plotkin, author of "Italy for the Gourmet Traveler" and "Opera 101," describes why Vienna is one of his favorite cities, where arts and culture are accessible to everyone.

Rick talks with tour guide Ursula Klaus about her elegant hometown. Ursula walks us through Vienna, from experiencing its café culture to scoring an affordable ticket to the Opera.