Here in Germany, November isn’t typically one of the more happening months. Most towns have already held their annual fests, and it’s only toward the very end of the month that the Christmas markets begin to stir us out of the lethargy induced by colder temperatures.

Is it just not Halloween for you without a pumpkin patch? If you find yourself in need of a gourd fix, head on over to what is billed at the world’s largest pumpkin exhibition, which is taking park in the Blühendes Barock Park in Ludwigsburg, Germany, through Nov. 1.

Years before I began working at Stars and Stripes, back when I was based in Rome, I found myself looking for a lake not too far from the city that offered swimming, fishing and camping. I looked on a map and identified Lago di Bolsena as a possibility. A few clicks of the mouse later, I found some helpful English-language information that helped me identify a town along the shores of the lake boasting a campground, restaurants and plenty to do in the vicinity. It sounded like a congenial place, so off we ventured for what turned out to be a pleasant, laid-back weekend getaway. As I realized years later, this was my first encounter with Stars and Stripes’ Quick Trips.

Because my language skills aren’t quite up to snuff, I don’t generally read much of the German press. However, while waiting for my mechanic to wind up some auto repairs a couple weeks ago, I thumbed through the Bild newspaper and stumbled upon an informative article concerning the rights of passengers traveling on German rail. Should your German be at a level allowing you to understand it, see Bild’s informative “Mit diesem Formular bekommen Sie Geld zurück”. Otherwise, here are some of the key points concerning passenger’s rights when encountering significant delays on long-distance journeys on German Rail, as I understood them.

Prior to the spring of 2009, U.S. passport holders traveling on Ryanair flights were obliged to use the airline check-in desks. This policy has since changed, and now U.S. citizens can avail themselves of the option to check in online. Should you decide to exercise this option, be sure to print out your boarding pass prior to heading to the airport. A hefty fee awaits those who show up without the print-outs. (In all my experiences to date, when flying round trip, I was able to print out boarding passes for both outbound and homeward journeys at the same time.)  

Looking for a cheap and cheery holiday that won’t break the budget, and to a destination that holds the promise of decent weather until at least mid-October to boot? Follow in the footsteps of a friend and me, who recently returned from a fabulous four-day weekend in Zadar, Croatia.

Looking for a good Web site to fill in the gaps in your knowledge of your host nation? If you’re in Germany, you may already be familiar with Deutsche Welle, a good source for not only the latest headlines but also travel inspiration.

Another good place to turn for German news and a run-down of upcoming events countrywide is the recently launched The Local.  This site also offers a link to ToyTown Germany, an English-language community Web site which provides a forum for readers to organize outings together or share tips on just about anything having to do with life in Germany.

As summer slowly slips through our fingers, we can take some solace in the fact that once the kids head back to school, rates on travel, including package deals, hotel rooms, and vacation rentals, start to fall.