Germany is the second most popular country to travel to in Western Europe, according to the stats on this site. Once you have the basics, you might want a written guidebook to take along with you. Here are some of the best, including some specialty guidebooks for Christians, wine lovers, and, well, dummies.
1. Rick Steves' 2011 Germany Guidebook with Map
Rick Steves is the king of innexpensive, independent travel. He'll get you to the "back doors" of Europe, providing you get there before the millions of others just waiting to kick them down. Rick's guides aren't as comprehensive as most guides in this category, they pretty much only take you to the places Rick finds captivating.
2. Lonely Planet Germany
Lonely Planet has been doing guidebooks for robust, independent travelers for a while, using a stable of fine writers rather than a single writer for each guidebook. Lots of maps, including 35 city maps and maps of each German state.3. Frommer's 2011 Germany
A bit more up-market than Lonely Planet or Rick Steves, this guide will give you the goods on the better places to stay and eat. 704 pages
4. Let's go Germany 2010
You budget savvy travelers will get a lot out of the Let's Go guides, aimed for the younger traveler who doesn't need luxury or haute cuisine. Subtitled "The Student Travel Guide."
5. Dk Eyewitness Travel Guides Germany 2007
The Eyewitness travel guides has lots of beautiful photos and covers highlights of Germany. They're good for planning but a little heavy to carry with you.6. Do as the Germans Do
You'll want to know how to behave when you're in Germany, and get a few tips on the lingo. Hyde Flippo, of About's German language site, lets you in on the secrets of getting a table in a decent German restaurant or making small talk to the person across the table from you.7. Germany for Dummies
Don't have a clue? Well, read our own stuff on Germany, then get a dummies book.
8. A Traveller's Wine Guide to Germany
There's more to drink than beer in Germany. In fact, there are thirteen wine regions and lots of wine flowing in those restaurants and bars. If you're really into vino, you'll need a good guide to enjoying the pleasures of the grape while you're in Germany