By Jesse Lopez, USAG Bavaria Public Affairs Office
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany – The holiday season has officially begun in Germany, and your dose of winter cheer is just a short ride away.
Experiencing a bit of cabin or barracks fever? Expand your footprint. Break out of the routine. Explore all the fun Christmas and holiday events Germany has to offer. Here are five easy and affordable ways to do it.
1. Free ride to local Christmas markets
Yes, you read that right: FREE. Army Community Service is offering two free bus rides to all DOD community members. Buses depart from the Vilseck ACS, Bldg. 322 at 8 a.m. and from Grafenwoehr ACS, Bldg. 244 at 8:45 a.m. Register at least two days prior to the trip. For more, call DSN 476-2650, CIV 09662-83-2650.
2. Trips through Family & MWR
Family & MWR has tons of upcoming trips, including one-day Christmas market trips to Munich, Prague, Leipzig and Dresden, this holiday season. Register well in advance to reserve a spot. For more, call DSN 475-8529, CIV 09641-83-8529 for Grafenwoehr or DSN 466-2060, CIV 09472-83-2060 for Hohenfels.
Grafenwoehr and Vilseck:
Hohenfels:
3. Become a member of a local community club
Don’t be put off by the name —it’s open to everyone, and quite a fun group. The Bavaria Community & Spouses’ Club, or BCSC, has a few trips planned for the Grafenwoehr and Vilseck communities. Membership is required. For more, visit www.bavariacsc.com.
4. Travel with BOSS
Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers, more commonly known as BOSS, represents the voice of the single service member. USAG Bavaria BOSS recently welcomed a new leader. Since then, the team has met regularly to improve the organization and plan events or trips for single Soldiers. In addition to trips listed below, BOSS has plans for many more events in the upcoming weeks. Want to be part of it? Send them an email on their MWR page or visit their Facebook.
5. Hop on local transportation
Still not satisfied?
Check out what your unit’s Family Readiness Group, also known as FRG, or chaplains are doing. They often host tons of fun events during the holiday season.