Rachel Loxton

A guide to city walking in Berlin Why I love walking in Berlin, plus a few of my favourite routes that are packed with history to inspire you.

This week I also wrote a guide to city walking in Berlin for my Substack newsletter. Check it out here (and subscribe if you like) rachloxton.substack.com/p/an-insider...

OPINION: German cities are designed for walking and it benefits everyone With public transport connections, parks and wide pavements, German cities are generally designed with pedestrians in mind. It's something the US and other countries could learn from, writes journalis...

Excited to be freelancing again and writing for my former employer, @thelocalgermany.bsky.social. After behaving like a typical European by trying to walk loads in LA, I wrote about how much I appreciate the walkability of German cities www.thelocal.de/20250803/opi...

Is Berlin still a place where creative people can thrive? As Harry Styles (allegedly) moves to Berlin, I explore the city's reputation as a magnet for artists and if it still holds up.

Excited to say I've recently relaunched a newsletter after several years (RIP Tinyletter). Kaffee+Kuchen is a space for me to explore creatively 🤎☕

This week I wrote about Harry Styles, Berlin's creative pull and whether artists can still get by here
rachloxton.substack.com/p/is-berlin-...

Americans out in force for #Teslatakedown protest in Pasadena, CA 💥

Glad to hear it. Thank YOU for keeping me in the loop on Cologne!

Inside Germany: Can we change the conversation on immigration? From mulling over how Germany can have better conversations about immigration in these divisive times to Hamburg's vote and a goodbye from the editor, here's what we're talking about this week.

My last 'Inside Germany' newsletter is here - www.thelocal.de/20250301/ins...

An excerpt from my leaving letter

An excerpt from my wee farewell note. Yesterday was my last day as Editor at @thelocalgermany.bsky.social
It has been a real privilege to do this job and be part of this wonderful team! THANK YOU for your support. I have learned so much over the years💕📝

The ultimate guide to the 2025 German election What will happen on the day, who can vote and what happens next? We round up all the key points to get you prepared for the snap election in Germany.

Germans will vote in a federal election on Sunday! Some background reading on what to expect, who can vote and what happened in the last election 📝https://www.thelocal.de/20250221/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-2025-german-election

Hi Melissa, we had to pause the podcast because of staffing and resourcing challenges. We hope to bring it back in future!

Inside Germany: Endless strikes, election debates and shock after Munich car attack From public sector strikes to a tense atmosphere following the car ramming attack in Munich plus another televised election debate, here's what we're talking about at The Local Germany this week.

From public sector strikes to a tense atmosphere following the car ramming attack in Munich plus another televised election debate, here's what we're talking about at The Local Germany this week.

@rachloxton.bsky.social fyi @britishineurope.bsky.social

Inside Germany: Wahl-O-Mat, free beer for voting and is it the end of Abendbrot? From an online quiz to help you find your political party match to free beer for voting, a fake citizenship test and the shaky future of the German tradition of Abendbrot, here's what we're talking about at The Local this week.

From an online quiz to help you find your political party match to free beer for voting, a fake citizenship test and the shaky future of the German tradition of Abendbrot, here's what we're talking about at The Local this week.

Inside Germany: Historic vote in the Bundestag and hope for future of dual citizenship From an historic 'turning point' in German politics combined with some hope for the future of dual citizenship via five years of Brexit and a 'house tiger', here's what we're talking about at The Local this week.

From an historic 'turning point' in German politics combined with some hope for the future of dual citizenship via five years of Brexit and a 'house tiger', here's what we're talking about at The Local this week.

@rachloxton.bsky.social For the upcoming Feb 23rd elex in NRW there will be 18 parties to choose from on the voting slip.
www1.wdr.de/nachrichten/...

Thankfully a little simpler than the dizzying 33 options in last year's EU elex:

German conservatives condemned over opening to far-right AfD Germany's conservative opposition faced criticism Friday over reports that it was willing to accept the support of the far-right AfD party in a parliamentary vote on toughening migration rules.

Germany's conservative opposition faced criticism Friday over reports that it was willing to accept the support of the far-right AfD party in a parliamentary vote on toughening migration rules.

OPINION: Why there's no way of stopping the rise of the far-right AfD in Germany With a month until Germany votes in the nationwide election, Brian Melican examines the growing influence of the AfD during the campaign – and explains why, in the short term, there is no way of stopping the far-right party’s rise in the polls.

With a month until Germany votes in the nationwide election, Brian Melican examines the growing influence of the AfD during the campaign – and explains why, in the short term, there is no way of stopping the far-right party’s rise in the polls.

Which German cities have the longest waiting times for citizenship? Many foreigners dream of getting German citizenship, but long delays and bureaucracy can stand in the way. What waiting times should people expect when applying for naturalisation in major German cities?

Many foreigners dream of getting German citizenship, but long delays and bureaucracy can stand in the way. What waiting times should people expect when applying for naturalisation in major German cities?

What are the rules around showing the 'Nazi salute' in Germany? After Elon Musk was accused of giving a fascist salute at an event celebrating the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, we look at the rules around the gesture in Germany.

We looked into the rules on giving a Nazi salute in Germany after the shock from many in Germany (and beyond) over the incident with Musk. Interesting that some people seem angry over this story. But we've just reported on it, no opinions in there. Strange times. www.thelocal.de/20250121/wha...

'I love W*nk': German ski resort's ad campaign banned at world cup A Bavarian ski resort's advertising slogan that could be offensive to English speakers - but is based on the name of a German mountain - has been banned at the upcoming skiing World Cup.

A Friday story for us all from Bavaria! www.thelocal.de/20250117/i-l...

Why is dual citizenship still so controversial in Germany? Germany's dual citizenship reform was hailed as a modern step forward by many. But conservatives - and others - can't stop talking about its problems. Rachel Loxton analyses why the reform is so contr...

The thinking behind this story: WTF is people's problem with dual citizenship?! Why can't people accept that you can move to Germany and integrate, contribute AND still want to have close ties to home?
www.thelocal.de/20250116/ana...

Job advert: The Local Germany is looking for a new editor If you're interested in explaining the news and major changes in Germany to our audience of international residents and think you have what it takes to be editor of The Local's German site, then read on.

If you're interested in explaining the news and major changes in Germany to our audience of international residents and think you have what it takes to be editor of The Local's German site, then read on.

I don't think the Scots are ready for it

Aberdeen beach

Aberdeen football club

Aberdeen university

Unicorn statue

Happy new year! Been lovely to spend some time in Aberdeen. Hope 2025 is a good one for us all 🌈

Have a good one mate!

It really makes no sense 🤯

Nine reverse culture shocks of visiting home from Germany at Christmas Visiting home in the festive period when you live abroad in Germany is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with family and friends. But it also brings with it some reverse culture shocks, writes The ...

Wrote about coming home to Scotland from Berlin for Christmas and how I'm shocked by people smiling at me and how I'm annoying everyone by trying to open their windows🎅 www.thelocal.de/20241224/nin...

Why the German parliament has to be 'dissolved' and what happens next To onlookers, it might appear that Germany's political crisis is deepening after the vote of no confidence in the chancellor and the upcoming dissolution of the Bundestag. But these steps are all part of the constitutional path to a snap election.

To onlookers, it might appear that Germany's political crisis is deepening after the vote of no confidence in the chancellor and the upcoming dissolution of the Bundestag. But these steps are all part of the constitutional path to a snap election.

Watched The Muppet Christmas Carol at the cinema last night. Still top tier! Might be the best Christmas film ever?!

I've been sick too... and have constantly been opening my windows! The German Lüften got to me

Regret to inform that the German NYE firework madness has already started (at least in Berlin Neukölln). Group of teenagers accidentally threw some kind of rocket my way earlier. Cheers lads🫠🥲