Germany has long been associated with high performance cars, with brands like BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche among the country's biggest exports, so it makes sense that it would have a test track worthy of its vehicles. Enter the Nürburgring, the ultimate test track where Germans and visitors can feel the need for speed in a safe and controlled environment. Located 70 kilometers south of Cologne and 120 kilometers northwest of Frankfurt, the Nürburgring is, among other things, a 28-kilometer racetrack, a public toll road, and a testing center for new cars. What this means to the casual visitor (and secret racecar driver) is that you can buckle yourself in and put the pedal to the metal like a Formula 1 driver without worrying about getting a speeding ticket. So if you're wondering just how fast your car can go, you can pay a small fee and drive a lap of your own at racing speeds. And if you want to experience the thrill of racing without having to drive yourself, you can take a ride in a BMW Ring-Taxi. Up to three people can ride in a BMW M5 with a professional race car driver at triple-digit speeds through the "Green Hell," as it's known. One word of warning: every car ride you take after that will seem awfully slow. Starwood has hotels in both Cologne and Frankfurt, including the Dom Hotel and the Westin Grand Frankfurt.
[image via caradvice.com.au]
