Germany

Germany is a country that has inspired generations of the world's greatest thinkers, scientists, writers and composers - Luther, Bach, Goethe, Schiller, Kant, Hegel, Beethoven, Brahms, Wagner, Nietzsche, Freud, Jung and Einstein, to name just a few. You don’t build a reputation as the Land of Poets and Thinkers without some inspirational scenery.



The breath-taking Rhine Valley has always been a popular starting point among rich travellers on their grand tours. Other places of great natural beauty, include the Black Forest and the Rhineland region, while further south is Bavaria and the Bavarian Alps, where tourists flock each year to take advantage of the excellent winter sports facilities.

The small islands in the north of Germany in the region of Mecklenburg and Western Pomerania, are the holiday destinations of choice for many Germans, while Eastern Germany - with its stunning lakes, fairytale villages and mountains – is a hot favourite among European travellers. For those preferring the buzz and excitement of the city, head for Berlin. This unique, and arguably the most un-German of all German cities, is reinventing itself after a 50 year lull.

Today Berlin is undergoing the biggest regeneration since WW11 and returning to its pre-war glory. It is a young, tolerant, progressive, cultured city with an up and coming East side that stands as a monument to its past. The former capital of West Germany, Bonn, is now a quieter city by the Rhine, but remains a beautiful place to visit, with its charming cobbled streets and café society.

Germany’s cities are largely impressive, with industrial powerhouses, cultural hubs and historic towns aplenty: Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt and Stuttgart are just the tip of the iceberg.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS
You will find no shortgage of good rstaurants and bars in Germany, but try to hunt-out local favourites or you may end up paying massively inflated tourist prices.

German food is delicious but not for the faint hearted. Expect plenty of sausage, bacon, pork and cream! Look for German-only menus and try a Gaststätte, an informal affair with large menus and beer gardens. Weinkellers and Bierkellers are also a good choice – there'll be plenty of atmosphere, good beer and authentic food. Berlin is now the clubbing hub of Europe, so the cool, funky and energetic should arrive in town and ask for directions to this week's hotspot.

SHOPPING
Not a million miles away from the shops in any other Western European country, expect to find the usual mix of High Street brands. Germany still respects its Sunday closing traditions. Crafts clocks, music boxes, beer steins, wood carvings and clothing from hats to leatherwear can be found in abundance.

Christmas markets are wonderful, but try to find one in a smaller town or village, as the big city markets are crowded and expensive.

FAMILY
A nation that loves and respects children, German restaurants usually have high chairs and friendly and attentive waiters. National parks are everywhere, so you can take your little nipper biking in the Bavarian Forest or swimming in Lower Saxony. The big theme parks are Europa Park (near Frieburg), Movie Park (Essen or Dortmund), Phantasialand (Cologne) and Legoland Germany (between Munich and Stuttgart).

Eating
Bread, meat and potato dumplings are the order of the day in Germany. Lovers of sausage butties will be in seventh heaven, with 200plus types of bread to feast upon and over 1,500 recognised species of sausage. Bratwurst is the nationwide bestseller, but each region has a variation. The cuisine in the north tends to be heavier and heartier, while in the south, grains are more popular than potatoes. The beer menu is as extensive as the sausage menu, and German wine is enjoying a renaissance, with Moselle-Saar-Ruwer strongly recommended.

OUT AND ABOUT IN GERMANY
For lovers of fairy tale castles and fine wine, a cruise along the River Rhine is a sightseeing must. While a keen interest in historical buildings will probably mean seeking out Cologne's Gothic cathedral, or checking out Berlin's Checkpoint Charlie.

King Ludwig's Neuschwanstein castle and Heidelberg castle are enchanting.

The modern architecture of Stuttgart and medieval streets of Aachen present a different slice of German history, while Bonn will fill your senses with classical music, charming architecture and excellent food. Berlin is a 24 hour city boasting art, theatre and music venues to appeal to all ages.

Germany’s size and location in central Europe gives rise to a big variety of different landscapes. The country’s mild and humid climate, means a vast swathe of the country is covered by forest.

Coast
Germany’s coastline stretches from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea. The landscape is very flat and a day by the seaside can be hampered by strong winds, rain and variable temperatures.

The prevailing south-easterly winds press water into the German Bight, creating the "Wattenmeer" – tidal variations that are very high: enormous areas of the seabed are uncovered twice a day, creating a path to the numerous islands. The North Sea islands just off the coast are pretty and strong winds great favourite among the Germans themselves. Out in the German Bight lies the country's only off-shore island, Helgoland.

Forests
Germany’s forests are a great source of national pride. While they have drastically reduced since medieval times, they are still vast compared to forests in other European countries and sparsely populated. The Black Forest is now a national heritage site and is expected, over the next hundred years or so, to return into a natural state. Trekking is a great pastime in Germany, although there is plenty of space to get lost and never meet a soul. The more remote areas have a fiarytale enchanting quality. Today, wild animals abound, but no wolves and bears have been spotted..

Mountains
Middle Germany is a mix of rural areas where fields and forests meet larger cities. In the south, Germany contains a small portion of the Alps, Central Europe's highest elevation, rising to 4000m above sea level, with the highest summit in Germany being the Zugspitze, at 2962m.

While Germany can only lay claim to a tiny part of the Alps, this region is famous for their beauty and the unique Bavarian culture. Many tourists head further south into nearby Austria and Switzerland for skiing in the winter and hiking and climbing in the summer.

Lakes
Situated along the country's south-western border with Switzerland and Austria, Lake Constance is Germany's biggest fresh-water lake. This region has very mild climate and fertile grounds, making it the country's key area for wine and fruit growing.

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