Germany 'top for cultural getaways'

Germany has overtaken Italy as a top destination for cultural getaways, recent figures show.

According to the country's tourism board, the number of European tourists taking German holidays with a cultural theme has increased by over 29 per cent since 2000.



And it is not hard to see why, with 500 galleries and 6,000 museums featuring painting, literature, architecture and special exhibitions to choose from.

This year there will be a range of opportunities to experience some art and culture on a German holiday, including Buga, the German Federal Garden Show, which will be held between April 27th and October 14th. This takes place in Gera and Ronneburg and promises some magnificent floral displays and landscapes.

Starting in the summer between June 1st and October 7th, art lovers will be able to enjoy an exhibition of 19th century French masters, courtesy of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art at the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin, while August and September will see the International Beethoven Festival taking place in the composer's home town, Bonn.

The country's tourist board last year released a list of 50 of the most scenic and cultural driving routes in Germany, designed to ensure visitors don't miss a thing.

Germany presents its historical highlights

Tourism authorities are hoping to attract more travellers on German holidays with the launch of a new exhibition focusing on the country's historic gems.

The Historic Highlights of Germany exhibition takes place in 13 cities across the country, allowing holidaymakers to follow in the footsteps of people who changed the face of the country and of the world.

Germany's oldest city, Trier, will host an exhibition on Constantine the Great, the first Christian Roman Emperor whose first imperial residence was in the city, between June 2nd and November 4th this year.

Taking place in the city's Rhine State Museum, Bishopric Cathedral and Diocese Museum as well as the Simeonstift City Museum, Britons on German holidays will be able to enjoy viewing items such as original frescos depicting Constantine's family and scale models of Christian churches he built.

In Erfurt in the Eastern German federal state of Thuringia, meanwhile, visitors can find out more about Martin Luther, while a visit to Lubeck will allow tourists to discover literary giants such as Gunther Grass and Thomas Mann.

The German National Tourism Board (GNTB) is this year focusing on Art and Culture as its main theme, with the country the second most popular destination for culture-related breaks taken by Europeans in 2005.

Nautical fun at Hamburg's harbour festival

Those on German holidays in Hamburg this week will be able to enjoy some nautical fun for all the family as the city gears up to celebrate the world's biggest harbour festival.

Between May 11th and 13th 2007, Hamburg will be revelling in honour of the 818th Hafengeburtstag Hamburg (Hamburg Port Festival) which marks the granting of an exemption from customs duties for citizen's ships in 1189.

Attracting more than a million visitors every year, the festival hosts a range of water-based attractions, including a tall ships parade, historic ships, Dragon class regattas and a Tugboat ballet.

The Maritime Mile, stretching from the warehouses of Speicherstadt to the Fish Auction Hall, will offer 500 food and drink stalls, stages featuring live music and a number of other attractions, sure to provide something for everyone on a German holiday.

Other highlights of the fair will include the opening service at St Michael's Church, the craft fair and the games and entertainment promenade.

Hamburg is Germany's second-largest city and is still a prominent international port, as well as being known for its role as a cultural and media centre within the country.

Germany Curbs Outsiders

Britons are looking to invest in property in Berlin where there are high levels of new builds but they are being blocked by strict lending criteria.

UK investors were being put off by the terms offered to foreigners by lenders. Local banks are being cautious about lending and there are few products from the banks.

It is not a market for short-term investment as half the sector is buy to let and house prices have remained the same for around nineteen years.

There is plenty of undervalued property but good deals are not being offered and loan to values of 40% are restrictive to investors. Because most Germans rent for life they are not keen on the thought of the British taking over.

It is considered that the loan to values offered by lenders make it difficult for investors and people are worried about a possible download trend especially after the US crash.