Introduction

An economic and political powerhouse, 83 million inhabitants and countless visitors, Germany vacations encapsulate bewitching scenery, pulsating cities, enchanting villages and a very progressive culture and history are brought to life in Germany. The many museums – over 4,000 - cover an incredible range of subjects and inspire imagination, discovery and learning.

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Black Forest

To soak up some of those typical, idyllic, rural “chocolate box” images of Germany, head for the Black Forest, or Schwarzwald, a mountainous area in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg. Ranging about 150km long by 50km wide it can be explored in a few days, as you hike under a vast canopy of evergreens, discover ruined castles and marvel at ancient half-timber houses and elaborate cuckoo clocks. Make a beeline for towns such as Baiersbronn, with its Michelin-starred restaurants; the spa hub of Baden-Baden; or Freiberg, which enjoys such a pleasant climate it’s been named Germany’s warmest city and is also one of the greenest in the world. You might even make a stop at Triberg Falls, Germany’s highest waterfall, cascading down a 163-metre slope.

Bavaria

This state in the southeast is one of the country’s most popular for visitors. Along the Castle Road there are some 70 or so fortresses, castles and palaces, as well as historic Nuremberg, which is also home to Germany’s most famous and oldest Christmas market - Christkindelsmarkt. Or opt for the Romantic Road, which weaves through beautiful countryside, rural villages and one of the country’s most iconic sites, Neuschwanstein Castle. An almost Disney-esque creation, it was built as a refuge by King Ludwig II, but wasn’t completed until 1892, after his death. Latterly known as Mad King Ludwig, he was dethroned in 1886 after experts declared him unfit to rule due to his fantastical lifestyle.

Munich

Bavarian capital and Germany’s third largest city, Munich sits on the banks of the Isar river and is a thriving business, cultural and educational hub, packed with dazzling architecture around every corner. It has numerous excellent museums, including the Pinakothek der Moderne, which offers four museums under one roof. There’s also the Residence Palace, a museum of 130 rooms devoted to interior decoration through the ages. Munich is home to BMW’s HQ too, which includes BMW Welt, where new owners come to collect their cars, and the BMW Museum. There’s also more than 60 theatres and four orchestras, while the Englischer Garten, provides some welcome green space, covering an area larger than New York’s Central Park. The city is also famous for its lively annual Oktoberfest beer festival, which actually starts in September.

The Rhine

The 1,320km Rhine is one of the most important rivers in Europe, with borders on five other countries - Austria, France, Liechtenstein, The Netherlands and Switzerland. Its popularity for cruises has been growing rapidly, with a plethora of options available, but the most popular section of the Rhine in Germany is between Cologne and Mainz. The Unesco-listed Rhine Gorge - a 65km section between Koblenz and Bingen also known as the Upper Middle Rhine Valley – is especially stunning too. Expect quaint villages, hillside castles, terraced vineyards and craggy cliffs.

Berlin

One of the world’s most famous capitals, a huge wall divided it into East and West until 1989. Reminders of its turbulent 20th-century history include remnants of the Wall and Checkpoint Charlie, the famous border point, as well as the Holocaust memorial and the 18th-century Brandenburg Gate. Elsewhere, Museum Island is a Unesco-listed site in the middle of the Spree where you will find five museums. Also make time for a visit to the impressive Reichstag - home of the German Parliament, combining historic 1894 elements with the iconic modern glass-roofed renovation by architect Norman Foster in 1999. Indulge in some DDR ‘Ostalgia’ – reminders of East Berlin’s time under Soviet occupation until 1990 - and don’t miss a photo opportunity at the gold-colored Berliner Philharmonie. Aside from all the history – go shopping, visit the Berlin Zoo, enjoy the green spaces and discover what a fun, dynamic and creative city Berlin is.

Hamburg

This liberal-minded port city offers up a historic city centre and its famed docks – still the second biggest in Europe – are now populated by new hotels, restaurants, art galleries in old warehouses given a chic second life, as well as the eye-popping Elbphilharmonie Hamburg concert hall. Hamburg is where The Beatles learned their trade and is still home to an alternative cultural and buzzing music scene, while the reinvigorated city also serves up a great dining experience, whether that be great steaks from local producers or fresh-off-the-boat fish.

Culture

When it comes to historic costumes, you’ll most likely spot ladies wearing the Dirndl dress and men in their Lederhosen. Christmas is the most important of the major holidays, with the weeks from December 1 leading up to it known as Adventszeit, and packed with traditions and customs. Easter is very important to most Germans too; the exchanging of painted eggs dates back to the 16th century here. The autumn harvest thanksgiving holiday known as Erntedankfest is another tradition. Germany has been known over the years for its great thinkers and musicians - from Einstein to Beethoven, while its artists and architectural movements such as the 20th century Bauhaus one are also often studied. And everyone knows of the likes of Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, all based on folklore stories made famous by the brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm in the 19th century.

Cuisine

Expect to see ‘wurst’ everywhere, essentially sausage of many kinds. Other well known staples include pretzels, sauerkraut (green cabbage pickled in white wine vinegar) and schnitzel (meat that’s breaded and fried) while Hamburg’s meat rissoles of course became what the world knows today as the hamburger. Neue Deutsche Küche (or New German Cuisine) is also gaining a name for itself worldwide and there are hundreds of Michelin-starred restaurants in the country. There are many regional dishes, such as the casseroles and stews of Rhineland-Westphalia, the seafood of the north coast, lamb dishes of Lower Saxony and noodle-based cuisine of the southwest. Also check out traditional afternoon Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake).

Wildlife

Around 30% of Germany is still covered in forest, where you might reasonably be expected to spot some of the numerous wild boar population, while mountainous terrain might herald a sighting of Alpine ibex, an impressive wild goat with incredible climbing ability. Also out and about could be badgers, chamois, deer, foxes, hares, or raccoons. Head to the islands of the North Sea to see grey seals, which are currently enjoying a bumper population, while in the skies, keep eyes peeled for buzzards, greylag geese and possibly even the Golden Eagle in the Bavarian Alps.

History

A collection of independent warring states, Germany has at times been occupied by the Holy Roman Empire, the Roman Empire and the Austrian Habsburgs. Unification of many feudal principalities and small states came after Prussia’s victory in the Franco-Prussian War and the German Empire was founded in 1871. Germany supported the Austro-Hungarian invasion of Serbia, eventually leading to World War I, with the Central Powers pitched against the Allies. Germany surrendered in 1918 and the so-called Weimar Republic was soon formed. But in 1932, the National Socialist Party led by Adolf Hitler gained power and the six years of World War II were later sparked by Hitler’s invasion of Poland. Upon Germany’s capitulation in 1945, it was divided into four zones under the British, French, American and Soviets. In 1949, the three western zones were united to form the Federal Republic of Germany, while the Soviet zone became the German Democratic Republic, or East Germany. In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, with Germany’s reunification a year later.