Overview

Michaelsberg Abbey © Thomas Depenbusch

Situated in the heart of Europe, and bordering nine other countries, Germany is an established and rewarding destination on any tour of the subcontinent. Its land is wide and varied, with turreted castles nestled below snow-capped mountains, lush river valleys, dark and mysterious forests, and bustling medieval villages. This is the land of fairy tales, where farmland minstrels headed to Bremen to become musicians, where Sleeping Beauty was woken and Little Red Riding Hood ventured into the woods.

Despite the beauty and romantic associations of the German countryside, most first-time visitors head straight for one of the country's famous cities. Germany's big cities each have something unique to offer the visitor. Each year millions of litres of beer are consumed in Munich during the city's Oktoberfest, where locals and visitors discover true German revelry and gemutlichkeit (a word the locals use to describe a comfortable, sociable environment). Berlin promises an abundance of attractions for sightseeing, from the iconic Brandenburg Gate to the path of the old Berlin Wall, and the capital's vibrant nightlife is still evocative of its height in the 1920s and 30s, as characterised by the songs of Marlene Dietrich, the theatre of Brecht and the Film Cabaret. Frankfurt is Germany's financial powerhouse, promising business opportunities and great shopping and dining experiences. Hamburg offers a picturesque urban experience, full of canals, parks and gardens.

Discover the country that gave us Beethoven and Bauhaus, Goethe and Glühwein, Lager and Lederhosen - Germany seldom disappoints!

Travel Guide powered by Word Travels, copyright © 2019 Globe Media Ltd. All rights reserved. By its very nature much of the information in this travel guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. Neither Globe Media nor Harvey World Travel can accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.