Going to Germany? Here's What You Can Look Forward to

Buy one, get four – Germany spoils you rotten. Medieval Germany’s legends live on in fairytale castles along the Rhine. There’s the industrial superpower, with iconic brands that still draw worldwide admiration. Historical Germany fascinates with its living heritage. And then, there’s the fun-loving nation, where any time is good for ein glas bier!

Berlin

Germany’s most happening city is a great whirl of history, art, music and theatre – all this and a buzzing nightlife, no gridlocks and little crime! There are many ways to get around – hop-on hop-off tours, bike tours and walking tours.

Relive history at the iconic Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie

Get a panoramic view of Berlin, from the top of the Reichstag, Germany’s federal parliament. Baroque and rococo excess rule the interiors of 18^th century Charlottenburg Palace, once the home of the Hohenzollern rulers.

Pick and choose from – hold your breath – 175 museums! A tiny sampler:

Museum Island – UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Jewish Museum
• Museum of Medical History
• MACHmit Children’s Museum – informative, interactive fun
• Kunstgewerbemuseum – European art
• Museum für Gegenwart – modern art housed inside Hamburger Bahnof, once a railway station
• Anne Frank Museum – a poignant memorial

Berliners have a sense of humour – or why would the city have an Erotik Museum? Most museums are closed Mondays.

In summer, the green calm of the Tiergarten in summer has Berliners flocking in for barbecue parties. Take a ferry to Peacock Island, an enchanting Prussian paradise or stroll around Lake Müggelsee.

Munich

In 2010, Munich celebrated the 200^th anniversary of Oktoberfest – the world’s biggest beer bash. Never mind if you missed out on the party, the Bavarian capital and repository of culture remains a delightful experience.

München, as it is called locally, is prosperous, charmingly traditional and consistently features on lists of the world’s most livable cities. Post World War II, a dedicated restoration initiative revived the city’s architectural heritage that now showcases official buildings, palaces and museums in a wide range of styles – Grecian, neo-Gothic, Italian Renaissance and Baroque. Visit the BMW Museum outside the city and you’ll understand why Germany is Europe’s industrial powerhouse.

Munich has 20 beer gardens, two popular ones being Englischer Garten and the 18^th century Hirschgarten . Munich’s thriving art and theatre landscape rivals that of Berlin.

Hofbräuhaus am Platzl is the world’s best known beer hall, now a tad touristy. Besides famous local beers like Weissbier and Helles, try some Munich specialities – Weißwürste or white sausages, accompanied with sweet mustard and newly baked pretzels and the famous dessert, Apfelstrudel.

Cologne

An ancient Roman city founded 2000 years ago on the banks of the Rhine, Cologne is an eclectic mix of old and new, an important commercial and industrial centre that also knows how to relax and have fun.

Strolling through the old quarter’s cobbled lanes, historic Town Hall and quaint houses, it’s hard to believe this was virtually reduced to rubble during World War II. All rebuilt to perfection of course, with typical Germanic efficiency!

The Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World heritage site and one of the largest churches in the world began construction in 1248, took 38 years to complete and – fortunately – survived bombing during WWII. Its soaring spires can be seen from anywhere in the city.

Kölsch is both the local language and Cologne’s famous beer. Drop in at traditional brewhouse and enjoy the bonhomie all around with a glass of Kölsch – if you don’t cover your empty glass with a beer mat, it will be refilled endlessly.

Germany…natürlich!

Germans are fitness fanatics; take a leaf out of their book and go on a cycling tour to explore the countryside, stopping where you please. The Middle Rhine and Rhine Valley between Bonn and Mainz pass by countless, dreaming old castles. The river winds its way along the Volcanic Eifel, and Westerwald regions passing through forests, and mountain slopes carpeted with vineyards. Its timeless beauty inspired Richard Wagner’s music and Kaiser Wilhelm’s architecture.

German Romanticism lives on in the Middle Rhine. Drive, walk, bike, sail or pony ride through the enchanting  area around the Moselle and Nahe rivers; the mountainous region, studded with historical sites is home to some of the world’s fascinating legends – remember Lorelei, the eternal blonde siren? En route, enjoy wine tasting and  the warm hospitality of rural Germans.

Beer and sausages, Mercedes-Benz and Hansel and Gretel too, but Germany is more than the sum of its parts. Its people take great pride in meticulously preserving their heritage, even as they remain open to world cultures. They also know how to party!