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Germany wears its riches well: elegant big-city charm, small picture-postcard
towns, pagan-inspired harvest festivals, a wealth of art and culture
and the perennial pleasures of huge tracts of forest, delightful castles
and fine wine and beer are all there for the savouring.
Deep in the heart of Europe, Germany has had a seminal impact on
Continental history. From Charlemagne and the Holy Roman Empire
to Otto von Bismarck's German Reich, Nazism and the rise and fall
of the Berlin Wall, no other nation has moulded Europe the way Germany
has - for better or worse.
Main Places to Visit
Berlin
Berlin had modest beginnings as a trading centre in the 13th century,
growing into a European powerhouse that hogged the 20th century
stage. Since reunification in 1990, it has evolved into a dynamic,
sexy and creative city where a surprising lightheartedness lurks
beneath an austere exterior.
Berlin is the heart of modern Germany, with a stoic beat that echoes
through grand public buildings, glorious museums and theatres, urbane
restaurants, bustling pubs and raucous nightclubs. It's a city that
thrives on change and that has made a virtue out of reinventing
itself.
Munich
Munich, rivalled only by Berlin as Germany's most popular destination,
is a sophisticated city that enjoys contradicting itself. Don some
ironic lederhosen and head down to the capital of Bavaria, where
folk traditions ride alongside BMWs and hearty meals share the table
with haute cuisine.
The city is a haven for all sorts of culture, with a staggering
array of museums, a vibrant arts scene and the infamous revels of
Oktoberfest. Bavaria is souvenir-icon Germany at its postcard best,
and the fairy-tale Gothic, Biergarten-filled city of Munich is no
exception.
Frankfurt
Frankfurt is often seen only as a transit hub or a business centre,
but it's so much more. It boasts Germany's most spectacular skyline,
mirrored in the Main River, and Europe's tallest office building.
It's also the country's most international town; more than a quarter
of its citizens are foreign.
Frankfurt throws more money at the arts than any other European
city, so you'll most likely catch a ground-breaking exhibition at
one of its museums. And if you do happen to get stuck at the mega-airport
there's a nightclub, art gallery and X-rated cinema to help while
away those in-transit hours.
Heidelberg
There's an iron ring in a tiny door outside Heidelberg's half-ruined
castle. Legend has it that whoever could bite through the ring (one
witch tried) could have the castle - it's that kind of city. Heidelberg's
great old town, excellent pubs and lively student atmosphere are
all here for the taking.
Hamburg
Squeezed between scenic lakes and huge container ships on the busy
Elbe river, Germany's largest port has, so the locals say, much
in common with Venice and Amsterdam. Its dynamism, multiculturalism
and hedonistic red-light district, the Reeperbahn, originate from
its colourful mariTime past.
But, unlike its mariTime counterparts, Hamburg remains a hard-working
port that is among Europe's busiest. Add to this the independence
of a place that has been invaded only once in its history (by Napoleon,
no less) and you too will be inspired to serenade the city.
When to go
Germany is a fine destination year-round, but most people visit
between May and September when sunny skies are most likely and much
of life moves outdoors. Beer gardens and cafes bustle at all hours;
outdoor events and festivals enliven cities and villages; and hiking,
cycling and swimming (in lakes or pools) are popular pursuits -
at least as long as the weather plays along. Remember that rain
is a possibility in any month. The flipside of summer travel is,
of course, larger crowds at museums and other attractions and traffic
jams at places such as Lake Constance. Accommodation needn't be
hard to come by unless you're drawn to beach and mountain resorts
popular with German holiday-makers.
The shoulder seasons (from March to May and from October to early
November) bring fewer tourists, lower accommodation prices and often
surprisingly pleasant weather. In April and May, when flowers and
fruit trees are in bloom, it can be mild and sunny. Indian summers
that stretch well into autumn are not uncommon.
With the exception of winter sports, activities between November
and early March are likely to focus more on culture and city life.
In these months, skies tend to be gloomy and the mercury often drops
below freezing. On the plus side, there are fewer visitors and shorter
queues (except in the winter resorts). Just pack the right clothes
and keep in mind that there are only six to eight hours of daylight.
In December the sun (if there is any) sets around 15:30.
Fast Facts
Full Name
Federal Republic of Germany
Capital City
Berlin
Area
357,021 sq km
137,846 sq miles
Population
82,398,000
Time Zone
GMT/UTC +1 (Central European Time)
Daylight Saving Start
last Sunday in March
Daylight Saving End
last Sunday in October
Languages
German (official)
Religion
34% Protestant, 34% Catholic, 4% Muslim, 28% unaffiliated or other.
Currency
Euro
Country Dialing Code
49
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