Germany is more than just lager, lederhosen and long bratwurst. True, the country is renowned for having the best beer in the world (Oktoberfest anyone?), but Deutschland also weaves an eclectic tapestry of old and new, mystique and adventure , the exotic and the traditional, that will surprise and delight even the most seasoned traveller.
Germany’s bustling capital Berlin is an attraction unto itself and therefore a perfect starting point. This multicultural metropolis shrouded in history yet swaddled in modernity bears testimony to the German people’s evolved outlook on life. Now a city that never sleeps and where cultural collisions are embraced, football tournaments bring out German-Turkish hybrid flags, burger bars lurk next to art museums and people dance to Beethoven on classical club nights. Famous landmarks like the remains of the Berlin Wall, the Reichtag and The Brandenburg Gate, serve as a reminder of a city that has long been in the cross-hairs of history; whilst the hectic pace, unparalleled nightlife and cultural mash ups are evidence of a vibrant city throwing itself into tomorrow.
A deutschbahn ticket can transport you almost anywhere from the nation’s capital. The Bavarian region in the southern area is home to the world famous annual Okteberfest in Munich which is a must see for visitors wanting to experience traditional German culture. Dress up in a lederhosen or dirndl, invest in a large stein glass and let your hair down – but make sure you know how you are getting back to your hotel before you start drinking! The Hofbräuhaus (German Beer Hall) in Munich is a sound substitute if you miss The Fest, where giant plates of schnitzel, pretzels and bratwurst are accompanied by one litre stein’s and an ompah band playing Bavarian brass band music.
As a nation that has been a battleground repeatedly having to rise from the ashes, you would need years to even brush the surface of the historical infrastructure and diverse terrain that blankets every surface. Ranging from fortresses in the Alps to the third century Roman ruins in Trier, the tales behind the historic sites that litter the country will never cease to intrigue and fascinate both the natives and visitors alike. In the south, the vast and beautiful Black Forest promises what you might expect from a German picture-book holiday, whilst the River Rhein as one of the longest and most important waterways in Europe, makes for a breathtaking pathway to plan a tour upon.
From the wondrous excitement of busy Berlin in the north, to its mystifying beauty of the Baden region in the south, every nook and cranny of this nation nurses something for everyone to marvel and experience.