Germany

Christmas market in Hamburg

A wonderful Christmas Time

Germany is the place to be in late autumn and early winter. Watch Christmas Markets pop up all over the country, from Hamburg to Nuremberg and from Berlin to Dusseldorf. Wherever you go, you'll be sure to enjoy mulled wine, bonfires and carol singers - all wrapped underneath a warm blanket of holiday cheer!

Read all about Germany's Christmas Markets

Triberg waterfalls

Adventure in Germany’s beautiful landscape

The Black Forest (Schwarzwald) is a playground for mountain biking and hiking and not to be missed is the cascading Triberg waterfalls. Venture onto Freiburg’s Schauinsland Cable Car to get spectacular views of the surrounding Black Forest, Swiss Alps and Rhine Valley from the Schauinsland mountain (1284 metres). Nearby is Lake Constance which is great for relaxing on one of the pebble or sand beaches. For those with bags of energy, choose from sailing, windsurfing, swimming, canoeing and even freshwater diving.

Berlin Wall

Berlin: Europe’s most underground city

Berlin, one of Germany’s über coolest places to visit, is open-minded, eclectic and downright individual. Mix your trip with a peek into recent German history, along with an exploration into some of Berlin’s great artistic expression. And by night get lost in Berlin’s hidden underground scene and see why it has become the city of choice for the young and young at heart. The Hauptbahnhof is Berlin’s main train station and worth checking out for the impressive architecture of the building.

Bavarian courtyard

Epic architecture and summer beer gardens

Just an hour from Berlin, you can reach the Baroque city of Dresden, known as ‘Florence on the Elbe’. Take in the captivating skyline of elegant buildings and soaring towers. Hit the Brühlsche Terrasse, running along the River Elbe – a favourite among locals and travellers alike for coffee drinking and watching the world go by. Munich (München), the capital of Bavaria is also worth a visit. Come between June and October and take full advantage of the typical German beer gardens and enjoy the mesmerising buzz of Marienplatz’s street entertainment.

Red light district in Hamburg

Get lost in the hardcore party scene

When it comes to partying, Berlin is effortlessly on the ball with an unrivalled diversity of bars and clubs. One club not to be missed is the Berghain and Panorama Bar with dark minimal and techno rattling out. Be prepared for shock-factor – this is not a place for the squeamish! Over in Hamburg there’s also some fine nightlife. Focus on the legendary Reeperbahn – a mile of eclectic nightlife and also home to Europe’s biggest red light district. Find all you need for a hedonistic night: great bars, restaurant, clubs and strip clubs.

Lichtenstein Castle

Immense forests and picturesque islands

Near Stuttgart, perched high atop a cliff overlooking the Echaz Valley, is Lichtenstein Castle – one of Germany’s most beguiling fairytale castles. Inside the Neo-Gothic-styled walls, you find a fascinating collection of historic armour and weapons. Germany’s biggest island is also a real treat to visit for a few days of relaxation. Rügen sits in the Baltic Sea, north-east of the mainland, and has over 500 kilometres of coastline. The Rügendamm bridge connects the island by rail with Stralsund, a small city on the mainland.