Welcome to Germany

Guten Tag and welcome to Germany, or Deutschland as the locals refer to their beautiful European country. Once divided by a wall, long since abolished, medieval now meets modern, and soul-stirring landscapes captivate with postcard scenery.

Berlin is the capital and also dubbed the 'Capital of Cool." Allow at least a couple of days in this refreshing city and enjoy fashion and shopping, bars, clubs, restaurants, galleries and street art while soaking up an eclectic open and tolerant lifestyle. Berlin has a great party atmosphere; it's confident and unique, while visitors are swept away by an infectious buzz.

View the Brandenburg Gate, a neoclassical monument that has stood since the 18th century. Art and history buffs will enjoy Museum Island, while the best 360-degree sunset views over the city are from the Berlin TV Tower.

Germany loves architecture and innovative designs. If this is your passion, start with the Reichstag Building, where the “Federal Assembly" sits, and the glass dome representing transparency.

Venture out from the capital to Cologne, the birthplace of Ludwig Beethoven, a musical inspiration that spanned the Classical and Romantic eras. Then there’s Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg, each with their special drawcards along with country villages and quaint B&B’s where life goes on around you in the towns and across the fields.

Adventure lovers: investigate the hiking, mountain bike riding and skiing trails. One of the best is Oberstdorf in central Bavaria. Garmisch-Partenkirchen National Park, located in the vicinity of Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain, is one of the biggest national parks with trails that lead to sweeping views. The cable car and train rides to Zugspitze summit equally promise a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view.

The paths through the Black Forest are simply beautiful while the Bavarian Forest National Park, Germany’s oldest national park, is home to lynx, bison and wolves.

Germans love to party, and they love their lifestyle. Oktoberfest is the most famous. What started as a royal wedding celebration is now the largest folk festival in the world, and the home ground is Munich when over two weeks in fall residents don dirndl and lederhosen. Everyone participates in much food, raucous drinking and cheerfulness.

No matter what your passion, Germany will continue to enhance, inspire and leave you in genuine appreciation.

Best time to visit Germany

Germany has each of the four seasons, so the best time to visit depends on what you want to do. Each is offering a range of experiences from festivals to hiking, skiing and touring. During summer, from June to September, temperatures average 22-25°C and peak tourist season. Winter is the opposite, and southern areas can plunge to - 20°C which limits outdoor activities; however, Christmas in Germany is a time filled with local festivals, lots of lights and of course the odd ale and plenty of food.