Andrea Schulte-Peevers - Lonely Planet Discover Germany

This Is Germany

Prepare for a roller coaster of feasts, treats and temptations as you take in Germanys soul-stirring scenery, spirit-lifting culture, beautiful cities, romantic palaces and walled medieval towns. As much fun as it may be to rev up the engine on the autobahn, do slow down to better appreciate the incredible historical and cultural kaleidoscope that is one of Europes most fascinating countries.

Theres something artistic in the way Germanys scenery unfolds from the corrugated coasts of the north to the moody forests, romantic river valleys and vast vineyards of central Germany. The icing on the cake is the off-the-charts splendour of the Alps, carved into rugged glory by the elements.

The story-book landscapes of Germany are equalled in grandeur only by the countrys fascinating history. Youll see the past in towns whose streets were laid out long before Columbus set sail, and in sturdy castles looming above prim, half-timbered hamlets. Youll find vestiges of the Roman empire in Trier and Cologne and reminders of Hanseatic power in Hamburg and Lbeck. And then theres Berlin exciting, forward-looking, yet still coming to terms with its unique past as a divided city.

Germanys great cities come in more flavours than a jar of jelly beans. Their cultural smorgasbord spans the spectrum from art museums and opera to cabaret and techno clubs. And wherever you go, youll see Romanesque, Gothic and baroque classics rub rafters with the architectural creations of modern masters such as Daniel Libeskind and David Chipperfield.

German cuisine is so much more than sausages, pretzels, schnitzel and roast pork accompanied by mugs of foamy beer. Beyond the clichs awaits a cornucopia of regional and seasonal palate teasers. Be sure to sample the world-class wines, most notably riesling, the most famous and typical German varietal, while exploring wine estates and ancient cellars.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber ()
ULLI SEER:/GETTY IMAGES

Germanys Top Experiences

Berlin Wall

Few events in history have the power to move the entire world. Like the Kennedy assassination, the moon landing and 9/11, the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 is one such event. If you were alive back then, you will probably remember the crowds of euphoric revellers cheering and dancing at the Brandenburg Gate. Although little is left of the physical barrier, its legacy lives on, both in the imagination and in places such as Checkpoint Charlie () with its colourful murals.

Berlin Wall artwork, East Side Gallery
MARKUS SCHREIBER/AP/CORBIS

Oktoberfest

Anyone with a taste for hop-scented froth knows that the daddy of all beer festivals, Oktoberfest (), takes place annually in Munich. The suds fest runs for 16 ethanol-fuelled days, with troops of crimson-faced oompah bands entertaining revellers, armies of traditionally garbed locals and foreigners guzzling their way through seven million litres of lager, and entire chicken farms hitting the grill. Find your favourite tent and raise your 1L stein.

DAN HERRICK/GETTY IMAGES

King Ludwig II was not quite of this world; neither is his most sugary palace. ()

History pours from every nook and cranny of Eisenachs medieval beauty. ()

Fall under the spell of this frilly pleasure palace in Potsdam. ()