Lonely Planets Best of Germany

BEST OF GERMANY

TOP SIGHTS, AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES

Welcome to Germany

Theres something undeniably artistic in the way Germanys scenery unfolds the corrugated, dune-fringed coasts of the north; the moody forests, romantic river valleys and vast vineyards of the centre, and the off -the-charts splendour of the Alps.

Youll encounter history in towns where streets were laid out long before Columbus set sail, and in castles that loom above prim, half-timbered villages where flower boxes billow with crimson geraniums. The great cities Berlin, Munich and Cologne among them come in more flavours than a jar of jelly beans but will all wow you with a cultural kaleidoscope that spans the arc from art museums and high-brow opera to naughty cabaret and underground clubs.

Few countries have had as much impact on the world as Germany, which has given us the Hanseatic League, the Reformation and yes, Hitler and the Holocaust, but also the printing press, the automobile, aspirin and MP3 technology. It is the birthplace of Martin Luther, Albert Einstein and Karl Marx, of Goethe, Beethoven, the Brothers Grimm and other heavyweights. In Germany the past is very much present wherever you go.

Experiencing Germany through its food and drink will add a rich layer to your memories (and possibly your belly!). Youll quickly discover that the local food is so much more than sausages and pretzels, schnitzel and roast pork accompanied by big mugs of foamy beer. Beyond the clichs awaits a cornucopia of regional and seasonal palate-teasers.

, Munich / MICHAEL THALER/SHUTTERSTOCK

The capital is always a good place to start, but few countries have a capital like Berlin. Immerse yourself in the citys turbulent history, vibrant nightlife and world-class museums for an experience you wont forget.

40 mins or 30 mins

The most popular day trip from Berlin is to Potsdam where the Sanssouci palace tops the bill.

2hr or 2-4hr

Staying in Germanys east, Dresden is a beautiful city that has been fully revived after WWII destruction and 40 years of communism.

4hr or 4hr

Heading from Saxony into Bavaria, Nuremberg is a fascinating city with some of the countrys top Nazi-related sites.

1hr or 1hr 20min

ULTIMATE GERMANY ITINERARY PLAN YOUR TRIP

A short hop from Nuremberg, the quaintly medieval walled town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the highlight of Germanys most celebrated tourist route, the Romantic Road.

3hr or 3hrs

No trip to Bavaria would be complete without at least a couple of days in Munich, Germanys secret capital brimming with art and beer.

2hr or 2hrs

Top trip from Munich is to dreamy Schloss Neuschwanstein in the foothills of the Alps.

6hr or 4hr

From the Alps its not too far to the Black Forest where you can easily escape the cuckoo clocks and slabs of gateau by hitting trails into the wilds.

1hr or 2hr

ULTIMATE GERMANY ITINERARY PLAN YOUR TRIP

Heidelberg is the obvious place to finish off a trip around southwest Germany, the countrys oldest university still filling the pretty Altstadt with a kicking student nightlife scene.

1 hr or 1hr

From Heidelberg, the beautiful Rhine beckons, with the stretch between Bingen and Koblenz one of Europes prettiest river journeys.

2hr or 1hr

Continue exploring Germanys riverways with a visit to the wineries at Traben-Trarbach on the Moselle.

3hr or 2hr

Finally, head north to Cologne, famous for its artwork-filled cathedral.

GERMANYS TOP 12 PLAN YOUR TRIP

has plenty of unexpected trump cards under its often bright-blue skies. Folklore and age-old traditions exist side by side with sleek BMWs, designer boutiques and high-powered industry. The citys museums showcase everything from artistic masterpieces to technological treasures and Oktoberfest history, while its music and cultural scenes are second only to Berlins.

GERMANYS TOP 12 PLAN YOUR TRIP

rises from the mysterious Alpine forests like a bedtime-storybook illustration. Inside, the make-believe continues, with chambers and halls reflecting Ludwigs obsession with the mythical Teutonic past and his admiration of composer Wagner in a confection that puts even the flashiest oligarchs palazzo in the shade.

GERMANYS TOP 12 PLAN YOUR TRIP

and so, in his way, did Mark Twain, who was beguiled by the ruins of the hillside castle. Generations of students have attended lectures, sung lustily with beer steins in hand, carved their names into tavern tables and, occasionally, been sent to the student jail. All of this has left its mark on the modern-day city, where age-old traditions endure alongside world-class research, innovative cultural events and a sometimes raucous nightlife scene.