Steves - Rick Steves Best of Germany

BEST OF GERMANY

Germany is blessed with some of Europes most spectacular scenerythe jagged Alps, flower-filled meadows, rolling hills of forests and farms, and rivers such as the raging Rhine and elegant Elbe. It has hundreds of castles, some ruined and mysterious; others stout, crenellated, and imposing; and still others right out of a Disney fairy tale.

And of course there are the cultural clichs, kept alive more by tradition-loving Germans than by tourist demand. The country is dotted with idyllic half-timbered villages where you can enjoy strudel at the bakery or sip a stein of beer while men in lederhosen dance with women in drindls. Peruse a wonderland of chocolates, stock up on Hummels and cuckoo clocks, and learn how to polka.

All of these traditions stand at sharp contrast with the Germany of today. Despite its respect for the past, this truly is a 21st-century country. At the forefront of human progress, Germany is a world of high-tech trains, gleaming cities, social efficiency, and first-class museums celebrating many of historys greatest cultural achievements. Germany was a founding member of the European Union and continues to lead the way in creating a healthy Europe for the future.

With medieval castles, speedy autobahns, old-time beer halls, gleaming skyscrapers, and the best wurst, this young country with a long past continues to make history.

In this selective book, I recommend Germanys top destinationsa mix of the most interesting cities and intimate villages, from powerhouse Berlin to sleepy Bacharach. A focused 14-day trip highlights lively Munich, musical Salzburg (just across the Austrian border from Munich, its too convenient to pass up, even in a book about Germany), the castle-studded countryside of Bavaria, the medieval walled town of Rothenburg, quaint villages along the mighty Rhine, and the fascinating, ever-changing capital, Berlin.

Beyond these top destinations, I cover the Best of the Restgreat destinations that dont quite make my top cut, but are worth seeing if you have more time or specific interests: Wrzburg, Nrnberg, Frankfurt, Baden-Baden, Dresden, and Hamburg.

To help you link the best destinations, Ive designed a two-week itinerary (see ), with tips to help you tailor it to your interests and time.

Lively, livable Munich has a compact, pedestrian-friendly core that welcomes strolling. The city is awash in convivial beer halls, beautiful gardens, stately churches, fancy pastry shops, and fine art museums. The crown jewels at the Residenz and the oompah bands at beer halls remind visitors that Munich has long been equally at ease hosting royalty and commoners alike.

THE BEST OF MUNICH

The towering New Town Hall presides over Munichs main square, Marienplatz.

THE BEST OF MUNICH

The Viktualienmarkt, a fun open-air market with cheap eateries, sports a Bavarian maypole.

THE BEST OF MUNICH

A guide proudly introduces visitors to the palatial Residenz, home to Bavarian royalty for centuries.

THE BEST OF MUNICH

At beer halls, oompah bands play Roll Out the Barrel! to crank up the fun.

THE BEST OF MUNICH

The Chinese Tower in the English Garden is a landmark near a popular beer garden.

THE BEST OF MUNICH

Ride the rapids at the south end of the English Garden, where the surfs always up.

THE BEST OF MUNICH

Time to order another! Prost!

THE BEST OF MUNICH

A statue of Mary and an ornate glockenspiel (with daily shows) overlook MarienplatzMarys Place.

Just across the German border in Austria, Salzburg offers Mozart concerts, Baroque churches, winding cobbled lanes, and The Sound of Music. Capped by a sturdy fortress overlooking its charming old town, Salzburg is ringed by hills that are ideal for hiking or lingering at view cafs. At night, theres always music playing with a beautiful, floodlit backdrop.

Salzburgs charisma and proximity to Munich make it irresistible to tuck into a Germany trip.

THE BEST OF SALZBURG

Salzburgs compact Old Town is an inviting maze for visitors to explore on foot.

THE BEST OF SALZBURG