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| The panorama of Lübeck, one of Germany's most picturesque towns |
| Berlin, Germany |
TenGermany offers so much you definitely won't have enough time to see it all. However, some of the hotspots, like the country's capital, shouldn't be missed. The mind-bogling diversity of the city of Berlin is the result of a uniquely twisted history that the city has lived through. The capital of Germany summarizes the European history of the 20th century better than any other metropolis on the continent - It has seen it all - the days of empire and colonial expansion, the lows of the First World War Defeat and the Great Depression, the monstrosities of fascism and communism as well as the days of West German Wirschaftswunder as well as the post-reunification cultural blossoming. Today walking the streets of Berlin with architecture changing from fin-de-siecle burgeois villas to communist apartment blocks is like leafing leafing through a three-dimensional text book. And that's not all. Germany's endlessly varied capital is also home to some of the best museums on the planet - many of them conveniently placed on the Museuminsel. This vibrant city also boasts the most progressive clubbing scene in all of Europe which means that you won't be sleeping much during your visit here. Moreover, Berlin is not only the most exciting place in Germany to visit, it is also one of the cheapest - a combination almost too good to be true. Leaving the chaos of Berlin behind and heading south you'll stumble upon Germany's second most visited city - Munich. The Bavarian capital is very much different from the national capital. It is a place with a small-town feel to it although it's not exactly small. Moreover, and very much unlike Berlin, it enjoys a bustling economy which makes it one of the wealthiest places on the continent. Munich is also synoymous with world-class museums, spectacular palaces found in its surrounds and the raucous October Fest. Whatever you're doing don't miss this event that takes place some time in mid September. Once you're done with the Germany's prosperous and orderly southern metropolis head to the liberal and decadent Cologne where the impressive Gothic cathedral dominates the city panorama. Apart from the dome Cologne also offers fantastic nightlife and shopping. This has been Germany's biggest city all the way to the 19th centry when it was overtaken by Berlin, and the tradition of urban life and its spoils is palpable here more than anywhere else in western Germany. The city is also conveniently located near the Ruhr Area, an ex industrial wasteland turned into a playground for arts and culture. After Cologne finish your tour of Germany's big four cities in Hamburg. The country's biggest port is an astonishingly wealthy place which has invested billions of Euros into the rejuvenation of its waterfront. Once the the grand new Philharmony on the Elbe is finished it will become one of Europe's main foci for the lovers of classical music. But Hamburg is not all about finances and glitz, the city also boasts an exceptionally raucous nightlife. Lovers of all things urban might also consider paying a visit to Frankfurt, an insanely underrated tourist destination famous for its high-quality nightlife, while the shopaholics had better head stright to Düsseldorf and its famous Königsallee for some of the best shopping in Europe.
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| The striking Jewish Museum in Berlin |
Leaving the big cities aside one should head straight to the smaller towns some of which are among Europe's most picturesque. In this league, although not exactly a small town, Lübeck certainly reigns supreme. This town was a former centre of the powerful Hanseatic league that ruled the Baltic for centuries. The prosperity that the city gained in those days is obvious still today in the many charming facades that adorn this atmospheric town. Yet another architectural gem is the town of Bamberg. This is an impossibly charming place and a complete must on anybody's itinerary. Even though nothing really approaches the beauty and uniqueness of Lübeck and Bamberg other German towns like Baden Baden, Weimar and Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber deserve special mention as well. Visiting any of them feels like entering the idealized picture of centuries long gone. Each of them has its own specialty - Baden Baden, the spas and the casinos, Weimar, tons of culture, Rothenburg its medieval magic. Other urban must sees in Germany include places like Nürnemberg, Dresden and Leipzig. Nüremberg boasts a vast medieval heritage and some of country's most interesting museums. Dresden, on the other hand is a showcase of baroque architecture and together with Leipzig one of Germany's cities currently undergoing a cultural boom. Even though very many people oversee the fact that there's more to Germany than its post-industrial and post-communist chic and its sprawling cities, one should be aware that Germany also has some of Europe's more spectacular landscapes. The country is certainly at its most spectacular in the extreme south and north. The Alps in the south teem with unique Alpine flora and fauna and offer some of the best skiing and hiking in Europe. On the country's opposite end there are Germany's two seas, each with its own favourite island - Sylt and Rügen. Both of the places are overrun with tourists in summer and after just a brief visit here you will come to understand why.
Ten museums not to miss:
Ten castles and palaces not to miss:
Ten pieces of contemporary architecture not to miss:
