Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Germany
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| | | Festivals galore |  | Why go on holiday to Germany?
Germany is the huge superpower at the heart of Europe. It has many big cities as well as magnificent forests, lakes and mountains. The country's artistic heritage can be challenged by few other lands, yet a turbulent history still hangs in the air.
How much does it cost?
There are low-cost flights to many cities so shop around, but as a rough guide, at the time of writing, a return flight to Frankfurt in the peak season cost between £110 and £130, with other cities costing only a little more.
Budget rooms can be found for £16-£30 in most towns and cities and obviously higher quality, more expensive rooms are also available. An all-inclusive long weekend break in a major city such as Berlin costs from £330.
When should I go?
Germany's climate is variable depending on what area of the country you are in. Hamburg in the north is rainier than Munich in the south, which has lots of snow in the winter and high temperatures in the summer.
Average temperatures are July 7C (45F) to 24C (73F); December -7C (20F) to 5C (40F). Winter festivals occur throughout Germany with cities such as Cologne, Munich and Mainz hosting carnivals just before Ash Wednesday.
Classical music enthusiasts will enjoy the Bach festival in Thuringia in March and the Richard Wagner festival in Bayreuth in July.
Frankfurt (March), Stuttgart (April) and Berlin (October) hold jazz festivals and of course there's Munich's Oktoberfest, the beer-drinker's paradise.
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| | | Cultural cities galore |  | What should I do when I'm there?
Berlin, now restored as the united Germany's capital, is one of the world's great cities. Grand public buildings, glorious museums and theatres, urbane restaurants and studied-cool nightclubs — Berlin has everything.
Munich is the jewel in the Bavarian crown. The city has the fantastic Deutsches Museum, the world's largest technology expo, and a wealth of gardens, museums and theatres.
Outlying attractions include trips to picturesque villages and the Bavarian Alps.
Frankfurt am Main has the richest collection of museums in the country, while Heidelberg is spectacular, but crowded and pricey.
What about less well-known places?
The small town of Tubingen, with its picturesque lanes, imposing castle and buzzing market is well worth a visit.
The Frisian Islands, off the north-western coast, are a spa and sauna haven with cycling, horse riding and walks too.
Hikers and skiers should head for the Harz Mountains, which seem to be known only to Germans and Scandinavians.
Where's the best place for skiing?
The Bavarian Alps are the most extensive area for downhill and cross-country skiing and Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the most popular Alpine resort.
If you want to avoid the glitz, glamour and high prices, head for the Black Forest or the Harz Mountains. The ski season generally runs from early December to late March and all winter resorts have rental facilities.
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| | | Food and drink galore! | | Where's good for nightlife?
Berlin is the nightclubbing capital of Germany, especially if you're into techno music, but you'll find a variety of clubs and bars in most major cities.
The variety of pubs in Germany is enormous, ranging from vaulted cellar-bars to theme pubs, Irish pubs, student pubs, and beer gardens which are especially common in the south of the country.
If theatres and opera is more your thing, then Dresden and Hamburg are the places to go.
What's the food like?
Germany is not a country to diet in. For example, a good German breakfast consists of rolls, jam, cheese, cold meats, hard-boiled egg and tea or coffee. German food is hefty but extremely satisfying.
There are hundreds of breads, many fabulous sausages and potatoes prepared and served in imaginative and delicious ways. Not only this, but the cakes are great also.
Germany produces some of the best beer in the world — there's a purity law to make sure it stays that way. Each area has its own brewery and distinctive ales, and you'll be pushed to find one that isn't very good.
What should I buy?
Products made in Germany are high quality but expensive. Items to look out for include crystal, porcelain and Birkenstock sandals.
German wines make good souvenirs as do cuckoo clocks and traditional Bavarian clothing.
What is there for children to do?
You're never far away from a theme park in Germany because there are 67 of 'em! Phantasialand just south of Cologne has loads of the biggest and best rides and the Warner Brothers park in Bottrop, 45km from Dusseldorf, is a must for Batman fans.
The chocolate factory in Cologne will appeal to chocoholic parents as well as their kids.
Tourist Office
German National Tourist Office, PO Box 2695, London W1A 3TN. Tel. 020 7317 0908.
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| | Available rental properties in Germany |
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| |  | | Ferienwohnung Dappen
19 km. east of Gerolstein lies the to Daun belonging village Nerdlen with its 220 inhabitants. House Dappen is , in the middle of the green, very peac
|  | | Marlies
The comfortable property (76 m²) is peacefully located and is on the ground floor.Doors in the living room openon to the south facing balcony (15 m²).
|  | | Rauschberg
The beautiful "Haus Rieder" is located in the holiday area Inzell in Beieren and has 3 holiday cottages. You have the house "Rauschberg" (approx. 45 m
|  | | Typ A
The holiday park Stamsried is situated between a range of hills, directly along the woods. The park and its surroundings are very suitable for familie
|  | | Landhaus Inge
In the nature reserve Süd-Schwarzwald lies Landhaus Inge on a parcel of 2000 m². The on the first floor situated home offers you, besides a sunny loca
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