Germany is a kaleidoscope of history, tradition and unadulterated landscape, that is to be enjoyed season after season. Germany as a destination offers something for every traveller, from historical relics, beautiful locales to mouth watering dishes, Germany has it all.
What does one say about Germany, or Deutschland, that hasn’t already been said before? From the high Alps in southern Germany, to the Bavarian plains and the rolling hills of central Germany, to the picturesque coastal regions of the North and the Baltic Sea, Germany has about it a story-book charm, much cultural clout, genteel big cities, as well as captivating small villages, medieval houses, gothic churches and the enduring pleasures of awesome castles, vast tracts of evergreen forest land and free-flowing beer and wine to enjoy. Certainly, Germany wears its assets well. Set in Europe’s heartland, this nation has impacted Continental history—right from Charlemagne and the Holy Roman Empire to Otto von Bismarck’s reign in 19th century Germany, to the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall.
Today’s Germany is so much more than sausage, sauerkraut and beer, it is a mélange of tradition and modernity. You can see this when you travel through Germany; every region has its own singular character and is a world unto itself, with its varied architectural styles and art treasures, its very own local traditions and mind-set, which is reflected in the life of the metropolis—in the arts, in its nightlife, in the shops, the pubs and the restaurants and in the lifestyle of the people.
Travelling through Germany can be an exciting experience, whether it is the coastal region of the North Sea and the Baltic, or the lake areas of Constance, the central highlands, or the majestic Alps, with their snow-capped peaks. And what is so remarkable about this country is that every season of the year offers things to do and see, be it with family and friends, or perhaps, just yourself.
To begin with, it’s summertime, and so much to do in Germany. Take a trip to one of Germany’s favourite holiday destinations—the North Sea and the Baltic Sea coast. The coast provides an interesting landscape range, right from sandy beaches to jagged cliffs, with charming coastal towns along the coastline. The ambience is peaceful and laidback, and the locals have their own ethnic culture and dialect. In the interior, the countryside is speckled with undulating farmland and peat bogs. The North Friesian Islands, as they are called, are eminently holiday-worthy, with sunshine, sand, sea and unpolluted, fresh air.
Sylt, the main island of the North Sea, is one of Germany's favourite spa areas. Sylt is a small island in the northern-most part of Germany, in the North Sea, and is just a hop, skip and jump away from Denmark. The island is easily reached by train, and once there, you can cycle, go hiking and indulge in any number of nature activities.
Summer’s a good time to lose yourself in the past and visit Germany’s castles and to savour history at its best. A legacy from the Middle Ages, when it was the age of swashbuckling knights in armour, Germany’s castles, with their turreted walls and towers bear testimony to an age of heroic sagas and fairytales. The state of Thuringia in central Germany is where you have to head, to Altenburg Castle, that is located near Leipzig and next to the famous city of Baden-Baden.
Thuringia is a low land basin of rolling plains, surrounded by steep mountains, with much of its appeal lying in its landscape—lush-green forests and sprawling valleys, that offer myriads opportunities for outdoor activities. Also in Thuringia is Weimar city, another World Heritage Site. The sites include parks and buildings, including Goethe’s (the famous German poet, dramatist and philosopher) house.
Summer in Germany is full of colour, events and festivals. June ushers in music festivals like the hugely popular Rock am Ring, as well as the classical music festival in Dresden. The month also hosts the world’s most important sailing event in Keil, which gets about 3.5 million people for the event. July’s the time for such musical concerts as the Rheinkultur Bonn Schlagermove pop festival, the Zeltfestival in Hamburg, and the Das fest in Karlsruhe.
Come fall or winter, head for the Bavarian Alps in the south of Germany, where the beauty of the region is only second to the hospitality of its people. Near Munich is located Andechs Abbey, an excellent place to stop for beer and food. You could then go up to the winter sports resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, that once hosted the Winter Olympics and has an ice stadium. Also, Zugspitze, at 2,962 m, is Germany’s highest mountain and a great resort for winter sports.
At the foothills of the Alps, one may sample a variety of beers which are on offer at one of the many beer festivals held here or in one of the beer gardens. Of course, the absolute highlight is the Munich Beer Festival, where you can feast on chicken, pretzels and beer. The famous Oktoberfest in Munich is an international event where copious amounts of beer, Bavarian delicacies, music, dance and revelry carry on for 16 days.
And if winter is here, can spring be far behind? March, the beginning of spring, means the end of winter, and Germany comes alive with many spring festivals. Berlin’s Spandau Festival has many takers for its roller-coaster rides, food stands and fireworks. Munich has Strong Beer weeks, a special brew for the occasion, while Frankfurt and Hamburg, too, have spring fests.
Spring’s as good a time as any to take a drive on Germany’s famous autobahn. Drive into the new car factories of Volkswagen, Porsche and BMW in the car-crazy Saxony area, or to Stuttgart, where the Mercedez Benz factory will leave you spellbound.
Germans love to shop, as do most people. Germany has some excellent shopping places, particularly in Berlin and Frankfurt. Anything—from electronics to apparels to antiques to exquisite Meissen porcelain—are all worth investigating.