 From the High Alps in the South, the Bavarian plain, and the flowing hills of central Germany to the coast of the North
and Baltic Sea: it all looks like a miniature train landscape packed with the nicest of old towns, medieval houses, gothic churches
and small villages.
Thanks to the great number of different regional princedoms, earldoms, monarchies and states Germany used to contain, Germany has
not one but many major cities - each with its own unique character, formed by its history and the surrounding region. Each is a
whole new world in itself in which you will experience not only different architectural styles and art treasures but also a very
distinctive lifestyle. Local traditions and mentalities are clearly reflected everywhere - in the arts, the nightlife, the shops, the
pubs and restaurants and the way people work and live.
To start in the north, spend some days in Hamburg, Bremen or Lbeck, those old
"Hanse" cities whose prosperity arose out of the citizens ship trade market. Berlin, the capital, is of course
one of the top travel destinations in Germany - no matter if you are going there for business, cultural or political reasons or just to
enjoy yourself: Berlin has everything! Right in the centre, Hannover is worth a visit. In the eastern part of
Germany, you can find real jewels: Leipzig, Weimar, Schwerin
and even Dresden, although it was bombed horribly, saved lots of their prewar architectural heritage. Continue
going southwards, maybe with passing Nuremberg, you will sooner or later see Munich,
the capital city of beer, but also of art, with the famous Pinakothek. It is a good starting point to find the treasures of
Bavaria .
Germany's cities have endless pleasant surprises in store for those who enjoy good food and drink. In addition to top-quality
international cooking each region has its own local specialities, ranging from hearty country fare at simple inns to modern light
cuisine at star-rated restaurants. Accompanied by our world-famous beers and wines, all this plenty is guaranteed to make your tour
of Germany's cities an unforgettable culinary experience.
Discover the beautiful south west of Germany with cities like Freiburg, Heidelberg
and Tubingen . In the western part you can discover Bonn, Dusseldorf,
Cologne - the heart of the Rhineland, Trier, the oldest city of Germany and a former capital of the
Roman Empire or Aachen with its impressive cathedral.
Today Germany is also an industrial powerhouse. In the Ruhrgebiet (Essen, Oberhausen, Duisburg and surroundings), there is heavy
industry. Different car brands like Mercedes (near Stuttgart), BMW and VW make Germany one of the world's biggest
car producers and Frankfurt on the Main is the country's bank and finance centre, called also "Mainhattan."
All this adds to a standard of living that is among the highest in the world.
To make the different cities and sights more accessible to you, we have divided Germany into regions. Click on the regions to find more
info about them and the cities they contain.
After years of separation between West Germany and the GDR, the country is now growing together again, a longer and maybe more painful
process than many expected. At the same time, Germany has become a more normal country.
There's so much more to learn... Check out our Facts For The Visitor or read up on our reviews of everything about Germany:
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