Germany

There are so many incredible things about holidays in Germany to explore, it’s difficult to know where to start. From the vibrant and historical city breaks, to the festive Christmas markets, lesser known chocolate-box villages, mouth-watering cuisine and spectacular natural scenery, the country boasts a plethora of treats for visitors.

Despite being a large country, Germany is easy to navigate thanks to its vast and efficient road and rail network, making it perfect for either a quick one-stop getaway or a longer break, taking in several wonderful destinations along the way.

When many think of city breaks in Germany, the capital Berlin is the first place that springs to mind and, undoubtedly, it’s the perfect place to begin exploring Germany’s history. Sights such as the UNESCO World Heritage Museum Island, alongside Checkpoint Charlie, Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Wall Memorial are all must-sees, but it has a lot more to offer too.

The German Spy Museum is ideal for family holidays in Berlin, while the city also boasts an eclectic nightlife scene.

Munich, capital of the Bavaria region, is another popular destination, not least during September when it hosts the annual Oktoberfest, which sees more than six million people descend on the city from around the world.

Elsewhere, cities such as Frankfurt, Cologne and Hamburg, are much-loved city break spots, not least around Christmas time when the famous markets spring up.

Aide from the big cities, the historic, medieval town of Regensburg portrays a particularly charming side of Germany. Its Old Town in a UNESCO World Heritage site in its own right and has more bars and pubs per square mile than anywhere else in Germany. Sounds like a win-win!

Germany’s easternmost town, Gorlitz, is also staggeringly beautiful and provides a gateway into neighbouring Poland.

More beauty can be found away from the towns and cities, through Germany’s vast array of natural landscapes, including forests, vineyards, mountain ranges, river valleys and so much more besides.

The Romantic Road provides the most scenic drive in the country, stretching through Bavaria between Fussen and Wurzburg, passing stunning sights such as Neuschwanstein Castle – so beautiful it even inspired the famous Disney castle – Rothenburg ob der Tauber and the rolling countryside of the bewitching Pfaffenwinkel region.

The Black Forest meanwhile, is spectacular for so many reasons. Its famous gateaux, for starters (or dessert), not to mention the landscapes which inspired the magical Brothers Grimm fairytales, cuckoo clocks and breath-taking scenery like Lake Titisee.

In the south-east, Lake Konigssee is said to be Germany’s most scenic Alpine lake – quite the compliment, while Eibsee Lake is a world away from the city lights, with truly mesmeric surroundings and wonderful opportunities for kayaking, swimming and fishing.

The Rhine Valley is also worthy of being near the top of any bucket list for Germany holidays. Here, a hike through the valley trails rewards with gorgeous views of castles, mountains and mineral springs. It’s like something straight out of a fairytale. In fact, you’ll find yourself thinking that one more than one occasion.