Germany

Germany has it all - History, old castles, monuments, modern cities, rural towns, rivers and mountains. The Rhine is the longest river in Germany, famous for its river cruises and offers visitors breathtaking views of its countless castles, monuments, and vineyards as well as its many quaint and lovely villages. Cities, like Berlin, the capital of Germany, Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt and Munich are not only modern cultural hubs but also deeply steeped in history and traditions.

Berlin, the capital of Germany. From 1961 to 1989 the Wall divided the city in two. It was torn down, but its traces can still be found. The Berlin Wall Trail forms a cycling and pedestrian trail along the former border. The colorful East Side Gallery in the city's Friedrichshain district is a remnant of the wall that was painted by artists from around the world in 1990. The best place to start your tour at the Berlin Wall Memorial. Checkpoint Charlie remains the most famous former crossing point between East and West Berlin, and it now museum. Also worth visiting is the "Watchtower" near Potsdamer Platz and the Glienicke Bridge.

The world's most famous castle, Neuschwanstein, is nestled in the Alps, and it seems to come straight out of a fairy tale; no wonder Walt Disney drew inspiration from it for his Sleeping Beauty castle. Built in 1869, Bavarian King Ludwig II constructed this fantastic castle not for defense but for pleasure -- it was his private summer retreat. And although the design of Neuschwanstein may look medieval, Ludwig made sure to build in modern technologies of the day, such as flush toilets and heating. Neuschwanstein is the most photographed building in the country and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Germany.

Oktoberfest began as a wedding celebration more than 200 years ago when Bavaria’s Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on Oct. 12, 1810. The wedding was celebrated with multiple days of drinking, feasting and horse races.Since then it has been celebrated annually and is the largest folk festival in the world. Oktoberfest is often associated with beer, but the festival’s traditions go beyond that. While the beer tents, of course, provide drinks, they also play only traditional Bavarian music. The original six Munich breweries still provide the beer. You can also catch people in traditional Bavarian clothing, dirndls and lederhosen.

Located in the Neckar river valley, Heidelberg is one Germany’s most popular tourist destinations. During WWII, the city was almost completely spared by allied bombings which destroyed most of Germany’s larger inner cities. As a result, Heidelberg has retained its baroque charm of narrow streets, picturesque houses and the famous Heidelberg Castle. Germany's oldest university, lies just below the castle.

German Christmas markets are known the world over, and arguably the best of all is found in the Bavarian city of Nuremberg. The annual Christkindlesmarkt is held throughout the Advent season in Nuremberg’s old town, and it has been in place since the 17th century. Visitors should visit after dark, when lights illuminate the vendors selling traditional German handicrafts, Christmas tree ornaments, "Glühwein" (mulled wine) and lebkuchen, a German gingerbread cookie beloved during the holidays.

The highest mountain is Germany is the Zugspitze, located above the town of Garmisch. Although the peak is a world-renowned spot for serious skiers, a trip to the top is worthwhile whatever the season. From a lake at the base of the mountain, hop aboard the Zahnradbahn, a cogwheel train take you about half way up the mountain. Then transfer to an all glass cable car, called the Eibsee-Seilbahn. At the summit, it is possible to view the landscape of four countries at once. The Zugspitze, also nicknamed "Top of Germany", stands at 2962 meters, almost 9718 feet above sea level.

The Romantic Rhine is the most famous section of the Rhine, running between from Koblenz to Bingen. The river Rhine carves its way here through steep vineyard-covered hills topped with countless castles and ruins. The river has been an important trade route into central Europe since ancient times and a string of small towns has grown up along the banks. Constrained in size, many of these old towns retain a historic feel today. This section of the Rhine is also known as the Rhine Gorge, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the German Corner (Deutsches Eck) in Koblenz, where the Mosel river joins the Rhine.

Easily the greatest Gothic cathedral in Germany, Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) has been Cologne’s most famous landmark for centuries. Construction of the Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 and took, with interruptions, more than 600 years to complete. It is dedicated to the saints Peter and Mary and is the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Cologne. Today, six million people a year visit Cologne Cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Brandenburg Gate is the only surviving city gate of Berlin and symbolizes the reunification of East and West Berlin. Built in the 18th century, the Brandenburg Gate is the entry to Unter den Linden, the prominent boulevard of linden trees which once led directly to the palace of the Prussian monarchs. It is regarded as one of the most famous landmarks in Europe. Starting in 1961, it was in the middle of the no-man's land between the two walls that made up the Berlin Wall. For 28 years it was inaccessible. As a symbol of division and reunification, it represents the city's turbulent history.

Germany is famous the world over for its autobahn — also known as "the highway without speed limits" and its precision-engineered automobiles, such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche and VW (Volkswagen - "The People's Car"). Germany is one of the world’s largest car producers – VW’s Golf is one of the best-selling cars of all time. If you love speed, head to Germany’s most famous racetrack, the Nuerburgring; established in 1927, it has been regarded as the toughest Grand Prix circuit of all. If prefer love a slower pace, then make the journey your reward and take a road trip. Germany offers many scenic drives and themed roads that will lead you past quaint villages, medieval castles, and unspoiled countryside. From the Romantic Road, and the Castle Road, to the Fairy Tale Road, and the Wine Route, check out the roads best traveled in Germany.