As Germany moves forward into the 21st century, leaving behind a history of division and tyranny, it is a nation embracing its newfound liberalism and redefining a modern cultural identity. Yet even today, visitors to the country cant escape feeling profoundly moved by this countrys past and the effects it still has on its people.
Situated in the heart of Europe and bordering nine other countries, Germany provides an ideal gateway to any tour of the subcontinent. Its land is wide and varied with turreted castles nestled below snow-capped mountains, lush river valleys, dark and mysterious forests and bustling medieval villages. This is the land of fairy tales, where farmland minstrels headed to Bremen to become musicians, where Sleeping Beauty was woken and Little Red Riding Hood ventured into the woods.
Germanys cities each have something unique to offer the visitor. Each year millions of litres of beer are consumed in Munich during the citys Oktoberfest, where locals and visitors discover true German revelry and gemutlichkeit (a word the locals use to describe a comfortable, sociable environment). Berlin, while still recovering from some of the scars of division, contains many sights from the iconic Brandenburg Gate, to the path of the old Berlin Wall. The citys vibrant nightlife is still evocative of its height in the 1920s and 30s, as characterised by the songs of Marlene Dietrich, the theatre of Brecht and the Film Cabaret.
Discover the country that gave us Beethoven and Bauhaus, Goethe and Glühwein, Lager and Lederhosen - you wont be disappointed.
It may be billed as a fish market, but there is just
about anything and everything on sale at this lively, colourful
Hamburg market that takes place early on Sunday mornings, and has
done since 1703. There is a restaurant in the historic Fish Auction
Hall, along with some live musical entertainment, to rejuvenate
tired shoppers.
Excursion: No Address: The market is between Hexenberg and Grosse
Elbstrasse Telephone: (0)40 38012-0 Website: www.fischmarkt-hamburg.de Opening Time: Daily 5am to 12pm; from 7am in winter
The charming town of Lübeck is the backdrop to the
fourth International Festival of Ice and Snow Sculptures which sees
artists from all over the world create some of the most magnificent
works of art from several hundred of thousands of pounds of ice and
snow. The sculptures are housed in a tent near the Trave
River.
Venue: Lübeck Convention Centre Date: December to January, annually
Hameln, the famous town of the Pied Piper tale told to
children around the world, is a popular tourist destination in
Lower Saxony, northern Germany, lying beside the River Weser. The
old town centre has been reconstructed with several Renaissance
buildings, and some wood-frame historic buildings, all adding to
the fairytale atmosphere that brings alive the legend of the piper
who offered to rid the town of rats, and ended up stealing all the
children. A short musical version of the story is performed each
Wednesday in the old town between May and September at 4.30pm. The
Pied Piper himself conducts tours around the town!
Excursion: Yes Website: www.hameln.de
GO BACK TO THE INDEX PAGE