Germany: Travel and Vacations

Germany is one of the leading tourist destinations in the world. Scenic landscapes, beautiful orthodox villages, age-old festivals, astoundingly magnificent castles and modern industrial towns, are the reasons why tourists are attracted to this culture-rich country. The country is also known for its unspoiled rivers and grand river cruises. The hospitality of the people and their fluency in English are sure to amaze you. Here are few must-visit places in Germany.

Black Forest
The Black Forest is, possibly, the best place in Germany. Visiting Germany is definitely incomplete without seeing its rolling hills, small villages with roads still made of cobblestones, and the lush green forests of the Schwarzwald (Black Forest). Whether walking, driving or biking - many paths will lead you to small villages, wineries, and old monasteries. These are areas which are known world-over for their famous wines. In fact, Germans celebrate many wine festivals too. The region also has many spas running through almost 200 kilometers. The town of Baden Baden is famous for its spas, and has 14 award-winning thermal and mineral baths. Lake Titisee, the largest lake in the Black Forest, is formed by the Feldberg glacier.

The Romantic Road
One of Germany's best scenic routes is The Romantic Road, which runs from Bavaria through the Franconia wine country, right to the foothills of the German Alps. The Romantic Road is full of German culture and scenery, picturesque towns surrounded by walls and towers, castles, half-timbered houses, unspoiled nature, etc. This is another a must-visit place for anyone who wants to experience real German culture. From romantic, courtyard restaurants to beautiful vineyards, this route has everything that will make a nature lover fall in love with it. Some of the highlights along this route are:

• The town of Würzburg, known for its excellent wines and gourmet restaurants.
• Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the best preserved town in Germany.
• Augsburg, one of the Germany's oldest cities.
• The castle of Neuschwanstein in Bavaria.

Neuschwanstein, Bavaria
Nuzzled in the majestic Alps, the famous castle of Neuschwanstein is the most photographed building in Germany. The castle was also the inspiration behind Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty. Instead of taking help from architects, King Ludwig II of Bavaria realized his own fairytale castle, for pure pleasure, in 1869.

Berlin and Potsdam
The capital of Germany, Berlin, has many places to visit, from old to new, combining great views of its historic past and modern outlook shown in its culture, restaurants and nightlife. Do not miss out the Brandenburg Gate, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, and the Museum Island. Brandenburg Gate is a national symbol for Germany, crowned with the winged goddess of victory on the four-horsed chariot. During the Cold War, when Germany was divided into East and West Germany, the Brandenburg Gate stood between them. Potsdam which is a short distance from Berlin, was the heart of the Prussian Empire. Potsdam, reflects pan-European history, and is also a UNESCO world heritage site.

Oktoberfest
The world's largest fair with 6 million people attending, Oktoberfest is a sixteen-day festival, celebrated in Munich, where people come to sing, drink beer, and dance. German food like sausages, hendl (chicken) and sauerkraut (red cabbage) are delicacies that one must sample during this festival. The fest is celebrated during late September running into early October. A notable feature of the festival are the Oktoberfest 1-liter beer mugs, which are made of glass, and have decorative brewery logos on the sides.

Germany is truly a unique place. The places to visit are so many, that you may need to plan out a month of vacation, or even more, to cover all the areas. Most visited places include the City of Weimar, the Cathedral of Cologne, the Dresden Frauenkirche - Church of Our Lady, the Christmas Market of Nuremberg, the Rhine Valley and many many more. The list is never ending. Events like the Bach Festival and the Stuttgart Beer Festival will take your breath away.

The Oktoberfest 2009 starts from Saturday, 19th of September and will continue through Sunday, 4th of October. Plan your travel to Germany, so that besides catching all the beauty of this vast and amazing country, you get to enjoy the Oktoberfest too.