Germany
From Berlin's nightlife and the fairytale castles of Bavaria to the Baltic beaches and the Black Forest — Germany rewards a city break and a slow road trip in equal measure.
About Germany
Berlin is the city of history, museums and a nightlife that runs until well into the morning; Bavaria and Munich deliver the postcard Germany of Oktoberfest, Neuschwanstein castle and the Alps right on the doorstep. Along the Rhine and the Moselle, wine villages, castles and river terraces follow one another, while Hamburg and the north revolve around the harbour and the beaches of the North and Baltic Seas. In the south-west the Black Forest and Lake Constance are made for hiking and spa breaks.
What makes Germany special is that it has four real seasons. Summer is for lakes, cycle routes and beer gardens, autumn for the wine festivals, and winter for skiing in the Alps and the famous Christmas markets that fill every old town. The cities — Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne — work all year round, so you pick your dates by the theme rather than the weather.
☀ cities year-round; Alps & lakes June–September; Christmas markets late November–December