Neuschwanstein castle

The Black Forest

Secluded pine-laden woodlands located in southwestern Germany, the Black Forest is famous for being the origin of cuckoo clocks. The area gets its name from the dark shadows of the fir and pine trees that grow very thick there. The black forest offers first rate hiking, camping, and some skiing. Travelers on a budget can find great deals on lodging and accommodations in the towns that surround the Black Forest.

The Frisian Islands

These islands actually span along the coastlines of three countries: Germany, Denmark, and The Netherlands. Sylt is the largest and most populated of the islands and is a known destination for Europe’s jet-set as well as nudists. Amrum is also a hot tourist spot but less crowded. The pristine beaches, panoramic views, and relative seclusion continue to draw in visitors looking to escape the bustle of more traditional destinations.

Oktoberfest

Munich makes that claim that it is the home of beer and if 6 million visitors is any indication, that claim seems to be valid. Oktoberfest is known worldwide as a celebration of Bavarian beer and lasts several weeks long, from mid-September to early October. The 200 year old festival includes events such as parades, beer tents, music features, feasts of authentic German cuisine, and exhibits.

Munich Oktoberfest

City of Berlin

Berlin is Germany’s largest city and is the country’s capital. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall almost two decades ago, the city has grown and evolved into a modern, bustling metropolis that prides itself on looking to the future while preserving the past. There are landmarks to remind visitors of the strains that history has put on the city, but much of Berlin now has an unmistakable American feel to it. Berlin should be on every German visitor’s list to visit.

Neuschwanstein Castle

Located near the Austrian border, Neuschwanstein Castle has the title of the most photographed building in Germany. It is also the most famous of all of the German castles and was the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle located in Disneyland. Neuschwanstein Castle was built in the 19th century by King Ludwig II. Photography of the interior of the castle is strictly prohibited, as it is copyright-protected.

Lake Constance

Lake Constance lies between Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and is fed by the Rhine River, one of the longest in Europe. It is a freshwater lake that is relied upon for water consumption by nearby cities and towns. Recreation draws many tourists from across Europe and beyond each year.

Chances are bright that they have been not. It is high time that you took them on a special hiking trip in Germany. Each country is famous for one aspect or the other. Switzerland is famous for its Alps, Egypt for its pyramids… but as far as nature and tranquility is concerned, there is nothing to beat Germany. The pristine mountain paths, the scenic parks, the lovely lakes… all of them make Germany a different tourist locale from the rest. It is not for nothing that Germany is often referred to as the `lung of Europe.’ The vast swathes of greenery that you will find over there will please your heart to no end.

Hiking in the Wetterstein Mountains Alps in Germany

Start your hiking tour by opting for the 66 lakes around Berlin. Check out the Brandenburg countryside along with its unspoiled landscapes that are scattered around Berlin. Be prepared to relax as you find yourself in peace and solace while moving beside the small and large lakes. Every now and then, you can refresh yourself by taking a dip in these lakes. The silent, dense woods provide the perfect opportunity for those who are seeking a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Once you have completed the above, it is time to hike from one heritage site to the other as you begin your journey in Bingen. There are various tourist attractions in this place including the Mouse Tower. The start of the trail is from the Drusus Bridge across River Nahe. Keep on hiking through the Hunsruck hills that take you back in the past to the Roman Empire. Your ultimate destination in this route is Trier. There are countless things to discover in this route including Roman games at the Ausoniushutte where you can find a section of the original Roman road. When in this area check out the flower filled summer meadows of the Hunsruck hills which is one of the best abodes of Mother Nature.

Those who prefer architectural structures like massive circular towers and medieval castles should opt for the Burgenwanderwerg/Naturpark Hoher Flaming path. This will permit you to take a 122 kilometer circular path that are chock full of historical and cultural highlights like magnificent palaces and exquisite churches. Check out the dry valleys that have been created by the glaciers of the ice age. These all are just the tip and there is much more for those who are interested in hiking in Germany.

Search online and you will find maps of routes that are suitable for you to reach your destination. As with any other country, the summer season is the best time for a biking trip around Germany. Millions of visitors from all over the world have found out to their delight that biking is perhaps the best way to see each place of tourist interest in the country. With nearly 200 long distance biking routes collectively covering more than 70,000 kilometers, this is perhaps the best way to discover Germany.

Germany biking tour

The gurgling sounds of the river sounds like pleasant music to the ear when you opt for bicycling tours the follow a river’s course. The sound of water in the background enhances the experience as you bike along the meadow banks and dikes. Listen carefully and you can feel that the river is trying to tell something to you. Some of the most such popular riverside routes are along the banks of the Moselle, Rhine, Wesser, and the Elbe.

If you want to stay away from the beaten track, then you can opt in for specialized themed routes for which Germany is famous. There are numerous such routes available. Check out the open-air gallery with in excess of sixty works of art when you opt for the Vechte Valley Route that is situated between Germany and the Netherlands. Those with a religious incline of mind might opt for a modern day pilgrimage by following the Benedict Trail that lies in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps. Check out the beautiful abbeys along with locales associated with Pope Benedict XVI.

Those who are interested to check out the scenery of Germany will have a field time when they select the Prince Puckler route or the Rhine route. The latter allows you to traverse through some of the most picturesque zones in the world. It also permits you to check out on a number of world heritage sites that lie on this route.

Apart from the routes mentioned above, there are many more that Germany has on offer for you. You can select from a wide range of Mountain routes, ADFC Premium routes and International routes. There are numerous city and family tours as well. Therefore, what are you waiting for? Discover Germany in the best possible way by exploring Germany by bike.

Changes in these parameters can cause the affected site to be removed from this list. A simple example is the Dresden Elbe Valley that was deleted from the list due to the building of a 4-lane bridge in the center of the cultural landscape.

According to UNESCO, this structure tampered with the valley’s inscribed outstanding universal value. However, there is no need to panic, since there are many other world heritage sites in Germany.

Lubeck old town is on UNESCO World Heritage List

Boasting of masterpieces from the Staufian, Ottonian, Carolingian, and late Classical period, the Aachen Cathedral is a prime example of one such site. While on the subject of cathedrals, it would be wise to add the Speyer Cathedral to your list too. Construction of this cathedral, dedicated to St. Mary, the patron saint of Speyer, begun in the year 1030.

It is regarded as one of the finest Romanesque monuments.

Then there is the Wurzburg Residenz, the construction of which lasted from 1720 to 1744. Do not miss the spectacular frescoes, painted by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo along with assistance from his son, Domenico. Though you might have viewed different churches in Germany, there is a huge difference with the Pilgrimage Church of Wies. Those who love the Bavarian Rococo style of architecture should not miss this masterpiece by Dominikus Zimmermann, constructed between the years 1745-1754.

When you visit Bruhl, you should spend some time checking out the Castles of Augustuburg and Falkenlust, which are arguably amongst the earliest examples of Rococo architecture in eighteenth century Germany. Lovers of the Romanesque style of architecture should pay a visit to the St. Mary’s Cathedral in Hildesheim and check out the works of art it features. While in Hildenshiem, you should also check out the Church of St. Michael, whose architecture is of the early Romanesque style.

Cologne Cathedral, UNESCO World Heritage Site

There are many more sites in addition to the ones mentioned above and they are mentioned below:

• Roman Monuments, Cathedral and Liebfrauen Church in Trier
• Frontiers of the Roman Empire
• Hanseatic City of Lubeck
• Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin
• Abbey and Altenmunster of Lorch
• Mines of Rammelsberg
• The historic towns of Golsar and Bamberg
• The Maulbronn Monsatery complex
• The Collegiate Church, castle and old town of Quedlinburg
• Messel pit fossil site
• Volklingen Ironworks
• The Bauhaus & its sites in Dessau and Weimar
• Cologne Cathedral
• Martin Luther Memorials in Wittenburg and Eisleben
• Classical Weimar
• Museum Island
• Wartburg Castle
• Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Worlitz
• Monastic Island of Reichenau
• Zollverin Coal Mine Industrial Complex
• Upper Middle Rhine Valley
• Historic Centers of Straslund and Wismar
• Town Hall and Roland on the Marketplace of Bremen
• Muskauer Park / Park Muzakowski
• Old town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof
• Berlin Modernism Housing Estates
• The Wadden Sea

Bavarian Alps landscape in Germany

The laws of Mother Nature prevail in the Bavarian Forest National Park, which, being the first founded national park of Germany is also its most visited one. Tourists will be interested by the fact that this park is the largest contagious zone of protected forests of central Europe. If you are interested in experiencing nature as it is intended to, then pay a visit to this park, which shares its northern borders with the Bohemian Forest of the Czech Republic. There are lots to do in the Bavarian National Forest Park and you should share the happiness along with the other members of your family. Accommodation is no problem with a number of hotels and holiday flats available.

Situated in the southeastern corner of Germany, Berchtesgaden National Park offers you a view of paradise on earth. Look around and you can see the locale dominated by the Watzman, which is the second highest mountain of Germany. There are lots of things to do for tourists in this park. If they so want, they can cycle along a number of well-marked trails. Take some time and check out the locality. You will be amazed to see how people of this region preserve their culture and harmonize with nature. You will also be amazed to see the traditional dresses of the locals.

Saxon Switzerland landscape

One of the most popular of national parks in Germany is the Jasmund National Park. Famous for its chalk cliffs as well as its lakes, this park is visited by millions of tourists throughout the year. Tourists can perform various activities over here, which will keep them busy throughout the day. Some of the most popular of them being cycling, horse riding, cruising, and hiking. This is one of the best place to visit during a summer day along with your family members.

The other national parks of Germany are listed below:

• Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park
• Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park
• Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park
• Vorpommern Lagoon Area National Park
• Müritz National Park
• Lower Oder Valley National Park
• Harz National Park
• Kellerwald-Edersee National Park (a part of Kellerwald)
• Hainich National Park
• Eifel National Park
• Saxon Switzerland National Park

Germany has significant religious history. The region had observed the pagan practices until the era of Emperor Charlemagne in around 900 AD. Charlemagne had a close association with the Holy Roman Catholic Church, and instigated bring Christianity to the Germanic tribes. The country was predominately Catholic, until the winds of change blew in, with dynamic Protestant Reformer Martin Luther leading the reformation.

Germany has an exciting religious history. Visitors and travelers pilgrimage to Germany to stand in awe at the very places where religious history was made.

The United Nations, UNESCO, has developed and maintained a list of significant places in the world, known as the World Heritage List, which is selected by a committee. Of the 851 world wide properties selected for their outstanding universal value, 31 are located in Germany. Of the 31 German properties on the UNESCO World Heritage List, 11 are churches or monasteries.

Travelers to Germany can appreciate the immensity of Germany’s religious history when they include these significant religious sites on their itinerary.

Aachen Cathedral, State of North Rhine-Westphalia: Palatine chapel was started in 790 – 800 AD. The construction was started in the reign of the great Emperor Charlemagne. Originally the chapel was inspired by the great churches of the Eastern part of the Holy Roman Empire. The chapel was enlarged in the Middle Ages

Aachen cathedral, Imperial Cathedral Kaiserdom

Speyer Cathedral, State of Rhineland-Palatinate: The cathedral is a basilica with four towers and two domes. Speyer Cathedral was founded by Conrad II in 1030 AD. The church was remodeled at the end of the 11th century. Speyer Cathedral dates back to the time of the Holy Roman Empire and is one of the most important Romanesque monuments fro that era. The cathedral served as the burial place for German Emperors for nearly 30 years.

Pilgrimage Church of Wies, Upper Bavaria, State of Bavaria: The Church of Wies is located in a beautiful Alpine setting. The church, built in 1745-1754, was a masterpiece of Bavarian Rococo by architect Dominikus Zimmermann.

St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. Michel’s Church at Hildesheim, District of Hanover, State of Lower Saxony. The symmetrically built church dates back to 1010 to 1020. The interior of the church features a wooden ceiling and painted stucco work. Exceptionally interesting are the famous bronze doors and the Berwrd bronze column. The Church is an outstanding example of the Romanesque churches of the Holy Roman Empire.

Roman Monuments, Cathedral of St. Peter and Church of Our Lady in Trier, State of Rhineland Palatinate: Trier is a town that stands on the Moselle River. Tier was a Roman colony fro the 1st century AD. During the following century, Trier became and great trading center. By the end of the 3rd century, Tier became known as the ‘second Rome’’. There are a number of excellent quality surviving monuments from the Roman civilization.

Trier Cathedral

Abbey and Altenmunster of Lorsch, District of Bergstrasse, State of Hesse: The Abbey has a monumental entrance, called the”Torhall”. The Abbey and Torhall are rare vestiges of the Carolingian era. There are sculptures and paintings from the Carolingian period that are in remarkable condition.

Maulbronn Monastery Complex, District of Enz, State of Baden-Wurttemburg: The Cisercian Maulbronn Monastery was founded in 1147. The monastery is considered the most complete, as well as the best preserved, medieval monastic complex located north of the Alps mountain range. The monastery is surrounded by protective fortified walls. The main buildings of the complex were built between the 12th and 16th centuries. The church is mainly Transitional Gothic. It was major influence in the spread of Gothic architecture in much of central and northern Europe. Exceptionally interesting are the elaborate network of drains, canals and reservoirs.

Collegiate Church, Castle, and Old Town of Quedlinburg: During the time of Saxonian-Ottonian Empire, Quesdlinburg was the capital of the east Franconian German Empire. The town has been a prosperous trading town since the Middle Ages. There are a number of high quality timber framed buildings that make Quedlinburg an outstanding example of a European Town in Medieval times. The collegiate Church is a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture.

Cologne Cathedral, State of North Rhine-Westphalia: The immense cologne Cathedral is perhaps the best known of the German historic Churches. Construction on this Gothic masterpiece started in 1248 and was not completed until 1880. The cathedral was built over seven successive centuries, often with sons taking over where their father’s left off. The exceptional cathedral is a testament to the endurance and strength of Christianity in Europe. The UNESCO committee chose the cathedral for its value as an exceptional work of creative human genius.

Cologne Cathedral

Luther Memorials in Eisleben and Wittenberg, State of Saxony-Anhalt, State of Thuringia: The places are associated with he lives of Great reformers Martin Luther and his fellow reformer Melanchthon. Luther is the name credited with the Protestant religious reformations in the 1500′s. Events of the time conspired to make the printed Word of God, in the Bible available to the common man, something that had not been possible before. The invention of the Gutenberg printing press, along with Martin Luther’s translation of the Holy Bible fro Greek to German, changed the face of the Christina religion forever. This group includes: Melanchthon’s house in Wittenburg, the house in Eisleben where Luther was Born in 1483, the house where Luther died in 1546, Luther’s room in Wittenberg, the local church and the castle church which is famous as having the door where Luther posted his famous “95 Theses”. The “95 Theses” launched the Protestant Reformation and changed the course of history.

Monastic Island of Reichenau, District of Freiburg, State of Baden Wurttemberg.: Lake Constance, on the southern border of Germany, is the location of the Island of Reichenau. There are still traces of the Benedictine monastery, which was founded in 724. Churches built between the 9th and 11th centuries are St. Mary and Marcus, St. Peter and St. Paul and St. George. This group on monastic architecture paints a panorama of early medieval monastic architecture in central Europe. The remnants of the Reichenau foundation were chosen as an outstanding witness to the role of the Benedictine monastery in the early Middle Ages.

It was the scene in 1207 of the Sängerkrieg, a contest of minnesingers in which Heinrich von Ofterdingen, Wolfram von Eschenbach, and Walther von der Vogelweide, among others, took part and which Richard Wagner used (with some poetic license) as the setting for a famous scene in the opera Tannhäuser.

St. Elizabeth of Hungary lived in Wartburg until 1227. In 1521, Martin Luther was brought to the castle for his protection by the elector of Saxony, and there he completed his translation of the New Testament. In 1817 the first general assembly of the Burschenschaften, the nationalist German student organizations, met at Wartburg castle.

The Romanesque Palace or Great Hall is the oldest part of the castle and architecturally is the most impressive of the buildings. Besides the chapel, it contains the Sängersaal or Hall of the Minstrels and the Festsaal or the Feast or Festival Hall.The Knights’ House on the western side of the drawbridge is half-timbered, and dates back to the 15th century.

The castle has two towers. The South Tower was originally erected in 1318 and it is the only tower preserved of the medieval castle. The castle keep was finished in 1859, incorporating the foundations of its medieval predecessor.
The Rüstkammer, (the armory of the Wartburg castle, used to contain a magnificent collection of about 800 pieces of armors.

In 1999 UNESCO added Wartburg Castle to the World Heritage List.
(photo: Robert Scarth, Ingo2802)

Berlin it is well-known for its high standards, its various cafes and restaurants, its sundry places of culture like palaces and museums and its rich history.

There are many sites that you can admire in Berlin. Here is a list of places that you should definitely see during your Berlin vacation:

Brandenburg Gate is the emblem of Berlin. It was engineered between 1788-1791. It separated Berlin in two (Western Berlin and Eastern Berlin). On December 22th, 1989 when the Berlin Fall had fallen, the Brandenburg Gate was once again opened.

The German parliament (Reichstag), set up between 1884-1894 was destroyed by bombings at the end of The Second World War. It has been restored in a creative way (today, the structure has an enormous glass roof). Norman Foster is the architect responsible for this assignment.

Friedrichstadtpalast Palace is the place where you can watch interesting shows. Some of the 153 city museums that would present curiosity are: Museum of History, Egyptian Museum, Alte und Neue National Gallery (where you can look up to the pieces of remarkable painters such as Picasso or Dali), the Pergamon Museum (with attractions like Zeus’ Altar of Pergamon or the Roman Gate from Milet).

Television Tower (1965-1969) is the tallest building in Berlin, reaching 368 m. At the height of 250 m you can serve lunch and admire the entire city panorama in a restaurant that revolves around its axis in approximately 30 minutes.

Gedächniskirche Church (1891-1895) is an Neo-Roman style Evangelical church that was almost totally ruined at the end of the Second World War. The recent part was erected between 1959-1961 by the architect Egon Eiermann.

Close to the Brandenburg Gate was constructed a monument in the memory of the Jews killed in the war. The monument consists of 2711 impressive concrete blocks stretched on a surface of 19000 square meters.

Nikolaiviertel is a tiny district situated in the city’s historic center. Its narrow streets are notorious and have a lot of restaurants, shops, bars and cafes. In the center of Nikolaiviertel lies the oldest Berlin church, Nikolaikirche

Charlottenburg Palace (1695-1699) is the most beautiful palace in Berlin. It was erected as a summer residence by Friedrich III for his wife, Sophie Charlotte.

The Berlin Zoo is the most important and greatest zoo in the world. It has over 1400 distinct species and a total of 19000 animals. There you can admire one of the most pleasing] and largest aquariums in the world.

Berlin Hauptbahnhof is one of the avant-garde and recent projects accomplished in Berlin. It is the biggest railway station in Europe and it was inaugurated on the occasion of World Football Championship in Germany 2006.

The Berlin Wall was a hallmark of the Cold War, splitting the Western Berlin from the German Democratic Republic. In November 1989 the wall fell, stopping the communist influence and permitting Germany to take an important step toward its reunification.

Berlin is one of the most delightful capitals in Europe and is definitely a place to see as soon as possible. You won’t feel sorry.

Author: TudorBran – Visit http://beautifulberlin.blogspot.com and discover all the important information about Berlin. Booking a room at one of the Berlin hotels has never been easier.