Germany - castles, cathedrals and Christmas markets
General information
Germany lies in Central Europe and is the most populous country in the European Union. To the north it has coastlines on the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, and it borders Denmark, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands. The capital, Berlin, is the largest city, while Hamburg, Munich, Cologne and Frankfurt are among the other major centres.
The country is a federation of 16 states with very different characters - from the flat north and its port cities to the hills and vineyards along the Rhine and the Alpine landscapes of Bavaria. This variety makes Germany interesting both for city breaks and for trips through the countryside.
The Rhine is one of Europe's most important rivers and for centuries was a major trade route. The Upper Middle Rhine Valley between Bingen and Koblenz, with dozens of medieval castles on its slopes and terraced vineyards, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That is why Rhine river cruises are among the most popular ways to see the country.
Climate
Germany has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are usually warm and pleasant for walks, while winters are cold - milder in the northwest and snowier in the mountainous south.
Spring and autumn suit city sightseeing and walks along the Rhine Valley, and in autumn the vineyards turn golden. December is especially popular for the Christmas markets, when streets and squares are decorated and the air smells of mulled wine and roasted almonds.
Culture and history
Germany's history is linked to the Roman Empire, the Holy Roman Empire, its many kingdoms and principalities and the unification of the country in 1871. In the 20th century Germany went through both world wars and the division into East and West, and was reunified in 1990. The Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate are today symbols of that history.
Cologne is famous for Cologne Cathedral - one of the largest Gothic churches in Europe, built over more than six centuries and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mainz is associated with Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of movable-type printing, and Koblenz lies at the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle, at the spot known as the Deutsches Eck.
Rüdesheim is a small wine town in the heart of the Rhine Valley, known for its narrow Drosselgasse lane, while Heidelberg impresses with its castle above the town and one of the oldest universities in Europe. Germany is also the homeland of composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Wagner, and musical traditions remain an important part of cultural life.
Christmas markets are among the best-loved German traditions. They take place during Advent in almost every town, and among the most famous are those in Nuremberg, Cologne and Dresden. German cuisine is strongly regional - sausages, roast pork, pretzels, potato dishes and a wide range of pastries, accompanied by beer or local wines from the Rhine and the Moselle.
Why and when to visit?
Germany is ideal for a city weekend, a trip by car or train and especially for a river cruise, where each day begins in a new town. Spring, summer and autumn are convenient for walks and visiting castles and vineyards, while December is the time of the Christmas markets.
A Rhine river cruise combines the best of the country - Gothic cathedrals, medieval castles, wine villages and the festive atmosphere of the Christmas markets, without changing hotels every day. See our river cruises.
