The nation of Germany is officially known as the Federal Republic of Germany and is one of the biggest and most influential countries in Europe. Germany covers a large area of 357,021 km squared and has over 82 million inhabitants. Germany has a fascinating history that offers a real insight into the origins of European people, and a rich modern day culture that does differ as you travel between the 16 member states that collectively make up the nation. The striking geography and vibrant cities that Germany has to offer are the main attractions for visitors to the country, and the landscapes and attractions run the length and breadth of the country.

Germany is such a huge country that you could travel there for ages and not run out of sights to see and things to do. There are however a number of sights that seem to pop up on many people’s to-do lists. A holiday in Germany (Urlaub in Deutschland) would not be complete without a trip to Berlin – the capital of this great nation. While it may not be the prettiest of cities it is full with a number of fantastic museums and art galleries that span the ages. As well as the many museums and galleries documenting traditional art and crafts, Berlin has a vibrant contemporary art and music scene. The DDR and the Pergamon museums are highly recommended as is a good old fashioned stroll into some of the older sections of the city.

One area of Germany that is on almost every one’s list of must-see destinations is the state of Bavaria. It is the largest of the 16 German states and is situated on the southeastern corner of the nation. Bavaria shares borders with Austria, the Czech Republic and Switzerland (across Lake Constance) and the Bavarian Alps define this border between Germany and Austria in a spectacular way. Munich is the capital of Bavaria and is home to the annual Oktoberfest – one of the world’s biggest public festivals and a very popular tourist destination. Many people from all over the world choose to synchronise their German holiday with the Oktoberfest so that they can enjoy the beer and the atmosphere with all the thousands of other festival goers. It is an absolutely fantastic festival that you will never forget, however as there are so many people there it is a good idea to sort out an accommodation venue well ahead of time. There are many great hotels in Germany (Hotels in Deutschland) both in Munich and elsewhere.

There are several ‘themed roads’ within Germany that offer some fantastic routes for travellers. One of the best of these is the Romantic Road that goes between the River Main and the Alps, a stunning 220 mile journey in total. This travel route is designed to pass through areas of beautiful scenery, fantastic cuisine and the fantastic atmosphere that the German country side can provide. The Romantic Road was a trade route in the middle ages and still retains a lot of its medieval character and charm. This travel route, like a lot of other things in Germany, is well designed and organised with some great maps available from the various tourist information centres.

The Black Forest is another fantastic location for any visitor to Germany. It is a wooded mountain range in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg that is bordered by the Rhine valley. Many fairy tales have originated from this area and when you visit it you can certainly see why. This area is known as the ‘home of the German soul’ and is a popular spot with hikers and cross country skiers. The city of Heidelberg is another popular destination and for many is the epitome of the romantic spirit of Germany. Wherever you go on your holiday in Germany you will experience the hospitality of the local people. Germans are famous for loving their food and drink, and you will be provided with the very best in both as a welcome in many regions of the country.

Germany is a great holiday destination for any age group. There are vibrant and bustling cities with a contemporary charm and energy, or traditional villages that haven’t lost that old world feel. There are mountains, lakes, forests and even an island or two to explore. And everywhere you go you are made to feel welcome by the German people, who can make the trains run on time and still have time to put a fabulous meal on the table at dinner time.

Holidaying in Denmark

Denmark holiday homes (Dänemark Ferienhäuser) offer the perfect solution when thinking of moving out of Germany and to its neighbor in the north.