Where to begin with a country so richly steeped in history as Germany? Once home to composers Beethoven, Bach and Brahms as well as several important Renaissance artists, Germany is brimming with culture. From the booming financial district of Frankfurt to the historically significant concentration camps of Dachau and the remains of the iconic Berlin Wall, you’ll find countless examples of revolution and evolution that have shaped the Germany we know today.
Once torn apart by post-war politics, Germany’s capital, Berlin, is now a city united and thriving as the nation’s capital and is the base for diverse modern industries from creative media to banking and congress. Make sure to visit the German State Opera House and the Reichstag building, which is home of Parliament. In the evening take advantage of Berlin’s famous nightlife and take in a show at one of the city’s 50 theatres. Indulge and sample Currywurst, a dish that’s popularity is extending well beyond the country boundaries.
Make the most of your time in Cologne, one of Germany’s oldest cities, which fuses architecture through the ages ranging from the Roman settlement of 38AD to the magnificent gothic Cathedral at the heart of the city. Famed for its vibrant art scene, make sure you take in one of Cologne’s 30 museums and any of the hundreds of galleries dotted around to get a true feel for German culture.
Near the Czech border on the River Elbe lies Dresden, known as the ‘Florence on the Elbe’ where you can see the popular Opera House and Zwinger Palace. If you’d like to experience more of Germany’s great outdoors, the city of Hamburg features a peaceful harbour as well as Alster Lake, and Rhine Valley looks like its from the pages of a fairy tale book. Used since the Roman Empire as a main route for trade and defences, the Rhine River boasts fantastic castles and prehistoric fortifications which can be spotted on a cruise along the river.
For further historical interest, sample Nuremberg for the mighty ramparts, traditional markets and St. Sebald’s Cathedral, or take part in an orientation of Munich including the Olympic Stadium, Marienplatz and Glockenspiel. Less famous but equally significant is the mediaeval city of Rothenburg. Pause for a moment of quiet reflection as you visit the concentration camps in Dachau and explore the complicated emotion of Germany's past, present and future.
Our German tours will leave you with powerful memories of a European superpower, your camera full of stunning scenery and architecture, and a desire to revisit this complex and compelling country.