With spectacular architecture, leafy parks, and wide Italianate avenues, Munich is the perfect overture to all that is idiosyncratic about the mighty Kingdom of Bavaria.
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Zurich: A Closer Look
Given its reputation for being the center of finance and banking, Zurich is often omitted from many tourists’ itineraries. Most spend several hours here before heading to the surrounding hills or more picturesque towns. But look closely, you will realize there are a few reasons why Switzerland’s wealthiest city deserves attention, including beautiful architecture, spectacular vistas, and amazing museums.
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What to see in the Hanseatic City of Bremen?
If you read Grimms’ fairy tales, you might have heard about Bremen. This city in Northern Germany is known as the hometown of a highly peculiar musical band, comprising a donkey, a dog, a cat, and a rooster. But there is much more to see in this Hanseatic city. Here, history, culture, and science are closely interwoven – and, the best part, they are a stone’s throw away from each other.
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Schwerin Castle: A Lakeside Fairy Tale
Seemingly floating over the water, Schwerin Castle in northern Germany looks like the creation of a powerful magician. With turrets, wings, and golden domes gleaming under the sun, it can surely enchant any visitor.
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Dresden: Florence on the Elbe River
Boasting a riverine location, pleasantly mild climate, a magnificent historic center, as well as numerous renowned museums and art collections, Dresden – the capital city of the Free State of Saxony – is often called Elbflorenz, or “Florence on the Elbe”, reflecting its role as a center of art and architecture in Germany.
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Hamburg: Reminisce about the City of Water
In my memory, Hamburg is the “City of Water”. From the Elbe River, and the Alster Lake to an extensive canal system, the maritime spirit infuses the entire port town, giving it a distinctively buzzy vibe.
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Rhineland-Palatinate: The Land of Root and Wine
Between the Rhine and the Moselle rivers in southwestern Germany, there is a region known as “the state of root and wine”. Dionysus – the Greek God of Wine – seems to cast a spell on this land, turning all the hills in the region into vineyards and covering towns and castles in grapevines.
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Hallstatt: A Journey into the Fairy Tale
If elves actually exist, they must live in a town as serene as Hallstatt. Tucked between towering mountains and a mirror-like lake, with 16th-century Alpine houses dotting among trees and lovely gardens, this place is so surreal that when you first set foot on it, you feel like stepping into a fairy tale.
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Basel: A Center of Art and Architecture
Housing an international art fair, several world-class museums, as well as countless galleries and exhibitions, it is not exaggerated to call Basel Switzerland’s capital of art. Adding a beautiful old town and modern buildings designed by famous contemporary architects, the city becomes a paradise for lovers of art and architecture.
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Hanover: What to see in the Capital of Lower Saxony?
Lacking the charm of neighboring Hansa cities, Hanover has never scored high on the list of most favorite destinations in Germany. Most people assume that this place is solely an industrial center with nothing else to see. Yet hidden beneath the “industrialized” façade is a city full of history and cultural heritage which are only visible to those with patience and a keen eye.
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Salzburg: The Stage in the Alpine Foothills
With an incredibly beautiful Old Town setting against the backdrop of the majestic Alps, Salzburg is a perfect stage for any show. By a twist of fate, the legendary composer Mozart was also born in this heartland of Europe, making it a city of music and theatrical performance.
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Hohenzollern Castle: The Legacy of a Mighty Dynasty
Burg Hohenzollern is one of Germany’s most imposing castles. Each year, it welcomes over 300,000 visitors from around the world. With its many turrets and battlements rising dramatically above the town of Hechingen, it is an architectural masterpiece of the 19th century and a must-see when visiting the region.
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Sylt and Rügen: The Tale of Two Seas
Traveling to Germany for a beach vacation seems odd for foreign tourists. Against charming old towns and fairytale castles, it is easy to forget about the natural beauty of this country. Indeed, the popularity of Germany’s coast is hardly comparable to those in Spain, France, or Italy, but believe me, it is no less spectacular.
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Krakow: Poland’s Ancient Capital
Being the capital of the ancient Polish Kingdom until 1596, Krakow is filled with historic and visual wonders. From the castle atop Wawel Hill to the marvelous chapel at 135 meters below the ground, the royal atmosphere permeates the streets and buildings of this city.
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