Germany

The rich imperial past of Germany is still evident in many of its cities today.

The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

Germany is literally at the heart of Europe, both in economic and geographical terms. It is the largest country in Europe with a population of almost 81 million people and an area of some 140,000 square miles.

Germany, like many countries in Europe, is a mixture of large international cities, bustling towns and quiet, rural retreats. From its north coasts on the North Sea and Baltic to the high mountains of the Alps in the south, there is much to visit. You can explore fairytale castles (Mad King Ludwig’s creation Neuschwanstein, in a superb Alpine setting, has to be one of the best) and Prussian palaces and gardens.

The cosmopolitan city of Cologne is home to two thousand years of art and history and Cologne Cathedral is arguably the greatest Gothic cathedral in Germany and well worth a visit when ‘in town’. Berlin has been described as one of the most fascinating and exciting cities in Europe. We won’t argue with that! And Bavaria’s Baroque church architecture is a real treat.  

Germany has a rich musical past from Beethoven, born in Bonn, the capital of West Germany before re-unification with the East, to Wagner, born in Leipzig, a city in the former East Germany, renowned for its orchestras and culture.

German cities offer everything you would expect from modern international cities including fine dining, shopping and a vibrant and colourful Nachtleben – nightlife. Or you might like to enjoy the countryside by taking a cruise along the Rhine or Mosel, banked by splendid castles and vineyards along the valleys.

Winter tours to Germany can be exciting too, with skiing in the Alps or cross country skiing in the East, though a trip to visit the world famous German Christmas markets can be rather more relaxing.

2017 is the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, which started when Martin Luther famously nailed his 95 these to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, Germany. In the run up to the 500th anniversary of this momentous event, you can discover more about the story of Luther and the Reformation on one of our tailor made tours.