Germany Travel Guide

Well of Justice (Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen)

The Well of Justice, or Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen, was built in Frankfurt's central square of Romweberg in 1541. About 70 years later the wells received stone interiors and the Statue of Justice watched over them. In 1612, when Kaiser Matthias was crowned, it was not water, but wine that flowed freely from the stone lions' mouths. In 1887, the wells were renovated and the stone figures copied. The original sandstone statues were moved to the Museum of Local History.

Eschenheimer Turm

The Eschenheimer Turm is one of the few remaining towers of the medieval fortifications that encircled the city of Frankfurt. The 154-foot high (47m) gothic tower was built as part of the medieval wall which encircled the city in the 15th century when approximately 60 towers surrounded the city. Citizens used to build high walls and watchtowers to protect Frankfurt from danger.

Brandenburg Gate

The impressive and symbolic Brandenburg Gate that lay forlorn for so long in the no man's land behind the Berlin Wall, is now once again renovated and accessible, along with the newly reconstructed Pariser Platz that links the gate to the beautiful Unter den Linden Boulevard. The gate is Berlin's only remaining city gate, built of sandstone between 1788 and 1791 with 12 Doric columns according to a design by C.G. Langhans. Six columns support a 36-foot (11m) transverse beam, similar to the propylaeum of the Acropolis in Athens. The massive gate is topped with a stunning statue of the Goddess of Victory facing east towards the city center (this was added in 1794). The gate is closed to traffic, as is the adjacent Pariser Platz, a gracious square that was once surrounded with beautiful buildings sadly destroyed in the Second World War. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall new buildings have been built, however, to designs closely following those of the originals.

Checkpoint Charlie

The infamous border crossing point in the wall dividing West and East Berlin has now become a shrine to the wall's memory with the addition of a museum, Haus am Checkpoint Charlie. For nearly 30 years, between 1961 and 1990, Checkpoint Charlie in the Friedrichstrasse was the only crossing point between East and West Berlin. While the original metal shed is now on display at the Allied Museum, the soldier's post can be visited, and tourists can be photographed under the border sign.

Eastside Gallery

The remains of the infamous Berlin Wall have now become the largest open-air art gallery in the world. The longest section of the wall, which has been preserved, stretches from Ostbahnhof station to the Oberbaumbrucke, and has been given over to graffiti artists from around the world. A total of 118 artists from 21 countries have exerted their skills on the 4,318-foot (1,316m) long section of the wall, and this collection has become a Berlin landmark and a tourist attraction. Best known paintings are Dimitri Vrubel's Brotherly Kissand Gunther Shaefer's Fatherland. The gallery is billed as an international memorial for freedom.

Jewish Museum

Since opening in 2001, the Jewish Museum in Lindenstrasse has already gained an international reputation for its significant architecture and unique exhibitions that bring history alive. The bulk of the museum is housed in a windowless and doorless steel-clad, silver building, designed by Daniel Libeskind, sited alongside the yellow Baroque edifice of the Berlin Museum. Visitors enter the Jewish Museum through the Berlin Museum to explore the exhibition rooms, which are clustered around a main axis void, designed to signify the empty and invisible aspects of Jewish history.

Hamburger Bahnhof

One of the most popular art galleries in Berlin is housed in a former train station. The historic Hamburger Bahnhof, built in 1846 at the Tiergarten, was badly damaged during the Second World War, but has been restored and reopened, with some modern elements added to the architecture, as an exhibition venue for an extensive contemporary art collection. The former station now offers 107,639 square feet (10,000 sq meters) of space filled with works by the likes of Andy Warhol, Josephy Beuys and Roy Lichtenstein. The basis of the exhibition is the Marx private collection, but there are changing exhibitions and good examples of the Italian Transavanguardia and minimalist art on show too.

Potsdamer Platz

This vibrant square is the heart and soul of the 'New Berlin', which has emerged since the fall of the wall in 1989. The original square was once one of the busiest junctions in Europe with a major train station sited on it. However after damage during the Second World War and being cut through by the divisive wall, it became a decayed wasteland. Since the fall of the wall, however, a building boom has been taking place around the Potsdamer Platz, which now boasts an exciting mix of restaurants, shopping centers, hotels, a casino, theaters and cinemas that draws both Berliners and tourists seeking good food and recreation. Focus of the square is the 22-story Debis Haus, designed by Renzo Piano, featuring an atrium with cathedral-like dimensions, and its neighboring Potsdamer Platz Arkaden, a shopping mall with an Imax cinema. The Sony Center is the most recent addition, consisting of seven buildings around a light-flooded arena, which also houses Berlin's popular Film Museum. The Kollhoff building features a panorama platform, reached by Europe's fastest express elevator, which offers views of the city.

Marienplatz

The Marienplatz is the heart of Munich and the site of its most important historic buildings. The square is dominated by the Neo-Gothic Town Hall featuring its famous Glockenspiel, both built in the 19th century. The Glockenspiel delights visitors when it chimes the hours every day at 11am, 12pm and 5pm with its 43 bells, accompanied by moving clockwork figures that display vignettes from Munich's history. The Town Hall has a tower that can be accessed by a lift. The center of the square - which was once a vibrant farmer's market - features a statue of the Virgin Mary after which Marienplatz was named. Visitors can also explore a toy museum in the Old Town Hall on the square, and the Frauenkirche, Munich's cathedral, dating from the 15th century.

Olympia Park

Munich's massive Olympic park complex was constructed for the 20th Olympic Games in 1972, but remains a marvel of modern engineering. Its main stadium is a like a massive tent, which can seat close on 70,000 spectators, topped by the largest roof in the world, extending for 720,000 square feet (66,890 sq meters) and made of tinted acrylic glass. The roof collects rainwater which is used to fill the adjacent Olympic lake. Tent roof tours (with or without an abseiling option) are on offer. Visitors to the site can enjoy a spectacular view from the revolving restaurant and observation terrace which tops the 950-foot (290m) high Olympic Tower. Near the tower is the BMW Museum, which displays the history of Germany's famous automobile manufacturer. Far from being a remarkable 'white elephant', the park is still in constant use as a lively leisure and recreational center for the city; on more than 200 days of the year it is the venue for rock and pop concerts, sports events, exhibitions and trade fairs.

Nymphenburg Palace

About five miles (8km) from the city center, accessible by tram and bus, is the interesting Schloss Nymphenburg, originally a summer home for the Munich aristocracy. The palace has been expanded, altered and fitted with various eccentricities by succeeding owners over the centuries since building began on it in 1664. Today it is a delight for tourists who revel in exploring the villa and grounds. Inside there are some interesting frescoes in the main hall. An arcaded gallery features a collection of 36 provocative paintings ordered by King Ludwig I showing the most beautiful women of his day. The surrounding park has some surprises too, with some interesting pavilions hidden among the English-style gardens. There are also collections of Ludwig's elaborate coaches on display, and a porcelain museum.

Alte Pinakothek

Munich's art museum houses one of the most important collections in Europe on two floors of a large neo-classical building. Nearly 1,000 paintings are on display featuring the work of the greatest European artists from the 14th to the 18th centuries. Highlights include works by Dutch and Flemish masters, as well as the Italian masters such as Botticelli and Titian. The gallery is massive, consisting of dozens of rooms, and requires a great deal of time to explore thoroughly.

Neuschwanstein

The fairytale castle built by King Ludwig II (known as 'Mad King Ludwig' until his death in 1886) has become the trademark of the German state of Bavaria, with its Gothic wedding-cake tiers and towers. Day tours to the castle are available from Munich, or self drive via Garmisch. From the parking lot there is a steep half-mile (one km) climb to the castle, but one can ride in a horse-drawn carriage. The interior of the castle is as extravagant as its outer aspect, particularly the King's apartments, which are decorated entirely with hand-embroidered silk, elaborate wall and ceiling paintings, and carvings.

Berchtesgaden

The name Berchtesgaden is most closely associated with Adolf Hitler's country house, but it is in fact a delightful Bavarian alpine village with ancient winding streets and a medieval marketplace, popular as a side trip from Munich. Hitler's holiday house, the Berghof, is actually at Obersalzberg about half a mile (2km) up the Kehlstein Mountain. Afternoon bus tours to the Fuhrer's playground can be undertaken from the tourist office in the village, but there is little to see besides some underground bunkers which are open to the public.

Most tourists, however, do delight in visiting the Kehlsteinhaus or Eagle's Nest, a remarkable building perched precariously atop the mountain, which was originally commissioned by Martin Bormann as a 50th birthday present for Hitler. The notorious Nazi leader seldom visited it because of his fear of heights. Today it is the site of an excellent Bavarian restaurant and provides breathtaking views at the end of a stunning winding mountain road. The town of Berchtesgaden itself has some interesting attractions, besides its 16th-century architecture and enticing inns. There is a small wood-carving museum at Schloss Aldelsheim which can be viewed on a guided tour offered on weekdays at 10am and 3pm. Wood sculptures, Renaissance furniture and some art works are worth seeing at the Konigliches Schloss, which was originally an Augustinian monastery.

The most fun to be had, however, is in the salt mines to the east of the town, which offers guided tours. Visitors wear protective clothing and ride on wagons to the mine, then explore the mine on foot and ride miner's slides, finishing with a trip on the salt lake ferry. The tours run daily, all year round. The mine has been in operation since 1517. Berchtesgarten also boasts a world-class ice-skating rink, the Eisstadion, which is sought after by winter sports enthusiasts in the winter months, along with the skiing opportunities in the surrounding area.

Dachau Memorial Site

About 10 miles (16km) to the northwest of Munich on the Stuttgart Autobahn is the town of Dachau, once a quiet artists' community that became the site of the first notorious Nazi 'death camp', where thousands of perceived enemies of the Third Reich were imprisoned, starved, and killed between 1933 and 1945. The camp has now been turned into a memorial museum to the prisoners (67,000 were liberated alive by the US Army on April 28, 1945). The museum contains three memorial chapels. The Lagerstrasse, the main camp road, still exists lined with poplar trees but only two of the original 32 barracks that lined it remain, having been rebuilt to illustrate the conditions endured by the prisoners. The original kitchen, laundry and shower block is now a museum containing exhibits, photographs and documents depicting the persecution of Jews and other prisoners.

Chiemsee

One of the most beautiful lakes in the Bavarian Alps, Chiemsee boasts two islands and is lined with resorts. It can be reached by train from Munich in an hour, or by road via the A8 Autobahn. Visitors can take a steamer cruise around the lake from Prien on the west shore to explore the islands in the lake. Frauenchiemsee is the smaller island, site of a quaint fishing village with some colorful traditional customs, and a Benedictine nunnery known for its liqueur. The larger island, Herrenchiemsee, bears one of King Ludwig's famous fairytale castles. This one was never completed, but was intended to be a replica of the palace of Versailles. The center of the palace still stands, complete with a splendid hall of mirrors and surrounded by gardens and woodland. It is an extremely popular tourist attraction with its gaudy splendor.

Romantic Road

To experience the best of medieval Germany, hundreds of visitors drive, bus or cycle their way along the Romantic Road, a 180-mile (290km) route between Munich and Frankfurt that links together a string of quaint, well-preserved walled towns dating back a thousand years or more. The towns en route have banded together to market their attractions and ensure Romantic Road travelers are well informed and accommodated. Bicycles can be rented at any train station along the road, and tourist offices along the route provide maps and information. Best known of the towns on the Romantic Road is Rothenburg in the Tauber River Valley. Other favorites among the cute towns are Dinkelsbuhl and Nordlingen.

Goethe-Haus

The house where Johan Wolfgang von Goethe, Germany's world-famous poet and writer, was born in 1749 is now a shrine to his memory, preserved as an example of how the well-to-do lived in the late Baroque era. The house, which is a reconstruction because the original was destroyed during the Second World War, consists of two neighboring half-timbered houses in Grosser Hirschgraben, and is sited next to the Goethe Museum, which contains a huge library of books, documents and graphics relating to the poet.

Botanical Gardens

The well-ordered and interesting Botanical Garden in Frankfurt is administered by the University. The gardens are designed to take visitors on a journey through different areas of the plant kingdom, from the hardwood forests of North America to the barren savannah of Africa. The gardens cover more than eight hectares (20 acres) and contain more than 6,000 different botanical species, from exotic rainforest flowers to European weeds.

St Bartholomeus Cathedral

The St Bartholomeus Cathedral, or Dom Sankt Bartholomäus, dominates the Frankfurt skyline with its imposing 311 foot (95m) spire, contrasting sharply with the modern skyscrapers in the downtown area. The Cathedral was built in the 14th and 15th centuries, and has seen the crowning of kings and emperors in this time. St Bartholomeus has been rebuilt several times, once in 1867 after a fire, and again in the 1950s following damage suffered in World War II. There is a small museum and shop inside.

Trier

A taste of ancient Rome is a popular tourist attraction in the German city of Trier, 120 miles (193km) south west of Frankfurt. Trier was founded as a colonial capital under Roman Emperor Augustus in 16 BC, making it Germany's oldest city. The city became an important political and cultural center, and many Roman buildings and monuments remain to be explored by visitors. The city is also a good starting point for trips into the Mosel Valley, and cruises on the scenic Mosel River, which is Germany's main wine-producing region.

Heidelberg

The historic university town of Heidelberg, about 55 miles (89km) south of Frankfurt, is billed as a city of music and romance. It is one of the few German cities that escaped relatively unscathed from air raids during World War II, and still has numerous buildings from the Middle Ages and Renaissance to explore. The modern part of the city around the Bismarckplatz has some good hotels and restaurants, and enticing shopping plazas. The city is built along the banks of the Neckar River, and has a colorful atmosphere lent by its large student population, particularly in the student quarter with its narrow streets and lively inns. The university was established in 1386.

Altona Fish Market

It may be billed as a fish market, but there is just about anything and everything on sale at this lively, colorful Hamburg market that takes place early on Sunday mornings, and has done since 1703. There is a restaurant in the historic Fish Auction Hall, along with some live musical entertainment, to rejuvenate tired shoppers.

Hamburg Warehouse Complex

The world's oldest warehouse complex, built of red brick with gables and turrets, is a century old and still in use for storing exotic goods from around the world. Known as the Speicherstadt in German, this historic section of the Free Port between the Deichtorhallen and Baumwall has been turned into a tourist attraction by the addition of an open air theater, a spice museum, a miniature exhibition and an old Russian submarine open for exploration. Another attraction is the 'Hamburg Dungeon', an interactive experience showcasing the more unpleasant and gory aspects of the city's history. The Speicherstadt is illuminated at night, creating an enchanting spectacle, particularly viewed from a boat on a harbor night tour.

Hamburger Kunsthalle

Hamburg's premier art gallery offers the chance to view works across the time spectrum from the Middle Ages through to the present day. The Kunsthalle's main aim is to educate about art, rather than showcase particular art treasures, and exhibitions are constantly changing to introduce new forms of art.

Blankenese

This quaint destination on the steep Elbe hillside was once a fishing village favored by retired ship captains. Today it has become popular with locals as a weekend outing, and visitors also throng the narrow alleys and stairways between picturesque houses packed together on the cliffside. The village offers an abundance of cafes and restaurants where patrons can relax and watch ships steaming in and out of the harbor. There is a ferry service to Blankenese from St Pauli-Landungsbrucken in Hamburg's Free Port.

Museum of Hamburg History

The museum gives a detailed description of the city of Hamburg from the 8th through to the 20th centuries. Scale models have been used to illustrate the changing shape of the city's famous harbor. Exhibits also include reconstructions of various typical rooms, such as the hall of a 17th-century merchant's home to an air raid shelter from World War II.

Reeperbahn

Hamburg's notorious red light district to the east of the city center in the St Pauli zone has become its second-greatest tourist attraction, according to the city management. The Reeperbahn (Rope Street) is where rope used to be produced for the ships in the harbor. It is now a half-mile long street which, along with its cross-streets, is filled with bright lights and flirtatious prostitutes, crammed with bars and establishments offering erotic entertainment. The Reeperbahn became the neighborhood where sailors of old were encouraged to seek entertainment after they were banned from invading the city's more respectable areas in the 19th century. The district also boasts an Erotic Art Museum (at Nobistor 10A), which is privately owned and restricted to persons over 16.

Sylt

The island of Sylt is Germany's most northern point, lying off the northwestern coast in the North Sea. The island boasts some lovely sandy beaches and stunning views, and its main town, Westerland, has become a popular seaside resort. The island also has miles of bicycle paths meandering through pine forests. The island offers plenty of entertainment for tourists, including shops, spas and exclusive restaurants. Trains arrive several times a day from Hamburg. The island is connected to the mainland by the six-mile (10km) long Hindenburgdamm bridge.

Hameln

Hameln, the famous town of the Pied Piper tale told to children around the world, is a popular tourist destination in Lower Saxony, northern Germany, lying beside the River Weser. The old town center has been reconstructed with several Renaissance buildings, and some wood-frame historic buildings, all adding to the fairytale atmosphere that brings alive the legend of the piper who offered to rid the town of rats, and ended up stealing all the children. A short musical version of the story is performed each Wednesday in the old town between May and September at 4.30pm. The Pied Piper himself conducts tours around the town!

Lübeck

Lübeck lies 41 miles (66km) north east of Hamburg, close to the Baltic coast. Not only is this historic town the home of a couple of noted Nobel Prize winners, but as a living monument to the wealthy Hanseatic merchants of the 13th century, it sports some architectural treasures that have ensured its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town's famous sons were Willy Brandt, the West German chancellor who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1971, and Thomas Mann, whose novel Buddenbrookswon the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1929. As far as the architecture goes, the town is known for its steeples and spires, high-gabled houses, strong towers and massive gates. The town is also billed as the world capital of marzipan, having been the spot where this delightful confection was first devised (there is a legend attached, of course). Samples of marzipan are freely available in Lübeck.

Legoland Discovery Center

The Legoland Discovery Center is the first indoor Legoland in the world and provides an interactive journey through a land of color, creativity, learning and play. There is a fun factory, where real Lego bricks are made, a 4-D cinema show, opportunities for visitors to make their own creations, Miniland Berlin, a themed ride and much more all under one roof.

Freiburg

Black Forest cake and cuckoo clocks are what most visitors travel to Freiburg for, but the beautiful city has far more to offer than the expected. The recommended way to explore the town and environs is by bicycle (there are plenty for hire) along more than 93 miles (150km) of bicycle paths. What one will find is a wealth of ancient history, some delicious food and wine, and breathtaking natural beauty. The city (really a large town) is known for its university, magnificent cathedral and medieval treasures, and a somewhat bohemian vibe with its street musicians and pavement artists. The Altstadt (Old City) is picturesque, featuring canals and dozens of historic buildings. A cable car carries passengers on scenic trips up the Schauinsland Mountain from the Stadtgarten to enjoy the view from the mountaintop restaurant. Freiburg hosts a music festival in mid-June each year, followed by a wine festival at the end of June and a wine-tasting festival in mid-August. Visitors very much enjoy the local Black Forest cuisine on offer at Freiburg's restaurants.

The Story of Berlin

One of Berlin's most popular attractions, this unusual exhibition recounts the history of the German capital city from its foundation until the fall of the Wall. The Story of Berlin is divided into 25 themed rooms and pays attention to the feelings, thoughts and living conditions of common Berliners. One of its main attractions is the nuclear bunker that was built during the Cold War in the 1970s. Guided tours are available every hour.

Pforzheim

Founded by the Romans as a mercantile center on the northern edge of the Black Forest, Pforzheim, at the confluence of the Wurm, Enz and Nagold Rivers, is today the center for traditional jewelry and clock-making. The town features a fascinating Technisches Museum to commemorate the important role time-keeping has played in Pforzheim's history. The museum features a reconstruction of a clock-making studio in the 19th century. Jewelry is also important in the town and the Schmuckmuseum collection features pieces dating from the 3rd century BC through to modern times. Pforzheim also has an interesting Alpine Garden which has 100,000 or more varieties of high-altitude plants growing in a natural setting beside the Wurm River.

Triberg

The true spirit of the Black Forest is brought to life in the Schwarzwald-Museum of Triberg, which documents the old traditions and lifestyle of this unique region, with displays of costumes, handcrafts (including clocks) and furnishings. It also boasts Europe's biggest barrel organ collection. Nearby Gutach contains original Black Forest homes up to four centuries old at the Freilchtmuseum Schwarzwalder. An exceptional waterfall at Gutach drops down the mountainside in seven stages, accessible by a walking trail. South of Triberg a huge variety of elaborate Black Forest clocks is on display at the German Clock Museum, to be found at Gerwigstrasse in the village of Furtwangen.

Gendarmenmarkt

Said to be one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, the Gendarmenmarkt is certainly one of Berlin's most impressive squares that was created as a market place in the 17th century. During World War II most of the buildings were destroyed, but have since been returned to their former glory. The square is dominated by the beautiful Konzerthaus (concert house), which is home to the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, as well as the twin churches of Deutscher Dom and Franzosischer Dom, the identical German and French Cathedrals. Gendarmenmarkt is also host to Berlin's best Christmas market and various concerts. Surrounding the plaza are a number of cafes and restaurants.

Charlottenburg Palace

Schloss Charlottenburg is the largest palace in Berlin, an 18th-century baroque structure that was originally constructed as the summer home for Sophie Charlotte, the wife of Elector Frederick III who became the first Prussian king. The splendid interiors are festooned with art masterpieces, while the surrounding gardens contain a mausoleum, pavilion and the Belvedere, which houses the porcelain museum.

Berliner Dom

The Berlin Cathedral was built between 1895 and 1905 and is a magnificent basilica that stands on the site of several earlier structures. Inside, the crypt contains over 80 sarcophagi of Prussian royals, while other areas of interest are the pulpit, the organ, and the stained glass windows. Visitors can climb the dome, which is decorated with intricate mosaics.

Pergamon Museum

This huge museum has three main departments, the Antiquity Collection, Islamic Art Museum and the Middle East Museum, that house parts of reconstructed monumental buildings transported from original excavation sites from ancient lands. The Antiquity Collection contains the Pergamon Altar from the second century BC, as well as the Market Gate of Miletus from Roman antiquity. The main attraction in the Islamic Art Museum is the Mshatta façade originating from a Jordanian desert palace, while the Middle East Museum boasts the Ishtar Gare and the Procession Way of Babylon, as well as the throne room façade of Nebuchadnezzar II.

Liebieghaus

Situated on the south bank of the river Main, the Liebieghaus was built in 1896 for Czech Baron Heinrich Liebieg, but today is the home of Frankfurt's Museum of Sculpture. Exhibits include sculptures from ancient times, such as Sumeria, Egypt, Greece and Rome to more modern Baroque, Rococo and Renaissance examples. A range of Egyptian and Asian pieces also feature in the range as well as a few works of some world-renowned artists.

German Film Museum (Deutsches Filmmuseum)

One of Germany's finest film museums, the Deutsches Filmmuseum shows old films from its collections continuously. These can be viewed on the second floor of the museum while the downstairs rooms tell the story of Germany's filmmaking history while exhibits are also on display, including models illustrating how special effects are shot as well as Emile Reynaud's 1882 Praxinoscope and Edison's Kinetoscope from 1889. The museum is closed for construction until Spring of 2011.

Historical Museum (Historisches Museum)

The Historical Museum (Historisches Museum) has many permanent exhibitions on display featuring objects and works of art ranging from the Middle Ages to present day. The museum's changing exhibitions covers a range of themes such as cultural history, art history and general history. Collections feature examples of gold and silver crockery and jewelry; pottery and porcelain; paintings, photographs; and scaled-down models of the Altstadt at various periods of its development. The Children's Museum, which lies adjacent to the Historical Museum, features a variety of special offers and exhibitions for youngsters of all ages.

Städel Gallery

Frankfurt's most important art gallery is the Städel Gallery, containing a fantastic collection of most European schools of painting. The first floor features the works of German painters of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as famous French Impressionists such as Renoir and Monet. The second floor offers visitors the pleasure of viewing an outstanding collection of Flemish primitives, 17th-century Dutch artists, and 16th-century German masters such as Dürer, Grünewald, Memling, Elsheimer, and many others with one of the most impressive paintings being Jan van Eyck's Madonna(1433). The gallery is closed through October 27th, 2010.

Frankfurt Zoo

The Frankfurt Zoo, located in Ostend, was nearly totally destroyed in the Second World War when only 20 animals survived. It was rebuilt in the early 1950s and since then has grown its features to include several innovative new sections such as the highly popular Big Cat Jungle and the Exotarium which houses fish, insects, reptiles and penguins, all kept in their natural surroundings. Frankfurt Zoo is home to over 3,200 different animals across 600 species and is renowned for keeping them in environments that most closely resemble their own natural habitats. It has a reputation as one of the most attractive, pleasant and popular zoo faciltiies in Europe. Away from the fauna there are two restaurants as well as a terrace to enjoy in the summer months. A major draw card for the zoo and one of its most unique features is Grzimek House which is home to nocturnal animals who think it's night-time during the day.

Palace Square (Schlossplatz)

The symbolic heart of Stuttgart, the Schlossplatz or Palace Square, is a popular meeting point for locals and travelers alike, the beautifully baroque New Palace providing a majestic backdrop. The former residence of kings, the New Palace was built between 1746 and 1806 and is now a base for the state government of Baden- Wurttemberg. If the New Palace feels a bit French it's because the Duke Carl Eugen of Wurttembergwanted to create a Versailles in Stuttgart. The König Wilhelm Jubilee Column, rising in the fore, was erected in 1841 in honor of King Wilhelm's silver jubilee (25 years of reign), and the statue of Concordia, the Roman goddess of harmony at the pinnacle, added in 1863. The two fountains were built at the same time, the eight cherubs each representing one of Württemberg's rivers.

Old and New State Gallery

Built between 1838 and 1843 under King Wilhelm I of Wuerttemberg, the Old State Gallery features a presitigous range of paintings, drawings, sculptures, watercolors and prints from the 14th to the 19th centuries, with Jerg Ratgeb, Canaletto, Memling and Rembrandt taking center stage. Connected to the Old State Gallery on the same level is the New State Gallery, dedicated to the art of the 20th century. Looking at important schools within various art movements like the Fauvism, German Expressionism, Die Brucke and Cubism, works by masters such as Picasso, Beckmann, Schlemmer, Beuys, Kiefer and Klee, can be found here.

Kunstmuseum Stuttgart

Centrally located, Kunstmuseum Stuttgart is a work of art in itself. Its modern cuboid design transforms from a glass hexahedron during the day to reveal a colorful skeletal interior when lit up at night. Opened in 2005, the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart is renowned for its prestigious collection of work by Otto Dix, the renowned German artist remembered for his realistic depictions of Weimar society and the brutality of war. The colorful and abstract art of Willi Baumeister and the mixed media work of contemporary artist Dieter Roth are also on display at the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart, along with ever changing international exhibitions. Don't miss the museum shop and bookshop, or have a light snack at the onsite restaurant.

Mercedes-Benz Museum

Opened shortly before the start of the Football World Cup in Germany, the impressive Mercedes-Benz Museum is housed in a slick, contemporary building, an icon of modern architecture. With an exhibition space of almost 182,986 ft² (17,000 m²) covering seven storys, the museum takes visitors on a chronological journey through the history of the Mercedes automobile. Combining world events occurring at the same time as Benz breakthroughs and displaying over 160 different vehicles from racing cars and concept cars to the pope mobile and airplane engines, there is much for the automobile aficionado to see.

Wilhelma Zoo

Europe's only combined zoological and botanical garden, the Wilhelma Zoo never fails to leave a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of all who explore her confines. Initially built as a Moorish garden for King Wilhelm I in the 19th century, the beautiful botanical garden is extraordinary all year round. Countless exotic plants, a range of climatic biospheres in magnificent greenhouses, a petting zoo, insect exhibit, aquarium with crocodile hall, modern ape house, bear facilities, walk-in bird flight facility and wild animal enclosures are some of the exhilarhating sights to be enjoyed. Ideal for children and adults, there are a host of ice cream stands, cafeterias and playgrounds to keep the whole family entertained for the entire day. The Wilhema Zoo is home to 8,000 animals, including polar bears and elephants, and 5,000 different species of plants.

Mineral Baths

Sitting on one of the largest mineral water reserves in Europe, the inhabitants of Stuttgart have been enjoying its liquid vitality for more than two millennia. Relaxing in a hot, steamy mineral bath is a good way to spend some of your down time in the city. Das Leuze, Mineralbad Cannstatt and Mineral Bath Berg all feature hot and cold mineral baths, saunas, hot tubs and swimming pools. Das Leuze is geared toward families with its playground, childrens pool and bright colors, while Mineralbad Cannstatt caters more for adults looking for a haven of relaxation. Mineral Bath Berg is a 1950s gem, its iron-rich waters recognized by the state as a 'heilbad' for its medicinal properties.

Porsche Museum

Just like their cars, the 'small but good' Porsche Museum in Stuttgart is a retrospective of more than 75 years of Porsche engineering and memorabilia. The

20 or so exhibits from the first Porsche-branded car to series cars and the Formula 1 champions of the mid 1980s; the various Porsche models are switched several times a year. Following in the footsteps of other automobile titans, the Porsche Museum is turning over a new leaf with construction on a 60,277 square feet (5,600 square meters) architectural landmark to house some of its 300 strong collection. The new museum will be inaugurated toward the end of 2008, boasting the latest in automobile exhibition technology and quadrupling the number of pristine Porsches on display.

Tiergarten

The world's largest inner-city park, and housing both the parliamentary and governmental institutions, Tiergarten combines the attractions of the Berlin's largest park with its zoo. The residence of the German President and the Carillon are also located in the park. Tiergarten is also a great place for families to enjoy and relax under the shade of a tree with a picnic, or throw a frisbee. And when the little ones get bored of that, head off to the Berlin Zoo for the afternoon.

Museum fuer Naturkunde (Nature Museum)

Boasting over 30 million objects throughout its geological, palaeontological and zoological collections, the Museum fuer Naturkunde is the biggest of its kind in Germany and one of the five largest in the world. Children of all ages will enjoy discovering the dinosaurs and learning while they wander around the exhibition halls, which take up a massive 6,600 square meters (71,000 square feet).

Domaene Dahlem

This open-air museum is a must for lovers of farmyard animals. Children will love visiting this working farm and learning while enjoying playing with piglets and kids, (of the baby goat variety). On Saturdays the farm features an organic market and parents can even relax in the beer garden sipping on a pint of their favorite brew while the children run around or take a tractor ride.

Berlin Zoo-Aquarium

Children and families love nothing more than trips to the zoo or the aquarium and Berlin's stunning Zoo-Aquarium combines both! It offers visitors the opportunity to marvel at some spectacular animals, and with largest number of species of its kind and an immense biodiversity, this building provides terrariums and aquariums for over 9,000 animals of almost 800 species, such as Blacktip Reef sharks, tuataras, Solomon Island skink, and electric eels. In the zoo, children will love the magical animals, such as polar bears, camels and lions.

Grips-Theater

The renowned and respected Grips-Theater is a fantastic place to take the kids while on vacation in Berlin. Children will enjoy the spectacular shows and dancing and entertainment.

Palmengarten

This spectacular garden was opened to the public in 1871 and features 50 acres (20 hectares) of flora from rain forest and mangrove, to savannah and thorn forest vegetation. During the summer months, families can rent rowboats on the pond, tour the post-war reconstructed greenhouses, stop and smell the roses in the rose garden, and on warm summer evenings, head to the bandstand to enjoy some live music or dancing. Children will love Palmengarten as there's plenty to see and loads of space to run around and let off some steam. Guided tours of the gardens are available in English, French and Spanish.

Children's Museum of Frankfurt

The Children's Museum of Frankfurt gives provides an interactive and exciting glimpse of what life is like under the streets of Frankfurt. Exhibitions take in the various geology, biology and archaeology of the city.

Senckenberg Museum of Natural History

One of the biggest natural history museums in Germany and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History features exhibits of recent biodiversity of life and evolution of organisms as well as the Earth. A popular attraction of the museum is the fascinating paleontology exhibit which features fossils that date back over 50-million years. Children of all ages will love exploring this fascinating museum and learning about the evolution of not only world, but also mammals and other life.

Struwwelpeter Museum

The Struwwelpeter Museum features memorabilia of the children's books, Struwwelpeter (' Slovenly Peter'), which were written and illustrated in the early 19th century by Dr. Heinrich Hoffman. These tales reflect the draconian parenting style of this bygone age, although today modern kids are more likely to be amused by the macabre morality of stories like the boy who played with scissors and cut off all his fingers! The museum has a children's theater where kids can enjoy watching a performance of stories such as 'The little dog Schnuffel' or 'The Little Elephant' or children can dress up in costumes and play in the playroom.

Rebstock Bath

A visit to the Rebstock pool on a hot summer's day in Frankfurt is a must for children of all ages. It features a huge 394-foot (120m) water slide, wave pool, hot tubs, saunas and even an Olympic lap pool. For parents looking to relax and make use of some of the other facilities such as massage or steam bath, there are child care facilities, children's playground and volleyball court, so parents can relax and enjoy themselves while the kids let off some steam.

Mainz

The capital of the Rhineland, Mainz is a bustling city with a curious mixture of medieval architecture and gleaming office blocks. The Dom und Diözesanmuseum dominates the skyline in the center of town, and St Stephen's Church, with its original Chagall stained-glass windows, is a popular attraction in the Old Town, as is the Schillerplatz square. The city is compact enough to enjoy walking tours around town or along the Rhine. Mainz is also the birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press.

Bonn

Bonn is dominated by the Rheinische Friedrich Wilhem University, with a student population of over 24,000; however it is most widely known as the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven, and there are many attractions around Bonn relating to the famous composer. The city has several beautiful churches, including the Kreuzbergkirche, Doppelkirche, and Das Bonner Münster basilica, and other interesting buildings ranging from medieval to modern. Bonn also has many museums, including art museums, history museums, and a zoological museum. The city is small enough to see on foot, but there is an excellent public transport system.

Cologne

Cologne (or Köln) is one of the largest cities in Germany, and a bustling hub of media and business on the Rhine. The dramatic Kölner Dom can be seen from miles away, and a number of other beautiful Gothic and Romanesque churches dot the city. There are also museums dedicated to Roman history, modern and religious art, ethnology, sports, and even chocolate. Several pedestrian streets, called Hohe Strasse and Schildergasse, offer interesting shops, cafes and street music. Cologne has a vibrant and colorful cultural life, with its locally-brewed Kölsch beer and other gastronomic specialties, and is known as the gay capital of Germany with a large Gay Pride event held every year.

Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf is one of Germany's economic hubs, with a densely populated city center housing over 10 million people. Because much of Düsseldorf was destroyed in World War II, the city is not as scenic as others in Germany. Modern architecture enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy, however, in Frank Gehry buildings and the colorful Colorium, all clustered in the media harbor. There are several pedestrian malls to stroll and plenty of museums and parks to enjoy, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a cleaner and more elegant city in Germany.

Deutsches Museum

The Deutches Museum is a perfect activity for kids in Munich, giving them plenty to explore and interact with, whether the weather is nice or not. It is the world's largest technology and science museum, with roughly 28,000 artifacts on display. The museum is located on a small island in the Isar River, with additional facilities outside of Munich and in Bonn.

Allied Museum

Occupying an abandoned movie theater, the Allied Museum is located on the former U.S. Army Europe's Berlin Brigade headquarters, and houses exhibits and displays detailing the history of the Allied forces in Germany in World War II and up until 1994. The museum's collections include military memorabilia, weapons, photos and other artifacts including the original Checkpoint Charlie shed.

Reichstag

The Reichstag is one of Berlin's most famous buildings. The seat of Germany's parliament since 1894, the building has had a volatile history, being damaged in World War II, wrapped in a sheet by conceptual artist Christo in 1995, and being massively reconstructed in the late 1990s. The reconstruction saw the building gutted, leaving only the facade, and the addition of a glass-domed atrium that provides panoramic views of Berlin.

Hohenzollern Castle

The magnificent castle at Hohenzollern is perched on a hilltop 31 miles (50km) outside of Stuttgart. Built in the 15th century, the structure's fairy-tale visage is set against spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding countryside of the Black Forest, and the castle hosts a number of attractions and events, including an open-air cinema, Christmas market, and a museum.

German Clock Museum

Although you may find yourself inundated by cuckoo clocks everywhere you look in the Black Forest, the German Clock Museum's large collection of timepieces is the most comprehensive of its kind, and offers over 8,000 examples of clocks going back 150 years. Tours are conducted at 11am by appointment, and there are free English guidebooks available.

Planten un Blomen

In the middle of Hamburg is an oasis of green lawns and trees, with colorful flowers and fountains providing a lovely backdrop to relax in. You can stroll around the Japanese garden and enjoy the tropical flower collections and teahouse, and children will enjoy the range of attractions including playgrounds, pony rides, miniature golf, and a roller rink and ice skating rink. There are also concerts and theatrical performances on a regular basis.

St Michaelis Church

St. Michaelis began as a humble church, which was extended in 1600. In 1647 construction began on the grand building that stands today. Like many important buildings in Germany, the church suffered major damage in World War II. Michaeliskircheoffers tours of the 270 foot (82m) tower; the crypt, which contains the bodies of Johann Mattheson and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach; and there is also an interesting presentation on the history of Hamburg.

Miniature Wonderland

Train enthusiasts will love Miniature Wonderland in Hamburg. With over 4,000 square meters of floorspace, there is much to see with tiny models of various regions, both local and international. The largest of its kind, there are 900 trains with 12,000 carriages; 300,000 lights, 200,000 trees and 200,000 human figures. Sections include Southern Germany and the Austrian Alps, Hamburg and the Coast, America, Scandinavia, and Switzerland. Construction has begun on an expansion that will add five new sections, including France, Italy and the UK, by 2014.

Herrenhausen Gardens

The Royal Gardens at Herrenhausen exemplify the manicured French Baroque style of landscaping. Sculpted topiaries dot the symmetrical lawns of the Great Garden, which also contains the famous Grotto by artist Niki de Saint Phalle. The Berggarten houses exotic plants and a conservatory, and the Welfgarten surrounds the impressive Welfenschloss Castle.

European Cheese Center

Located in the Anderten district of Hanover is the European Cheese Center, which is the only 'Cheese Experience' in Europe. There are eight areas, each representing a cheese-producing region of Europe, and a central marketplace, where you can enjoy cheese and wine tastings. Audio guides are available by appointment for EUR3 per person.

Well of Justice (Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen)

The Well of Justice, or Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen, was built in Frankfurt's central square of Romweberg in 1541. About 70 years later the wells received stone interiors and the Statue of Justice watched over them. In 1612, when Kaiser Matthias was crowned, it was not water, but wine that flowed freely from the stone lions' mouths. In 1887, the wells were renovated and the stone figures copied. The original sandstone statues were moved to the Museum of Local History.

Eschenheimer Turm

The Eschenheimer Turm is one of the few remaining towers of the medieval fortifications that encircled the city of Frankfurt. The 154-foot high (47m) gothic tower was built as part of the medieval wall which encircled the city in the 15th century when approximately 60 towers surrounded the city. Citizens used to build high walls and watchtowers to protect Frankfurt from danger.

Brandenburg Gate

The impressive and symbolic Brandenburg Gate that lay forlorn for so long in the no man's land behind the Berlin Wall, is now once again renovated and accessible, along with the newly reconstructed Pariser Platz that links the gate to the beautiful Unter den Linden Boulevard. The gate is Berlin's only remaining city gate, built of sandstone between 1788 and 1791 with 12 Doric columns according to a design by C.G. Langhans. Six columns support a 36-foot (11m) transverse beam, similar to the propylaeum of the Acropolis in Athens. The massive gate is topped with a stunning statue of the Goddess of Victory facing east towards the city center (this was added in 1794). The gate is closed to traffic, as is the adjacent Pariser Platz, a gracious square that was once surrounded with beautiful buildings sadly destroyed in the Second World War. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall new buildings have been built, however, to designs closely following those of the originals.

Checkpoint Charlie

The infamous border crossing point in the wall dividing West and East Berlin has now become a shrine to the wall's memory with the addition of a museum, Haus am Checkpoint Charlie. For nearly 30 years, between 1961 and 1990, Checkpoint Charlie in the Friedrichstrasse was the only crossing point between East and West Berlin. While the original metal shed is now on display at the Allied Museum, the soldier's post can be visited, and tourists can be photographed under the border sign.

Eastside Gallery

The remains of the infamous Berlin Wall have now become the largest open-air art gallery in the world. The longest section of the wall, which has been preserved, stretches from Ostbahnhof station to the Oberbaumbrucke, and has been given over to graffiti artists from around the world. A total of 118 artists from 21 countries have exerted their skills on the 4,318-foot (1,316m) long section of the wall, and this collection has become a Berlin landmark and a tourist attraction. Best known paintings are Dimitri Vrubel's Brotherly Kissand Gunther Shaefer's Fatherland. The gallery is billed as an international memorial for freedom.

Jewish Museum

Since opening in 2001, the Jewish Museum in Lindenstrasse has already gained an international reputation for its significant architecture and unique exhibitions that bring history alive. The bulk of the museum is housed in a windowless and doorless steel-clad, silver building, designed by Daniel Libeskind, sited alongside the yellow Baroque edifice of the Berlin Museum. Visitors enter the Jewish Museum through the Berlin Museum to explore the exhibition rooms, which are clustered around a main axis void, designed to signify the empty and invisible aspects of Jewish history.

Hamburger Bahnhof

One of the most popular art galleries in Berlin is housed in a former train station. The historic Hamburger Bahnhof, built in 1846 at the Tiergarten, was badly damaged during the Second World War, but has been restored and reopened, with some modern elements added to the architecture, as an exhibition venue for an extensive contemporary art collection. The former station now offers 107,639 square feet (10,000 sq meters) of space filled with works by the likes of Andy Warhol, Josephy Beuys and Roy Lichtenstein. The basis of the exhibition is the Marx private collection, but there are changing exhibitions and good examples of the Italian Transavanguardia and minimalist art on show too.

Potsdamer Platz

This vibrant square is the heart and soul of the 'New Berlin', which has emerged since the fall of the wall in 1989. The original square was once one of the busiest junctions in Europe with a major train station sited on it. However after damage during the Second World War and being cut through by the divisive wall, it became a decayed wasteland. Since the fall of the wall, however, a building boom has been taking place around the Potsdamer Platz, which now boasts an exciting mix of restaurants, shopping centers, hotels, a casino, theaters and cinemas that draws both Berliners and tourists seeking good food and recreation. Focus of the square is the 22-story Debis Haus, designed by Renzo Piano, featuring an atrium with cathedral-like dimensions, and its neighboring Potsdamer Platz Arkaden, a shopping mall with an Imax cinema. The Sony Center is the most recent addition, consisting of seven buildings around a light-flooded arena, which also houses Berlin's popular Film Museum. The Kollhoff building features a panorama platform, reached by Europe's fastest express elevator, which offers views of the city.

Marienplatz

The Marienplatz is the heart of Munich and the site of its most important historic buildings. The square is dominated by the Neo-Gothic Town Hall featuring its famous Glockenspiel, both built in the 19th century. The Glockenspiel delights visitors when it chimes the hours every day at 11am, 12pm and 5pm with its 43 bells, accompanied by moving clockwork figures that display vignettes from Munich's history. The Town Hall has a tower that can be accessed by a lift. The center of the square - which was once a vibrant farmer's market - features a statue of the Virgin Mary after which Marienplatz was named. Visitors can also explore a toy museum in the Old Town Hall on the square, and the Frauenkirche, Munich's cathedral, dating from the 15th century.

Olympia Park

Munich's massive Olympic park complex was constructed for the 20th Olympic Games in 1972, but remains a marvel of modern engineering. Its main stadium is a like a massive tent, which can seat close on 70,000 spectators, topped by the largest roof in the world, extending for 720,000 square feet (66,890 sq meters) and made of tinted acrylic glass. The roof collects rainwater which is used to fill the adjacent Olympic lake. Tent roof tours (with or without an abseiling option) are on offer. Visitors to the site can enjoy a spectacular view from the revolving restaurant and observation terrace which tops the 950-foot (290m) high Olympic Tower. Near the tower is the BMW Museum, which displays the history of Germany's famous automobile manufacturer. Far from being a remarkable 'white elephant', the park is still in constant use as a lively leisure and recreational center for the city; on more than 200 days of the year it is the venue for rock and pop concerts, sports events, exhibitions and trade fairs.

Nymphenburg Palace

About five miles (8km) from the city center, accessible by tram and bus, is the interesting Schloss Nymphenburg, originally a summer home for the Munich aristocracy. The palace has been expanded, altered and fitted with various eccentricities by succeeding owners over the centuries since building began on it in 1664. Today it is a delight for tourists who revel in exploring the villa and grounds. Inside there are some interesting frescoes in the main hall. An arcaded gallery features a collection of 36 provocative paintings ordered by King Ludwig I showing the most beautiful women of his day. The surrounding park has some surprises too, with some interesting pavilions hidden among the English-style gardens. There are also collections of Ludwig's elaborate coaches on display, and a porcelain museum.

Alte Pinakothek

Munich's art museum houses one of the most important collections in Europe on two floors of a large neo-classical building. Nearly 1,000 paintings are on display featuring the work of the greatest European artists from the 14th to the 18th centuries. Highlights include works by Dutch and Flemish masters, as well as the Italian masters such as Botticelli and Titian. The gallery is massive, consisting of dozens of rooms, and requires a great deal of time to explore thoroughly.

Neuschwanstein

The fairytale castle built by King Ludwig II (known as 'Mad King Ludwig' until his death in 1886) has become the trademark of the German state of Bavaria, with its Gothic wedding-cake tiers and towers. Day tours to the castle are available from Munich, or self drive via Garmisch. From the parking lot there is a steep half-mile (one km) climb to the castle, but one can ride in a horse-drawn carriage. The interior of the castle is as extravagant as its outer aspect, particularly the King's apartments, which are decorated entirely with hand-embroidered silk, elaborate wall and ceiling paintings, and carvings.

Berchtesgaden

The name Berchtesgaden is most closely associated with Adolf Hitler's country house, but it is in fact a delightful Bavarian alpine village with ancient winding streets and a medieval marketplace, popular as a side trip from Munich. Hitler's holiday house, the Berghof, is actually at Obersalzberg about half a mile (2km) up the Kehlstein Mountain. Afternoon bus tours to the Fuhrer's playground can be undertaken from the tourist office in the village, but there is little to see besides some underground bunkers which are open to the public.

Most tourists, however, do delight in visiting the Kehlsteinhaus or Eagle's Nest, a remarkable building perched precariously atop the mountain, which was originally commissioned by Martin Bormann as a 50th birthday present for Hitler. The notorious Nazi leader seldom visited it because of his fear of heights. Today it is the site of an excellent Bavarian restaurant and provides breathtaking views at the end of a stunning winding mountain road. The town of Berchtesgaden itself has some interesting attractions, besides its 16th-century architecture and enticing inns. There is a small wood-carving museum at Schloss Aldelsheim which can be viewed on a guided tour offered on weekdays at 10am and 3pm. Wood sculptures, Renaissance furniture and some art works are worth seeing at the Konigliches Schloss, which was originally an Augustinian monastery.

The most fun to be had, however, is in the salt mines to the east of the town, which offers guided tours. Visitors wear protective clothing and ride on wagons to the mine, then explore the mine on foot and ride miner's slides, finishing with a trip on the salt lake ferry. The tours run daily, all year round. The mine has been in operation since 1517. Berchtesgarten also boasts a world-class ice-skating rink, the Eisstadion, which is sought after by winter sports enthusiasts in the winter months, along with the skiing opportunities in the surrounding area.

Dachau Memorial Site

About 10 miles (16km) to the northwest of Munich on the Stuttgart Autobahn is the town of Dachau, once a quiet artists' community that became the site of the first notorious Nazi 'death camp', where thousands of perceived enemies of the Third Reich were imprisoned, starved, and killed between 1933 and 1945. The camp has now been turned into a memorial museum to the prisoners (67,000 were liberated alive by the US Army on April 28, 1945). The museum contains three memorial chapels. The Lagerstrasse, the main camp road, still exists lined with poplar trees but only two of the original 32 barracks that lined it remain, having been rebuilt to illustrate the conditions endured by the prisoners. The original kitchen, laundry and shower block is now a museum containing exhibits, photographs and documents depicting the persecution of Jews and other prisoners.

Chiemsee

One of the most beautiful lakes in the Bavarian Alps, Chiemsee boasts two islands and is lined with resorts. It can be reached by train from Munich in an hour, or by road via the A8 Autobahn. Visitors can take a steamer cruise around the lake from Prien on the west shore to explore the islands in the lake. Frauenchiemsee is the smaller island, site of a quaint fishing village with some colorful traditional customs, and a Benedictine nunnery known for its liqueur. The larger island, Herrenchiemsee, bears one of King Ludwig's famous fairytale castles. This one was never completed, but was intended to be a replica of the palace of Versailles. The center of the palace still stands, complete with a splendid hall of mirrors and surrounded by gardens and woodland. It is an extremely popular tourist attraction with its gaudy splendor.

Romantic Road

To experience the best of medieval Germany, hundreds of visitors drive, bus or cycle their way along the Romantic Road, a 180-mile (290km) route between Munich and Frankfurt that links together a string of quaint, well-preserved walled towns dating back a thousand years or more. The towns en route have banded together to market their attractions and ensure Romantic Road travelers are well informed and accommodated. Bicycles can be rented at any train station along the road, and tourist offices along the route provide maps and information. Best known of the towns on the Romantic Road is Rothenburg in the Tauber River Valley. Other favorites among the cute towns are Dinkelsbuhl and Nordlingen.

Goethe-Haus

The house where Johan Wolfgang von Goethe, Germany's world-famous poet and writer, was born in 1749 is now a shrine to his memory, preserved as an example of how the well-to-do lived in the late Baroque era. The house, which is a reconstruction because the original was destroyed during the Second World War, consists of two neighboring half-timbered houses in Grosser Hirschgraben, and is sited next to the Goethe Museum, which contains a huge library of books, documents and graphics relating to the poet.

Botanical Gardens

The well-ordered and interesting Botanical Garden in Frankfurt is administered by the University. The gardens are designed to take visitors on a journey through different areas of the plant kingdom, from the hardwood forests of North America to the barren savannah of Africa. The gardens cover more than eight hectares (20 acres) and contain more than 6,000 different botanical species, from exotic rainforest flowers to European weeds.

St Bartholomeus Cathedral

The St Bartholomeus Cathedral, or Dom Sankt Bartholomäus, dominates the Frankfurt skyline with its imposing 311 foot (95m) spire, contrasting sharply with the modern skyscrapers in the downtown area. The Cathedral was built in the 14th and 15th centuries, and has seen the crowning of kings and emperors in this time. St Bartholomeus has been rebuilt several times, once in 1867 after a fire, and again in the 1950s following damage suffered in World War II. There is a small museum and shop inside.

Trier

A taste of ancient Rome is a popular tourist attraction in the German city of Trier, 120 miles (193km) south west of Frankfurt. Trier was founded as a colonial capital under Roman Emperor Augustus in 16 BC, making it Germany's oldest city. The city became an important political and cultural center, and many Roman buildings and monuments remain to be explored by visitors. The city is also a good starting point for trips into the Mosel Valley, and cruises on the scenic Mosel River, which is Germany's main wine-producing region.

Heidelberg

The historic university town of Heidelberg, about 55 miles (89km) south of Frankfurt, is billed as a city of music and romance. It is one of the few German cities that escaped relatively unscathed from air raids during World War II, and still has numerous buildings from the Middle Ages and Renaissance to explore. The modern part of the city around the Bismarckplatz has some good hotels and restaurants, and enticing shopping plazas. The city is built along the banks of the Neckar River, and has a colorful atmosphere lent by its large student population, particularly in the student quarter with its narrow streets and lively inns. The university was established in 1386.

Altona Fish Market

It may be billed as a fish market, but there is just about anything and everything on sale at this lively, colorful Hamburg market that takes place early on Sunday mornings, and has done since 1703. There is a restaurant in the historic Fish Auction Hall, along with some live musical entertainment, to rejuvenate tired shoppers.

Hamburg Warehouse Complex

The world's oldest warehouse complex, built of red brick with gables and turrets, is a century old and still in use for storing exotic goods from around the world. Known as the Speicherstadt in German, this historic section of the Free Port between the Deichtorhallen and Baumwall has been turned into a tourist attraction by the addition of an open air theater, a spice museum, a miniature exhibition and an old Russian submarine open for exploration. Another attraction is the 'Hamburg Dungeon', an interactive experience showcasing the more unpleasant and gory aspects of the city's history. The Speicherstadt is illuminated at night, creating an enchanting spectacle, particularly viewed from a boat on a harbor night tour.

Hamburger Kunsthalle

Hamburg's premier art gallery offers the chance to view works across the time spectrum from the Middle Ages through to the present day. The Kunsthalle's main aim is to educate about art, rather than showcase particular art treasures, and exhibitions are constantly changing to introduce new forms of art.

Blankenese

This quaint destination on the steep Elbe hillside was once a fishing village favored by retired ship captains. Today it has become popular with locals as a weekend outing, and visitors also throng the narrow alleys and stairways between picturesque houses packed together on the cliffside. The village offers an abundance of cafes and restaurants where patrons can relax and watch ships steaming in and out of the harbor. There is a ferry service to Blankenese from St Pauli-Landungsbrucken in Hamburg's Free Port.

Museum of Hamburg History

The museum gives a detailed description of the city of Hamburg from the 8th through to the 20th centuries. Scale models have been used to illustrate the changing shape of the city's famous harbor. Exhibits also include reconstructions of various typical rooms, such as the hall of a 17th-century merchant's home to an air raid shelter from World War II.

Reeperbahn

Hamburg's notorious red light district to the east of the city center in the St Pauli zone has become its second-greatest tourist attraction, according to the city management. The Reeperbahn (Rope Street) is where rope used to be produced for the ships in the harbor. It is now a half-mile long street which, along with its cross-streets, is filled with bright lights and flirtatious prostitutes, crammed with bars and establishments offering erotic entertainment. The Reeperbahn became the neighborhood where sailors of old were encouraged to seek entertainment after they were banned from invading the city's more respectable areas in the 19th century. The district also boasts an Erotic Art Museum (at Nobistor 10A), which is privately owned and restricted to persons over 16.

Sylt

The island of Sylt is Germany's most northern point, lying off the northwestern coast in the North Sea. The island boasts some lovely sandy beaches and stunning views, and its main town, Westerland, has become a popular seaside resort. The island also has miles of bicycle paths meandering through pine forests. The island offers plenty of entertainment for tourists, including shops, spas and exclusive restaurants. Trains arrive several times a day from Hamburg. The island is connected to the mainland by the six-mile (10km) long Hindenburgdamm bridge.

Hameln

Hameln, the famous town of the Pied Piper tale told to children around the world, is a popular tourist destination in Lower Saxony, northern Germany, lying beside the River Weser. The old town center has been reconstructed with several Renaissance buildings, and some wood-frame historic buildings, all adding to the fairytale atmosphere that brings alive the legend of the piper who offered to rid the town of rats, and ended up stealing all the children. A short musical version of the story is performed each Wednesday in the old town between May and September at 4.30pm. The Pied Piper himself conducts tours around the town!

Lübeck

Lübeck lies 41 miles (66km) north east of Hamburg, close to the Baltic coast. Not only is this historic town the home of a couple of noted Nobel Prize winners, but as a living monument to the wealthy Hanseatic merchants of the 13th century, it sports some architectural treasures that have ensured its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town's famous sons were Willy Brandt, the West German chancellor who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1971, and Thomas Mann, whose novel Buddenbrookswon the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1929. As far as the architecture goes, the town is known for its steeples and spires, high-gabled houses, strong towers and massive gates. The town is also billed as the world capital of marzipan, having been the spot where this delightful confection was first devised (there is a legend attached, of course). Samples of marzipan are freely available in Lübeck.

Legoland Discovery Center

The Legoland Discovery Center is the first indoor Legoland in the world and provides an interactive journey through a land of color, creativity, learning and play. There is a fun factory, where real Lego bricks are made, a 4-D cinema show, opportunities for visitors to make their own creations, Miniland Berlin, a themed ride and much more all under one roof.

Freiburg

Black Forest cake and cuckoo clocks are what most visitors travel to Freiburg for, but the beautiful city has far more to offer than the expected. The recommended way to explore the town and environs is by bicycle (there are plenty for hire) along more than 93 miles (150km) of bicycle paths. What one will find is a wealth of ancient history, some delicious food and wine, and breathtaking natural beauty. The city (really a large town) is known for its university, magnificent cathedral and medieval treasures, and a somewhat bohemian vibe with its street musicians and pavement artists. The Altstadt (Old City) is picturesque, featuring canals and dozens of historic buildings. A cable car carries passengers on scenic trips up the Schauinsland Mountain from the Stadtgarten to enjoy the view from the mountaintop restaurant. Freiburg hosts a music festival in mid-June each year, followed by a wine festival at the end of June and a wine-tasting festival in mid-August. Visitors very much enjoy the local Black Forest cuisine on offer at Freiburg's restaurants.

The Story of Berlin

One of Berlin's most popular attractions, this unusual exhibition recounts the history of the German capital city from its foundation until the fall of the Wall. The Story of Berlin is divided into 25 themed rooms and pays attention to the feelings, thoughts and living conditions of common Berliners. One of its main attractions is the nuclear bunker that was built during the Cold War in the 1970s. Guided tours are available every hour.

Pforzheim

Founded by the Romans as a mercantile center on the northern edge of the Black Forest, Pforzheim, at the confluence of the Wurm, Enz and Nagold Rivers, is today the center for traditional jewelry and clock-making. The town features a fascinating Technisches Museum to commemorate the important role time-keeping has played in Pforzheim's history. The museum features a reconstruction of a clock-making studio in the 19th century. Jewelry is also important in the town and the Schmuckmuseum collection features pieces dating from the 3rd century BC through to modern times. Pforzheim also has an interesting Alpine Garden which has 100,000 or more varieties of high-altitude plants growing in a natural setting beside the Wurm River.

Triberg

The true spirit of the Black Forest is brought to life in the Schwarzwald-Museum of Triberg, which documents the old traditions and lifestyle of this unique region, with displays of costumes, handcrafts (including clocks) and furnishings. It also boasts Europe's biggest barrel organ collection. Nearby Gutach contains original Black Forest homes up to four centuries old at the Freilchtmuseum Schwarzwalder. An exceptional waterfall at Gutach drops down the mountainside in seven stages, accessible by a walking trail. South of Triberg a huge variety of elaborate Black Forest clocks is on display at the German Clock Museum, to be found at Gerwigstrasse in the village of Furtwangen.

Gendarmenmarkt

Said to be one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, the Gendarmenmarkt is certainly one of Berlin's most impressive squares that was created as a market place in the 17th century. During World War II most of the buildings were destroyed, but have since been returned to their former glory. The square is dominated by the beautiful Konzerthaus (concert house), which is home to the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, as well as the twin churches of Deutscher Dom and Franzosischer Dom, the identical German and French Cathedrals. Gendarmenmarkt is also host to Berlin's best Christmas market and various concerts. Surrounding the plaza are a number of cafes and restaurants.

Charlottenburg Palace

Schloss Charlottenburg is the largest palace in Berlin, an 18th-century baroque structure that was originally constructed as the summer home for Sophie Charlotte, the wife of Elector Frederick III who became the first Prussian king. The splendid interiors are festooned with art masterpieces, while the surrounding gardens contain a mausoleum, pavilion and the Belvedere, which houses the porcelain museum.

Berliner Dom

The Berlin Cathedral was built between 1895 and 1905 and is a magnificent basilica that stands on the site of several earlier structures. Inside, the crypt contains over 80 sarcophagi of Prussian royals, while other areas of interest are the pulpit, the organ, and the stained glass windows. Visitors can climb the dome, which is decorated with intricate mosaics.

Pergamon Museum

This huge museum has three main departments, the Antiquity Collection, Islamic Art Museum and the Middle East Museum, that house parts of reconstructed monumental buildings transported from original excavation sites from ancient lands. The Antiquity Collection contains the Pergamon Altar from the second century BC, as well as the Market Gate of Miletus from Roman antiquity. The main attraction in the Islamic Art Museum is the Mshatta façade originating from a Jordanian desert palace, while the Middle East Museum boasts the Ishtar Gare and the Procession Way of Babylon, as well as the throne room façade of Nebuchadnezzar II.

Liebieghaus

Situated on the south bank of the river Main, the Liebieghaus was built in 1896 for Czech Baron Heinrich Liebieg, but today is the home of Frankfurt's Museum of Sculpture. Exhibits include sculptures from ancient times, such as Sumeria, Egypt, Greece and Rome to more modern Baroque, Rococo and Renaissance examples. A range of Egyptian and Asian pieces also feature in the range as well as a few works of some world-renowned artists.

German Film Museum (Deutsches Filmmuseum)

One of Germany's finest film museums, the Deutsches Filmmuseum shows old films from its collections continuously. These can be viewed on the second floor of the museum while the downstairs rooms tell the story of Germany's filmmaking history while exhibits are also on display, including models illustrating how special effects are shot as well as Emile Reynaud's 1882 Praxinoscope and Edison's Kinetoscope from 1889. The museum is closed for construction until Spring of 2011.

Historical Museum (Historisches Museum)

The Historical Museum (Historisches Museum) has many permanent exhibitions on display featuring objects and works of art ranging from the Middle Ages to present day. The museum's changing exhibitions covers a range of themes such as cultural history, art history and general history. Collections feature examples of gold and silver crockery and jewelry; pottery and porcelain; paintings, photographs; and scaled-down models of the Altstadt at various periods of its development. The Children's Museum, which lies adjacent to the Historical Museum, features a variety of special offers and exhibitions for youngsters of all ages.

Städel Gallery

Frankfurt's most important art gallery is the Städel Gallery, containing a fantastic collection of most European schools of painting. The first floor features the works of German painters of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as famous French Impressionists such as Renoir and Monet. The second floor offers visitors the pleasure of viewing an outstanding collection of Flemish primitives, 17th-century Dutch artists, and 16th-century German masters such as Dürer, Grünewald, Memling, Elsheimer, and many others with one of the most impressive paintings being Jan van Eyck's Madonna(1433). The gallery is closed through October 27th, 2010.

Frankfurt Zoo

The Frankfurt Zoo, located in Ostend, was nearly totally destroyed in the Second World War when only 20 animals survived. It was rebuilt in the early 1950s and since then has grown its features to include several innovative new sections such as the highly popular Big Cat Jungle and the Exotarium which houses fish, insects, reptiles and penguins, all kept in their natural surroundings. Frankfurt Zoo is home to over 3,200 different animals across 600 species and is renowned for keeping them in environments that most closely resemble their own natural habitats. It has a reputation as one of the most attractive, pleasant and popular zoo faciltiies in Europe. Away from the fauna there are two restaurants as well as a terrace to enjoy in the summer months. A major draw card for the zoo and one of its most unique features is Grzimek House which is home to nocturnal animals who think it's night-time during the day.

Palace Square (Schlossplatz)

The symbolic heart of Stuttgart, the Schlossplatz or Palace Square, is a popular meeting point for locals and travelers alike, the beautifully baroque New Palace providing a majestic backdrop. The former residence of kings, the New Palace was built between 1746 and 1806 and is now a base for the state government of Baden- Wurttemberg. If the New Palace feels a bit French it's because the Duke Carl Eugen of Wurttembergwanted to create a Versailles in Stuttgart. The König Wilhelm Jubilee Column, rising in the fore, was erected in 1841 in honor of King Wilhelm's silver jubilee (25 years of reign), and the statue of Concordia, the Roman goddess of harmony at the pinnacle, added in 1863. The two fountains were built at the same time, the eight cherubs each representing one of Württemberg's rivers.

Old and New State Gallery

Built between 1838 and 1843 under King Wilhelm I of Wuerttemberg, the Old State Gallery features a presitigous range of paintings, drawings, sculptures, watercolors and prints from the 14th to the 19th centuries, with Jerg Ratgeb, Canaletto, Memling and Rembrandt taking center stage. Connected to the Old State Gallery on the same level is the New State Gallery, dedicated to the art of the 20th century. Looking at important schools within various art movements like the Fauvism, German Expressionism, Die Brucke and Cubism, works by masters such as Picasso, Beckmann, Schlemmer, Beuys, Kiefer and Klee, can be found here.

Kunstmuseum Stuttgart

Centrally located, Kunstmuseum Stuttgart is a work of art in itself. Its modern cuboid design transforms from a glass hexahedron during the day to reveal a colorful skeletal interior when lit up at night. Opened in 2005, the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart is renowned for its prestigious collection of work by Otto Dix, the renowned German artist remembered for his realistic depictions of Weimar society and the brutality of war. The colorful and abstract art of Willi Baumeister and the mixed media work of contemporary artist Dieter Roth are also on display at the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart, along with ever changing international exhibitions. Don't miss the museum shop and bookshop, or have a light snack at the onsite restaurant.

Mercedes-Benz Museum

Opened shortly before the start of the Football World Cup in Germany, the impressive Mercedes-Benz Museum is housed in a slick, contemporary building, an icon of modern architecture. With an exhibition space of almost 182,986 ft² (17,000 m²) covering seven storys, the museum takes visitors on a chronological journey through the history of the Mercedes automobile. Combining world events occurring at the same time as Benz breakthroughs and displaying over 160 different vehicles from racing cars and concept cars to the pope mobile and airplane engines, there is much for the automobile aficionado to see.

Wilhelma Zoo

Europe's only combined zoological and botanical garden, the Wilhelma Zoo never fails to leave a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of all who explore her confines. Initially built as a Moorish garden for King Wilhelm I in the 19th century, the beautiful botanical garden is extraordinary all year round. Countless exotic plants, a range of climatic biospheres in magnificent greenhouses, a petting zoo, insect exhibit, aquarium with crocodile hall, modern ape house, bear facilities, walk-in bird flight facility and wild animal enclosures are some of the exhilarhating sights to be enjoyed. Ideal for children and adults, there are a host of ice cream stands, cafeterias and playgrounds to keep the whole family entertained for the entire day. The Wilhema Zoo is home to 8,000 animals, including polar bears and elephants, and 5,000 different species of plants.

Mineral Baths

Sitting on one of the largest mineral water reserves in Europe, the inhabitants of Stuttgart have been enjoying its liquid vitality for more than two millennia. Relaxing in a hot, steamy mineral bath is a good way to spend some of your down time in the city. Das Leuze, Mineralbad Cannstatt and Mineral Bath Berg all feature hot and cold mineral baths, saunas, hot tubs and swimming pools. Das Leuze is geared toward families with its playground, childrens pool and bright colors, while Mineralbad Cannstatt caters more for adults looking for a haven of relaxation. Mineral Bath Berg is a 1950s gem, its iron-rich waters recognized by the state as a 'heilbad' for its medicinal properties.

Porsche Museum

Just like their cars, the 'small but good' Porsche Museum in Stuttgart is a retrospective of more than 75 years of Porsche engineering and memorabilia. The

20 or so exhibits from the first Porsche-branded car to series cars and the Formula 1 champions of the mid 1980s; the various Porsche models are switched several times a year. Following in the footsteps of other automobile titans, the Porsche Museum is turning over a new leaf with construction on a 60,277 square feet (5,600 square meters) architectural landmark to house some of its 300 strong collection. The new museum will be inaugurated toward the end of 2008, boasting the latest in automobile exhibition technology and quadrupling the number of pristine Porsches on display.

Tiergarten

The world's largest inner-city park, and housing both the parliamentary and governmental institutions, Tiergarten combines the attractions of the Berlin's largest park with its zoo. The residence of the German President and the Carillon are also located in the park. Tiergarten is also a great place for families to enjoy and relax under the shade of a tree with a picnic, or throw a frisbee. And when the little ones get bored of that, head off to the Berlin Zoo for the afternoon.

Museum fuer Naturkunde (Nature Museum)

Boasting over 30 million objects throughout its geological, palaeontological and zoological collections, the Museum fuer Naturkunde is the biggest of its kind in Germany and one of the five largest in the world. Children of all ages will enjoy discovering the dinosaurs and learning while they wander around the exhibition halls, which take up a massive 6,600 square meters (71,000 square feet).

Domaene Dahlem

This open-air museum is a must for lovers of farmyard animals. Children will love visiting this working farm and learning while enjoying playing with piglets and kids, (of the baby goat variety). On Saturdays the farm features an organic market and parents can even relax in the beer garden sipping on a pint of their favorite brew while the children run around or take a tractor ride.

Berlin Zoo-Aquarium

Children and families love nothing more than trips to the zoo or the aquarium and Berlin's stunning Zoo-Aquarium combines both! It offers visitors the opportunity to marvel at some spectacular animals, and with largest number of species of its kind and an immense biodiversity, this building provides terrariums and aquariums for over 9,000 animals of almost 800 species, such as Blacktip Reef sharks, tuataras, Solomon Island skink, and electric eels. In the zoo, children will love the magical animals, such as polar bears, camels and lions.

Grips-Theater

The renowned and respected Grips-Theater is a fantastic place to take the kids while on vacation in Berlin. Children will enjoy the spectacular shows and dancing and entertainment.

Palmengarten

This spectacular garden was opened to the public in 1871 and features 50 acres (20 hectares) of flora from rain forest and mangrove, to savannah and thorn forest vegetation. During the summer months, families can rent rowboats on the pond, tour the post-war reconstructed greenhouses, stop and smell the roses in the rose garden, and on warm summer evenings, head to the bandstand to enjoy some live music or dancing. Children will love Palmengarten as there's plenty to see and loads of space to run around and let off some steam. Guided tours of the gardens are available in English, French and Spanish.

Children's Museum of Frankfurt

The Children's Museum of Frankfurt gives provides an interactive and exciting glimpse of what life is like under the streets of Frankfurt. Exhibitions take in the various geology, biology and archaeology of the city.

Senckenberg Museum of Natural History

One of the biggest natural history museums in Germany and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History features exhibits of recent biodiversity of life and evolution of organisms as well as the Earth. A popular attraction of the museum is the fascinating paleontology exhibit which features fossils that date back over 50-million years. Children of all ages will love exploring this fascinating museum and learning about the evolution of not only world, but also mammals and other life.

Struwwelpeter Museum

The Struwwelpeter Museum features memorabilia of the children's books, Struwwelpeter (' Slovenly Peter'), which were written and illustrated in the early 19th century by Dr. Heinrich Hoffman. These tales reflect the draconian parenting style of this bygone age, although today modern kids are more likely to be amused by the macabre morality of stories like the boy who played with scissors and cut off all his fingers! The museum has a children's theater where kids can enjoy watching a performance of stories such as 'The little dog Schnuffel' or 'The Little Elephant' or children can dress up in costumes and play in the playroom.

Rebstock Bath

A visit to the Rebstock pool on a hot summer's day in Frankfurt is a must for children of all ages. It features a huge 394-foot (120m) water slide, wave pool, hot tubs, saunas and even an Olympic lap pool. For parents looking to relax and make use of some of the other facilities such as massage or steam bath, there are child care facilities, children's playground and volleyball court, so parents can relax and enjoy themselves while the kids let off some steam.

Mainz

The capital of the Rhineland, Mainz is a bustling city with a curious mixture of medieval architecture and gleaming office blocks. The Dom und Diözesanmuseum dominates the skyline in the center of town, and St Stephen's Church, with its original Chagall stained-glass windows, is a popular attraction in the Old Town, as is the Schillerplatz square. The city is compact enough to enjoy walking tours around town or along the Rhine. Mainz is also the birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press.

Bonn

Bonn is dominated by the Rheinische Friedrich Wilhem University, with a student population of over 24,000; however it is most widely known as the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven, and there are many attractions around Bonn relating to the famous composer. The city has several beautiful churches, including the Kreuzbergkirche, Doppelkirche, and Das Bonner Münster basilica, and other interesting buildings ranging from medieval to modern. Bonn also has many museums, including art museums, history museums, and a zoological museum. The city is small enough to see on foot, but there is an excellent public transport system.

Cologne

Cologne (or Köln) is one of the largest cities in Germany, and a bustling hub of media and business on the Rhine. The dramatic Kölner Dom can be seen from miles away, and a number of other beautiful Gothic and Romanesque churches dot the city. There are also museums dedicated to Roman history, modern and religious art, ethnology, sports, and even chocolate. Several pedestrian streets, called Hohe Strasse and Schildergasse, offer interesting shops, cafes and street music. Cologne has a vibrant and colorful cultural life, with its locally-brewed Kölsch beer and other gastronomic specialties, and is known as the gay capital of Germany with a large Gay Pride event held every year.

Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf is one of Germany's economic hubs, with a densely populated city center housing over 10 million people. Because much of Düsseldorf was destroyed in World War II, the city is not as scenic as others in Germany. Modern architecture enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy, however, in Frank Gehry buildings and the colorful Colorium, all clustered in the media harbor. There are several pedestrian malls to stroll and plenty of museums and parks to enjoy, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a cleaner and more elegant city in Germany.

Deutsches Museum

The Deutches Museum is a perfect activity for kids in Munich, giving them plenty to explore and interact with, whether the weather is nice or not. It is the world's largest technology and science museum, with roughly 28,000 artifacts on display. The museum is located on a small island in the Isar River, with additional facilities outside of Munich and in Bonn.

Allied Museum

Occupying an abandoned movie theater, the Allied Museum is located on the former U.S. Army Europe's Berlin Brigade headquarters, and houses exhibits and displays detailing the history of the Allied forces in Germany in World War II and up until 1994. The museum's collections include military memorabilia, weapons, photos and other artifacts including the original Checkpoint Charlie shed.

Reichstag

The Reichstag is one of Berlin's most famous buildings. The seat of Germany's parliament since 1894, the building has had a volatile history, being damaged in World War II, wrapped in a sheet by conceptual artist Christo in 1995, and being massively reconstructed in the late 1990s. The reconstruction saw the building gutted, leaving only the facade, and the addition of a glass-domed atrium that provides panoramic views of Berlin.

Hohenzollern Castle

The magnificent castle at Hohenzollern is perched on a hilltop 31 miles (50km) outside of Stuttgart. Built in the 15th century, the structure's fairy-tale visage is set against spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding countryside of the Black Forest, and the castle hosts a number of attractions and events, including an open-air cinema, Christmas market, and a museum.

German Clock Museum

Although you may find yourself inundated by cuckoo clocks everywhere you look in the Black Forest, the German Clock Museum's large collection of timepieces is the most comprehensive of its kind, and offers over 8,000 examples of clocks going back 150 years. Tours are conducted at 11am by appointment, and there are free English guidebooks available.

Planten un Blomen

In the middle of Hamburg is an oasis of green lawns and trees, with colorful flowers and fountains providing a lovely backdrop to relax in. You can stroll around the Japanese garden and enjoy the tropical flower collections and teahouse, and children will enjoy the range of attractions including playgrounds, pony rides, miniature golf, and a roller rink and ice skating rink. There are also concerts and theatrical performances on a regular basis.

St Michaelis Church

St. Michaelis began as a humble church, which was extended in 1600. In 1647 construction began on the grand building that stands today. Like many important buildings in Germany, the church suffered major damage in World War II. Michaeliskircheoffers tours of the 270 foot (82m) tower; the crypt, which contains the bodies of Johann Mattheson and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach; and there is also an interesting presentation on the history of Hamburg.

Miniature Wonderland

Train enthusiasts will love Miniature Wonderland in Hamburg. With over 4,000 square meters of floorspace, there is much to see with tiny models of various regions, both local and international. The largest of its kind, there are 900 trains with 12,000 carriages; 300,000 lights, 200,000 trees and 200,000 human figures. Sections include Southern Germany and the Austrian Alps, Hamburg and the Coast, America, Scandinavia, and Switzerland. Construction has begun on an expansion that will add five new sections, including France, Italy and the UK, by 2014.

Herrenhausen Gardens

The Royal Gardens at Herrenhausen exemplify the manicured French Baroque style of landscaping. Sculpted topiaries dot the symmetrical lawns of the Great Garden, which also contains the famous Grotto by artist Niki de Saint Phalle. The Berggarten houses exotic plants and a conservatory, and the Welfgarten surrounds the impressive Welfenschloss Castle.

European Cheese Center

Located in the Anderten district of Hanover is the European Cheese Center, which is the only 'Cheese Experience' in Europe. There are eight areas, each representing a cheese-producing region of Europe, and a central marketplace, where you can enjoy cheese and wine tastings. Audio guides are available by appointment for EUR3 per person.

Well of Justice (Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen)

The Well of Justice, or Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen, was built in Frankfurt's central square of Romweberg in 1541. About 70 years later the wells received stone interiors and the Statue of Justice watched over them. In 1612, when Kaiser Matthias was crowned, it was not water, but wine that flowed freely from the stone lions' mouths. In 1887, the wells were renovated and the stone figures copied. The original sandstone statues were moved to the Museum of Local History.

Eschenheimer Turm

The Eschenheimer Turm is one of the few remaining towers of the medieval fortifications that encircled the city of Frankfurt. The 154-foot high (47m) gothic tower was built as part of the medieval wall which encircled the city in the 15th century when approximately 60 towers surrounded the city. Citizens used to build high walls and watchtowers to protect Frankfurt from danger.

Brandenburg Gate

The impressive and symbolic Brandenburg Gate that lay forlorn for so long in the no man's land behind the Berlin Wall, is now once again renovated and accessible, along with the newly reconstructed Pariser Platz that links the gate to the beautiful Unter den Linden Boulevard. The gate is Berlin's only remaining city gate, built of sandstone between 1788 and 1791 with 12 Doric columns according to a design by C.G. Langhans. Six columns support a 36-foot (11m) transverse beam, similar to the propylaeum of the Acropolis in Athens. The massive gate is topped with a stunning statue of the Goddess of Victory facing east towards the city center (this was added in 1794). The gate is closed to traffic, as is the adjacent Pariser Platz, a gracious square that was once surrounded with beautiful buildings sadly destroyed in the Second World War. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall new buildings have been built, however, to designs closely following those of the originals.

Checkpoint Charlie

The infamous border crossing point in the wall dividing West and East Berlin has now become a shrine to the wall's memory with the addition of a museum, Haus am Checkpoint Charlie. For nearly 30 years, between 1961 and 1990, Checkpoint Charlie in the Friedrichstrasse was the only crossing point between East and West Berlin. While the original metal shed is now on display at the Allied Museum, the soldier's post can be visited, and tourists can be photographed under the border sign.

Eastside Gallery

The remains of the infamous Berlin Wall have now become the largest open-air art gallery in the world. The longest section of the wall, which has been preserved, stretches from Ostbahnhof station to the Oberbaumbrucke, and has been given over to graffiti artists from around the world. A total of 118 artists from 21 countries have exerted their skills on the 4,318-foot (1,316m) long section of the wall, and this collection has become a Berlin landmark and a tourist attraction. Best known paintings are Dimitri Vrubel's Brotherly Kissand Gunther Shaefer's Fatherland. The gallery is billed as an international memorial for freedom.

Jewish Museum

Since opening in 2001, the Jewish Museum in Lindenstrasse has already gained an international reputation for its significant architecture and unique exhibitions that bring history alive. The bulk of the museum is housed in a windowless and doorless steel-clad, silver building, designed by Daniel Libeskind, sited alongside the yellow Baroque edifice of the Berlin Museum. Visitors enter the Jewish Museum through the Berlin Museum to explore the exhibition rooms, which are clustered around a main axis void, designed to signify the empty and invisible aspects of Jewish history.

Hamburger Bahnhof

One of the most popular art galleries in Berlin is housed in a former train station. The historic Hamburger Bahnhof, built in 1846 at the Tiergarten, was badly damaged during the Second World War, but has been restored and reopened, with some modern elements added to the architecture, as an exhibition venue for an extensive contemporary art collection. The former station now offers 107,639 square feet (10,000 sq meters) of space filled with works by the likes of Andy Warhol, Josephy Beuys and Roy Lichtenstein. The basis of the exhibition is the Marx private collection, but there are changing exhibitions and good examples of the Italian Transavanguardia and minimalist art on show too.

Potsdamer Platz

This vibrant square is the heart and soul of the 'New Berlin', which has emerged since the fall of the wall in 1989. The original square was once one of the busiest junctions in Europe with a major train station sited on it. However after damage during the Second World War and being cut through by the divisive wall, it became a decayed wasteland. Since the fall of the wall, however, a building boom has been taking place around the Potsdamer Platz, which now boasts an exciting mix of restaurants, shopping centers, hotels, a casino, theaters and cinemas that draws both Berliners and tourists seeking good food and recreation. Focus of the square is the 22-story Debis Haus, designed by Renzo Piano, featuring an atrium with cathedral-like dimensions, and its neighboring Potsdamer Platz Arkaden, a shopping mall with an Imax cinema. The Sony Center is the most recent addition, consisting of seven buildings around a light-flooded arena, which also houses Berlin's popular Film Museum. The Kollhoff building features a panorama platform, reached by Europe's fastest express elevator, which offers views of the city.

Marienplatz

The Marienplatz is the heart of Munich and the site of its most important historic buildings. The square is dominated by the Neo-Gothic Town Hall featuring its famous Glockenspiel, both built in the 19th century. The Glockenspiel delights visitors when it chimes the hours every day at 11am, 12pm and 5pm with its 43 bells, accompanied by moving clockwork figures that display vignettes from Munich's history. The Town Hall has a tower that can be accessed by a lift. The center of the square - which was once a vibrant farmer's market - features a statue of the Virgin Mary after which Marienplatz was named. Visitors can also explore a toy museum in the Old Town Hall on the square, and the Frauenkirche, Munich's cathedral, dating from the 15th century.

Olympia Park

Munich's massive Olympic park complex was constructed for the 20th Olympic Games in 1972, but remains a marvel of modern engineering. Its main stadium is a like a massive tent, which can seat close on 70,000 spectators, topped by the largest roof in the world, extending for 720,000 square feet (66,890 sq meters) and made of tinted acrylic glass. The roof collects rainwater which is used to fill the adjacent Olympic lake. Tent roof tours (with or without an abseiling option) are on offer. Visitors to the site can enjoy a spectacular view from the revolving restaurant and observation terrace which tops the 950-foot (290m) high Olympic Tower. Near the tower is the BMW Museum, which displays the history of Germany's famous automobile manufacturer. Far from being a remarkable 'white elephant', the park is still in constant use as a lively leisure and recreational center for the city; on more than 200 days of the year it is the venue for rock and pop concerts, sports events, exhibitions and trade fairs.

Nymphenburg Palace

About five miles (8km) from the city center, accessible by tram and bus, is the interesting Schloss Nymphenburg, originally a summer home for the Munich aristocracy. The palace has been expanded, altered and fitted with various eccentricities by succeeding owners over the centuries since building began on it in 1664. Today it is a delight for tourists who revel in exploring the villa and grounds. Inside there are some interesting frescoes in the main hall. An arcaded gallery features a collection of 36 provocative paintings ordered by King Ludwig I showing the most beautiful women of his day. The surrounding park has some surprises too, with some interesting pavilions hidden among the English-style gardens. There are also collections of Ludwig's elaborate coaches on display, and a porcelain museum.

Alte Pinakothek

Munich's art museum houses one of the most important collections in Europe on two floors of a large neo-classical building. Nearly 1,000 paintings are on display featuring the work of the greatest European artists from the 14th to the 18th centuries. Highlights include works by Dutch and Flemish masters, as well as the Italian masters such as Botticelli and Titian. The gallery is massive, consisting of dozens of rooms, and requires a great deal of time to explore thoroughly.

Neuschwanstein

The fairytale castle built by King Ludwig II (known as 'Mad King Ludwig' until his death in 1886) has become the trademark of the German state of Bavaria, with its Gothic wedding-cake tiers and towers. Day tours to the castle are available from Munich, or self drive via Garmisch. From the parking lot there is a steep half-mile (one km) climb to the castle, but one can ride in a horse-drawn carriage. The interior of the castle is as extravagant as its outer aspect, particularly the King's apartments, which are decorated entirely with hand-embroidered silk, elaborate wall and ceiling paintings, and carvings.

Berchtesgaden

The name Berchtesgaden is most closely associated with Adolf Hitler's country house, but it is in fact a delightful Bavarian alpine village with ancient winding streets and a medieval marketplace, popular as a side trip from Munich. Hitler's holiday house, the Berghof, is actually at Obersalzberg about half a mile (2km) up the Kehlstein Mountain. Afternoon bus tours to the Fuhrer's playground can be undertaken from the tourist office in the village, but there is little to see besides some underground bunkers which are open to the public.

Most tourists, however, do delight in visiting the Kehlsteinhaus or Eagle's Nest, a remarkable building perched precariously atop the mountain, which was originally commissioned by Martin Bormann as a 50th birthday present for Hitler. The notorious Nazi leader seldom visited it because of his fear of heights. Today it is the site of an excellent Bavarian restaurant and provides breathtaking views at the end of a stunning winding mountain road. The town of Berchtesgaden itself has some interesting attractions, besides its 16th-century architecture and enticing inns. There is a small wood-carving museum at Schloss Aldelsheim which can be viewed on a guided tour offered on weekdays at 10am and 3pm. Wood sculptures, Renaissance furniture and some art works are worth seeing at the Konigliches Schloss, which was originally an Augustinian monastery.

The most fun to be had, however, is in the salt mines to the east of the town, which offers guided tours. Visitors wear protective clothing and ride on wagons to the mine, then explore the mine on foot and ride miner's slides, finishing with a trip on the salt lake ferry. The tours run daily, all year round. The mine has been in operation since 1517. Berchtesgarten also boasts a world-class ice-skating rink, the Eisstadion, which is sought after by winter sports enthusiasts in the winter months, along with the skiing opportunities in the surrounding area.

Dachau Memorial Site

About 10 miles (16km) to the northwest of Munich on the Stuttgart Autobahn is the town of Dachau, once a quiet artists' community that became the site of the first notorious Nazi 'death camp', where thousands of perceived enemies of the Third Reich were imprisoned, starved, and killed between 1933 and 1945. The camp has now been turned into a memorial museum to the prisoners (67,000 were liberated alive by the US Army on April 28, 1945). The museum contains three memorial chapels. The Lagerstrasse, the main camp road, still exists lined with poplar trees but only two of the original 32 barracks that lined it remain, having been rebuilt to illustrate the conditions endured by the prisoners. The original kitchen, laundry and shower block is now a museum containing exhibits, photographs and documents depicting the persecution of Jews and other prisoners.

Chiemsee

One of the most beautiful lakes in the Bavarian Alps, Chiemsee boasts two islands and is lined with resorts. It can be reached by train from Munich in an hour, or by road via the A8 Autobahn. Visitors can take a steamer cruise around the lake from Prien on the west shore to explore the islands in the lake. Frauenchiemsee is the smaller island, site of a quaint fishing village with some colorful traditional customs, and a Benedictine nunnery known for its liqueur. The larger island, Herrenchiemsee, bears one of King Ludwig's famous fairytale castles. This one was never completed, but was intended to be a replica of the palace of Versailles. The center of the palace still stands, complete with a splendid hall of mirrors and surrounded by gardens and woodland. It is an extremely popular tourist attraction with its gaudy splendor.

Romantic Road

To experience the best of medieval Germany, hundreds of visitors drive, bus or cycle their way along the Romantic Road, a 180-mile (290km) route between Munich and Frankfurt that links together a string of quaint, well-preserved walled towns dating back a thousand years or more. The towns en route have banded together to market their attractions and ensure Romantic Road travelers are well informed and accommodated. Bicycles can be rented at any train station along the road, and tourist offices along the route provide maps and information. Best known of the towns on the Romantic Road is Rothenburg in the Tauber River Valley. Other favorites among the cute towns are Dinkelsbuhl and Nordlingen.

Goethe-Haus

The house where Johan Wolfgang von Goethe, Germany's world-famous poet and writer, was born in 1749 is now a shrine to his memory, preserved as an example of how the well-to-do lived in the late Baroque era. The house, which is a reconstruction because the original was destroyed during the Second World War, consists of two neighboring half-timbered houses in Grosser Hirschgraben, and is sited next to the Goethe Museum, which contains a huge library of books, documents and graphics relating to the poet.

Botanical Gardens

The well-ordered and interesting Botanical Garden in Frankfurt is administered by the University. The gardens are designed to take visitors on a journey through different areas of the plant kingdom, from the hardwood forests of North America to the barren savannah of Africa. The gardens cover more than eight hectares (20 acres) and contain more than 6,000 different botanical species, from exotic rainforest flowers to European weeds.

St Bartholomeus Cathedral

The St Bartholomeus Cathedral, or Dom Sankt Bartholomäus, dominates the Frankfurt skyline with its imposing 311 foot (95m) spire, contrasting sharply with the modern skyscrapers in the downtown area. The Cathedral was built in the 14th and 15th centuries, and has seen the crowning of kings and emperors in this time. St Bartholomeus has been rebuilt several times, once in 1867 after a fire, and again in the 1950s following damage suffered in World War II. There is a small museum and shop inside.

Trier

A taste of ancient Rome is a popular tourist attraction in the German city of Trier, 120 miles (193km) south west of Frankfurt. Trier was founded as a colonial capital under Roman Emperor Augustus in 16 BC, making it Germany's oldest city. The city became an important political and cultural center, and many Roman buildings and monuments remain to be explored by visitors. The city is also a good starting point for trips into the Mosel Valley, and cruises on the scenic Mosel River, which is Germany's main wine-producing region.

Heidelberg

The historic university town of Heidelberg, about 55 miles (89km) south of Frankfurt, is billed as a city of music and romance. It is one of the few German cities that escaped relatively unscathed from air raids during World War II, and still has numerous buildings from the Middle Ages and Renaissance to explore. The modern part of the city around the Bismarckplatz has some good hotels and restaurants, and enticing shopping plazas. The city is built along the banks of the Neckar River, and has a colorful atmosphere lent by its large student population, particularly in the student quarter with its narrow streets and lively inns. The university was established in 1386.

Altona Fish Market

It may be billed as a fish market, but there is just about anything and everything on sale at this lively, colorful Hamburg market that takes place early on Sunday mornings, and has done since 1703. There is a restaurant in the historic Fish Auction Hall, along with some live musical entertainment, to rejuvenate tired shoppers.

Hamburg Warehouse Complex

The world's oldest warehouse complex, built of red brick with gables and turrets, is a century old and still in use for storing exotic goods from around the world. Known as the Speicherstadt in German, this historic section of the Free Port between the Deichtorhallen and Baumwall has been turned into a tourist attraction by the addition of an open air theater, a spice museum, a miniature exhibition and an old Russian submarine open for exploration. Another attraction is the 'Hamburg Dungeon', an interactive experience showcasing the more unpleasant and gory aspects of the city's history. The Speicherstadt is illuminated at night, creating an enchanting spectacle, particularly viewed from a boat on a harbor night tour.

Hamburger Kunsthalle

Hamburg's premier art gallery offers the chance to view works across the time spectrum from the Middle Ages through to the present day. The Kunsthalle's main aim is to educate about art, rather than showcase particular art treasures, and exhibitions are constantly changing to introduce new forms of art.

Blankenese

This quaint destination on the steep Elbe hillside was once a fishing village favored by retired ship captains. Today it has become popular with locals as a weekend outing, and visitors also throng the narrow alleys and stairways between picturesque houses packed together on the cliffside. The village offers an abundance of cafes and restaurants where patrons can relax and watch ships steaming in and out of the harbor. There is a ferry service to Blankenese from St Pauli-Landungsbrucken in Hamburg's Free Port.

Museum of Hamburg History

The museum gives a detailed description of the city of Hamburg from the 8th through to the 20th centuries. Scale models have been used to illustrate the changing shape of the city's famous harbor. Exhibits also include reconstructions of various typical rooms, such as the hall of a 17th-century merchant's home to an air raid shelter from World War II.

Reeperbahn

Hamburg's notorious red light district to the east of the city center in the St Pauli zone has become its second-greatest tourist attraction, according to the city management. The Reeperbahn (Rope Street) is where rope used to be produced for the ships in the harbor. It is now a half-mile long street which, along with its cross-streets, is filled with bright lights and flirtatious prostitutes, crammed with bars and establishments offering erotic entertainment. The Reeperbahn became the neighborhood where sailors of old were encouraged to seek entertainment after they were banned from invading the city's more respectable areas in the 19th century. The district also boasts an Erotic Art Museum (at Nobistor 10A), which is privately owned and restricted to persons over 16.

Sylt

The island of Sylt is Germany's most northern point, lying off the northwestern coast in the North Sea. The island boasts some lovely sandy beaches and stunning views, and its main town, Westerland, has become a popular seaside resort. The island also has miles of bicycle paths meandering through pine forests. The island offers plenty of entertainment for tourists, including shops, spas and exclusive restaurants. Trains arrive several times a day from Hamburg. The island is connected to the mainland by the six-mile (10km) long Hindenburgdamm bridge.

Hameln

Hameln, the famous town of the Pied Piper tale told to children around the world, is a popular tourist destination in Lower Saxony, northern Germany, lying beside the River Weser. The old town center has been reconstructed with several Renaissance buildings, and some wood-frame historic buildings, all adding to the fairytale atmosphere that brings alive the legend of the piper who offered to rid the town of rats, and ended up stealing all the children. A short musical version of the story is performed each Wednesday in the old town between May and September at 4.30pm. The Pied Piper himself conducts tours around the town!

Lübeck

Lübeck lies 41 miles (66km) north east of Hamburg, close to the Baltic coast. Not only is this historic town the home of a couple of noted Nobel Prize winners, but as a living monument to the wealthy Hanseatic merchants of the 13th century, it sports some architectural treasures that have ensured its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town's famous sons were Willy Brandt, the West German chancellor who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1971, and Thomas Mann, whose novel Buddenbrookswon the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1929. As far as the architecture goes, the town is known for its steeples and spires, high-gabled houses, strong towers and massive gates. The town is also billed as the world capital of marzipan, having been the spot where this delightful confection was first devised (there is a legend attached, of course). Samples of marzipan are freely available in Lübeck.

Legoland Discovery Center

The Legoland Discovery Center is the first indoor Legoland in the world and provides an interactive journey through a land of color, creativity, learning and play. There is a fun factory, where real Lego bricks are made, a 4-D cinema show, opportunities for visitors to make their own creations, Miniland Berlin, a themed ride and much more all under one roof.

Freiburg

Black Forest cake and cuckoo clocks are what most visitors travel to Freiburg for, but the beautiful city has far more to offer than the expected. The recommended way to explore the town and environs is by bicycle (there are plenty for hire) along more than 93 miles (150km) of bicycle paths. What one will find is a wealth of ancient history, some delicious food and wine, and breathtaking natural beauty. The city (really a large town) is known for its university, magnificent cathedral and medieval treasures, and a somewhat bohemian vibe with its street musicians and pavement artists. The Altstadt (Old City) is picturesque, featuring canals and dozens of historic buildings. A cable car carries passengers on scenic trips up the Schauinsland Mountain from the Stadtgarten to enjoy the view from the mountaintop restaurant. Freiburg hosts a music festival in mid-June each year, followed by a wine festival at the end of June and a wine-tasting festival in mid-August. Visitors very much enjoy the local Black Forest cuisine on offer at Freiburg's restaurants.

The Story of Berlin

One of Berlin's most popular attractions, this unusual exhibition recounts the history of the German capital city from its foundation until the fall of the Wall. The Story of Berlin is divided into 25 themed rooms and pays attention to the feelings, thoughts and living conditions of common Berliners. One of its main attractions is the nuclear bunker that was built during the Cold War in the 1970s. Guided tours are available every hour.

Pforzheim

Founded by the Romans as a mercantile center on the northern edge of the Black Forest, Pforzheim, at the confluence of the Wurm, Enz and Nagold Rivers, is today the center for traditional jewelry and clock-making. The town features a fascinating Technisches Museum to commemorate the important role time-keeping has played in Pforzheim's history. The museum features a reconstruction of a clock-making studio in the 19th century. Jewelry is also important in the town and the Schmuckmuseum collection features pieces dating from the 3rd century BC through to modern times. Pforzheim also has an interesting Alpine Garden which has 100,000 or more varieties of high-altitude plants growing in a natural setting beside the Wurm River.

Triberg

The true spirit of the Black Forest is brought to life in the Schwarzwald-Museum of Triberg, which documents the old traditions and lifestyle of this unique region, with displays of costumes, handcrafts (including clocks) and furnishings. It also boasts Europe's biggest barrel organ collection. Nearby Gutach contains original Black Forest homes up to four centuries old at the Freilchtmuseum Schwarzwalder. An exceptional waterfall at Gutach drops down the mountainside in seven stages, accessible by a walking trail. South of Triberg a huge variety of elaborate Black Forest clocks is on display at the German Clock Museum, to be found at Gerwigstrasse in the village of Furtwangen.

Gendarmenmarkt

Said to be one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, the Gendarmenmarkt is certainly one of Berlin's most impressive squares that was created as a market place in the 17th century. During World War II most of the buildings were destroyed, but have since been returned to their former glory. The square is dominated by the beautiful Konzerthaus (concert house), which is home to the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, as well as the twin churches of Deutscher Dom and Franzosischer Dom, the identical German and French Cathedrals. Gendarmenmarkt is also host to Berlin's best Christmas market and various concerts. Surrounding the plaza are a number of cafes and restaurants.

Charlottenburg Palace

Schloss Charlottenburg is the largest palace in Berlin, an 18th-century baroque structure that was originally constructed as the summer home for Sophie Charlotte, the wife of Elector Frederick III who became the first Prussian king. The splendid interiors are festooned with art masterpieces, while the surrounding gardens contain a mausoleum, pavilion and the Belvedere, which houses the porcelain museum.

Berliner Dom

The Berlin Cathedral was built between 1895 and 1905 and is a magnificent basilica that stands on the site of several earlier structures. Inside, the crypt contains over 80 sarcophagi of Prussian royals, while other areas of interest are the pulpit, the organ, and the stained glass windows. Visitors can climb the dome, which is decorated with intricate mosaics.

Pergamon Museum

This huge museum has three main departments, the Antiquity Collection, Islamic Art Museum and the Middle East Museum, that house parts of reconstructed monumental buildings transported from original excavation sites from ancient lands. The Antiquity Collection contains the Pergamon Altar from the second century BC, as well as the Market Gate of Miletus from Roman antiquity. The main attraction in the Islamic Art Museum is the Mshatta façade originating from a Jordanian desert palace, while the Middle East Museum boasts the Ishtar Gare and the Procession Way of Babylon, as well as the throne room façade of Nebuchadnezzar II.

Liebieghaus

Situated on the south bank of the river Main, the Liebieghaus was built in 1896 for Czech Baron Heinrich Liebieg, but today is the home of Frankfurt's Museum of Sculpture. Exhibits include sculptures from ancient times, such as Sumeria, Egypt, Greece and Rome to more modern Baroque, Rococo and Renaissance examples. A range of Egyptian and Asian pieces also feature in the range as well as a few works of some world-renowned artists.

German Film Museum (Deutsches Filmmuseum)

One of Germany's finest film museums, the Deutsches Filmmuseum shows old films from its collections continuously. These can be viewed on the second floor of the museum while the downstairs rooms tell the story of Germany's filmmaking history while exhibits are also on display, including models illustrating how special effects are shot as well as Emile Reynaud's 1882 Praxinoscope and Edison's Kinetoscope from 1889. The museum is closed for construction until Spring of 2011.

Historical Museum (Historisches Museum)

The Historical Museum (Historisches Museum) has many permanent exhibitions on display featuring objects and works of art ranging from the Middle Ages to present day. The museum's changing exhibitions covers a range of themes such as cultural history, art history and general history. Collections feature examples of gold and silver crockery and jewelry; pottery and porcelain; paintings, photographs; and scaled-down models of the Altstadt at various periods of its development. The Children's Museum, which lies adjacent to the Historical Museum, features a variety of special offers and exhibitions for youngsters of all ages.

Städel Gallery

Frankfurt's most important art gallery is the Städel Gallery, containing a fantastic collection of most European schools of painting. The first floor features the works of German painters of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as famous French Impressionists such as Renoir and Monet. The second floor offers visitors the pleasure of viewing an outstanding collection of Flemish primitives, 17th-century Dutch artists, and 16th-century German masters such as Dürer, Grünewald, Memling, Elsheimer, and many others with one of the most impressive paintings being Jan van Eyck's Madonna(1433). The gallery is closed through October 27th, 2010.

Frankfurt Zoo

The Frankfurt Zoo, located in Ostend, was nearly totally destroyed in the Second World War when only 20 animals survived. It was rebuilt in the early 1950s and since then has grown its features to include several innovative new sections such as the highly popular Big Cat Jungle and the Exotarium which houses fish, insects, reptiles and penguins, all kept in their natural surroundings. Frankfurt Zoo is home to over 3,200 different animals across 600 species and is renowned for keeping them in environments that most closely resemble their own natural habitats. It has a reputation as one of the most attractive, pleasant and popular zoo faciltiies in Europe. Away from the fauna there are two restaurants as well as a terrace to enjoy in the summer months. A major draw card for the zoo and one of its most unique features is Grzimek House which is home to nocturnal animals who think it's night-time during the day.

Palace Square (Schlossplatz)

The symbolic heart of Stuttgart, the Schlossplatz or Palace Square, is a popular meeting point for locals and travelers alike, the beautifully baroque New Palace providing a majestic backdrop. The former residence of kings, the New Palace was built between 1746 and 1806 and is now a base for the state government of Baden- Wurttemberg. If the New Palace feels a bit French it's because the Duke Carl Eugen of Wurttembergwanted to create a Versailles in Stuttgart. The König Wilhelm Jubilee Column, rising in the fore, was erected in 1841 in honor of King Wilhelm's silver jubilee (25 years of reign), and the statue of Concordia, the Roman goddess of harmony at the pinnacle, added in 1863. The two fountains were built at the same time, the eight cherubs each representing one of Württemberg's rivers.

Old and New State Gallery

Built between 1838 and 1843 under King Wilhelm I of Wuerttemberg, the Old State Gallery features a presitigous range of paintings, drawings, sculptures, watercolors and prints from the 14th to the 19th centuries, with Jerg Ratgeb, Canaletto, Memling and Rembrandt taking center stage. Connected to the Old State Gallery on the same level is the New State Gallery, dedicated to the art of the 20th century. Looking at important schools within various art movements like the Fauvism, German Expressionism, Die Brucke and Cubism, works by masters such as Picasso, Beckmann, Schlemmer, Beuys, Kiefer and Klee, can be found here.

Kunstmuseum Stuttgart

Centrally located, Kunstmuseum Stuttgart is a work of art in itself. Its modern cuboid design transforms from a glass hexahedron during the day to reveal a colorful skeletal interior when lit up at night. Opened in 2005, the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart is renowned for its prestigious collection of work by Otto Dix, the renowned German artist remembered for his realistic depictions of Weimar society and the brutality of war. The colorful and abstract art of Willi Baumeister and the mixed media work of contemporary artist Dieter Roth are also on display at the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart, along with ever changing international exhibitions. Don't miss the museum shop and bookshop, or have a light snack at the onsite restaurant.

Mercedes-Benz Museum

Opened shortly before the start of the Football World Cup in Germany, the impressive Mercedes-Benz Museum is housed in a slick, contemporary building, an icon of modern architecture. With an exhibition space of almost 182,986 ft² (17,000 m²) covering seven storys, the museum takes visitors on a chronological journey through the history of the Mercedes automobile. Combining world events occurring at the same time as Benz breakthroughs and displaying over 160 different vehicles from racing cars and concept cars to the pope mobile and airplane engines, there is much for the automobile aficionado to see.

Wilhelma Zoo

Europe's only combined zoological and botanical garden, the Wilhelma Zoo never fails to leave a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of all who explore her confines. Initially built as a Moorish garden for King Wilhelm I in the 19th century, the beautiful botanical garden is extraordinary all year round. Countless exotic plants, a range of climatic biospheres in magnificent greenhouses, a petting zoo, insect exhibit, aquarium with crocodile hall, modern ape house, bear facilities, walk-in bird flight facility and wild animal enclosures are some of the exhilarhating sights to be enjoyed. Ideal for children and adults, there are a host of ice cream stands, cafeterias and playgrounds to keep the whole family entertained for the entire day. The Wilhema Zoo is home to 8,000 animals, including polar bears and elephants, and 5,000 different species of plants.

Mineral Baths

Sitting on one of the largest mineral water reserves in Europe, the inhabitants of Stuttgart have been enjoying its liquid vitality for more than two millennia. Relaxing in a hot, steamy mineral bath is a good way to spend some of your down time in the city. Das Leuze, Mineralbad Cannstatt and Mineral Bath Berg all feature hot and cold mineral baths, saunas, hot tubs and swimming pools. Das Leuze is geared toward families with its playground, childrens pool and bright colors, while Mineralbad Cannstatt caters more for adults looking for a haven of relaxation. Mineral Bath Berg is a 1950s gem, its iron-rich waters recognized by the state as a 'heilbad' for its medicinal properties.

Porsche Museum

Just like their cars, the 'small but good' Porsche Museum in Stuttgart is a retrospective of more than 75 years of Porsche engineering and memorabilia. The

20 or so exhibits from the first Porsche-branded car to series cars and the Formula 1 champions of the mid 1980s; the various Porsche models are switched several times a year. Following in the footsteps of other automobile titans, the Porsche Museum is turning over a new leaf with construction on a 60,277 square feet (5,600 square meters) architectural landmark to house some of its 300 strong collection. The new museum will be inaugurated toward the end of 2008, boasting the latest in automobile exhibition technology and quadrupling the number of pristine Porsches on display.

Tiergarten

The world's largest inner-city park, and housing both the parliamentary and governmental institutions, Tiergarten combines the attractions of the Berlin's largest park with its zoo. The residence of the German President and the Carillon are also located in the park. Tiergarten is also a great place for families to enjoy and relax under the shade of a tree with a picnic, or throw a frisbee. And when the little ones get bored of that, head off to the Berlin Zoo for the afternoon.

Museum fuer Naturkunde (Nature Museum)

Boasting over 30 million objects throughout its geological, palaeontological and zoological collections, the Museum fuer Naturkunde is the biggest of its kind in Germany and one of the five largest in the world. Children of all ages will enjoy discovering the dinosaurs and learning while they wander around the exhibition halls, which take up a massive 6,600 square meters (71,000 square feet).

Domaene Dahlem

This open-air museum is a must for lovers of farmyard animals. Children will love visiting this working farm and learning while enjoying playing with piglets and kids, (of the baby goat variety). On Saturdays the farm features an organic market and parents can even relax in the beer garden sipping on a pint of their favorite brew while the children run around or take a tractor ride.

Berlin Zoo-Aquarium

Children and families love nothing more than trips to the zoo or the aquarium and Berlin's stunning Zoo-Aquarium combines both! It offers visitors the opportunity to marvel at some spectacular animals, and with largest number of species of its kind and an immense biodiversity, this building provides terrariums and aquariums for over 9,000 animals of almost 800 species, such as Blacktip Reef sharks, tuataras, Solomon Island skink, and electric eels. In the zoo, children will love the magical animals, such as polar bears, camels and lions.

Grips-Theater

The renowned and respected Grips-Theater is a fantastic place to take the kids while on vacation in Berlin. Children will enjoy the spectacular shows and dancing and entertainment.

Palmengarten

This spectacular garden was opened to the public in 1871 and features 50 acres (20 hectares) of flora from rain forest and mangrove, to savannah and thorn forest vegetation. During the summer months, families can rent rowboats on the pond, tour the post-war reconstructed greenhouses, stop and smell the roses in the rose garden, and on warm summer evenings, head to the bandstand to enjoy some live music or dancing. Children will love Palmengarten as there's plenty to see and loads of space to run around and let off some steam. Guided tours of the gardens are available in English, French and Spanish.

Children's Museum of Frankfurt

The Children's Museum of Frankfurt gives provides an interactive and exciting glimpse of what life is like under the streets of Frankfurt. Exhibitions take in the various geology, biology and archaeology of the city.

Senckenberg Museum of Natural History

One of the biggest natural history museums in Germany and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History features exhibits of recent biodiversity of life and evolution of organisms as well as the Earth. A popular attraction of the museum is the fascinating paleontology exhibit which features fossils that date back over 50-million years. Children of all ages will love exploring this fascinating museum and learning about the evolution of not only world, but also mammals and other life.

Struwwelpeter Museum

The Struwwelpeter Museum features memorabilia of the children's books, Struwwelpeter (' Slovenly Peter'), which were written and illustrated in the early 19th century by Dr. Heinrich Hoffman. These tales reflect the draconian parenting style of this bygone age, although today modern kids are more likely to be amused by the macabre morality of stories like the boy who played with scissors and cut off all his fingers! The museum has a children's theater where kids can enjoy watching a performance of stories such as 'The little dog Schnuffel' or 'The Little Elephant' or children can dress up in costumes and play in the playroom.

Rebstock Bath

A visit to the Rebstock pool on a hot summer's day in Frankfurt is a must for children of all ages. It features a huge 394-foot (120m) water slide, wave pool, hot tubs, saunas and even an Olympic lap pool. For parents looking to relax and make use of some of the other facilities such as massage or steam bath, there are child care facilities, children's playground and volleyball court, so parents can relax and enjoy themselves while the kids let off some steam.

Mainz

The capital of the Rhineland, Mainz is a bustling city with a curious mixture of medieval architecture and gleaming office blocks. The Dom und Diözesanmuseum dominates the skyline in the center of town, and St Stephen's Church, with its original Chagall stained-glass windows, is a popular attraction in the Old Town, as is the Schillerplatz square. The city is compact enough to enjoy walking tours around town or along the Rhine. Mainz is also the birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press.

Bonn

Bonn is dominated by the Rheinische Friedrich Wilhem University, with a student population of over 24,000; however it is most widely known as the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven, and there are many attractions around Bonn relating to the famous composer. The city has several beautiful churches, including the Kreuzbergkirche, Doppelkirche, and Das Bonner Münster basilica, and other interesting buildings ranging from medieval to modern. Bonn also has many museums, including art museums, history museums, and a zoological museum. The city is small enough to see on foot, but there is an excellent public transport system.

Cologne

Cologne (or Köln) is one of the largest cities in Germany, and a bustling hub of media and business on the Rhine. The dramatic Kölner Dom can be seen from miles away, and a number of other beautiful Gothic and Romanesque churches dot the city. There are also museums dedicated to Roman history, modern and religious art, ethnology, sports, and even chocolate. Several pedestrian streets, called Hohe Strasse and Schildergasse, offer interesting shops, cafes and street music. Cologne has a vibrant and colorful cultural life, with its locally-brewed Kölsch beer and other gastronomic specialties, and is known as the gay capital of Germany with a large Gay Pride event held every year.

Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf is one of Germany's economic hubs, with a densely populated city center housing over 10 million people. Because much of Düsseldorf was destroyed in World War II, the city is not as scenic as others in Germany. Modern architecture enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy, however, in Frank Gehry buildings and the colorful Colorium, all clustered in the media harbor. There are several pedestrian malls to stroll and plenty of museums and parks to enjoy, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a cleaner and more elegant city in Germany.

Deutsches Museum

The Deutches Museum is a perfect activity for kids in Munich, giving them plenty to explore and interact with, whether the weather is nice or not. It is the world's largest technology and science museum, with roughly 28,000 artifacts on display. The museum is located on a small island in the Isar River, with additional facilities outside of Munich and in Bonn.

Allied Museum

Occupying an abandoned movie theater, the Allied Museum is located on the former U.S. Army Europe's Berlin Brigade headquarters, and houses exhibits and displays detailing the history of the Allied forces in Germany in World War II and up until 1994. The museum's collections include military memorabilia, weapons, photos and other artifacts including the original Checkpoint Charlie shed.

Reichstag

The Reichstag is one of Berlin's most famous buildings. The seat of Germany's parliament since 1894, the building has had a volatile history, being damaged in World War II, wrapped in a sheet by conceptual artist Christo in 1995, and being massively reconstructed in the late 1990s. The reconstruction saw the building gutted, leaving only the facade, and the addition of a glass-domed atrium that provides panoramic views of Berlin.

Hohenzollern Castle

The magnificent castle at Hohenzollern is perched on a hilltop 31 miles (50km) outside of Stuttgart. Built in the 15th century, the structure's fairy-tale visage is set against spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding countryside of the Black Forest, and the castle hosts a number of attractions and events, including an open-air cinema, Christmas market, and a museum.

German Clock Museum

Although you may find yourself inundated by cuckoo clocks everywhere you look in the Black Forest, the German Clock Museum's large collection of timepieces is the most comprehensive of its kind, and offers over 8,000 examples of clocks going back 150 years. Tours are conducted at 11am by appointment, and there are free English guidebooks available.

Planten un Blomen

In the middle of Hamburg is an oasis of green lawns and trees, with colorful flowers and fountains providing a lovely backdrop to relax in. You can stroll around the Japanese garden and enjoy the tropical flower collections and teahouse, and children will enjoy the range of attractions including playgrounds, pony rides, miniature golf, and a roller rink and ice skating rink. There are also concerts and theatrical performances on a regular basis.

St Michaelis Church

St. Michaelis began as a humble church, which was extended in 1600. In 1647 construction began on the grand building that stands today. Like many important buildings in Germany, the church suffered major damage in World War II. Michaeliskircheoffers tours of the 270 foot (82m) tower; the crypt, which contains the bodies of Johann Mattheson and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach; and there is also an interesting presentation on the history of Hamburg.

Miniature Wonderland

Train enthusiasts will love Miniature Wonderland in Hamburg. With over 4,000 square meters of floorspace, there is much to see with tiny models of various regions, both local and international. The largest of its kind, there are 900 trains with 12,000 carriages; 300,000 lights, 200,000 trees and 200,000 human figures. Sections include Southern Germany and the Austrian Alps, Hamburg and the Coast, America, Scandinavia, and Switzerland. Construction has begun on an expansion that will add five new sections, including France, Italy and the UK, by 2014.

Herrenhausen Gardens

The Royal Gardens at Herrenhausen exemplify the manicured French Baroque style of landscaping. Sculpted topiaries dot the symmetrical lawns of the Great Garden, which also contains the famous Grotto by artist Niki de Saint Phalle. The Berggarten houses exotic plants and a conservatory, and the Welfgarten surrounds the impressive Welfenschloss Castle.

European Cheese Center

Located in the Anderten district of Hanover is the European Cheese Center, which is the only 'Cheese Experience' in Europe. There are eight areas, each representing a cheese-producing region of Europe, and a central marketplace, where you can enjoy cheese and wine tastings. Audio guides are available by appointment for EUR3 per person.

Well of Justice (Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen)

The Well of Justice, or Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen, was built in Frankfurt's central square of Romweberg in 1541. About 70 years later the wells received stone interiors and the Statue of Justice watched over them. In 1612, when Kaiser Matthias was crowned, it was not water, but wine that flowed freely from the stone lions' mouths. In 1887, the wells were renovated and the stone figures copied. The original sandstone statues were moved to the Museum of Local History.

Eschenheimer Turm

The Eschenheimer Turm is one of the few remaining towers of the medieval fortifications that encircled the city of Frankfurt. The 154-foot high (47m) gothic tower was built as part of the medieval wall which encircled the city in the 15th century when approximately 60 towers surrounded the city. Citizens used to build high walls and watchtowers to protect Frankfurt from danger.

Brandenburg Gate

The impressive and symbolic Brandenburg Gate that lay forlorn for so long in the no man's land behind the Berlin Wall, is now once again renovated and accessible, along with the newly reconstructed Pariser Platz that links the gate to the beautiful Unter den Linden Boulevard. The gate is Berlin's only remaining city gate, built of sandstone between 1788 and 1791 with 12 Doric columns according to a design by C.G. Langhans. Six columns support a 36-foot (11m) transverse beam, similar to the propylaeum of the Acropolis in Athens. The massive gate is topped with a stunning statue of the Goddess of Victory facing east towards the city center (this was added in 1794). The gate is closed to traffic, as is the adjacent Pariser Platz, a gracious square that was once surrounded with beautiful buildings sadly destroyed in the Second World War. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall new buildings have been built, however, to designs closely following those of the originals.

Checkpoint Charlie

The infamous border crossing point in the wall dividing West and East Berlin has now become a shrine to the wall's memory with the addition of a museum, Haus am Checkpoint Charlie. For nearly 30 years, between 1961 and 1990, Checkpoint Charlie in the Friedrichstrasse was the only crossing point between East and West Berlin. While the original metal shed is now on display at the Allied Museum, the soldier's post can be visited, and tourists can be photographed under the border sign.

Eastside Gallery

The remains of the infamous Berlin Wall have now become the largest open-air art gallery in the world. The longest section of the wall, which has been preserved, stretches from Ostbahnhof station to the Oberbaumbrucke, and has been given over to graffiti artists from around the world. A total of 118 artists from 21 countries have exerted their skills on the 4,318-foot (1,316m) long section of the wall, and this collection has become a Berlin landmark and a tourist attraction. Best known paintings are Dimitri Vrubel's Brotherly Kissand Gunther Shaefer's Fatherland. The gallery is billed as an international memorial for freedom.

Jewish Museum

Since opening in 2001, the Jewish Museum in Lindenstrasse has already gained an international reputation for its significant architecture and unique exhibitions that bring history alive. The bulk of the museum is housed in a windowless and doorless steel-clad, silver building, designed by Daniel Libeskind, sited alongside the yellow Baroque edifice of the Berlin Museum. Visitors enter the Jewish Museum through the Berlin Museum to explore the exhibition rooms, which are clustered around a main axis void, designed to signify the empty and invisible aspects of Jewish history.

Hamburger Bahnhof

One of the most popular art galleries in Berlin is housed in a former train station. The historic Hamburger Bahnhof, built in 1846 at the Tiergarten, was badly damaged during the Second World War, but has been restored and reopened, with some modern elements added to the architecture, as an exhibition venue for an extensive contemporary art collection. The former station now offers 107,639 square feet (10,000 sq meters) of space filled with works by the likes of Andy Warhol, Josephy Beuys and Roy Lichtenstein. The basis of the exhibition is the Marx private collection, but there are changing exhibitions and good examples of the Italian Transavanguardia and minimalist art on show too.

Potsdamer Platz

This vibrant square is the heart and soul of the 'New Berlin', which has emerged since the fall of the wall in 1989. The original square was once one of the busiest junctions in Europe with a major train station sited on it. However after damage during the Second World War and being cut through by the divisive wall, it became a decayed wasteland. Since the fall of the wall, however, a building boom has been taking place around the Potsdamer Platz, which now boasts an exciting mix of restaurants, shopping centers, hotels, a casino, theaters and cinemas that draws both Berliners and tourists seeking good food and recreation. Focus of the square is the 22-story Debis Haus, designed by Renzo Piano, featuring an atrium with cathedral-like dimensions, and its neighboring Potsdamer Platz Arkaden, a shopping mall with an Imax cinema. The Sony Center is the most recent addition, consisting of seven buildings around a light-flooded arena, which also houses Berlin's popular Film Museum. The Kollhoff building features a panorama platform, reached by Europe's fastest express elevator, which offers views of the city.

Marienplatz

The Marienplatz is the heart of Munich and the site of its most important historic buildings. The square is dominated by the Neo-Gothic Town Hall featuring its famous Glockenspiel, both built in the 19th century. The Glockenspiel delights visitors when it chimes the hours every day at 11am, 12pm and 5pm with its 43 bells, accompanied by moving clockwork figures that display vignettes from Munich's history. The Town Hall has a tower that can be accessed by a lift. The center of the square - which was once a vibrant farmer's market - features a statue of the Virgin Mary after which Marienplatz was named. Visitors can also explore a toy museum in the Old Town Hall on the square, and the Frauenkirche, Munich's cathedral, dating from the 15th century.

Olympia Park

Munich's massive Olympic park complex was constructed for the 20th Olympic Games in 1972, but remains a marvel of modern engineering. Its main stadium is a like a massive tent, which can seat close on 70,000 spectators, topped by the largest roof in the world, extending for 720,000 square feet (66,890 sq meters) and made of tinted acrylic glass. The roof collects rainwater which is used to fill the adjacent Olympic lake. Tent roof tours (with or without an abseiling option) are on offer. Visitors to the site can enjoy a spectacular view from the revolving restaurant and observation terrace which tops the 950-foot (290m) high Olympic Tower. Near the tower is the BMW Museum, which displays the history of Germany's famous automobile manufacturer. Far from being a remarkable 'white elephant', the park is still in constant use as a lively leisure and recreational center for the city; on more than 200 days of the year it is the venue for rock and pop concerts, sports events, exhibitions and trade fairs.

Nymphenburg Palace

About five miles (8km) from the city center, accessible by tram and bus, is the interesting Schloss Nymphenburg, originally a summer home for the Munich aristocracy. The palace has been expanded, altered and fitted with various eccentricities by succeeding owners over the centuries since building began on it in 1664. Today it is a delight for tourists who revel in exploring the villa and grounds. Inside there are some interesting frescoes in the main hall. An arcaded gallery features a collection of 36 provocative paintings ordered by King Ludwig I showing the most beautiful women of his day. The surrounding park has some surprises too, with some interesting pavilions hidden among the English-style gardens. There are also collections of Ludwig's elaborate coaches on display, and a porcelain museum.

Alte Pinakothek

Munich's art museum houses one of the most important collections in Europe on two floors of a large neo-classical building. Nearly 1,000 paintings are on display featuring the work of the greatest European artists from the 14th to the 18th centuries. Highlights include works by Dutch and Flemish masters, as well as the Italian masters such as Botticelli and Titian. The gallery is massive, consisting of dozens of rooms, and requires a great deal of time to explore thoroughly.

Neuschwanstein

The fairytale castle built by King Ludwig II (known as 'Mad King Ludwig' until his death in 1886) has become the trademark of the German state of Bavaria, with its Gothic wedding-cake tiers and towers. Day tours to the castle are available from Munich, or self drive via Garmisch. From the parking lot there is a steep half-mile (one km) climb to the castle, but one can ride in a horse-drawn carriage. The interior of the castle is as extravagant as its outer aspect, particularly the King's apartments, which are decorated entirely with hand-embroidered silk, elaborate wall and ceiling paintings, and carvings.

Berchtesgaden

The name Berchtesgaden is most closely associated with Adolf Hitler's country house, but it is in fact a delightful Bavarian alpine village with ancient winding streets and a medieval marketplace, popular as a side trip from Munich. Hitler's holiday house, the Berghof, is actually at Obersalzberg about half a mile (2km) up the Kehlstein Mountain. Afternoon bus tours to the Fuhrer's playground can be undertaken from the tourist office in the village, but there is little to see besides some underground bunkers which are open to the public.

Most tourists, however, do delight in visiting the Kehlsteinhaus or Eagle's Nest, a remarkable building perched precariously atop the mountain, which was originally commissioned by Martin Bormann as a 50th birthday present for Hitler. The notorious Nazi leader seldom visited it because of his fear of heights. Today it is the site of an excellent Bavarian restaurant and provides breathtaking views at the end of a stunning winding mountain road. The town of Berchtesgaden itself has some interesting attractions, besides its 16th-century architecture and enticing inns. There is a small wood-carving museum at Schloss Aldelsheim which can be viewed on a guided tour offered on weekdays at 10am and 3pm. Wood sculptures, Renaissance furniture and some art works are worth seeing at the Konigliches Schloss, which was originally an Augustinian monastery.

The most fun to be had, however, is in the salt mines to the east of the town, which offers guided tours. Visitors wear protective clothing and ride on wagons to the mine, then explore the mine on foot and ride miner's slides, finishing with a trip on the salt lake ferry. The tours run daily, all year round. The mine has been in operation since 1517. Berchtesgarten also boasts a world-class ice-skating rink, the Eisstadion, which is sought after by winter sports enthusiasts in the winter months, along with the skiing opportunities in the surrounding area.

Dachau Memorial Site

About 10 miles (16km) to the northwest of Munich on the Stuttgart Autobahn is the town of Dachau, once a quiet artists' community that became the site of the first notorious Nazi 'death camp', where thousands of perceived enemies of the Third Reich were imprisoned, starved, and killed between 1933 and 1945. The camp has now been turned into a memorial museum to the prisoners (67,000 were liberated alive by the US Army on April 28, 1945). The museum contains three memorial chapels. The Lagerstrasse, the main camp road, still exists lined with poplar trees but only two of the original 32 barracks that lined it remain, having been rebuilt to illustrate the conditions endured by the prisoners. The original kitchen, laundry and shower block is now a museum containing exhibits, photographs and documents depicting the persecution of Jews and other prisoners.

Chiemsee

One of the most beautiful lakes in the Bavarian Alps, Chiemsee boasts two islands and is lined with resorts. It can be reached by train from Munich in an hour, or by road via the A8 Autobahn. Visitors can take a steamer cruise around the lake from Prien on the west shore to explore the islands in the lake. Frauenchiemsee is the smaller island, site of a quaint fishing village with some colorful traditional customs, and a Benedictine nunnery known for its liqueur. The larger island, Herrenchiemsee, bears one of King Ludwig's famous fairytale castles. This one was never completed, but was intended to be a replica of the palace of Versailles. The center of the palace still stands, complete with a splendid hall of mirrors and surrounded by gardens and woodland. It is an extremely popular tourist attraction with its gaudy splendor.

Romantic Road

To experience the best of medieval Germany, hundreds of visitors drive, bus or cycle their way along the Romantic Road, a 180-mile (290km) route between Munich and Frankfurt that links together a string of quaint, well-preserved walled towns dating back a thousand years or more. The towns en route have banded together to market their attractions and ensure Romantic Road travelers are well informed and accommodated. Bicycles can be rented at any train station along the road, and tourist offices along the route provide maps and information. Best known of the towns on the Romantic Road is Rothenburg in the Tauber River Valley. Other favorites among the cute towns are Dinkelsbuhl and Nordlingen.

Goethe-Haus

The house where Johan Wolfgang von Goethe, Germany's world-famous poet and writer, was born in 1749 is now a shrine to his memory, preserved as an example of how the well-to-do lived in the late Baroque era. The house, which is a reconstruction because the original was destroyed during the Second World War, consists of two neighboring half-timbered houses in Grosser Hirschgraben, and is sited next to the Goethe Museum, which contains a huge library of books, documents and graphics relating to the poet.

Botanical Gardens

The well-ordered and interesting Botanical Garden in Frankfurt is administered by the University. The gardens are designed to take visitors on a journey through different areas of the plant kingdom, from the hardwood forests of North America to the barren savannah of Africa. The gardens cover more than eight hectares (20 acres) and contain more than 6,000 different botanical species, from exotic rainforest flowers to European weeds.

St Bartholomeus Cathedral

The St Bartholomeus Cathedral, or Dom Sankt Bartholomäus, dominates the Frankfurt skyline with its imposing 311 foot (95m) spire, contrasting sharply with the modern skyscrapers in the downtown area. The Cathedral was built in the 14th and 15th centuries, and has seen the crowning of kings and emperors in this time. St Bartholomeus has been rebuilt several times, once in 1867 after a fire, and again in the 1950s following damage suffered in World War II. There is a small museum and shop inside.

Trier

A taste of ancient Rome is a popular tourist attraction in the German city of Trier, 120 miles (193km) south west of Frankfurt. Trier was founded as a colonial capital under Roman Emperor Augustus in 16 BC, making it Germany's oldest city. The city became an important political and cultural center, and many Roman buildings and monuments remain to be explored by visitors. The city is also a good starting point for trips into the Mosel Valley, and cruises on the scenic Mosel River, which is Germany's main wine-producing region.

Heidelberg

The historic university town of Heidelberg, about 55 miles (89km) south of Frankfurt, is billed as a city of music and romance. It is one of the few German cities that escaped relatively unscathed from air raids during World War II, and still has numerous buildings from the Middle Ages and Renaissance to explore. The modern part of the city around the Bismarckplatz has some good hotels and restaurants, and enticing shopping plazas. The city is built along the banks of the Neckar River, and has a colorful atmosphere lent by its large student population, particularly in the student quarter with its narrow streets and lively inns. The university was established in 1386.

Altona Fish Market

It may be billed as a fish market, but there is just about anything and everything on sale at this lively, colorful Hamburg market that takes place early on Sunday mornings, and has done since 1703. There is a restaurant in the historic Fish Auction Hall, along with some live musical entertainment, to rejuvenate tired shoppers.

Hamburg Warehouse Complex

The world's oldest warehouse complex, built of red brick with gables and turrets, is a century old and still in use for storing exotic goods from around the world. Known as the Speicherstadt in German, this historic section of the Free Port between the Deichtorhallen and Baumwall has been turned into a tourist attraction by the addition of an open air theater, a spice museum, a miniature exhibition and an old Russian submarine open for exploration. Another attraction is the 'Hamburg Dungeon', an interactive experience showcasing the more unpleasant and gory aspects of the city's history. The Speicherstadt is illuminated at night, creating an enchanting spectacle, particularly viewed from a boat on a harbor night tour.

Hamburger Kunsthalle

Hamburg's premier art gallery offers the chance to view works across the time spectrum from the Middle Ages through to the present day. The Kunsthalle's main aim is to educate about art, rather than showcase particular art treasures, and exhibitions are constantly changing to introduce new forms of art.

Blankenese

This quaint destination on the steep Elbe hillside was once a fishing village favored by retired ship captains. Today it has become popular with locals as a weekend outing, and visitors also throng the narrow alleys and stairways between picturesque houses packed together on the cliffside. The village offers an abundance of cafes and restaurants where patrons can relax and watch ships steaming in and out of the harbor. There is a ferry service to Blankenese from St Pauli-Landungsbrucken in Hamburg's Free Port.

Museum of Hamburg History

The museum gives a detailed description of the city of Hamburg from the 8th through to the 20th centuries. Scale models have been used to illustrate the changing shape of the city's famous harbor. Exhibits also include reconstructions of various typical rooms, such as the hall of a 17th-century merchant's home to an air raid shelter from World War II.

Reeperbahn

Hamburg's notorious red light district to the east of the city center in the St Pauli zone has become its second-greatest tourist attraction, according to the city management. The Reeperbahn (Rope Street) is where rope used to be produced for the ships in the harbor. It is now a half-mile long street which, along with its cross-streets, is filled with bright lights and flirtatious prostitutes, crammed with bars and establishments offering erotic entertainment. The Reeperbahn became the neighborhood where sailors of old were encouraged to seek entertainment after they were banned from invading the city's more respectable areas in the 19th century. The district also boasts an Erotic Art Museum (at Nobistor 10A), which is privately owned and restricted to persons over 16.

Sylt

The island of Sylt is Germany's most northern point, lying off the northwestern coast in the North Sea. The island boasts some lovely sandy beaches and stunning views, and its main town, Westerland, has become a popular seaside resort. The island also has miles of bicycle paths meandering through pine forests. The island offers plenty of entertainment for tourists, including shops, spas and exclusive restaurants. Trains arrive several times a day from Hamburg. The island is connected to the mainland by the six-mile (10km) long Hindenburgdamm bridge.

Hameln

Hameln, the famous town of the Pied Piper tale told to children around the world, is a popular tourist destination in Lower Saxony, northern Germany, lying beside the River Weser. The old town center has been reconstructed with several Renaissance buildings, and some wood-frame historic buildings, all adding to the fairytale atmosphere that brings alive the legend of the piper who offered to rid the town of rats, and ended up stealing all the children. A short musical version of the story is performed each Wednesday in the old town between May and September at 4.30pm. The Pied Piper himself conducts tours around the town!

Lübeck

Lübeck lies 41 miles (66km) north east of Hamburg, close to the Baltic coast. Not only is this historic town the home of a couple of noted Nobel Prize winners, but as a living monument to the wealthy Hanseatic merchants of the 13th century, it sports some architectural treasures that have ensured its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town's famous sons were Willy Brandt, the West German chancellor who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1971, and Thomas Mann, whose novel Buddenbrookswon the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1929. As far as the architecture goes, the town is known for its steeples and spires, high-gabled houses, strong towers and massive gates. The town is also billed as the world capital of marzipan, having been the spot where this delightful confection was first devised (there is a legend attached, of course). Samples of marzipan are freely available in Lübeck.

Legoland Discovery Center

The Legoland Discovery Center is the first indoor Legoland in the world and provides an interactive journey through a land of color, creativity, learning and play. There is a fun factory, where real Lego bricks are made, a 4-D cinema show, opportunities for visitors to make their own creations, Miniland Berlin, a themed ride and much more all under one roof.

Freiburg

Black Forest cake and cuckoo clocks are what most visitors travel to Freiburg for, but the beautiful city has far more to offer than the expected. The recommended way to explore the town and environs is by bicycle (there are plenty for hire) along more than 93 miles (150km) of bicycle paths. What one will find is a wealth of ancient history, some delicious food and wine, and breathtaking natural beauty. The city (really a large town) is known for its university, magnificent cathedral and medieval treasures, and a somewhat bohemian vibe with its street musicians and pavement artists. The Altstadt (Old City) is picturesque, featuring canals and dozens of historic buildings. A cable car carries passengers on scenic trips up the Schauinsland Mountain from the Stadtgarten to enjoy the view from the mountaintop restaurant. Freiburg hosts a music festival in mid-June each year, followed by a wine festival at the end of June and a wine-tasting festival in mid-August. Visitors very much enjoy the local Black Forest cuisine on offer at Freiburg's restaurants.

The Story of Berlin

One of Berlin's most popular attractions, this unusual exhibition recounts the history of the German capital city from its foundation until the fall of the Wall. The Story of Berlin is divided into 25 themed rooms and pays attention to the feelings, thoughts and living conditions of common Berliners. One of its main attractions is the nuclear bunker that was built during the Cold War in the 1970s. Guided tours are available every hour.

Pforzheim

Founded by the Romans as a mercantile center on the northern edge of the Black Forest, Pforzheim, at the confluence of the Wurm, Enz and Nagold Rivers, is today the center for traditional jewelry and clock-making. The town features a fascinating Technisches Museum to commemorate the important role time-keeping has played in Pforzheim's history. The museum features a reconstruction of a clock-making studio in the 19th century. Jewelry is also important in the town and the Schmuckmuseum collection features pieces dating from the 3rd century BC through to modern times. Pforzheim also has an interesting Alpine Garden which has 100,000 or more varieties of high-altitude plants growing in a natural setting beside the Wurm River.

Triberg

The true spirit of the Black Forest is brought to life in the Schwarzwald-Museum of Triberg, which documents the old traditions and lifestyle of this unique region, with displays of costumes, handcrafts (including clocks) and furnishings. It also boasts Europe's biggest barrel organ collection. Nearby Gutach contains original Black Forest homes up to four centuries old at the Freilchtmuseum Schwarzwalder. An exceptional waterfall at Gutach drops down the mountainside in seven stages, accessible by a walking trail. South of Triberg a huge variety of elaborate Black Forest clocks is on display at the German Clock Museum, to be found at Gerwigstrasse in the village of Furtwangen.

Gendarmenmarkt

Said to be one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, the Gendarmenmarkt is certainly one of Berlin's most impressive squares that was created as a market place in the 17th century. During World War II most of the buildings were destroyed, but have since been returned to their former glory. The square is dominated by the beautiful Konzerthaus (concert house), which is home to the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, as well as the twin churches of Deutscher Dom and Franzosischer Dom, the identical German and French Cathedrals. Gendarmenmarkt is also host to Berlin's best Christmas market and various concerts. Surrounding the plaza are a number of cafes and restaurants.

Charlottenburg Palace

Schloss Charlottenburg is the largest palace in Berlin, an 18th-century baroque structure that was originally constructed as the summer home for Sophie Charlotte, the wife of Elector Frederick III who became the first Prussian king. The splendid interiors are festooned with art masterpieces, while the surrounding gardens contain a mausoleum, pavilion and the Belvedere, which houses the porcelain museum.

Berliner Dom

The Berlin Cathedral was built between 1895 and 1905 and is a magnificent basilica that stands on the site of several earlier structures. Inside, the crypt contains over 80 sarcophagi of Prussian royals, while other areas of interest are the pulpit, the organ, and the stained glass windows. Visitors can climb the dome, which is decorated with intricate mosaics.

Pergamon Museum

This huge museum has three main departments, the Antiquity Collection, Islamic Art Museum and the Middle East Museum, that house parts of reconstructed monumental buildings transported from original excavation sites from ancient lands. The Antiquity Collection contains the Pergamon Altar from the second century BC, as well as the Market Gate of Miletus from Roman antiquity. The main attraction in the Islamic Art Museum is the Mshatta façade originating from a Jordanian desert palace, while the Middle East Museum boasts the Ishtar Gare and the Procession Way of Babylon, as well as the throne room façade of Nebuchadnezzar II.

Liebieghaus

Situated on the south bank of the river Main, the Liebieghaus was built in 1896 for Czech Baron Heinrich Liebieg, but today is the home of Frankfurt's Museum of Sculpture. Exhibits include sculptures from ancient times, such as Sumeria, Egypt, Greece and Rome to more modern Baroque, Rococo and Renaissance examples. A range of Egyptian and Asian pieces also feature in the range as well as a few works of some world-renowned artists.

German Film Museum (Deutsches Filmmuseum)

One of Germany's finest film museums, the Deutsches Filmmuseum shows old films from its collections continuously. These can be viewed on the second floor of the museum while the downstairs rooms tell the story of Germany's filmmaking history while exhibits are also on display, including models illustrating how special effects are shot as well as Emile Reynaud's 1882 Praxinoscope and Edison's Kinetoscope from 1889. The museum is closed for construction until Spring of 2011.

Historical Museum (Historisches Museum)

The Historical Museum (Historisches Museum) has many permanent exhibitions on display featuring objects and works of art ranging from the Middle Ages to present day. The museum's changing exhibitions covers a range of themes such as cultural history, art history and general history. Collections feature examples of gold and silver crockery and jewelry; pottery and porcelain; paintings, photographs; and scaled-down models of the Altstadt at various periods of its development. The Children's Museum, which lies adjacent to the Historical Museum, features a variety of special offers and exhibitions for youngsters of all ages.

Städel Gallery

Frankfurt's most important art gallery is the Städel Gallery, containing a fantastic collection of most European schools of painting. The first floor features the works of German painters of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as famous French Impressionists such as Renoir and Monet. The second floor offers visitors the pleasure of viewing an outstanding collection of Flemish primitives, 17th-century Dutch artists, and 16th-century German masters such as Dürer, Grünewald, Memling, Elsheimer, and many others with one of the most impressive paintings being Jan van Eyck's Madonna(1433). The gallery is closed through October 27th, 2010.

Frankfurt Zoo

The Frankfurt Zoo, located in Ostend, was nearly totally destroyed in the Second World War when only 20 animals survived. It was rebuilt in the early 1950s and since then has grown its features to include several innovative new sections such as the highly popular Big Cat Jungle and the Exotarium which houses fish, insects, reptiles and penguins, all kept in their natural surroundings. Frankfurt Zoo is home to over 3,200 different animals across 600 species and is renowned for keeping them in environments that most closely resemble their own natural habitats. It has a reputation as one of the most attractive, pleasant and popular zoo faciltiies in Europe. Away from the fauna there are two restaurants as well as a terrace to enjoy in the summer months. A major draw card for the zoo and one of its most unique features is Grzimek House which is home to nocturnal animals who think it's night-time during the day.

Palace Square (Schlossplatz)

The symbolic heart of Stuttgart, the Schlossplatz or Palace Square, is a popular meeting point for locals and travelers alike, the beautifully baroque New Palace providing a majestic backdrop. The former residence of kings, the New Palace was built between 1746 and 1806 and is now a base for the state government of Baden- Wurttemberg. If the New Palace feels a bit French it's because the Duke Carl Eugen of Wurttembergwanted to create a Versailles in Stuttgart. The König Wilhelm Jubilee Column, rising in the fore, was erected in 1841 in honor of King Wilhelm's silver jubilee (25 years of reign), and the statue of Concordia, the Roman goddess of harmony at the pinnacle, added in 1863. The two fountains were built at the same time, the eight cherubs each representing one of Württemberg's rivers.

Old and New State Gallery

Built between 1838 and 1843 under King Wilhelm I of Wuerttemberg, the Old State Gallery features a presitigous range of paintings, drawings, sculptures, watercolors and prints from the 14th to the 19th centuries, with Jerg Ratgeb, Canaletto, Memling and Rembrandt taking center stage. Connected to the Old State Gallery on the same level is the New State Gallery, dedicated to the art of the 20th century. Looking at important schools within various art movements like the Fauvism, German Expressionism, Die Brucke and Cubism, works by masters such as Picasso, Beckmann, Schlemmer, Beuys, Kiefer and Klee, can be found here.

Kunstmuseum Stuttgart

Centrally located, Kunstmuseum Stuttgart is a work of art in itself. Its modern cuboid design transforms from a glass hexahedron during the day to reveal a colorful skeletal interior when lit up at night. Opened in 2005, the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart is renowned for its prestigious collection of work by Otto Dix, the renowned German artist remembered for his realistic depictions of Weimar society and the brutality of war. The colorful and abstract art of Willi Baumeister and the mixed media work of contemporary artist Dieter Roth are also on display at the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart, along with ever changing international exhibitions. Don't miss the museum shop and bookshop, or have a light snack at the onsite restaurant.

Mercedes-Benz Museum

Opened shortly before the start of the Football World Cup in Germany, the impressive Mercedes-Benz Museum is housed in a slick, contemporary building, an icon of modern architecture. With an exhibition space of almost 182,986 ft² (17,000 m²) covering seven storys, the museum takes visitors on a chronological journey through the history of the Mercedes automobile. Combining world events occurring at the same time as Benz breakthroughs and displaying over 160 different vehicles from racing cars and concept cars to the pope mobile and airplane engines, there is much for the automobile aficionado to see.

Wilhelma Zoo

Europe's only combined zoological and botanical garden, the Wilhelma Zoo never fails to leave a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of all who explore her confines. Initially built as a Moorish garden for King Wilhelm I in the 19th century, the beautiful botanical garden is extraordinary all year round. Countless exotic plants, a range of climatic biospheres in magnificent greenhouses, a petting zoo, insect exhibit, aquarium with crocodile hall, modern ape house, bear facilities, walk-in bird flight facility and wild animal enclosures are some of the exhilarhating sights to be enjoyed. Ideal for children and adults, there are a host of ice cream stands, cafeterias and playgrounds to keep the whole family entertained for the entire day. The Wilhema Zoo is home to 8,000 animals, including polar bears and elephants, and 5,000 different species of plants.

Mineral Baths

Sitting on one of the largest mineral water reserves in Europe, the inhabitants of Stuttgart have been enjoying its liquid vitality for more than two millennia. Relaxing in a hot, steamy mineral bath is a good way to spend some of your down time in the city. Das Leuze, Mineralbad Cannstatt and Mineral Bath Berg all feature hot and cold mineral baths, saunas, hot tubs and swimming pools. Das Leuze is geared toward families with its playground, childrens pool and bright colors, while Mineralbad Cannstatt caters more for adults looking for a haven of relaxation. Mineral Bath Berg is a 1950s gem, its iron-rich waters recognized by the state as a 'heilbad' for its medicinal properties.

Porsche Museum

Just like their cars, the 'small but good' Porsche Museum in Stuttgart is a retrospective of more than 75 years of Porsche engineering and memorabilia. The

20 or so exhibits from the first Porsche-branded car to series cars and the Formula 1 champions of the mid 1980s; the various Porsche models are switched several times a year. Following in the footsteps of other automobile titans, the Porsche Museum is turning over a new leaf with construction on a 60,277 square feet (5,600 square meters) architectural landmark to house some of its 300 strong collection. The new museum will be inaugurated toward the end of 2008, boasting the latest in automobile exhibition technology and quadrupling the number of pristine Porsches on display.

Tiergarten

The world's largest inner-city park, and housing both the parliamentary and governmental institutions, Tiergarten combines the attractions of the Berlin's largest park with its zoo. The residence of the German President and the Carillon are also located in the park. Tiergarten is also a great place for families to enjoy and relax under the shade of a tree with a picnic, or throw a frisbee. And when the little ones get bored of that, head off to the Berlin Zoo for the afternoon.

Museum fuer Naturkunde (Nature Museum)

Boasting over 30 million objects throughout its geological, palaeontological and zoological collections, the Museum fuer Naturkunde is the biggest of its kind in Germany and one of the five largest in the world. Children of all ages will enjoy discovering the dinosaurs and learning while they wander around the exhibition halls, which take up a massive 6,600 square meters (71,000 square feet).

Domaene Dahlem

This open-air museum is a must for lovers of farmyard animals. Children will love visiting this working farm and learning while enjoying playing with piglets and kids, (of the baby goat variety). On Saturdays the farm features an organic market and parents can even relax in the beer garden sipping on a pint of their favorite brew while the children run around or take a tractor ride.

Berlin Zoo-Aquarium

Children and families love nothing more than trips to the zoo or the aquarium and Berlin's stunning Zoo-Aquarium combines both! It offers visitors the opportunity to marvel at some spectacular animals, and with largest number of species of its kind and an immense biodiversity, this building provides terrariums and aquariums for over 9,000 animals of almost 800 species, such as Blacktip Reef sharks, tuataras, Solomon Island skink, and electric eels. In the zoo, children will love the magical animals, such as polar bears, camels and lions.

Grips-Theater

The renowned and respected Grips-Theater is a fantastic place to take the kids while on vacation in Berlin. Children will enjoy the spectacular shows and dancing and entertainment.

Palmengarten

This spectacular garden was opened to the public in 1871 and features 50 acres (20 hectares) of flora from rain forest and mangrove, to savannah and thorn forest vegetation. During the summer months, families can rent rowboats on the pond, tour the post-war reconstructed greenhouses, stop and smell the roses in the rose garden, and on warm summer evenings, head to the bandstand to enjoy some live music or dancing. Children will love Palmengarten as there's plenty to see and loads of space to run around and let off some steam. Guided tours of the gardens are available in English, French and Spanish.

Children's Museum of Frankfurt

The Children's Museum of Frankfurt gives provides an interactive and exciting glimpse of what life is like under the streets of Frankfurt. Exhibitions take in the various geology, biology and archaeology of the city.

Senckenberg Museum of Natural History

One of the biggest natural history museums in Germany and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History features exhibits of recent biodiversity of life and evolution of organisms as well as the Earth. A popular attraction of the museum is the fascinating paleontology exhibit which features fossils that date back over 50-million years. Children of all ages will love exploring this fascinating museum and learning about the evolution of not only world, but also mammals and other life.

Struwwelpeter Museum

The Struwwelpeter Museum features memorabilia of the children's books, Struwwelpeter (' Slovenly Peter'), which were written and illustrated in the early 19th century by Dr. Heinrich Hoffman. These tales reflect the draconian parenting style of this bygone age, although today modern kids are more likely to be amused by the macabre morality of stories like the boy who played with scissors and cut off all his fingers! The museum has a children's theater where kids can enjoy watching a performance of stories such as 'The little dog Schnuffel' or 'The Little Elephant' or children can dress up in costumes and play in the playroom.

Rebstock Bath

A visit to the Rebstock pool on a hot summer's day in Frankfurt is a must for children of all ages. It features a huge 394-foot (120m) water slide, wave pool, hot tubs, saunas and even an Olympic lap pool. For parents looking to relax and make use of some of the other facilities such as massage or steam bath, there are child care facilities, children's playground and volleyball court, so parents can relax and enjoy themselves while the kids let off some steam.

Mainz

The capital of the Rhineland, Mainz is a bustling city with a curious mixture of medieval architecture and gleaming office blocks. The Dom und Diözesanmuseum dominates the skyline in the center of town, and St Stephen's Church, with its original Chagall stained-glass windows, is a popular attraction in the Old Town, as is the Schillerplatz square. The city is compact enough to enjoy walking tours around town or along the Rhine. Mainz is also the birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press.

Bonn

Bonn is dominated by the Rheinische Friedrich Wilhem University, with a student population of over 24,000; however it is most widely known as the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven, and there are many attractions around Bonn relating to the famous composer. The city has several beautiful churches, including the Kreuzbergkirche, Doppelkirche, and Das Bonner Münster basilica, and other interesting buildings ranging from medieval to modern. Bonn also has many museums, including art museums, history museums, and a zoological museum. The city is small enough to see on foot, but there is an excellent public transport system.

Cologne

Cologne (or Köln) is one of the largest cities in Germany, and a bustling hub of media and business on the Rhine. The dramatic Kölner Dom can be seen from miles away, and a number of other beautiful Gothic and Romanesque churches dot the city. There are also museums dedicated to Roman history, modern and religious art, ethnology, sports, and even chocolate. Several pedestrian streets, called Hohe Strasse and Schildergasse, offer interesting shops, cafes and street music. Cologne has a vibrant and colorful cultural life, with its locally-brewed Kölsch beer and other gastronomic specialties, and is known as the gay capital of Germany with a large Gay Pride event held every year.

Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf is one of Germany's economic hubs, with a densely populated city center housing over 10 million people. Because much of Düsseldorf was destroyed in World War II, the city is not as scenic as others in Germany. Modern architecture enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy, however, in Frank Gehry buildings and the colorful Colorium, all clustered in the media harbor. There are several pedestrian malls to stroll and plenty of museums and parks to enjoy, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a cleaner and more elegant city in Germany.

Deutsches Museum

The Deutches Museum is a perfect activity for kids in Munich, giving them plenty to explore and interact with, whether the weather is nice or not. It is the world's largest technology and science museum, with roughly 28,000 artifacts on display. The museum is located on a small island in the Isar River, with additional facilities outside of Munich and in Bonn.

Allied Museum

Occupying an abandoned movie theater, the Allied Museum is located on the former U.S. Army Europe's Berlin Brigade headquarters, and houses exhibits and displays detailing the history of the Allied forces in Germany in World War II and up until 1994. The museum's collections include military memorabilia, weapons, photos and other artifacts including the original Checkpoint Charlie shed.

Reichstag

The Reichstag is one of Berlin's most famous buildings. The seat of Germany's parliament since 1894, the building has had a volatile history, being damaged in World War II, wrapped in a sheet by conceptual artist Christo in 1995, and being massively reconstructed in the late 1990s. The reconstruction saw the building gutted, leaving only the facade, and the addition of a glass-domed atrium that provides panoramic views of Berlin.

Hohenzollern Castle

The magnificent castle at Hohenzollern is perched on a hilltop 31 miles (50km) outside of Stuttgart. Built in the 15th century, the structure's fairy-tale visage is set against spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding countryside of the Black Forest, and the castle hosts a number of attractions and events, including an open-air cinema, Christmas market, and a museum.

German Clock Museum

Although you may find yourself inundated by cuckoo clocks everywhere you look in the Black Forest, the German Clock Museum's large collection of timepieces is the most comprehensive of its kind, and offers over 8,000 examples of clocks going back 150 years. Tours are conducted at 11am by appointment, and there are free English guidebooks available.

Planten un Blomen

In the middle of Hamburg is an oasis of green lawns and trees, with colorful flowers and fountains providing a lovely backdrop to relax in. You can stroll around the Japanese garden and enjoy the tropical flower collections and teahouse, and children will enjoy the range of attractions including playgrounds, pony rides, miniature golf, and a roller rink and ice skating rink. There are also concerts and theatrical performances on a regular basis.

St Michaelis Church

St. Michaelis began as a humble church, which was extended in 1600. In 1647 construction began on the grand building that stands today. Like many important buildings in Germany, the church suffered major damage in World War II. Michaeliskircheoffers tours of the 270 foot (82m) tower; the crypt, which contains the bodies of Johann Mattheson and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach; and there is also an interesting presentation on the history of Hamburg.

Miniature Wonderland

Train enthusiasts will love Miniature Wonderland in Hamburg. With over 4,000 square meters of floorspace, there is much to see with tiny models of various regions, both local and international. The largest of its kind, there are 900 trains with 12,000 carriages; 300,000 lights, 200,000 trees and 200,000 human figures. Sections include Southern Germany and the Austrian Alps, Hamburg and the Coast, America, Scandinavia, and Switzerland. Construction has begun on an expansion that will add five new sections, including France, Italy and the UK, by 2014.

Herrenhausen Gardens

The Royal Gardens at Herrenhausen exemplify the manicured French Baroque style of landscaping. Sculpted topiaries dot the symmetrical lawns of the Great Garden, which also contains the famous Grotto by artist Niki de Saint Phalle. The Berggarten houses exotic plants and a conservatory, and the Welfgarten surrounds the impressive Welfenschloss Castle.

European Cheese Center

Located in the Anderten district of Hanover is the European Cheese Center, which is the only 'Cheese Experience' in Europe. There are eight areas, each representing a cheese-producing region of Europe, and a central marketplace, where you can enjoy cheese and wine tastings. Audio guides are available by appointment for EUR3 per person.