
Germany has an uncanny influence on its inhabitants. The country boasts an inexplicably large number of legends in every conceivable field. Einstein, Beethoven, Karl Marx and the Brothers Grimm (to say nothing of Claudia Schiffer). It’s incredible, but hardly surprising. The rustic landscape is certainly evocative enough and the country’s history, positively inspiring. And there’s no denying how favourably German sausages and brew affect one’s temperament. The nation’s charm is undeniable.
City Information
Munich
It is a city where open-hearted geniality permeates the air; imperial edifices and sleek modern chariots notwithstanding. Where visitors are welcomed with a friendly ‘münchen mag dich’ (‘munich likes you’) and an everlasting supply of good home-brew. It is a city that loves its baroque structures as ardently as it attempts to surpass them with more contemporary monuments. It’s a city that is a class in itself.
Füssen
In spite of its proud bavarian structures, füssen has a quaint, almost pastoral air which is most charming. Here an imperial castle sternly considers the sprawling landscape below; there an ancient mansion lies secretly tucked away in verdant woods. It is a town that acknowledges the change in time but politely declines its interference.
Baden Baden
Brahms who lived here found the air most therapeutic. While dostoevsky succumbed to a bout of compulsive gambling and the gambler practically wrote itself. Eons later, baden-baden has once again been reinstated to its position as a gamblers’ paradise and a spa destination.
Frankfurt
Unlike most german cities, frankfurt exudes an unabashedly modern air. Indeed, it defines modern. Proud though the city undoubtedly is of its ancient monuments, its skyscrapers rise in cool defiance, dwarfing those around it. And it was in this city, once more familiar with brahms and wagner, that trance was born. But make no mistake; the old era is not being wiped out in favour of the new. Frankfurt’s merely continuing its tradition of defining a new age.
Rüedesheim
The hackneyed portrait of a german without his pint, is incomplete. At rüdesheim, however, they’d much rather have their wine. It was the romans who first introduced bacchus’s preferred poison to this land; and the teutones gladly embraced the tradition. Walk through rüdesheim today and you will find that the streets are dotted with cosy wooden taverns. And people who are more than happy to keep you company.
Cologne
Walk through cologne and you will stumble upon ancient roman walls, nondescript post-war buildings and avant-garde museums. Ancient gothic churches define most streets and the familiar peal from the belfry is dear to every native. The skies, doubtlessly, belong to the filigree twin spires of kolner dom. The history of german architecture and culture, it seems, is encapsulated by the city of cologne.
Dortmund
The city of dortmund once built its prosperity on coal, steel and beer. The mines are now dormant and the steel mills shut down to make way for more zeitgiest-compatible industries. Its fortunes now come from feeding the passion of shopping enthusiasts and ardent footballers. And of course, the breweries which, the natives will cheerfully attest, are going as strong as ever. Indeed, it has seen considerable growth.
Kassel
The woods are strangely reminiscent of childhood. Even the castle seems oddly familiar. You’re almost surprised to observe that no golden braid hangs from the turret. Kassel is where the brothers grimm collected and wrote their well-known tales. And the city’s magic seems to have worked its way in.
Leipzig
Leipzig has often been called ‘a little paris’. Its inhabitants however, dismiss the comparison to the fashionable gallic capital. Leipzig is more alive and infinitely more passionate. It was known as the stadt der helden (city of heroes) for its role in the 1989 democratic revolution. But no sooner had the troubles blown over than the city broke out into one unanimous celebration that hasn’t ceased. A leipziger is most at home in his favourite watering hole - be it a nightclub or an opera house.
Berlin
Berlin is most mercurial in its readiness to change and chameleon-like in its adaptability. It is the city for the exuberant and the upbeat. It is where politicos and influence-peddlers rub shoulders with reckless party goers and the more bohemian. It is safe to conclude that the wall and other vestiges of the dour old city that was berlin, have been shunted to history books and war movies. A livelier, more urbane city has risen from the ashes.
Frankfurt
2 Nights accommodation with breakfast at Hotel Maritim or similar in Frankfurt Return airport transfers on Pvt basis Guided tour Frankfurt on SIC Basis
Munich
3 Nights accommodation with breakfast at Hotel Maritim or similar in Munich One way airport transfer on Pvt Basis 1 Day Hop On Hop Off Pass Local Bavarian Dinner with Beer Entrance to BMW Museum Tour of Linderhof & Neuschwanstein Castle
Cologne
2 Nights accommodation with breakfast at Hotel Maritim or similar in Cologne Evening take Panorama cruise on Rhine Visit to Chocolate Museum
Leipzig
2 Nights accommodation with breakfast at Hotel in Leipzig Entrance ticket to Yadegar Asisi's Magical Picture of Nature
Stuttgart
2 Nights accommodation with breakfast at Hotel Maritim or similar in Stuttgart 3 days Sttutgart Card Half Day Wine tour in Stuttgart on private basis with Lunch Entrance to Mercedes Car museum
Berlin
3 Nights accommodation with breakfast at Hotel Maritim or similar in Berlin Hop On Hop Off tour of Berlin One way airport transfer on private basis Entrance for Legoland Discovery centre Day Excursion to Potsdam from Berlin on SIC Basis
Hannover
2 Nights accommodation with breakfast at Hotel Maritim or similar in Hannover Return Station Transfer on Private Basis Visit to Hannover Zoo
Hamburg
2 Nights accommodation with breakfast at Hotel Maritim or similar in Hamburg Return Station Transfer on Private Basis 1 Days Hop On Hop Off Pass