One of the great things about traveling in Western Europe is that distances are so small. It's quite easy to see a country like The Netherlands, Belgium or Switzerland in a week or two. There are some exceptions, though. Germany, for instance is big and there is so much to see and do that the best way to see the country is with a series of shorter Germany tours.
It's impossible to really experience the fascinating German cities, landscape, history, culture and food in only two weeks. It's best to decide on what you'd like to focus on rather than trying to spend only a day at a destination and then go to the next one. By enjoying the country one bit at a time, you really get to experience all the magic it has to offer.
One destination that should be at the top of your wish list is Berlin. The country's capital is at its most beautiful in summer and is best explored on foot or by bicycle. Take in sights such as the magnificent Brandenburg Gate, relax in the parks or at the Berlin Zoo or enjoy an outdoor music festival. A great trip is to cycle along the route where the Berlin Wall used to be and then to visit the infamous Checkpoint Charlie.
Of course Berlin is not the only fascinating German city. Each of the major cities has a unique character. Frankfurt is a financial center while Stuttgart is known for its industry. Hamburg is one of the busiest ports in Europe while Munich has plenty of Bavarian charm. Bonn is a must for music lovers since this was where Beethoven was born. There are several university towns too, most notably Heidelberg.
If you're not really a city lover, you may want to explore the stunning countryside of Southern Germany. The Bavarian Alps are great in winter because of the many ski resorts here but in summer you'll want to explore the lakes in this region. The Black Forest is best in the warmer months, when you can go hiking. Another option is to take a cruise along the Rhine, to see how the landscape changes as you head north.
The countryside changes as you go towards the north and a great way to see this is with a cruise on the mighty Rhine River. Near the coast, the mountains make way for plains with dikes and canals. Schleswig-Holstein, for instance, is almost like The Netherlands. In the northwest you'll find the North Sea while the northeast borders on the Baltic Sea. In both these regions you'll find popular beach resorts.
Instead of focusing on destinations, you may want to focus on a theme. For instance, wine lovers may want to travel in the Rhineland with its vineyards. If beer is your tipple of preference, it's a good idea to choose a tour package that will take you to Munich for Oktoberfest. For fairytale castles, try the route known as the Romantic Road. It covers about 400 km in the southern part of the country and takes you to destinations such Neuschwanstein Castle, which inspired Sleeping Beauty's castle in the Disney classic.
There are different ways to find a tour that will be to your liking. Most short tours and day trips can be booked once you're in the region. For boat cruises on the Rhine or an Oktoberfest trip, however, it's best to book online well in advance.
It's impossible to really experience the fascinating German cities, landscape, history, culture and food in only two weeks. It's best to decide on what you'd like to focus on rather than trying to spend only a day at a destination and then go to the next one. By enjoying the country one bit at a time, you really get to experience all the magic it has to offer.
One destination that should be at the top of your wish list is Berlin. The country's capital is at its most beautiful in summer and is best explored on foot or by bicycle. Take in sights such as the magnificent Brandenburg Gate, relax in the parks or at the Berlin Zoo or enjoy an outdoor music festival. A great trip is to cycle along the route where the Berlin Wall used to be and then to visit the infamous Checkpoint Charlie.
Of course Berlin is not the only fascinating German city. Each of the major cities has a unique character. Frankfurt is a financial center while Stuttgart is known for its industry. Hamburg is one of the busiest ports in Europe while Munich has plenty of Bavarian charm. Bonn is a must for music lovers since this was where Beethoven was born. There are several university towns too, most notably Heidelberg.
If you're not really a city lover, you may want to explore the stunning countryside of Southern Germany. The Bavarian Alps are great in winter because of the many ski resorts here but in summer you'll want to explore the lakes in this region. The Black Forest is best in the warmer months, when you can go hiking. Another option is to take a cruise along the Rhine, to see how the landscape changes as you head north.
The countryside changes as you go towards the north and a great way to see this is with a cruise on the mighty Rhine River. Near the coast, the mountains make way for plains with dikes and canals. Schleswig-Holstein, for instance, is almost like The Netherlands. In the northwest you'll find the North Sea while the northeast borders on the Baltic Sea. In both these regions you'll find popular beach resorts.
Instead of focusing on destinations, you may want to focus on a theme. For instance, wine lovers may want to travel in the Rhineland with its vineyards. If beer is your tipple of preference, it's a good idea to choose a tour package that will take you to Munich for Oktoberfest. For fairytale castles, try the route known as the Romantic Road. It covers about 400 km in the southern part of the country and takes you to destinations such Neuschwanstein Castle, which inspired Sleeping Beauty's castle in the Disney classic.
There are different ways to find a tour that will be to your liking. Most short tours and day trips can be booked once you're in the region. For boat cruises on the Rhine or an Oktoberfest trip, however, it's best to book online well in advance.
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