Children’s Activities
There are some wonderful activities for children available in Germany. The Fairy Tale Road is one of the most elaborate and truly memorable of these, though it takes a few days to really take it in. Each major city has its own parks, zoos and specialty museums that appeal to children and families as well.
 Fairy Tale Road The Märchenstrasse is a 370-mile road that winds through the countryside between Hanau (just outside of Frankfurt) and Bremen. Two hundred years ago, the Brothers Grimm travelled this same path to gather the folk stories that had formed here in this countryside. Along the way, children are delighted to see quaint, medieval castles and little cottages, many of which are directly associated with fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Rapunzel and Rumpelstilzchen. Also featured are marionette shows and museums that deal in the lives, times and stories of the Brothers Grimm. The Fairy Tale Road is best explored by hire car from Frankfurt, as public transportation is limited in more rural areas.
 Phantasialand Located in Brühl (south of Cologne), Phantasialand is a family-oriented amusement park that serves 2 million visitors every year. The park is divided into several themed sectors including: 1920's Berlin; Fantasies and myths; the Wild West; Mysteries and Spooks; and Africa. Rides include the inverted 'Black Mamba' roller coaster; the 'Fear and Force' spinning coasters; and the 'Colorado Adventure' mine train thrill ride. There is also a haunted castle with drop tower and several spooky rides. A Chinese-themed hotel in the park features a restaurant, bar, spa and sauna.
 Tierpark Hagenbeck Located in Hamburg, this is one of the best zoos in Europe. The beautifully arranged gardens are a wonderful place to stroll around or simply relax. In total, there are 2,500 animals in the zoo representing 360 separate species. This facility caters especially well for children, with an expansive playground; a train ride through 'Fairyland'; and dolphin and sea lion shows. For an added treat, consider signing up for one of the elephant- or camel-back rides. Phone: +49 405 400 010; website: www.hagenbeck.de.
Cultural Activities
Germany has a rich, cultural heritage that owes much of grandeur to the influence of the Holy Roman Empire. Numerous castles accent the countryside, while marvellous cathedrals loom over the old quarters of most major cities. Museums abound throughout Germany, and even more so since the trauma of WWII and the strife that followed. Of course, some would say that the most authentic cultural experience is still very active, found around the corner in any provincial beer hall or biergarten.
 Aachen Cathedral (Dom) This magnificent cathedral was built by Emperor Charlemagne in the year 800, and his throne is still on display to this day though it can only be viewed with a guide. From the 10th to the 16th centuries, emperors of the Holy Roman Empire were coroneted here. The cathedral developed over the course of several centuries, and the result is a unique blend of influences: the dome is Carolingian; the choir is Gothic; and the Hungarian chapel is Baroque. There is a golden shrine in the chancel that dates to the early 13th century and inside are a collection of Charlemagne relics. Phone: +49 241 4770 9127.
 Alte Pinakothek Another of Munich's art museums, this one focuses the work of the Old European Masters. The collection itself (with pieces ranging from the 13th to 18th centuries) was begun long ago in the early 16th century by William IV. Some of the most important artwork here represents Flemish, Dutch and Italian movements, and there are paintings by da Vinci, Rembrandt and Raphael on site. The vast quantity of work on display here means that true art enthusiasts will want to plan more than a single day to take it all in. Phone: +49 8923 805216; website: www.alte-pinakothek.de.
 Brandenburg Gate Built in the late 18th century in a style reminiscent of Ancient Greece, the Brandenburg Gate towers over the land between Berlin's historic old quarter and the Tiergarten. In the last century, the gate took on new significance as a sort of sentinel along the line of division between East and West Berlin—a looming reminder of the deepening line of division being drawn between Communist and Capitalist powers during the Cold War. South of the gate is the heart-wrenching Memorial to the Murdered Jews in Europe, built over the former site of Hitler's chancellery.
Dachau Concentration Camp Situated just a few miles outside of Munich, Dachau concentration camp opened in 1933 and was the first on German soil. The camp operated for 12 years and held more than 200,000 total prisoners. Captives included Jews, communists, Jehovah's Witnesses, some union members, gypsies and numerous others. Official Nazi records indicate that 30,000 inmates died over time, though the actual figure is much higher, as over 6 million people are thought to have perished at the hands of the Nazi's. Today, a museum is housed in the former kitchen/laundry/shower facility and includes exhibits chronicling the notorious exploits of the Nazi regime and the heavy toll it took on inmates and their families. Phone: +49 8131 669970; website: www.kz-gedenkstaette-dachau.de.
 Gemäldegalerie Located 12 miles outside of Munich, this is one of the finest art museums in Germany. The exhibits represent work from several of Europe's masters painting from the 1200s to the 1700s, with an emphasis on early German artists. In all, there are more than 700 works of art on site, ranging from Renaissance to Baroque styles. One of the most novel pieces is The Man with the Golden Helmet, a work long attributed to Rembrandt, though recently discovered to be another artist’s work. The collection was divided between East and West German powers during the Cold War and was not seen together in the same building again until 1998. Phone: +49 8131 567516.
 Island Castles in Münsterland The landscape of Münster in the Northern Rhineland is flat and unprotected, and for this reason, ancient kings wishing to build a fortified castle had to employ a few creative tactics. Instead of perching their fortresses on rocky crags overlooking steep valleys, they were driven to seek sanctuary over the water. The countryside surrounding Münster is dotted with hundreds of provincial, moated castles (though there were once thousands), each built on islands of rivers and lakes. In some cases, fill dirt was brought in to create an island where none existed. Outstanding among these castles are Schloss Nordkirchen, Burg Hülshoff, Haus Rüschhaus and Burg Vischering.
 Zwinger This sprawling esplanade in Dresden was built by Augustus the Strong in the 18th century. After post-WWII reconstruction, the Zwinger facility was rededicated as a complex of museums housing antique weaponry, Dresden porcelain and numerous paintings from multiple eras. The Zwinger museums include the Historical Museum; the Picture Gallery; the Porcelain Collection; the Zoological Museum; and the Mathematisch-Physicalischer Salon. The latter is a marvellous collection of historic scientific implements and period timepieces. The outside of the facility is set with an array of gardens, statues and monuments. Phone: +49 3514 9142000.
Dining & Shopping
While shopping is not the first thing tourists associate with Germany, perusing local goods is a nice way to experience individual destinations. Both Berlin and Munich host behemoth shopping centres, fully equipped to accommodate international shoppers' needs. Meanwhile, outlying villages and smaller towns focus on specific products and marketable media.
 German towns have focused on pedestrian shopping malls (fussgängerzonen) in an effort to stave off the advance of leviathan shopping malls. Daily shopping is held here and on shopping streets (Einkaufsstrassen), where designer fashions and upscale manufactured goods reign supreme.
 Porcelain is a celebrated product in Germany, and it appears in many forms on shelves across the country. High-quality porcelain producers like Rosenthal, Meissen and KPM are well-known names. The latter has operated in Berlin for 200 years.
Handicrafts like Bavarian woodcarvings are available throughout the Alps. Subjects usually feature religious themes and are cut in styles that date directly to the 1300s. It’s a time-honoured tradition though much of the preliminary cutting is now performed by machines.
 Other popular regional products include hand-carved cuckoo clocks from the Black Forest regions. During the holiday season, shoppers head to the Christmas Fair in Nürnberg to purchase whimsical toys.
Mealtime is a serious venture in Germany, and there are numerous places to enjoy a meal in every town and city. Weekly markets (Wochenmarkt) held in virtually every town feature delicious local delicacies like handmade sausages and cheeses. Fresh, local fruits and vegetables are also common products at these food stalls.
The Gaststätte is a mainstay of epicurean culture in Germany. These restaurant-and-pub establishments feature straightforward fare at reasonable prices and the emphasis is always on a laid-back and comfortable dining experience. Wine cellars (Weinstube) are another excellent place to go for simple food and a drink.
 Regional cuisine varies considerably across Germany, often shifting with the lay of the land. In the mountainous countryside of Bavaria and Franconia, dishes feature pork, beef and liver, and quintessential German sausages and sauerkraut are in full supply. Hearty, warming soups and dark, crusty breads are a mainstay of Berlin—especially during winter months—with coffeecakes and cheesecakes following meals.
Potatoes and lentils work their way into the soups and hot dishes of Saxony, while the Rhineland is known for quirkier specialties like stuffed pork belly (Saumagen). Westphalia is famous for pork in all of its forms, ranging from traditional cuts of ham to the feet, tails and ears.
 Beer and wine have long held an important place in German society. Germany is home to the world's oldest brewery (in Bavaria). Brewers take pride in their craft, and there are countless varieties of varying potency in Beer Halls across the region. Excellent wines originate in the Rhine and Mosel River valleys. Light, delicate whites are the most popular varieties.
Outdoor Activities
Germany's countryside is beautiful and varied, and visitors relish the chance to head outdoors and enjoy nature. What's more, the country's cities, roads and open spaces are well-suited for many outdoor activities. Separate cycling lanes accompany roads and the countryside is cut with clean and well-marked trails. Tour companies throughout the country have teamed up with local accommodation to create outdoor tours of varying lengths and many of these tours access areas of historical and cultural significance.
 Hiking The German countryside is a hiker's paradise, from the flat northern plains and western Rhineland to the hilly interior and the breathtaking stretch of Bavarian Alps running through the southernmost part of the country. There are literally tens of thousands of well-marked hiking trails across the country, cutting through a variety of landscapes at multiple skill levels. It is possible to plan cross-country hikes over the course of several days, with certain trails serviced by intermittent hotels and restaurants that cater specifically for hikers. Some tour companies will transport your luggage between stops so you can enjoy the countryside without worrying about unnecessary weight.
 Cycling Cycling is a wonderful way to tour the German countryside. Much of northern Germany is flat and well-suited to cycling, as are the valleys and canals around the Rhine River. What's more, the sport of cycling was embraced here some time ago; and clearly marked cycling paths are often available. Cycling tours of the Romantic Road and Bavaria are both very popular. Travel agents in this part of Germany are knowledgeable about regional cycling opportunities and they can organise independent or group tours tailored to varying skill levels. These companies also arrange all of the necessary equipment for short- and long-haul cycling tours.
 Winter Sports Germany has a lot to offer the winter sports enthusiast, and many skiers and snowboarders are surprised to find that the country has some of Europe's finest facilities. The highest altitudes in the country are reached in the Bavarian Alps; there are more than 300 towns in Germany that specialise in winter sports. There are even a few indoor facilities that allow skiing and snowboarding yearlong. Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the oldest and most popular ski resort in Germany, with a well-established history running back to the early 20th century. There are several other successful resorts as well. Crowds are easily avoided by skiing midweek, when most German resorts are quiet.
| 
