Situated in the Lower Saxony region of northwest Germany, Hannover receives less coverage than most German climes and is somewhat underrated as a tourist destination due to its mainly trade fair and business status. Scene of massive Allied bombing at the end of the war, much of the town was levelled although some historical sights remain and many areas have been revitalised.

Although there are few historic landmarks, with its faux-medieval old quarter, Hannover’s Altstadt (Old Town) is pleasant nonetheless and lots of green areas reside just outside the city centre. Lake Maschsee and the Eilenriede Forest are two such areas of recreation while the Herrenhauser Garten is a major focal point with its many side attractions and massive fountain.

The old town’s main allure is its many small shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants and the pleasant wandering that can be done here. The Marktkirche and the old Rathaus town hall are two of the main attractions, along with the Sprengel Museum of Modern Art and the rambling Hanover Congress Centrum.

For leisure, shopping options are diverse, with many buzzing pedestrianised areas like the Old Quarter, Linden district and the Passerelle 'shopping mile'. The eating in these areas is also good. Maschsee Lake in the south of town has good walking, boating and swimming, and the Herrenhausen Gardens is the best place to take kids, with the resident Hannover Zoo and the Big Aquarium.

Hannover has a good supply of hotels, from good value pensions up to midrange and four- and five-star hotels. Better rooms fill up quickly during the city’s many trade fairs and exhibitions, particularly in the springtime, so booking online ahead of time is recommended. You can stay just about anywhere in town and take advantage of the excellent public transport system.

Hannover Airport is just outside the city and is well connected to the rest of Europe and Asia. Facilities are good and transfers to town are by way of rail, bus, hire car and taxi. Hannover is also well connected by road and rail, with trains and long distance buses coming in from all over Germany and from neighbouring countries, while two major motorways serve the city from all compass points.

Hannover’s weather is similar to that of England and the Netherlands, with mild summers and winters and no extremes either way. Summertime is the best time to be here to get the best chance of the weather, when temperatures average around 25°C although it can get pretty humid towards the latter part of summer.

Rain comes at any time of year, including throughout the summer months, while off-season bargains can generally be had in the latter part of the autumn and during the winter (December to February). Temperatures seldom dip below freezing but when Russian Steppe winds come in from the east, temperatures tend to plummet.