Too many travellers think they know Germany. Theirs might be the country of oompah and sausages in Bavaria, the arty, hipster districts of Berlin, the cuckoo-clock villages in the Black Forest or wonky fairytale towns along the Romantic Road to Schloss Neuschwanstein – the original Sleeping Beauty castle. Each is brilliant, yet the more I see, the more I realise how extraordinary Germany is.
Nowhere else in Europe combines so much history or scenery – from white powder beaches on the Baltic coast to romantic river valleys like the Rhine or Elbe and corkscrew alps – with such excellence. If England had as many outstanding galleries, museums, brilliant nightlife, world-renowned beers or the best Christmas in the world, it’d be insufferable. Germany? Not a bit. Welcoming and relaxed, it has never been a more rewarding destination to travel. Given that autobahns and rail are the envy of Europe, it excels in that too.
Featuring hotels of character, and framed by mountains, this beautiful route reveals the best of southern Bavaria, a paradise for cyclists.
Discover the Wittelsbach family & their elegant capital, Munich. Remarkable museums & galleries full of wonderful treasures & paintings. Two marvellous country palaces at Nymphenburg & Schleissheim. Superior hotel in the historic central district. Excellent opera & chamber music, including Jonas Kaufmann & Anja Harteros in Andrea Chénier.
Explore the lakes and castles of Bavaria and the Austrian Tirol on foot on this one week holiday
A self-guided hike along the Rhine Gorge (UNESCO world heritage) from Bingen to Koblenz, through famous villages (Kaub, Bacharach, Boppard and Rhens) and the Loreley of legend. 20 castles and local Rieslings to delight in.
Elaborate architecture and exceptional cuisine, legendary landscapes and live history on the streets – western and central Europe is a place well worth its accolades
Experience Leipzig’s wonderful production of Wagner’s ‘Ring Cycle’, conducted by Ulf Shirmer . Pre-performance lectures with exploration via piano of the complex leitmotif structures of each opera given by Peter Hill. Explore how Bach & other composers lived & worked in the city. Day spent in the court city of Weimar.
Enjoy winter walks and breathtaking views as you take in the crisp mountain air in this hidden corner of Germany, set against the stunning backdrop of the Bavarian Alps and Berchtesgaden National Park.
Cycle through Germany, Switzerland and Austria and explore beautiful Lake Constance & the dramatic Rhine Falls at your own pace
Discover European class and grandeur on this journey from Barcelona to Venice
Discover the treasures of Berlin, Leipzig & Dresden by rail – three of Germany's most dynamic cities - on your way to Prague.
