Germany offers visitors beautiful landscapes, fascinating cities, historic buildings, art treasures and a variety of spots for unwinding. While Germany’s western states have long welcomed discerning travelers, the focus is on modernizing tourist facilities in the five newly rejoined eastern states.  The Elbe, long closed at the border between East and West, now is a popular route for cruises. Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, once a testament to division, today is the symbol of unity. Germany has one of Europe's best highway systems, including the high-speed autobahns. The Romantic Road, south from Wurzburg to Fussen in Bavaria, is the most famous scenic motor route. The Fairy Tale Road runs between Bremen in the north and Hanau, the town near Frankfurt where the Brothers Grimm were born. Another scenic route leads from the Baltic Sea at Puttgarden to Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps.

Berlin, again Germany's capital and central Europe's most sophisticated metropolis, offers the best of two worlds. Visit the western area for its thriving nightlife, landmarks such as the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, and lake-studded parks and woodlands. Go to the eastern half to stroll along the sprawling Unter den Linden boulevard and to explore such historic places as the Pergamon Museum and the restored Nikolai Quarter, with its reconstructed old townhouses and romantic restaurants.

Munich, gateway to the Bavarian Alps, is Germany's "good time" capital. Bavarian food, beer and oom-pah bands instantly come to mind, particularly during the annual Oktoberfest. The heart of the city is the Marienplatz, surrounded by shops and restaurants. The rococo Asamkirche is an architectural treat, and the Glockenspiel in the tower of the new town hall "performs" twice a day.

Cologne is served by the large river steamers that cruise the Rhine. Known primarily for its great twin-spired Gothic cathedral, the city also shows off distinctive riverfront houses with steep roofs. Dulsseldorf has been almost completely rebuilt over the past few decades, but it preserves the best from the past, such as the 200-year-old Academy of Art (where painter Paul Klee taught) and the Kunstmuseum, with its collection of fine and applied arts. The restored Old Town is the site of many restaurants, including Zum Kurfurst, which has been in business since 1627.

Frankfurt, on the banks of the Main, is the center of business and finance. The 70 story Messeturm is Europe's tallest office building. Sachsenhausen, the old part of town, is filled with pubs and restaurants; nearby Wiesbaden and Bad Homburg offer casinos (bring your passport). The zoo is one of Europe's best.

Hamburg, the great port on the Elbe, is the second-largest city. In addition to the river views, attractions include the opulent Rathaus, a palace with more than 600 rooms, and the Kunsthalle art museum, near the main rail station.

Stuttgart, home of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, also is known for its fine ballet company and its interesting castles and museums.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, in the Bavarian Alps, is the winter sports capital. In the summer it holds folk festivals and is a popular destination for hikers.

Check our "Rhapsodies" for quick city visits' rates. Rhapsodies are 2 or 3 nights program in major cities with hotel accommodation selected by central location and value. usually, a city tour is also included. Use them as they are for a single city visit or combine them for a more complete program. To check rates, select the date of your stay from the calendar that will appear.