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Planet In1 Destination Europe - Germany
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Germany is located in central Europe, edging the Baltic Sea and the North Sea and bordered by Denmark, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Netherlands.

Europe's largest economy and most populous nation, Germany is a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defence organisations . After instigating and being defeated in two world wars in the earlier half of the 20 th century, two German states were formed in 1949. German reunification took place in 1990 and the Federal Republic of Germany 's capital is Berlin.

Germany is a combination of elegant cities and pretty picturesque towns, with large stands of forest and of course the fabulous Rhine with its many castles and wineries. As well as having a wealth of art and culture, the Germans like to enjoy themselves and are famous for music, book and beer festivals and indeed beer-drinking!

The most northerly of the wine-growing countries, Germany produces the loveliest, lightest, most delicate white wines in the world, the most well known being Reisling . Germany's wine regions are concentrated in the southwestern part of the country

Berlin, the capital of Germany, is also a cultural mecca with 3 opera houses, 2 concert halls and 8 symphony orchestras, not to mention numerous theatres and cabaret venues, for which the city is famous. Berlin is also a shopper's paradise with shops and markets selling anything you could possibly want. The sights like the Brandenburger Tor (the only remaining city gate situated in the no man's land behind the wall) or the remains of the Berlin wall, The Reichstag, seat of the German Bundestag or federal government, and the museums on Museum Island tell the history of the nation and these sit side by side with many fine examples of modern architecture.

Hamburg is the second largest city and one of Europe's biggest ports. Hamburg is a city of palatial office buildings, magnificent promenades, international musicals, extravagant shopping malls - and the famous Reeperbahn and St. Pauli. The lure of faraway places is still felt in the old warehouse quarter and the little canals. Hamburg is also Germany's greenest city, with many spacious lawns and lovely parks. It is also home to Germany's oldest opera house, the John Neumeier Hamburg Ballet, the nation's top ballet company.

Munich, Bavaria's state capital, is a mix of big-city style and rural charm, art treasures and the Oktoberfest, traditional customs and high technology, beer gardens and haute cuisine, operas and 'in' bars. The city has numerous world-class museums, including the modern Pinakothek art museum and the Deutsches Museum and three top orchestras, The Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Bavarian State Orchestra. The city has sports facilities for everyone, whether spectator or active participant. For those interested in cars, the BMW museum is worth a visit.

Bavaria is one of the top holiday destinations in Germany, offering fantastic unspoilt scenery of forests and river valleys and sports of all kinds, as well as history, art, culture and festivals in its towns and cities. T he Bavarian Forest National Park represents central Europe's largest protected closed woodland area.

Stuttgart, Baden-Wurttemberg's state capital, is located in one of the most beautiful settings in Europe, surrounded by rolling green hills, forests and vineyards. The many interesting sights in Stuttgart include two city chateaux (Stadtschlösser), the Staatsgalerie art gallery, the unique Wilhelma zoo and botanical gardens and The Mercedes-Benz and Porsche Museum.

Cologne, one of the country's oldest cities, is famous for Eau de Cologne to which it gave its name and its twin-spired cathedral and romantic Rhine setting. The city has 2,000 years of historical and cultural heritage, from Roman and medieval to the present day. It has its own dialect, its own style of beer brewing and a fun-loving character, especially evident during the famous Carnival. Cologne has a well-deserved reputation as one of the world's leading art cities with over 30 art museums and more than 100 art galleries and is the venue of the international Art Cologne Fair.

Frankfurt/Main, with its modern skyscraper skyline, is a business and finance centre. However it too has got a world-class cultural and arts scene. Sights worth seeing are Kaiserdom, the Imperial cathedral where the kings of the Holy Roman Empire were chosen and the site of the coronations of ten emperors, Kaisersaal, the b anqueting hall of the German emperors and kings in the Römer quarter, St Paul's, the cradle of Germany democracy where the first freely elected German parliament convened in 1848, Römerberg, Frankfurt's historical Old Town Saalgasse, a beautiful street with many fine examples of Post-Modern architecture.

Dusseldorf, on the Rhine, is a city of fashion and culture with a fun-loving nature.

Dresden, on the River Elbe, has unique art treasures and famous Baroque architecture.
Industrial Essen is in the heart of the Ruhr.

Bremen has a beautiful Market Square and many varieties of wines.

Hanover is a top venue for international trade fairs and conferences.

Historic Nuremberg is host to the world-famous Christkindlesmarkt Christmas Market in December.

Oberamergau in southeastern Germany is the scene for the famous Passion Play, performed every 10 years by the local people. This lasts for 6 hours and takes place with the actors in the open air and the audience under cover.

Activities

As one third of all Germans are members of sporting clubs, it is safe to say that most sports are catered for in the country. Cycling and walking is available everywhere. There are marked trails for hikers in the Black Forest, the Harz Mountains, the Bavarian Alps and elsewhere. Skiing is popular in the Bavarian Alps and the Harz Mountains. The many lakes and rivers are ideal for boating and cruises operate around Berlin and Potsdam, the large lakes in the south and the Baltic Sea. Sailing and windsurfing are also popular leisure pursuits, especially on Lake Constance. The number of golf courses has risen in recent years as the sport has attracted more enthusiasts. Whether on the north or Baltic Sea Coast, in the scenic Moors, in forested mountains, by romantic rivers and lakes or in alpine mountain ranges, you will find riding stables and there is no better way to appreciate a country and its people than on horseback.