Germany –
Forests, Castles & Coastlines.

Why Germany?

A Country That Surprises at Every Turn.

Germany is one of Europe's most underrated holiday destinations for international visitors. The country has a reputation for efficiency and engineering – and it delivers on both – but its landscapes, medieval towns, thermal spas and vibrant cities offer something altogether more seductive. From the peaks of the Bavarian Alps to the white sand beaches of Rügen, Germany compresses an extraordinary range of scenery into a compact, easily navigable country.

Bavaria is the Germany of the picture books: the turquoise lakes of the Allgäu, the onion-domed churches of the villages, the Alps rising in the distance. Neuschwanstein Castle – the template for Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle – draws millions of visitors a year, but it is worth the crowds. Munich deserves three days at minimum: the Marienplatz, the English Garden, the Deutsches Museum and the beer gardens together make a compelling case for a longer stay.

The Rhine and Moselle valleys are Germany's wine country. Steep slate slopes planted with Riesling vines plunge into the river; medieval castles crown every promontory; half-timbered towns like Bernkastel-Kues and Bacharach seem suspended in another century. A Rhine cruise between Rüdesheim and Koblenz passes the Lorelei rock and dozens of castle ruins in the space of a few hours.

The Baltic and North Sea coasts are Germany's best-kept holiday secret. The island of Rügen, with its dramatic chalk cliffs and wide sandy beaches, was a favourite of Caspar David Friedrich and Thomas Mann – and for good reason. The North Frisian Islands off Schleswig-Holstein offer tidal mudflat walks, seal colonies and a pace of life that exists nowhere else in Central Europe. Heiligendamm on the Baltic, known as the "White City by the Sea", is one of Germany's oldest and most elegant seaside resorts.

Tips for Your Germany Trip

• 01Best season: May to September for outdoor travel; December for Christmas markets – one of the world's great seasonal travel experiences.
• 02Rail travel: Germany's intercity rail network is fast and frequent. An Interrail or DB ticket opens up the whole country without a hire car.
• 03Thermal spas: Baden-Baden, Wiesbaden and Bad Homburg have world-class thermal spa facilities – worth building into any itinerary.
• 04Sunday closures: Most German shops are closed on Sundays. Stock up on Saturday if you're self-catering or driving through rural areas.