It’s easy to travel to through Europe and at some point, you’re always going to strike Germany, which sits in the central west of Europe, sharing its borders with nine other countries. Berlin, the country’s largest city, is also its capital. And this is where it all happens. With a population of 3.5 million, this is the political, economic, scientific and cultural heartland. The city is also known for its art and nightlife. In addition to the Brandenburg Gate, Alexanderplatz and Reichstag building, there is so much to see in Berlin that one trip will probably not be enough. Gifting Owl has photography tours that will delight a travel companion or loved ones who are travelling through, preserving their memories forever of this spectacular city. Apart from the abundance of older and younger buildings, Berlin shines with greenery. With around 170 parks, the Marzahn recreation park and gardens of the world is a must-do destination for an afternoon of quiet pleasure. A string of top spots has sprung up along the banks of the River Spree. These are popular with Berliners and visitors alike. The city is littered with wonderful art galleries and dozens of museums that are must-do activities, especially the famous and somewhat quirky interactive DDR Museum, the restored Neues Museum and Museum Island.
Other major cities include Hamburg, Munich and Cologne, while the largest conurbation is the Ruhr area, close to the western border it shares with the Netherlands. Frankfurt am Main is the country’s financial hub and home to the European Central Bank. One thing is for certain, you can always count on great food and drink, no matter where you go. Germans love their beer and bread and there’s no shortage of either.
One of the most popular places in Germany is Bavaria. Bavarians know all about great food and drink experiences and you can gift yourself or some else with home-hosted hospitality served up in the Bavarian hills by your friendly host cooks. The Bavarian countryside is mountainous and fed by the Alps, the Bavarian Forest, Fichtelgebirge, Franconian Alb and Oberpfälzer forests. Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze (2,962 m), is in the Bavarian Wettersteingebirge. Residents and tourists flock to the Alps for skiing in winter or hiking in summer. Skiing is an extremely popular sport, especially here in the south.
In addition, impressive lakes and rivers run through the country, giving it structure and charm. In Bavaria, people are still proud of their customs and history. No other German state preserves and cultivates its traditions and roots so strongly. The state capital city of Bavaria is the famous Munich, a unique mixture of village and metropolis, joie de vivre and tradition, traditional and modern. The third largest city in Germany after Berlin and Hamburg, the meandering Isar River runs through Munich, and tamed by its city banks, is a graceful source of inspiration for both locals and visitors alike. The city’s historic buildings, lively nightlife, culture and events - including the very popular Oktoberfest, are major attractions with more than six million visitors making it their holiday destination of choice each year. The Bavarian King Ludwig II must also be mentioned here. (1845-1886). His castles - Neuschwanstein and Herrenchiemgau are visited annually by millions of people from all over the world.
Cologne is one of Germany’s oldest cities and was founded by the Romans. A visit to the Chocolate Museum alone is worth making the trip here! But, the beautiful architecture from various time periods reflects the city’s long history and walking along the streets, passing old Roman towers and Gothic churches give you glimpses of times long since gone. Don’t miss a visit to Cologne Cathedral, which took 600 years to complete! Definitely, this building was worth the wait; it truly is a magnificent feat.
Hamburg is located in the north of the country only a few hours from Berlin. It’s a port city and boasts one of the biggest harbours in Europe. The city is connected to the North Sea by the Elbe River. Strolling over its many bridges and canals makes it easy to understand why it has been nicknamed the ‘Venice of the North’. Hamburg also has large areas of parkland to explore. Near its core, Inner Alster lake is dotted with boats and surrounded by cafes. The city's central Jungfernstieg boulevard connects the Neustadt (new town) with the Altstadt (old town), home to landmarks like 18th-century St. Michael’s Church. Lively bars and nightclubs draw partygoers to Reeperbahn, the main thoroughfare of St. Pauli’s (District in Hamburg) raucous red-light district. Off the main street, theatres like Schmidts Tivoli and Operettenhaus present cabaret shows and musicals. The nearby Karolinenviertel neighbourhood is known for its hip local fashion boutiques and trendy cafes. Lined with fish restaurants, the St. Pauli Piers offer sightseeing boat tours.
Germany has so many adventure and experiences to explore and discover. And Gifting Owl gifts will help to make even more of the wonderment happen. So, pack your bags, head to Germany for the time of your life as you get to know the exciting, fascinating, exotic and historic cities and sites of this fabulous place.
