Germany

As a tourist destination, Germany has a fine heritage, fairy tale castles in Bavaria, quaint towns along the great Rhine river, beerfests in Munich and modern attractions in Berlin.

Berlin has an interesting character, having been rebuilt and divided for most of the last five decades. The imposing 18th century Brandenburg Gate takes centre stage since the much hated wall was torn down –only the Checkpoint Charlie museum remains in its place. The rebuilt Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche, and St Matthäikirche, Kulturforum, Berliner Philharmonie are the chief attractions, along with some world class museums and galleries in this otherwise modern city.

Frankfurt is very much a working city, and also a transport hub for Europe. Its main attractions being the Städel Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.

Munich is lovely, situated in the hilly south. Marienplatz is full of pavement cafes, while the spikes and turrets of the 19th-century neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus, and the Altes Rathaus (c1474), face the square. The palatial Residenz looms over the northern aspect of Max-Joseph-Platz. The Deutsches Museum is cutting edge in some sections, alternatively the English garden is famous for its public nude sunbathing.

Weimar is the epicentre of the country's ‘Age of Enlightenment’ , attracting scholars of the Bauhaus movement.

By car you can explore Bavaria, Lübeck, Potsdam, Tübingen, the Rhine Valley and North Frisian Islands.