Everywhere you go in Germany, every city and particularly the smaller towns are enveloped by a mesmerizing landscape ornamented through ages of history of the German people. Best known for its famous Oktoberfest and World War II history, Germany is also home to some of Europe’s most beautiful scenery, fairytale castles, important historic sites and lively party scenes. Odds are, if you stick to your Germany tour package itinerary, then you’re likely to have the Germany holiday package clichéd experience and miss out on doing some of these offbeat things!
The city of Dresden, especially its famous panorama is one of the most beautiful and historic places to visit in Germany but it also has a very remarkable sight, the Frauenkirche. Completely destroyed during the Second World War, the ruins remained as a memorial to the past atrocities committed during the airstrikes on German cities. In the late 80’s the people of Dresden raised their voices to rebuild the church, successfully. The foundation stone was laid in 1994 and after ten years of hard work the church reopened to the public again.
A few hours’ drive north of Dresden, you will find the beautiful city of Hamburg where you can visit many cultural heritage sites, and many charming lakes and parks. Not only that, but you will find that there are day trips from Hamburg that you can take to nearby cities like Lubeck, Luneburg, Bremen, and so many more that also boast of ancient architecture and extensive historic significance. Visiting these places could also be on your list as some of them have buildings and architectural styles preserved from the 15th Century that will take you right back to the past to experience the atmosphere of Old Germany.
Munich is an extremely popular tourist attraction in Germany, particularly during Oktoberfest, the largest beer festival in the world and a significant element of Bavarian culture. The 16-day Oktoberfest event takes place from the middle of September to the first weekend in October. Numerous activities, including amusement rides, sidestalls, and games, are available for guests to enjoy throughout the event, along with copious amounts of Oktoberfest Beer; for the last of these, the legal drinking age in germany must be kept in mind. A must-see location close to Oktoberfest is St. Paul’s Church, where visitors can ascend the 250 steps to the top of the main tower for even better views over the Wiesn. There are countless things to do in Munich, such as signing up for an educational walking or bicycle tour, taking a leisurely stroll through the lovely English Gardens, exploring its world-class museums and artwork, exploring the pedestrianized areas around Marienplatz, or unwinding in a beer hall, one of Bavaria’s favorite past times.
The medieval centre of Ratisborn in Regensburg is one of the 35 cultural UNESCO World heritage sites in Germany. Regensburg is a charming, mid-sized town located in the Bavarian forest. The so-called “Stone Bridge” beside the cathedral, built in the 12th century is a milestone in the architectural history of bridges and served as a role model to many other well-known bridges such as the Karlbridge in Prague or the London Bridge. It is the only bridge across the Danube for more than 800 years.
Münster, an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia is divided in 6 administrative districts, Mitte, Ost, Nord, West, Sud-Ost, Hiltrup in a very Games of Thrones-eque manner. The city was once home to the Anabaptist rebellion of the Protestant reformation and now is a center of educated and modern people who love cycling and bicycle lanes and paths adorn all the districts inside the city.
If you have time for more offbeat stuff, attend an event at Fabrik where Nirvana once performed. Once a machine parts factory in Hamburg’s Altona borough, in the hip and trendy Ottensen neighborhood, Fabrik is now a cultural center that shows how once-industrial spaces are being transformed for use by the new generation. Fabrik hosts everything from films to debates and lectures to concerts and everything in between.
