Holidays to Germany

Germany uses the Euro, having adopted the currency in 1999. They were one of the first countries to adopt the Euro, along with Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. 

Berlin 

German city breaks are always fantastic, and Berlin offers an almost overwhelming array of culture, historic sights, and entertainment. This city has been shaped by world-changing events, from the German Empire, the darkest days of the Third Reich, and the dividing powers of the Cold War. A visit to the Reichstag is a must, a powerful symbol for Germany’s revival as a unified democratic nation, with its impressive glass dome offering views across the city. There’s also an unrivalled collection of museums showcasing treasures and architectural masterpieces from the ancient and classical world to modern art and technology. 

Cologne 

Cologne is known for its joie de vivre (to borrow a French phrase); it's easy to have a good time in the beer halls of the Altstadt - the historic streets saved from the destruction in WWII. The jewel in Cologne's crown is the giant cathedral with two magnificent spires that stretch into the sky high above the city. Inside the cathedral is filled with precious art and religious treasures.  

The Rhine and Rhine Valley

This river has inspired writers and artists for centuries, creating and setting stories along its winding path and dramatic valleys. You can admire its green banks and rolling vistas in between visiting historic and famous cities such as Cologne, Bonn, and Duisburg. You can also visit Mainz, the Rhineland’s capital, and sample some of the wine of this region’s famous vineyards. While on one of our luxury Rhine River cruises, keep an eye out for the Lorelei or ‘murmuring rock’ where, according to legend, enchanting maidens lure unsuspecting sailors to their doom.  

Rothenburg 

Small but effortlessly charming Rothenberg has a remarkable collection of original and historic buildings dating as far back as the Middle Ages. While you're here, amble through Old Town exploring secluded squares and tucked away towers, fountains and gates, stopping to frequent the occasional wine tavern along the way.  

Black Forest 

Nature lovers should definitely add the Black Forest to their travel destination list. The forest is named after its dense cover of dark evergreens, and exploring it feels like entering a fairy tale. The area is surrounded by rugged mountains, and you can hear the sound of cascading waterfalls and white-water rivers. It is said that the forest inspired the tales written by the Brothers Grimm. 

Our favourite spots in this area include Baden-Baden (the famous spa town), Heidelberg and the lakeside town of Titisee. 

See the inspiration for the castle in Disney's Cinderella 

Neuschwanstein is whimsical and grandiose - the perfect Disney Castle - except it was built 64 years earlier. Built by Bavaria's most famous king, Ludwig, construction eventually bankrupted the then-independent country. (We'll let you decide if it was worth it!) Clinging to the side of a vast valley in the most dramatic of settings, Neuschwanstein was constructed with pink granite, a symbol of Ludwig’s self-belief as divinely chosen for kingship and in homage to his idol, Wagner! 

Christmas markets 

Germany is rightly famous for its German Yuletide markets, which you’ll find in nearly every town and city. There’s no better place to find festive spirit than amongst the twinkling lights and warming cups of mulled wine and no better place to find unique handmade gifts and decorations to treasure for years and years. They’re a great excuse for a holiday to Germany, and Koblenz is one of the largest in the Rhineland and will instantly imbue you with Christmas spirit when you smell the hot chestnuts and bratwurst, as well as delicious Stollen and fruit bread. 

Oktoberfest  

A must for beer lovers, and usually near the top of anyone’s list of the best things to do in Germany, this iconic festival takes place in September each year, offering vibrant and traditional German culture and the best in German beer. Munich is its epicentre, hosting the biggest and best festival, with incredible and very well-organised beer halls. 

Explore German history (and art) at the Berlin Wall 

There are a few original pieces of the wall that remain standing, including the former border strip and watchtower, which is now an open-air exhibition offering historical audio and visual material as well as a visitor centre.   

Along another stretch of the wall is the East Side Gallery which is the longest continuous section of the Wall still standing, running for 1.3 km along the River Spree. After the Wall fell, the eastern side was painted by 118 artists from 21 countries, becoming the longest open-air gallery in the world. The paintings comment on political changes in 1989/90.  

Discover many castles and cathedrals 

Wherever you travel in Germany, you’ll find incredible buildings, particularly its cathedrals and castles, some of its most popular tourist attractions. Visit Cologne on a Riviera Rhine cruise to see one of the biggest and most impressive gothic cathedrals, while towns like Heidelberg and Cochem offer breathtaking castles that command the landscape and harbour fascinating histories and hidden stories. A trip to Passau means you can see – and hear - the world’s largest cathedral organ, while Regensburg in Bavaria has one of the most exceptional gothic cathedrals in Europe. 

Like the majority of Europe, Germany has 4 distinct seasons - summers are warm and winters are cold. Average temperatures in July were 18°C and 0.6°C in January, but, like most of Europe, it is prone to unusually hot days too. The highest temperatures on record were over 40°C. 

Famous foods 

Germany has many fantastic cuisines across its regions, and you’ll find something different and exciting wherever you go. Local bakeries produce fresh bread in a huge array of forms every day, alongside the many different varieties of cheeses from various regions. There are literally hundreds of different types of Bratwursts, a delicious treat served wherever you go. Alongside these traditional favourites, you’ll find some of the world’s best restaurants, coming second only to France for its number of Michelin starred eateries.  

Beer and wine 

Famous for its beer, Germany’s regulations ruling its production date back over 500 years, ensuring its consistent high quality. Though beer is the nation’s number one drink, it also has rich wine-producing regions creating world-renowned varieties such as Riesling and Dornfelder. Take a detour to Rüdesheim to sample the local produce in its many taverns, including locally distilled brandy, Asbach. 

While tipping in Germany is voluntary, it is fairly common to tip in restaurants, hotels, taxis and cloakrooms. A 5-10% tip is standard practice.

In Germany, around 37% of the population is not religious, 28% identify as Roman Catholic and 26% as Protestant Christians, 5% are Muslim and the remaining 4% are a mix of other faiths and other Christian denominations.