Where to go in Germany

Munich was nearly destroyed during World War II but its Bavarian past rose proudly from the ashes and is now a joy to explore. Today it’s renowned for its sausages, beer gardens, and annual Oktoberfest but you can visit the Hofbrauhaus any time of the year for one of their famous, huge beers. Modern and traditional sit side by side here with the city Europe’s unofficial capital of technology and publishing while blending edgy art with Lederhosen!

In Marienplatz, the central square, one can marvel at landmarks like the Mariensaule, the Old and New Town Hall which has a tower that houses a more than century-old Glockenspiel. It comes complete with life-size figures that reenact Bavarian history events daily at 11 a.m. and noon. There’s lots of natural beauty too, including the River Isar that’s backed by the magnificent Bavarian Alps.

A maritime metropolis, Hamburg is a gorgeous seafaring hub with lots of cosmopolitan charm. It blends sapphire blue lakes, lush green spaces, nature reserves, and parks into an urban jungle. Strolling through the Old Town is a delight with cozy cafes occupying half-timbered merchant homes along the Nikolai Canal while the Kontorhausviertel area is known for its Brick Expressionist buildings that house cutting-edge galleries.

The Speicherstadt, or “warehouse city,” is the world’s largest warehouse district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with beautiful Neo-Gothic red brick buildings that rest on timber piles intersected by narrow waterways. Just steps away is the city’s famous Elbephilharmonie, a striking concert hall nicknamed Elphi that’s a work of art itself. It’s a symbol of the progressive music scene but you’ll also find hundreds of other venues for music, cabaret, and theater.

Cologne was founded by the Romans some 2,000 years ago as one of the oldest cities in Germany. Here you’ll see everything from Roman towers to Gothic churches and fine modern architecture. Cologne Cathedral is the city’s centerpiece, built between 1248 and 1473 in High Gothic style while housing the tombs of 12 archbishops and a wealth of artworks. This is where you’ll find the “Am Dom” Christmas market during the holidays, although the city boasts multiple others during the festive season.

You’ll find a wide range of intriguing museums in int eh city too, including the Museum Ludwig, the Museum of Applied Art, and the Imhoff Stollwerck Museum, most often referred to as simply, the “chocolate museum.” It celebrates the history of chocolate across the globe and includes interactive exhibits, a giant chocolate fountain, and mouthwatering samples that come thanks to a lifelong dream of Hans Imhoff who spent almost his entire life working with chocolate.