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Top Things To Do
Christmas Markets
The run-up to Christmas sees the towns and cities of the nation come alive with traditional street markets. Toys, gingerbread and handmade items are among the items sold, while warming glühwein (mulled wine) forms an integral part of the experience. Cycling Germany has more than 200 long-distance cycle ways to choose from, giving options to cyclists everywhere from riverside paths and pretty towns to major cities and mountain-bike trails. There are few better ways of taking in the diversity of the country. Documenta Art Exhibition Widely considered one of the world’s most important exhibitions of modern and contemporary art, Documenta (www.documenta.de) takes place every five years in the town of Hassel in northern Germany. The next edition is scheduled to take place over four months in mid-2012. Football Take in a football match. Germany's top teams include Bayern Munich, Hamburg, Bayer Leverkusen, Hertha Berlin, Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen. Many of the stadia are new, having been built for the highly successful 2006 World Cup tournament staged in the country. Love Parade An open-air dance music festival born in Berlin in the aftermath of reunification, Love Parade (www.loveparade.de) has gone on to become one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the year. It takes place almost every year, not always in Berlin, and has spawned numerous spin-offs around the world. Oktoberfest Millions of visitors pour into Munich each year to let their hair down in the beer tents and fairgrounds of Oktoberfest (www.oktoberfest.de), surviving on traditional music, bratwurst (sausage) and pretzels. Despite its name, the festival takes place from mid-September until early October. Ride a steam train As well as a high-spec modern rail network, Germany also boasts several stretches of working narrow-gauge lines still used by steam trains. These are mainly found in Saxony, the Black Forest and the Harz mountain region. The country also has some interesting rail museums. Spas Pamper yourself silly: Germany has over 300 spas and health resorts, between them offering an extensive range of traditional and modern treatments. The most famous spa town is Baden-Baden (www.baden-baden.de), which sits among the hot mineral springs of the southwest. Vineyards Getting to know the world-famous wineries of the Moselle Valley is a rewarding way to take rural Germany at a slow pace. The culture’s traditional, the scenery’s grandly romantic, and the wine itself is well worthy of extensive acquaintance. Walking The size and scope of the country – with its mountain ranges, tidal shores and mighty forests – makes Germany a hikers’ paradise. Many of the trails are divided into convenient stages with inns and guest houses providing accommodation. |
