Germany itinerary

Frankfurt is the financial capital of Europe - for proof, just look at its modern skyscrapers and the giant Euro Sculpture in front of the European Central Bank. Go to Main Tower and take an elevator to its viewing platform. On a clear day you’ll be able to see above the entire city, the river Main, and their surrounding areas.

Another architectural delight is the My Zeil shopping center, located on Frankfurt’s bustling shopping street Zeil. The building’s remarkable curved glass roof and vortex-shaped facade has to be seen to be believed. Afterwards, step back into nature at the City Forest (Stadtwald), Germany’s biggest inner-city forest.

The magnificent Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) welcomes you when you arrive in Cologne – it lies on the doorstep of the main train station. Reach the top of the South Tower’s spiral staircase and be rewarded with a sweeping view over the river Rhine. The nearby Hohenzollern Bridge is covered with love padlocks.

Cultural buffs have a smorgasbord of museums and galleries to discover. Modern art fans should go to Museum Ludwig. If you like big celebrations, time your visit for the crazy Carnival in February, or Christopher Street Day and the Cologne Lights Festival (Kölner Lichter) in July.

Berlin. The capital of cool. It has an exciting mix of history, culture, and nightlife, with discoveries at every corner. Make sure you add the East Side Gallery to your Berlin itinerary – it’s the world’s largest open-air gallery with murals painted across almost a mile (1.3 kilometers) of the former Berlin Wall.

One of the most iconic symbols of the city is the 18^th century Brandenburg Gate. Minutes away lies the Holocaust Memorial. Its thought-provoking design and underlying museum leave a somber reminder worth reflecting on – definitely a must for your Germany itinerary.

Dresden is a cultural and architectural gem. It was called the “Jewel Box” thanks to its former role as the royal residence of the kings of Saxony. Most of Dresden’s historical center was destroyed by bombings in 1945, but much has been restored to its former glory.

The city's inner old town holds several treasures, including Dresden's signature landmark the Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche). Its ruins were left untouched for over 40 years after the bombings. Reopened in 2005, it now symbolizes hope and reconciliation. Semper Opera is another architectural masterpiece. It's an opera house, concert hall, and ballet stage, all in one grand setting.

Munich, Germany: home of proud Bavarians; kingdom of world-class beer. The main square Marienplatz is a great starting point for exploring the Old Town. Minutes away is the Hofbräuhaus, a definite must-see on your Munich itinerary. The world’s most famous beer hall has been around since 1589.

Still up for more beer? Take a daytrip to Andechs Monastery, where Benedictine monks have been brewing beer since 1455. To gain an insight into the sad events of the Holocaust, visit the Dachau Concentration Camp. It provides a chilling account of the first National Socialist concentration camp. Tours are free.