Holidays to Germany

Holidays to Germany on the Riviera Travel blog

 

Rhine River Cruise Guide

An increasingly popular river cruise choice, the Rhine’s striking scenery has long enthralled writers, composers, artists, and travellers. With its picturesque towns, romantic castles, stunning gorges, and historic cities, it’s little wonder that cruising the Rhine is a popular, year-round holiday that offers something different in every season.

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Places to Visit in Germany

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.

The Rhine

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. 

Black Forest 

The inspiration for so many classic fairy tales, Germany’s Black Forest region is where you’ll find picturesque towns and farmsteads as well as dramatic mountain-top castles, and is one of our absolute favourite German holiday destinations. Tradition and folklore can be found wherever you go, with wood carving and handmade crafts creating unique souvenirs and keepsakes from your travels. The region is also famous for its food, including Black Forest ham, and the much-loved Black Forest gateau.
 

Berlin

Explore the capital and its many historic sights and grand museums.
 

Cologne

See the Rhine’s most famous city, and its breathtaking cathedral.
 

Dresden

Discover Germany’s most beautiful and elegant city.
 

Things to do in Germany

Christmas markets

Germany is rightly famous for its 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 breads. 

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.

Cathedrals and castles

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 Reichsburgh 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.

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Food and drink in Germany

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 Bratwurst, 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. 

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