From the Havel to
the Rhine

Potsdam

Berlin

For most of the latter part of the 20th
century, Berlin was emblematic of the division between East and
West. When the Berlin Wall was brought down in 1989, the city had
two very distinct societies, both socially and economically.
However, more recent decades have seen Berlin embracing unification
and rebuilding itself as a cosmopolitan, exciting and efficient
modern European capital.

More than 100 streets have been
reconnected, and signs of the Wall's existence have all but
disappeared. But years of division are still reflected in the new
city's architecture, with a modern city of skyscrapers, retail
centres and urban developments in the West contrasting with the
remains of the pre-war city in the East.

For nearly 30 years, the Wall sealed off
the imposing Brandenburg Gate from the West, but now traffic passes
through it freely. Similarly, Alexanderplatz, which was one of the
main centres of 1920s Berlin and post-war East Germany, has once
again become one of the city's focal centres. The site of the
infamous Checkpoint Charlie that ensured no one illegally crossed
over from East to West is now a museum, and visitors can see the
East Side Gallery, a surviving chunk of the Wall riotously
decorated by street artists.

Apart from its unique historical status,
Berlin is once again a vibrant centre for the arts, with many
museums, galleries and theatres. At the Kulturforum, visitors will
find a number of impressive museums and concert venues from the
spectacular Berliner Philharmonie concert hall to the Picture
Gallery, which houses a vast collection of European paintings from
the 13th to 18th centuries.

Berlin also boasts a fantastic nightlife,
enjoying a vast array of venues and scenes catering to an extreme
range of tastes and delights. Berlin's calendar is also packed with
festivals and parties, from the Berlin Pride Celebration in June to
Jazz Fest Berlin in November. All this contributes to an
ever-evolving city, which ensures no two holidays to Berlin are
ever the same.

Potsdam

Wolfsburg

Rothensee

Haldensleben

Calvörde

Wolfsburg

Minden

Munster

Duisburg

Situated in the heart of Central Europe and bordering nine other countries, Germany is an established and rewarding tourist destination. Its sweeping land is varied, with turreted castles and medieval villages tucked below snow-capped mountains, and amid lush river valleys and dark and mysterious forests. It is also a place of fairytales, where minstrels first regaled audiences with such fantastical tales as Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood.

Despite the beauty and romance of the German countryside, most first-time visitors head straight for one of the country's famous cities. Each year, millions of litres of beer are consumed in Munich during the city's Oktoberfest, where locals and visitors discover true German revelry and gemutlichkeit, while Berlin promises an abundance of sightseeing opportunities, such as the iconic Brandenburg Gate, the ruins of the Berlin Wall and a truly wild and exotic nightlife. Frankfurt is Germany's financial powerhouse, promising business opportunities and great shopping and dining experiences, while Hamburg is more of a picturesque urban experience, full of canals, parks and gardens.

Germany seldom disappoints, which can be expected from a country that gave us Beethoven and Bauhaus, Goethe and Glühwein, Lager and Lederhosen.

Düsseldorf

Dusseldorf is one of Germany's economic hubs, with a densely
populated city centre housing about 600,000 people. The city is
lively, with a love of music and culture that is hard to resist.
Dusseldorf is famous for its trade and fashion fairs and attracts
visitors from all over the world to these big and exciting events.
Streets like Bolkerstraße, Ratinger Straße and Kurze Straße are
alive with entertainment in the evenings. Those looking for an
authentic drink can sample the locally-produced Altbier (meaning
old-style beer) for which Dusseldorf is known.

Much of Dusseldorf was destroyed in World War II. The city is
therefore not as scenic as others in Germany despite its ancient
history, the first mention of which dates back to 1135. Modern
architecture enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy, however, in
Frank Gehry buildings and the colourful Colorium, all clustered in
the harbour district.

There are several pedestrian malls to stroll through and plenty
of museums and parks to enjoy. Visitors will be hard-pressed to
find a cleaner and more elegant city in Germany, even if there are
fewer historic buildings than may be expected. There is a
long-standing rivalry between Dusseldorf and Cologne but both
cities are gems for visitors - just order the right beer in the
right city!

Dusseldorf is located within easy distance of Bonn and Cologne,
and due to its proximity to the border also makes a good base for
weekend trips to Amsterdam, Paris, or Brussels.