From skiing in the Alps to a cycling tour through the Black Forest, there are holidays to cater for all tastes, whether you're planning a weekend away or a longer stay, an active or lazy break.

 

The coastline, stretching from the North Sea in the northwest to the Baltic Sea in the northeast, offers a plethora of seaside resorts and health spas for therapeutic and relaxing holidays. The bracing air and high mineral content of the sea, mud and sand is well documented and known to be beneficial for many skin and respiratory complaints. A fine inland example is the spa at Baden-Baden - the name of the town literally means 'Bathing Bathing'.

 

In the East, cities that have developed a different style and pace from those in West Germany offer fascinating insights into life in a bygone era. Dresden is particularly interesting. Heavily bombed during World War Two, most of its baroque architecture has been rebuilt and its skyline is now dotted with baroque castles and new post war constructions standing side by side.

 

Germany is also well known for its waterside holidays. With major rivers such as die Donau, the Danube, and der Rhein, the Rhine, running through the country, many travellers holiday along their banks, stopping at towns and villages of interest along the way.

 

Accommodation of all types is plentiful and reasonably cheap. As well as large hotels, there are das Gasthaus or der Gasthof, guesthouses, die Pension, B&Bs, or die Privatunterkunft, private homes, all over the country. If you're on a really tight budget there are also der Zeltplatz, campsites, as well as die Jugendherberge, well-frequented youth hostels.

 

There is no one time of the year that everyone's on holiday - it is staggered region by region. Each state has different public holidays during July and August, and many of the wine and beer producing regions will have their own festivals throughout the year. However, there are some holidays and festivals that are celebrated nationally. Ostern, Easter, and Pfingsten, Whitsun, herald the start of distinctive religious festivals in many towns. The 1st May is celebrated nationwide as der Tag der Arbeit, Labour Day.