Beer Gardens: Bavaria’s Open-Air Living Rooms
Under chestnut trees with a liter of lager and a pretzel, Bavarian beer gardens blend centuries-old tradition with everyday social life. Here’s what makes them special and where to find the best.
Schloss Heidelberg: Romantic Ruins Above the Neckar
Perched above the Neckar River, Heidelberg Castle is Germany’s most romantic ruin—a Renaissance masterpiece with wine cellars, terraced gardens, and views that inspired poets and painters for centuries.
Striezelmarkt: Dresden’s Ancient Christmas Market
Dresden’s Striezelmarkt is Germany’s oldest Christmas market, dating back to 1434. Here’s what makes this centuries-old tradition worth planning your December trip around.
Mainz: Rhine Wine, Gutenberg, and Carnival Spirit
The Rhineland capital where Gutenberg invented printing, Roman ruins meet baroque churches, and wine taverns pour local Riesling steps from the river.
Lüneburg: Salt, Gables, and Medieval Charm Near Hamburg
Just an hour from Hamburg, Lüneburg enchants with crooked half-timbered houses, a 1,000-year salt-mining legacy, and one of northern Germany’s most authentic medieval town centers.
Sauerbraten: Germany’s Slow-Cooked Sunday Roast
This tangy, tender pot roast marinated for days is Germany’s answer to comfort food. Here’s where to find the best sauerbraten, what makes each regional version unique, and why this dish has graced German tables for centuries.
The Spreewald: Berlin’s Watery Backyard
Less than an hour from Berlin, the Spreewald’s canal-laced forests and Sorbian villages offer punts, pickles, and a slower pace of life.
The Romantic Road: Germany’s Most Scenic Drive
Wind through 280 miles of medieval towns, castle-topped hills, and pastoral Bavarian landscapes on Germany’s most famous driving route—from Würzburg’s vineyards to the foot of the Alps.
The Swabian Alb: Germany’s Underrated Hiking Paradise
Between Stuttgart and Lake Constance lies a limestone plateau dotted with caves, castles, and some of southern Germany’s most rewarding trails. Here’s why the Swabian Alb deserves a spot on your hiking itinerary.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Germany’s Best-Preserved Medieval Town
Step into the Middle Ages in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, where cobblestone streets, intact city walls, and half-timbered houses create Germany’s most authentic medieval experience.