TABLE OF CONTENTS Germany Cover How to Use this Guide Germany Map PLAN YOUR TRIP ON THE ROAD UNDERSTAND GERMANY SURVIVAL GUIDE Language Behind the Scenes Icons Legend Our Writers GETTING THE MOST OUT OF LONELY PLANET MAPS E-reader devices vary in their ability to show our maps. To get the most out of the maps in this guide, use the zoom function on your device. Or, visit http://media.lonelyplanet.com/ebookmaps and grab a PDF download or print out all the maps in this guide. Plan Your Trip Welcome to Germany Top Experiences Need to Know First Time What's New If You Like... Month by Month Itineraries Outdoor Activities Eat & Drink Like a Local Travel with Children Regions at a Glance Top of section welcome to Germany Prepare for a roller coaster of feasts, treats and temptations as you take in Germany’s soul-stirring scenery, spirit-lifting culture, big-city beauties, romantic palaces and half-timbered towns. Autumn in the majestic Bavarian Alps F1ONLINE/GETTY IMAGES © BEWITCHING SCENERY Few countries have had as much impact on the world as Germany, which has given us the printing press, the automobile, aspirin and MP3 has given us the printing press, the automobile, aspirin and MP3 technology. This is the birthplace of Martin Luther, Albert Einstein and Karl Marx, of Goethe, Beethoven, the Brothers Grimm and other heavyweights who, each in their own way, have left their mark on human history. As you travel the country, you’ll have plenty of brushes with genius, but Germany’s storybook landscapes will likely leave an even bigger imprint on your memories. There’s something undeniably artistic in the way the scenery unfolds – the corrugated, dune-fringed coasts of the north, the moody forests, romantic river valleys and vast vineyards of central Germany’s backbone, and the off-the-charts splendour of the Alps, carved into rugged glory by glaciers and the elements. All are integral parts of a magical natural matrix that’s bound to give your camera a workout. As much fun as it may be to rev up the engine on the autobahn, getting off the highway lets you soak up the epic scenery that makes each delicious, slow, winding kilometre so precious. PLEASURES OF CIVILISATION You’ll encounter history in towns where streets were laid out long before Columbus set sail and in castles that loom above prim, half-timbered villages where flower boxes billow with crimson geraniums. The great cities – Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Leipzig among them – come in more flavours than a jar of jelly beans but will all wow you with a cultural kaleidoscope that spans the arc from art museums and high-brow opera to naughty cabaret and underground clubs. And wherever you go, Romanesque, Gothic and baroque classics rub rafters with architectural creations from modern masters like Daniel Libeskind, David Chipperfield and Frank Gehry. Berlin's bars; part of Germany's cultural kaleidoscope BRUNO EHRS/CORBIS © GASTRO DELIGHTS Eating well is as important to a memorable journey as captivating scenery and great architecture. And you’ll quickly discover that German food is so much more than sausages and pretzels, schnitzel and roast pork accompanied by big mugs of foamy beer. Beyond the clichés awaits a cornucopia of regional and seasonal palate teasers. Share the German people’s obsession with white asparagus in spring, chanterelle mushrooms in summer and game in autumn. Indulge in black forest gateau, doner kebab, Spätzle or Michelin-starred haute cuisine. Sample not just famous beer but also world-class wines, most notably the noble riesling, while exploring ancient cellars. Experiencing the country through its food and drink will add a rich layer to your memories (and possibly your belly!).