Do you only want to bridge the time until the next big trip with a weekend trip or do you want to spend your entire summer holiday in Germany? Both is possible and both is guaranteed to be worthwhile. I have found big and small attractions for your holiday in Germany.
A weekend in the Harz Mountains
Not only because of its beautiful landscape with waterfalls, viewing rocks and countless hiking trails, the Harz is popular with weekend tourists as well as long-term vacationers. Since May 2017, it also has another attraction to offer: the world's longest suspension bridge directly above the Rappbode dam. Until 10 pm you can enjoy the spectacular view here for six Euros admission. If that's not exciting enough for you, you can take the zipline right next to it and throw yourself into the valley.
If you suffer from a fear of heights, you can instead follow one of the many hiking trails, for example to the Teufelsmauer (Devil's Wall) or let yourself being taken back to the 19th century by a tour in the Harzer Schmalspurbahn .
Heidelberg
Heidelberg is definitely one of the most beautiful cities in Germany for me. The historical city center, the ride to the castle up the hill in a railway or the view from the old bridge make my heart beat faster every time. There is always something new to discover here. You can end the evening in one of the many pubs in the centre. Heidelberg is an absolute student city.
Wine walk in Esslingen
Starting point for the hike through the Baden-Württemberg wine region with subsequent wine tasting is the Frauenkirche in Esslingen. It is hard to believe that Esslingen is only fifteen minutes away from Stuttgart by tram. If you are in Esslingen in winter, be sure to visit the Christmas and medieval market. The culinary selection is huge and there are knight games for young and old.
Climbing park Stuttgart
If you are in Stuttgart, use your time there for a visit at Waldklettergarten Schmellbachtal. For me this is one of the best climbing parks in Germany. No matter if beginner or advanced - here you can easily spend the whole day.
Cycle tour to the Walhalla in Regensburg
About one hour it took us to get from the center in Regensburg to the Walhalla memorial. What a building and what a view, in the middle of Germany. The cycle path along the Donau river alone would have been worth the visit. Regensburg would never have been on my list for a holiday in Germany. Thank God I was invited by a friend, because the city is just exactly my thing.
Freiburg and the Black Forest
I just realized that most of the German cities I have only seen, because I visited friends who live there. Freiburg was again such a stroke of luck. The city has a beautiful, historical centre. Directly above the old town you get a breathtaking view from the Schlossberg with the adjacent beer garden. All around, the Black Forest invites you to go hiking - a trip that can be combined wonderfully.
On Luther's tracks at the Wartburg
As I have family in Eisenach, I was already at the Wartburg for the first time when I was a baby and since then I was regularly dragged along to various events. By now it even got declared a world cultural heritage.
Visit to Wiesn in Munich
Every holiday in Germany in September includes a visit to the only real Oktoberfest in Munich. The Wiesn is also the perfect opportunity to experience international feeling in Germany. You should definitely reserve a place in a tent as well as your accommodation in Munich well in advance - or have friends on site.
Documenta in Kassel
Every five years, even Australians travel to Germany especially for a stay in Kassel. The art exhibition is really something special. Artists from all over the world present their works here for several months. This is the time in which I can recommend a stay in the North Hessian city to you, even as a Kassel resident.
Burg Eltz - fairytale castle on the Moselle
The castle Eltz became a real Instagram star in the past years. And rightly so! Fantastically situated - in the foggy valley of the Moselle - it stands out from the landscape even from afar. The path through the forest from the parking lot to the castle is already a highlight. Especially in autumn, surrounded by colourful trees and fog, a trip to Eltz Castle is worthwhile.
Saxon Switzerland
1200 kilometres of marked hiking trails through forests, gorges, valleys and over steep rocks. The Elbe Sandstone Mountains are rightly considered one of the most spectacular hiking areas in Europe. Even with a baby on your back, most of the climbs were easy to master. But there are also countless barrier-free paths. All of this can be combined with a visit to Dresden, which is less than thirty kilometres away.
