The most populous (with 18 million people) and westernmost (bordering Belgium and the Netherlands) of Germany's federal states, North Rhine-Westphalia is one of Europe's most highly industrialized areas, with an impressive 30 cities of more than 100,000. Cologne is the district's biggest city, and the capital is Dusseldorf. Bonn, the former capital of West Germany, is also here. All three are part of the Rhine-Ruhr region of nearly 12 million people, one of Europe's biggest metropolitan areas.
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Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen in German) in Germany's northwest is the country's second-largest state in terms of size and its fourth population-wise. Home to Hannover and several other larger cities, the area is treasured for its natural beauty, as well, with diverse terrain that includes coastline, flatlands, rolling hills and woodlands. Both the wildlife-filled Harz Mountains in the south and the East Frisian Islands off the northern coast are beloved by Germans and visitors alike.
There’s plenty to see and do in this 2,000-year-old German city. The gothic Saint Bartholomeus Cathedral is a perseverant structure, having been destroyed and rebuilt twice since its 14th century construction. Catch a screening at the German Film Museum, stroll the exhibit halls of one of Frankfurt’s many galleries, or climb to the top of the Main Tower for sweeping 360-degree views of the city.
Second only to Berlin in size and population, the city of Hamburg is home to one of the biggest harbors in Europe. A stroll along its many waterways and canals illustrates why it has been called the "Venice of the North." Don't miss a trip to the local fish market (Fischmarkt), the Merchants District (marked by its imposing red-brick architecture), a fine dining experience along the river or a night out in the university quarter. And did we mention the Reeperbahn (red light district)? It's quite famous for its… red lights.
Home to Frankfurt (or Frankfurt am Main), Germany's fifth-largest city, Hesse is the country's financial heart. The Rheingau wine region (famed for its Rieslings) stretches along the Rhine coast, and includes such favorite tourist towns as Rüdesheim. The mountains of Wasserkuppe and Grosser Feldberg both offer many adventure options. Hessenpark, an open-air museum in Neu Anspach with a collection of over 100 historically reconstructed buildings and more than 200 animals, is a family favorite.
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The second most populous town in North Germany, Bremen brings the high-tech, science and space industries together beneath a truly metropolitan backdrop. In a city where innovation, beauty and sophistication meet, it's impossible not to feel the life force. In this 1,200-year-old Hanseatic city, visit the Schlachte Promenade on the River Weser, the full-sized Columbus Space Module of the International Space Station and the Universum Science Center. Oh, and "Hanseatic" refers to an alliance of trading cities in the 13th-17th centuries. But you probably knew that.
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Home to some of the most significant historical sites of the 20th century, Berlin is a bustling international destination. A large city, many of Berlin's neighborhoods were in fact once independent towns. They were cobbled together to form the "Great Berlin" in 1920, and their town centers still reveal elements of this era. Today, nothing is more important to a Berliner than his or her "Kiez" (neighborhood) and the "Kiezleben" (life in the neighborhood). From the loud, wild, artsy, and young streets of Neukolln to the family-friendly avenues of Prenzlauer Berg to the quiet and sophisticated corners of Charlottenburg, Berlin's neighborhoods have something for everyone.
Founded by the Romans in 179 AD as Casta Regina (meaning Fortress by the River Regen), Regensburg is one of Germany's oldest towns. It was relatively spared from Allied bombings during World War II. Today, many flock to see the wonderfully intact old city and its many medieval structures. The 12th-century Stone Bridge was used by Crusaders en route to the Holy Land. The Regensburg Cathedral (or Dom St. Peter) is one of southern Germany's finest examples of Gothic architecture.
Munich exudes Bavarian charm. Beer fanatics should head immediately to the Hofbräuhaus, a hops heaven that’s been churning out the good stuff since 1589. The drinking is downright legendary during Oktoberfest, a celebration of local beers and German specialty foods. Emulate world-class athletes at the Olympiapark, where skating on the Olympic ice rink will make you feel like a champion. The promenade of Marienplatz is perfect for people watching and gawking at the Glockenspiele of City Hall.
Known for its beer, sausages, Oktoberfest and lederhosen, Bavaria is Germany’s largest federal state and one of its most popular tourist destinations. It's also one of the most independent-minded regions. Home to cities like Munich (the capital) and Nuremberg, Bavaria is also cherished for its hilly countryside, where such gorgeous sites as Hohenschwangau Castle, Neuschwanstein Castle (the model for Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland) and Linderhof and HerrenChiemsee Palaces can be found.
Surrounded by one of Germany's largest wine-growing regions, Stuttgart beckons cultural junkies with its acclaimed ballet, opera and philharmonic, while auto fans get revved up over the Mercedes Benz Museum. There's more green space than urban sprawl in the festival-friendly city, home to Europe's largest zoo and botanic garden combo, the Wilhelma. The WÂrttembergisches Landesmuseum, in one of the city's oldest structures, traces area history from the Stone Age. Buses or subway provide handy transport.
The third-largest of Germany’s 16 provinces both in terms of size and population, Baden-Wurttemberg in the country’s southwest borders both France and Switzerland and is home to the Black Forest, Heidelberg, Mannheim and Stuttgart. In many areas, residents speak Swabian (Schwäbisch) or Badisch, dialects so strong that speakers of standard German can find them difficult to understand. With over 40 million annual overnight stays, Baden-Wurttemberg is second only to Bavaria in terms of visitors.
From the fairy-tale castles and medieval villages of Bavaria to the Rhine Valley's UNESCO-listed landscapes and the storied monuments of Berlin, Germany has many faces. Steeped in history, cities like Cologne, Frankfurt, and Hamburg are also among the coolest cultural hubs in Europe.
From the rare truffles of the Drôme to the vineyards of Beaujolais, the Rhone-Alps reveal the treasures of French cuisine. Gastronomic pleasures are complemented by the lush countryside, filled with fields of lavender. UNESCO-designated Lyon has first-century Roman ruins and the 19th-century Basilica of Fourvière. Forts and castles dot the landscape around Grenoble. Work off excess calories on the slopes of Chamonix and Megève. Visit during fall to take advantage of the grape harvest and many festivals.
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