Berlin

Of strategic importance since it first straddled the Spree River in the 13th century, Berlin went on to hog centre stage in the turbulent twentieth. Today the city, restored as the nation’s capital, is the focus of a mammoth project of reunification and the barometer of Germany’s moods.

Berlin is a veritable motherlode for lovers of art, architecture and artefacts. Its great clusters of museums will keep the most dedicated culture addict happy. The layers of the city’s history, from war and violent division to imperial fancy, exist in fascinating proximity to its dynamic present.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is often seen only as a transit hub or a business centre, but it’s so much more. It boasts Germany’s most spectacular skyline, mirrored in the Main River, and Europe’s tallest office building. It’s also the country’s most international town; more than a quarter of its citizens are foreign.

Flâneurs get the best view of Frankfurt. Luckily most of its obvious attractions are located around the city centre. Invest in a ‘Museumsufer’ ticket (available at museums) and spend a couple of days cruising Frankfurt’s galleries and museums at a fraction of their individual prices.

Lübeck

Lübeck is a glorious medieval town that’s earned its place on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. It’s a quiet alternative to the more spectacular attractions further south. The altstadt (old town) was heavily bombed in WWII but has been sensitively rebuilt and the town’s stately charm is apparent today.

Cheapish accommodation is plentiful and there is a good variety of moderately-priced restaurants. Lübeck is home to the delightful Marionettentheater (Puppet Theatre), which shouldn’t be missed.

There’s a stark reminder of the war inside the Marienkirche. A bombing raid brought the church bells crashing to the stone floor and the townspeople have left the bell fragments in place, with a small sign saying: ‘A protest against war and violence’.

Munich

Munich, rivalled only by Berlin as Germany’s most popular destination, is a city that enjoys contradicting itself. Don an ironic Lederhosen and head down to the capital of Bavaria, where cutesy folk traditions rub shoulders with BMWs, haute cuisine and high-minded sophistication.

Munich is a compact city, but you could easily spend several weeks exploring its museums, architectural treasures and idyllic surrounds. The Altstadt (old town) is a pleasure to stroll around, with its grand avenues and spacious squares that recall the glory of Bavaria’s monarchy.

Rhine Valley

Here are dramatic landscapes with fertile vineyards clinging to steep hills, numerous imposing castles and dreamy wine villages. Every village has at least one wine festival per year, with the most famous being the Rhine in Flames series of festivals, when water, lighting and fireworks are combined to spectacular effect.

Weimar

Best known abroad as the birthplace of the ill-fated Weimar Republic, this small city is a cultural pilgrimage site for Germans. It was the epicentre of the country’s Age of Enlightenment and home to such intellectual and creative giants as Goethe, Bach, Schiller, Liszt, Nietzsche, Kandinsky and Klee, to name a few.