1. Location: Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark

2. IMPORTANT TOURIST SPOTS IN GERMANY

3. Berlin is one of the essential tourist destinations of the world. There's something for everyone; historic monuments, stunning architecture, major museums and galleries, concert halls and venues galore, lovely parks, sophisticated shops, wonderful restaurants, excellent bars, a famously lively nightlife. Add to this its recent history as a divided city and its symbolic importance as the place where the Wall fell, and Berlin is truly a city worth travelling to. Arm yourself with a good guide and enjoy yourself. If you've got the time visit the nearby town of Potsdam, with its superb formal gardens and palaces. 50 kms further west is Brandenburg, enjoying a lovely position on three islands and boasting some fine old buildings. The countryside for 100 or so kms to the north and south east of Berlin is a beautiful land of lake- strewn forests, and is an added bonus when you visit this part of Germany.

4. Hamburg is a major city port 120 kms inland on the Elbe. Within the city are innumerable trees, parks and lakes, giving it an open, green feel. The citiy's wealth is apparent in the smart houses and appartments, especially around the Alster lake, and in the smart shops in the Hanseviertel district. Hamburg's nightlife is world-famous, and the infamous Reeperbahn red light district is only a small part of this. Add to all this some superb architecture, excellent museums, and a quality cultural scene to suit every taste, and Hamburg is a city to spend some time in, armed with a good guide book.

5. The Harz Mountains are lovely rolling wooded hills offering undemanding but beautiful walking. Climb the highest peak, the Brocken, by steam railway and enjoy the easy walk down. Goslar, gateway to the Harz, is a lovely town of half-timbered buildings, the Kaiserpfalz palace, and many nearby walks. Einbeck also boasts hundreds of gorgeous half-timbered houses and some imposing public buildings. Gottingen, with its university, is a lively and cosmopolitan city with plenty to do and a small but attractive Old Town.

6. Well, Hannover may not be the capitol of the world, but it sure has some interesting things to do and see! I hope you will enjoy your stay at my hometown

7. Irrespective of all the guided tours with professional city guides it is fun to wander round the city on foot by yourself, to “experience” it on bus or tram, or become acquainted with it on bike. The inner city with the many pedestrian precincts is very inviting for shopping; there are magnificent walks along the banks of the Rhine, and the many green belts and parks provide shaded pathways for summer strolls. Cologne is the perfect opportunity for selecting routes according to the keynote themes and your own interests, whether it concerns Roman, medieval or Prussian Cologne, and whether you are in the centre or in the individual city areas. The “brewery crawl” is particularly enjoyable. Itnot only imparts information on the history and theory of the Cologne brewing skill, but the culinary aspect can be directly enjoyed at nearly every stop. Discover the City COLOGNE