Germany's capital city, Berlin, is renowned for its monumental architecture, vibrant cultural scene and film industry. Although the city has changed dramatically since 1989, the East-West divide is still apparent, lending the city a fascinating air - whilst the traditionally affluent West shimmers with glass office buildings, Turkish markets and famous monuments, newly-renovated areas of the East have become a haven for alternative art, theatre and cabaret.

• Belfast (B-Tegel) - BMI
• Bristol (B-Schönefeld) - Easyjet
• Glasgow (B-Schönefeld) - Easyjet
• London Gatwick (B-Schönefeld) - Easyjet
• London Heathrow (Berlin Tegel) - British Airways, BMI
• London Luton (B-Schönefeld) - Easyjet
• London Stansted (B-Tegel) - Airberlin
• Liverpool (B-Schönefeld) - Easyjet
• Nottingham (East Midlands Airport) - (B-Schönefeld) - Ryanair

(B-Schönefeld) - Berlin-Schönefeld, (B-Tegel) - Berlin-Tegel

back to top

Bremen is a fascinating 1,200 year old city and an independent federal state in its own right. Situated on the river Weser, the town prides itself on its nautical tradition, brilliant fish restaurants and Hanseatic past.

It is also famous for being the goal of the 'Bremen Town Musicians' in the Grimm fairy-tale of the same name.

• Bristol - OLT
• Edinburgh - Ryanair
• Liverpool - Ryanair
• London Luton - Easyjet
• London Stansted - Ryanair

back to top

Dominated by its enormous gothic cathedral, Cologne is famous as a centre of learning, culture and the media.
It is constantly locked in a friendly rivalry with Düsseldorf, which has some startlingly different traditions, despite its geographical proximity. The 'Kölner' speaks a strong local dialect (Kölsch), drinks a sweet golden beer (also called Kölsch), and dedicates a good proportion of the year to celebrating Karneval.

Cologne can be easily reached by train - Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras International to Brussels Midi, then a connecting train to Cologne.

• Belfast (via Heathrow)- BMI
• Leeds - BMI (can only be booked by calling BMI)
• London Gatwick - Easyjet
• London Heathrow - Lufthansa, BMI
• London Stansted - TUIfly, Airberlin
• Manchester - TUIfly, BMI (can only be booked by calling BMI)

All flights from Cologne-Bonn airport - around 1/2 hour from the city.

back to top

Dortmund has a fascinating technological and industrial past, as well as a world class football team. In recent years, it has developed into a major congress centre and has experienced a cultural boom. Apart from some great theatres and restaurants, the city boasts some interesting museums - try the Museum am Ostwall for an extensive collection of modern art. The zoo is also well worth a visit.

• London Luton - Easyjet

back to top

Located on the banks of the River Elbe, this magnificent traditional city has been the former residence of many Saxon dukes, electors and kings. Dresden’s wealth of art treasures and impressive examples of architecture, including the Zwinger, the Semper Opera and the recently reopened Frauenkirche, mostly date back to this time. Dresden can now boast yet another attraction: in 2004 the River Elbe Valley in which the city is situated, received the status of World Heritage Site by the UNESCO!

• London City - Lufthansa
• London Heathrow - Lufthansa, BMI
• London Stansted - Airberlin, Germanwings

back to top

Above all things, Düsseldorf is proud of having the 'longest bar in the world' - an almost continuous strip of bars in which locals and tourists alike enjoy Altbier (a dark beer served in small glasses). It is also the fashion centre of Western Germany, with the 'Kö' (Königsallee) as a veritable Mecca of designer labels. Düsseldorf has a range of art galleries and museums, and is well situated for excursions into the 'Bergisches Land' (rugged hill country).

• Belfast - BMI
• Birmingham - British Airways, Lufthansa
• Leeds - Jet2
• London Heathrow - British Airways, Lufthansa
• London Stansted - Airberlin, (Niederrhein) - Ryanair
• Manchester - BMI, Lufthansa
• Newcastle - BMI, Lufthansa
• Southampton - Flybe

Niederrhein is a considerable distance from the city.

back to top

Erfurt has one of the best-preserved medieval town centres in Germany, a delightful blend of wealthy patrician townhouses and fine half-timbered buildings. One of Erfurt's most distinctive sights is the Merchants' Bridge, the longest bridge in Europe to have houses along its entire length. Erfurt is often called "The Rome of Thuringia" because of the number of churches in the city.

• London Stansted - Airberlin

back to top

Frankfurt is renowned for its sleek high rise buildings, European banking, and its annual book fair. Culturally a city of great importance, it was the birthplace of Goethe, as well as being a hotbed of liberal revolution during the 1848 Frankfurt Parliament (the first Government to use the black, red and gold flag). Try sampling some local delicacies such as Haxe (pig's knuckle), Handkäse mit Musik (baked cheese with onions) or Äppelwoi (a bitter kind of cider).

• Belfast - BMI
• Birmingham - British Airways, Lufthansa, BMI, Flybe
• Bristol - Lufthansa
• Edinburgh - Lufthansa, (F-Hahn) - Ryanair
• Glasgow - British Airways
• London City - British Airways, Lufthansa, BMI
• London Heathrow - British Airways, Lufthansa
• London Stansted - (F-Hahn) - Ryanair
• Manchester - British Airways (via Heathrow) Lufthansa

(F-Hahn) - Frankfurt Hahn - a considerable distance from the city.

back to top

Freiburg is situated in the heart of a major wine-growing region and serves as the primary tourist entry point to the scenic beauty of the Black Forest. The city was founded in 1120 and subsequently developed into a major commercial and intellectual centre of the upper Rhine region. Freiburg is famous for its ancient university and its medieval minster, as well as for its advanced environmental practices. According to meteorological statistics, the city is the sunniest and warmest in Germany!

• London City - Swiss
• London Heathrow - British Airways
• Manchester - Swiss

back to top

Friedrichshafen is the jewel of Lake Constance, a beautiful town in stunningly romantic surroundings. With the Alps constantly in view and a balmy summer climate, it is almost impossible not to fall in love with the town. As if this weren't enough, it is also home to the Zeppelin museum, in which visitors can walk through a reconstructed section of the Hindenburg.

• London Stansted - Germanwings
• Manchester - Germanwings

back to top

Hamburg has an amazingly fresh atmosphere, and was famously the place where the Beatles honed their skills playing in night clubs.
Renowned for its nautical tradition, it was at the very centre of the Hanseatic trading league, and remains a busy port town. It also boasts two picturesque lakes, the Alster, which make it extremely pleasant to visit in the summer.

• Belfast - BMI
• Birmingham - British Airways, Flybe
• London Gatwick - Easyjet
• London Heathrow - British Airways, Lufthansa, BMI
• London Luton - Easyjet
• London Stansted - Airberlin, (H-Lübeck) - Ryanair
• Manchester - Easyjet, BMI, Lufthansa

(H-Lübeck) - Hamburg-Lübeck - between Hamburg and Lübeck

back to top

Hanover is the capital of Lower Saxony, and surrounded by some of Germany's most outstandingly beautiful countryside. Take a trip around the Maschsee lake, or go on an excursion to the ancient monastery town of Hildesheim! Hanover is also a vibrant centre of commerce, and in 2000 hosted the Expo exhibition.

• Belfast - BMI
• Birmingham - Flybe
• London Gatwick - Airberlin
• London Heathrow - BMI
• London Stansted - Germanwings, TUIfly
• Manchester - BMI, Flybe
• Southampton - Flybe

back to top

Karlsruhe was founded in 1715 by Karl-Gustav, Margrave of Baden, and includes some startling architectural quirks - not only were the streets laid out in a fan pattern, but the town also has a pyramid! It enjoys the mild climate of the Rhine, and with a rich cultural programme, is worth a visit especially in the summer.

• London Stansted - (K-Baden) - Ryanair

(K-Baden) - Karlsruhe-Baden - between Karlsruhe and Baden.

back to top

Leipzig has an amazingly rich musical history, having at various times been the home of Johann Sebastian Bach and Friedrich Mendelssohn. This tradition continues with the world famous Gewandhaus Opera and the St. Thomas's boys choir, which performs every Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. Otherwise, the tavern Auerbach's Keller is well worth a visit, having been immortalised by Goethe in Faust.

• Bristol - OLT
• London Stansted - Germanwings, (L-Altenburg) - Ryanair

(L-Altenburg) - Leipzig Altenburg - some distance from the city.

back to top

Munich is the capital city of Bavaria, famous for its beer festival, BMWs and warm summer climate. The people are justifiably proud of their Bavarian identity, and need little excuse for a good meal and a celebration. Within a stone's throw of the Alps for winter skiing and the beautiful Chiemsee for summer excursions, Munich is worth visiting at any time of year.

• Birmingham - Lufthansa, BMI
• Bristol - BMI
• Cardiff - Lufthansa
• Glasgow - British Airways
• London City - Lufthansa
• London Gatwick - Easyjet
• London Heathrow - British Airways, BMI, Lufthansa
• London Stansted - Easyjet
• Manchester - BMI, Easyjet, Germanwings, Lufthansa
• Nottingham (East Midlands Airport) - Lufthansa

back to top

Münster is an attractive, placid city with strong cultural and educational traditions. At the heart of the town lies the Aasee, a large lake which forms the centre of most public activities, be it flea market, fireworks display or a picnic in the summer. Flat and perfect for cycling, Münster has allegedly more bicycles than people. It also has a great Christmas market and an all-weather zoo.

• London Stansted - Airberlin, TUIfly

Travel time from Münster to Osnabrück airport - around 1/2 hour.

back to top

Nuremberg is an attractive town with a rich and chequered history. First mentioned in an imperial document in 1050, it grew to be a flourishing centre of power for German Emperors such as Frederick II. In the last century, however, it became synonymous with the rise and fall of National Socialism, with both the Nuremberg rallies (1933) and the Nuremberg trials (1945-49). Nuremberg is an architectural treasure-trove, with a castle, ancient city walls, numerous museums and historical buildings from the Middle Ages.

• Bristol - OLT
• London Stansted - Airberlin, TUIfly
• Manchester - Airberlin

back to top

Paderborn was a major centre of power under Charlemagne and also under the Ottonian dynasty. Consequently, it boasts some fascinating architecture - the 11th-16th Century cathedral and the reconstructed Ottonian palace stand out as highlights. Paderborn is also surrounded by the marvellous countryside of the East-Westphalia-Lippe region.

• London Stansted - Airberlin, TUIfly
• Manchester - Airberlin, TUIfly

back to top

Rostock, the almost 800-year-old Hanseatic town, has retained much of its original charm. It is situated in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, directly on the Baltic coast. The nearby seaside resort of Warnemünde is one of Rostock’s major attractions. This vibrant, cosmopolitan university and port town has a historical centre, with typical north German brick architecture and a tangible maritime atmosphere.

London Stansted - Germanwings

back to top

The home of both Porsche and Mercedes cars, Stuttgart is within a stone's throw of the beautiful black forest. It has an up-and-coming football team (VfB Stuttgart), a world-famous opera and an interesting mixture of architectural styles. Take the train for a day trip to the ancient and picturesque university town of Tübingen.

• Bristol - BMI
• Birmingham - British Airways, Flybe
• London Heathrow - British Airways, BMI, Lufthansa
• London Stansted - Airberlin, German Wings, TUIfly
• Manchester - BMI, Lufthansa

back to top