GCC TRAVELLERS looking for an escape need look no further than Germany’s beautifully rich, cultural attractions, from breath-taking scenery to interactive, artisan workshops around the diverse cities.
Located at one of the largest historic city centres in Germany, the Grand Opera on Erfurt Cathedral Hill is an ideal place to see the beautiful, open-air stage while the sun sets in the backdrop. Watch an outstanding performance with a historical backdrop dating back to the early Middle Ages. Classic operas and musicals are performed on the 70 step Cathedral Hill during the Cathedral Steps Festival, creating a perfectly unique cultural experience.
Discerning foodies can savour the artisan flavour of authentic handmade goat’s milk cheese in Hesse, at the dairy farm located among the luscious Rhön meadows. Visitors can learn all about the local white Edel goats and have the opportunity to use their high-quality milk to create wheels of cheese. The entire production process is out in the lush countryside, coupling beautiful scenery with the traditional German craft of cheese making.
Travellers looking to soak up the fresh air and enjoy sustainable travel should head to Baden-Baden’s Panorama hiking trail, voted the most beautiful German hiking trail of 2020. This gem features breath-taking nature and cultural views, as well as culinary delights on four different stages of the route. From flowering gardens and rock towers to the stunning Hohenbaden Castle and Geroldsau waterfall, the spectacular view of the Rhine valley expends all the way to France and is truly a must visit when in Germany.
With more than 1,400 cafes and restaurants around Leipzig, there is sure to be a delicious delicacy for everyone to enjoy. Taste fresh, scrumptious treats with recipes dating back to the 18th century that can only be found in Germany today. With new versions available, local bakers have created vegetarian alternatives to sweet, shortcrust pastries filled with fresh almonds, nuts and strawberries that make them truly irresistible.
Some of the incredible naturistic elements of Germany that await visitors include the 66 Lakes Trail hike, which incorporates streams and rivers and runs past the Sanssouci Palace in the spa town of Potsdam, and the incredible landscapes that can be found at Hiddensee, a stunning car-free island with sandy beaches and salt marshes.
Germany has also been putting a huge focus on barrier-free travel, ensuring tourism can be enjoyed without restrictions. This includes a wide range of adventurous offerings for travellers seeking increased levels accessibility and its ‘Tourism For All’ initiative makes it even more straight forward to find them. Split into seven types of visitors: those with reduced mobility; wheelchair users; impaired hearing; deafness, visually impaired; blindness; and learning difficulties. The initiative also includes allergies and can be searched by type of activity they’re keen to enjoy or area they are visiting via the Germany.travel website.
One of the options travellers can enjoy includes the Bavarian Forest National Park which is Germany’s oldest national park. In July the commitment was taken to the next level with a group of students interning dedicating their time to clearing and setting up paths that aid accessibility further. Visitors can enjoy the wilderness camp, the youth forest home and well-equipped national park centres.
Castle Evenburg, the neo-gothic edifice in Leer, Lower Saxony, lies in expansive lush gardens, and bills itself as completely accessible with wheelchair lifts, sign language tours, disabled bathrooms and more. Constructed in the 19th century, the castle now hosts guided tours, exhibitions, concerts, and other events in its surroundings.
The Roman Villa Borg Archaeological Park is another exciting location certified by Tourism For All for its proximity from disabled parking to entrance, widened doorframes, written signage and more. Demonstrating what life in the region may have looked like 2000 years ago, the site has been an excavating site since 1986 and is home to a one-of-a-kind manor house with museum-like furnishings. Visitors can join activities on site including walking and cycling, Roman nights, guided tours, and current events.
For the ultimate holiday relaxation, barrier free, Volcanic Eifel Thermal Bath in Bad Bertrich, Rhineland-Palatinate, is Germany’s only Glauber’s salt spa and has developed obstacle free walkways, flat steps with handrails to access the baths, and disabled changing areas. The wellness destination boasts an array of indoor and outdoor pools with 32°C thermal water, themed saunas taking visitors on the trail of the volcanoes, as well as stunning landscapes to take in throughout visitor’s experience.
With its rich blend of conservation, innovation and an international outlook, Germany is also prioritising sustainability, aiming to provide visitors with exceptional, environmentally friendly and resource-conserving vacation experiences. More information on this can be found on https://www.germany.travel/en/feel-good/sustainability.html
Germany has a broad range of locations and activities available for travellers to explore and are not limited to the above. Visitors are encouraged to visit https://www.germany.travel/en/home.html for more information.