If you have not considered a holiday in Germany before, you should expect to be enticed and amazed by what is on offer. Germany is year-round holiday destination, with fine cities for Autumn and Winter cultural breaks, the famous German Christmas Markets, music, beer and wine festivals, spa holidays, summer river cruising plus of course alpine scenes for family summer holidays and winter skiing.
As well as its great scenery, including the breathtaking Rhine and Moselle rivers, Germany has a fascinating history and wide range of cultural events. The Italian Renaissance painters were discovered, for example, by a young Albrecht Durer, who brought their influence to Northern Europe via the fine mediaeval town of Nurnberg.. The Reformation had its toots in Germany through the revolutionary thinking of men such as Martin Luther, and of course the evolution of printing also had roots in the country. So if you are planning a European holiday with a difference, Germany's cultural history alone is well worth taking a look.
Germany is a country of diversity - beautiful sandy beaches of North Germany, the forested valleys and mountain ranges in the centre, Theme Parks and Rivers in the West and the mountains in the south which offer ideal surroundings for all kinds of sports and activities.
However, it is in Germany's revived and regenerated cities that you will find vitality and fascination. Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Dresden, for example, have big differences in terms of location and political history, but are united in offering a great welcome and perfectly organized tours and excursions for visitors.
Berlin has a little of everything, incorporating International flair and provincial charm, and is warm-hearted in its welcome and wildly uninhibited. Since the decadent 1920's, and many years as an island of western ideals cut off by the communist wall, long gone now, Berlin holds a fascination few other cities can claim. Berlin's night life is second to none. And in the past decade, the city has seen amazing new architectural developments springing up everywhere.
Hamburg is Famous as the city where the Beatles developed their style and perfected their "beat". But much more than this, Hamburg is a classic waterfront and dockland city offering the visitor a stimulating mix of shopping, night life and green parks. Added to this, the Aster Lakes offer a surprising mellow hinterland of peace and relaxation. Hamburg's Sunday morning fish market is a great focus on any city tour.
By contrast away from the sea, Munich is in the landlocked state of Bavaria, where towering alpine mountains are a short drive away. The city has a wealth of cultural, gastronomic and architectural attractions, but is probably most famous for its festivals, in particular the annual Oktoberfest Beer Festival. However, there is plenty for culture seekers and shoppers to be more than satisfied, and Munich's museums are amongst the world's finest, including the splendid Nymphenburg Palace, which is not to be missed.
Finally Dresden, located to the east of Germany and reborn from the ashes of terrible events in World War 2, the city is an architectural jewel, along the banks of the River Elbe and the gently rolling landscape. Well worth seeing are the Dresden Frauenkirche Church, the striking baroque dome - which dominates the city centre - the superb palatial buildings surrounding the Theaterplatz and Brühl Terraces as well as the many art treasures in the many museums.
With its long history of spas and health-giving hot springs, Germany is the place to go for a short break to unwind and pamper body and mind. The Romans made full use of the hot mineral springs at Baden-Baden, and down the ages these great natural resources have been synonymous with health and wellness. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the royalty and aristocratic classes of Europe would meet at the great German spa resort towns - and these days business is booming for great spa regions such as Baden-Wuerttemburg. Germany has nearly 900 spa resorts, including mineral and mud spas, climatic health resorts (known for fresh air), sea resorts, and hydrotherapy spa resorts.
Some of the best spas in Germany are located in Baden-Wuerttemburg. This state in the south-west of Germany has a large number of hot mineral springs, making it Germany's leading destination for spa holidays. And because Baden-Wuettemburg borders on France it enjoys the same tradition for great food and excellent restaurants - and so you can eat really well here.
Of course the great highlight for spa-lovers in Baden-Wuerttemburg is Baden-Baden, the famous historic spa town. Set in the foothills of the picturesque Black Forest, the elegant spa resort of Baden-Baden is an idyllic haven of peace and tranquillity. There are the classic hotel locations for those with extra money to spend and the desire for total luxury is paramount, but it is also easy to get exceptional value superior 3-star hotels such as for example the Hotel Merkur which has been recently renovated and blends a sleek and stylish finish with a warm, welcoming ambiance. It's modern Caracalla Spa is the perfect place to relax, offering unique wellness opportunities and many spa treatments.
Other excellent resort spas here are the Hotel Bareis, Traube-Tonbach, and the extraordinary Bad Duerrheim which is known for its salt water, fango treatments and a fantasyland "sauna world". (Igloo rooms, open fires, chamomile steam rooms a Finnish sauna). The capital city of the region - Stuttgart - also boast many hotels with spa facilities which make full use of the Canstatter spring complex. Hotels such as Le Meridien, Mo Hotel and Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin all feature excellent wellness centres.
For city breaks in other parts of Germany, spa facilities also abound. Excellent examples are Hamburg's Furst Bismarck or the 5-star Grand Elysee with its redesigned and expanded 1000 sqm wellness area with pool, whirlpool, sauna village with steam bath, bright resting area, roof terrace all included in an affordable daily room rate. Or Berlin, the city so revitalised in the past 2 decades where an example of a superb spa facility is Centrovital, a stylish 4-star hotel set close to Spandau Lake, just outside Berlin's city centre. The hotel, with 4 restaurants, an indulgent wellness centre and fully-equipped gym, provides a welcome respite from the buzzing capital. Here you can treat yourself to a revitalising Thalasso massage and, before heading out for a night on the town, or try out some of the spa's pampering beauty treatments, such as facials, manicures and pedicures.
The promise of Germany's spas is to let you leave your hectic pace behind you and improve your quality of life. With the range of traditional treatments on offer and easily accessible, tension is relieved and you have a chance to restore your general health. Far away from the day's stress you can completely relax and let your imagination take over - which after all, is what a short break is all about.
Jimi St Pierre has sinced written about articles on various topics from . Jimi St.Pierre, in collaboration with travel correspondent Penny Church writes for several Travel Companies in the UK, including Manchester Airport Parking specialist