Germany

Germany is the country that rewards curiosity. In one trip you can stand at the remains of the Berlin Wall, drink beer under chestnut trees in Bavaria, sail past castles on the Rhine and walk through half-timbered towns that look like illustrations. Distances are short and the trains are good, so you can sample a lot. It is also a land of festivals, from Oktoberfest to some of the most famous Christmas markets in the world, and of food that goes far beyond sausage and pretzel.

Talking points

• Berlin is the best place in Europe to learn about the twentieth century on the street
• Neuschwanstein is the castle that inspired countless fairy-tale castles
• The Rhine and Moselle valleys combine castles, vineyards and river cruises
• Christmas markets in Nuremberg, Cologne and Dresden are famous worldwide
• Fast trains link most major cities, so a multi-city trip is easy