Germany is located in the heart of Europe and is surrounded by 9 neighbouring countries. The North Sea and the Baltic form natural borders to the north.

Germany never fails to surprise visitors with the diversity of its landscapes - dunes and sandy beaches on the North Sea and Baltic coasts - the rolling hills and countless lakes of northern Germany - extensive meadows, river valleys and mountainous regions in the centre - large expanses of woodland at the foot of the Alps and high mountains at its southernmost end.

This diversity goes hand in hand with innumerable leisure opportunities. Whether you are a fan of hiking, skiing, cycling, rafting, golf, paragliding, swimming, mountaineering or surfing - you are bound to find the right location for your favourite sport.

Germany also has a very rich cultural landscape - around 6,000 museums and exhibitions covering ethnology, science, history of art, history of civilisation, modern history, not to mention top theatre and music venues to suit every taste. There are vibrant cities with stunning modern architecture as well as small towns with charming old centres and buildings steeped in history.

Take the Romantische Straße - the Romantic Route - for example, which extends from Würzburg to Füssen via 27 historic sites. Or how about the Middle Rhine Valley with its splendid castles and palaces that whisk you back to medieval Germany? Whatever your choice of route - south to north, north to south or a completely different itinerary - there is so much more to be discovered in the Land of Poets and Philosophers than you might perhaps have imagined.