Berlin and cultural capitals
Duration : 8 days
Route : Berlin (4 nights) → ICE train Dresden (2 nights, Semperoper) → Potsdam (1 night, Sanssouci Palace) → return Berlin (1 night)
Custom travel to Germany
Germany is one of Europe's most diverse countries — 16 Länder with strong identities, major cultural capitals (Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne), 51 UNESCO sites, romantic valleys (Rhine, Moselle, Romantische Strasse), mythical forests (Black Forest, Bavaria), Baltic islands. The country of Bach and Beethoven, the Bauhaus and the Brothers Grimm, Ludwig II's mad castles and Munich's biergartens. From cosmopolitan Berlin — where in a few streets you grasp the Cold War, the Wall, and reunification — to fairy-tale Bavaria, from the Rhineland carnival to Nuremberg's Christmas markets, Germany rewards curious travelers with exceptional cultural and historical depth.
Highlights
- Berlin: Wall, Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island (UNESCO)
- Bavaria: Munich, Neuschwanstein, Romantische Strasse
- Black Forest: traditional villages and lakes
- Rhine and Moselle Valleys: castles and vineyards (UNESCO)
- Hamburg, Lübeck, and the Hanseatic coast
- Christmas markets (Nuremberg, Dresden, Cologne)
Sample itineraries
Bavaria and Romantische Strasse
Duration : 10 days
Route : Munich (3 nights) → Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau (1 night) → Romantische Strasse Rothenburg ob der Tauber (2 nights) → Würzburg (1 night) → Nuremberg (2 nights) → return flight
Rhine Valley and Black Forest
Duration : 12 days
Route : Frankfurt (1 night) → Rhine Valley Rüdesheim, Bacharach, Boppard (2 nights, cruise) → Moselle Valley Cochem, Trier (2 nights) → Heidelberg (1 night) → Black Forest Triberg, Titisee, Baden-Baden (3 nights) → Strasbourg/Freiburg (1 night) → return flight Frankfurt (1 night)
When to go
Germany can be visited almost year-round depending on your goal. May-June: mild spring (15-22 °C), terraces reopen, fewer crowds. July-August: high season (20-28 °C), all sites open, festivals, but crowds in Berlin and Munich. September-October: flamboyant autumn (Black Forest, Bavaria), Oktoberfest in late September, Rhine harvests. November: off-peak. December: Christmas markets (until December 23), possible snow. January-February: cold but Bavarian skiing, less crowded Berlin. March-April: transition.
- Spring (April – June) — Berlin, Bavaria, Romantische Strasse
- Summer (July – August) — Festivals (Bayreuth Wagner), alpine hiking, lakes
- Autumn (September – October) — Black Forest, Bavaria, Romantische Strasse
- Winter (November – March) — Christmas markets (Nuremberg, Dresden, Cologne), skiing
Practical information
Germany is one of the world's safest countries. No visa for French citizens (Schengen). Cards accepted everywhere (but prefer cash in some small traditional breweries). Excellent tap water. Customary tipping: 5-10% in restaurants. Shops closed on Sundays (except stations and airports). German punctuality is a true cliché — be on time for trains and appointments. Excellent mobile coverage.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for a Germany trip?
May-September for mild weather and terraces, plus December for Christmas markets.
How long for a Germany trip?
Minimum 8 days for Berlin + Bavaria. 12 days to add Rhine/Moselle or Black Forest. 14-16 days for a grand tour.
What budget for a Germany trip?
As a guideline, €1,600-€2,400 per person for 8-10 days in comfort. For an upscale trip: €3,500-€7,000. Paris-Berlin or Munich flights: €150-€300.
Do I need a visa for Germany?
No, Germany is part of the Schengen area — French ID card is sufficient.
How to get around Germany?
ICE train (300 km/h) between major cities (fastest), rental car for regions (Bavaria, Black Forest, Romantische Strasse). Excellent metro and S-Bahn in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg.
Do I need to speak German?
Not at all — English is widespread in all tourist zones, especially Berlin and Munich. In rural Bavaria or Black Forest, a few basic words are appreciated ('Guten Tag', 'Danke').
Is Germany suitable for a family trip?
Absolutely. Safety, honed infrastructure, parks (Englischer Garten Munich, Tiergarten Berlin), Legoland Germany, dream-inspiring castles (Neuschwanstein), medieval villages (Rothenburg).
When to see Christmas markets?
From November 25-30 to December 23. The most famous: Nuremberg (Christkindlesmarkt since 1628), Dresden (Striezelmarkt since 1434, the oldest), Cologne (7 simultaneous markets), Munich (Marienplatz). Book accommodations 6 months in advance.
Which German wines to taste?
Riesling (king varietal, Moselle and Rhine are world's best according to many experts), Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir, booming), Silvaner (Franconia). Taste in Bernkastel-Kues, Rüdesheim, or Pfalz.
Should I plan for tips?
Yes, 5-10% in restaurants (often rounding up to the next euro), €1-2 per bag at hotels. Less systematic than in the US but appreciated.