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

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?

Germany can be visited almost year-round depending on your goal. May-June bring a mild spring (15-22 °C) with terraces reopening and still few crowds, likely the best window for Berlin, Bavaria, and the Romantische Strasse. July-August mark high season (20-28 °C): every site is open and festivals are in full swing, but Berlin and Munich fill up, and late-September Oktoberfest alone draws 6 million visitors. September-October bring a flamboyant autumn, especially spectacular in the Black Forest and Bavaria, with harvests on the Rhine and Moselle. December, from November 25-30 to December 23, is Christmas market season (Nuremberg, Dresden, Cologne), sometimes with snow, so book accommodations 6 months ahead. January-February stay cold but allow skiing in Bavaria and a much quieter Berlin.

How long for a Germany trip?

Minimum 8 days to combine Berlin and Bavaria, following our 'Berlin and cultural capitals' itinerary (Berlin 4 nights, Dresden 2 nights, Potsdam 1 night) or 'Bavaria and Romantische Strasse' (10 days: Munich, Neuschwanstein, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Würzburg, Nuremberg). Allow 12 days to add the Rhine Valley, Moselle, or Black Forest (Frankfurt, Rhine cruise, Heidelberg, Triberg, Baden-Baden). For a grand tour combining Berlin, Bavaria, and the romantic valleys, plan 14 to 16 days, with at least 3 nights each in Berlin and Munich to avoid overly short stops.

What budget for a Germany trip?

As a guideline, expect €1,600-€2,400 per person (excluding flights) for 8 to 10 days in our Comfort tier: 3-4★ boutique hotels in Berlin and Munich, traditional Bavarian gasthof, regional Romantik Hotels, ICE train and rental car, 3-4 guided experiences. In Premium, €2,800-€4,000 for 10 to 14 days at exceptional addresses (Adlon Berlin, Bayerischer Hof Munich), with a private French-speaking guide and 5-7 experiences (Philharmonic concert, opera, tastings). In Exclusive, from €5,500 for a fully bespoke 12 to 16-day trip with a Mercedes S-Class and driver and a dedicated concierge. Add €150-€300 per person for a Paris-Berlin or Paris-Munich round-trip flight in Economy.

Do I need a visa for Germany?

No: Germany is part of the Schengen area, just like France. A valid ID card is enough for French, Belgian, or Swiss citizens; British, American, and Canadian travelers can also enter visa-free with a valid passport, for a tourist stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. No further formalities are needed for a standard tourist trip.

How to get around Germany?

The ICE train (InterCity Express), running up to 300 km/h, links major cities in record time: Berlin-Munich in 4 h, Berlin-Hamburg in 1 h 45, Frankfurt-Berlin in 4 h. It's the fastest and most comfortable option between metropolises. To explore rural Bavaria, the Black Forest, or the Romantische Strasse, a rental car becomes essential: roads are in excellent condition and the Autobahn still has many sections without a speed limit. In Berlin and Munich, the U-Bahn and S-Bahn network is excellent for getting around town. Cycling is also widespread, Germany being one of Europe's largest cycling countries. Long-distance buses are best avoided, being slower and less comfortable.

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. Germany combines safety (one of the world's safest countries), honed infrastructure, and attractions that delight kids and adults alike: the Englischer Garten in Munich, larger than Hyde Park, with its Eisbach surfers, the Tiergarten in Berlin, Legoland Germany, or Neuschwanstein Castle, which captivates children and adults alike. Car-free medieval villages like Rothenburg ob der Tauber, with cobbled alleys and intact ramparts, are especially well suited to a family visit, as are the December Christmas markets, magical for the youngest travelers.

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.

Can I pay by card, or do I need cash?

Cards are accepted almost everywhere, in hotels, restaurants, and major shops. Still, carry some cash: some traditional breweries, small shops, or Christmas markets, especially in rural Bavaria, still prefer cash. ATMs are plentiful in every city. Also note that most shops close on Sundays, except in train stations and airports.

Which region should I choose for a first trip to Germany?

For a first trip, I often recommend combining Berlin and Bavaria: that's the framework of our 8-day 'Berlin and cultural capitals' itinerary, which offers a striking contrast between 20th-century history in Berlin (Wall, Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island) and fairy-tale Bavaria (Munich, Neuschwanstein). It's also our most-chosen itinerary. If you'd rather have a more romantic, gastronomic immersion, the Rhine Valley and the Black Forest suit a first trip as a couple or honeymoon perfectly.