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Cars 4 Rental Guide To Things To Do In Germany

Walking: The Harz Mountains, Black Forest and the Bavarian Forest are some of the best areas for walking. The network of marked trails amounts to some 132,000km (82,500 miles). The District of Templin in the March of Brandenburg provides 480km (300 miles) of paths. The German Alps Club (Deutscher Alpenverein) maintains several huts in the Alps and the other ranges. It also organises tours and courses in rock climbing. The Saxon Hills between Dresden and Bad Schandau, with more than 1000 prepared routes, provide good training for aspiring climbers. Excellent facilities can also be found in Oberhof.

Spectator sports: The Federal Republic of Germany has extensive sports facilities with a sports field or stadium in all larger towns. League football matches take place between Friday and Sunday. International matches also take place regularly: the national team were world champions in 1990, a title they previously won in 1954 and 1974, as well as having been runners-up in 1966 (to England), 1982, 1986 and 2002, and quarter finalists in 1998.

Wintersports: Resorts are mainly in the Suhl area in the south of the country. The main resort is Oberhof, which offers excellent ski-jumping and tobogganing. Ice hockey and skating are both popular. In Bavaria, skiing is available at resorts such as Berchtesgaden, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Inzell, Oberstdorf, Reit im Winkl, as well as in the southern mountains. Other areas are the Bavarian Forest, the Black Forest and the Harz Mountains. The season runs from November to April. Curling is especially popular in Upper Bavaria.

Cycling: This is increasingly popular and cycling paths ensure that even in cities cycling is a safe form of transport. Bicycles can be hired from certain railway stations, a list of which is available through the German National Railways (Deutsche Bahn) (see also Travel – International and Travel – Internal sections) or the German National Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section). Further information is available from the German Cycling Club (Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club) e.V. (ADFC), Postfach 107747, 28077 Bremen (tel: (421) 346 290; fax: (421) 346 2950; e-mail: kontakt@adfc.de; website: www.adfc.de).

Watersports: The northern coastline and the extensive rivers and lakes provide sailing, swimming, windsurfing and both sea and river fishing. A fishing permit is needed. Fishing is particularly good on inland waterways; fishing and sailing are also popular at the Bay of Lietzow on the Baltic coast. The Baltic coast has many beaches.

Horse riding: Hotels with horse riding facilities are located in all tourist regions. Racecourses can be found at Baden-Baden, Frankfurt/M, Hamburg and Munich.

Wine tasting: German wine country has many small vineyards which welcome visitors. The main wine-growing regions are around the rivers Rhine, Moselle and Neckar in the west of the country and, further east, near the Saale, Unstrut and Elbe rivers. For motorists, there is a signposted ‘wine road’ (Weinstrasse) running through each area. The majority of German wines are white and light, with such varieties as Riesling and Silvaner. Wines are officially classified by the Government as either Tafelwein/Landwein (table wine/country wine) or Qualitätswein (higher-quality wine from a specified area). Qualitätswein mit Prädikat is the highest category. Within this last category, the wine is classed according to ripeness and quality: Kabinett for example is a light, low-alcohol wine made from fully ripened grapes, while Trockenbeerenauslese is a sweet wine made from grapes which have shrivelled almost to raisins. For a list of private vineyards open to the public, contact the German National Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section) or the German Wine Institute, PO Box 1660, 55116 Mainz (tel: (6131) 28290; fax: (6131) 282 920; e-mail: info@deutscheweine.de; website: www.deutscheweine.de).

Spas: Germany has over 300 spas and health resorts which offer a wide range of traditional and modern treatments. All are strictly regulated by the Government, and promise beneficial results for such conditions as rheumatism, respiratory problems, nervous disorders or stress. Spa stays are very popular with Germans, not only because they are a national tradition, but because they offer holistic treatment combined with relaxation. Under medical supervision, visitors can take the waters or undergo treatments involving mud and peat for example. Many spas are situated on the North Sea and Baltic coasts. For further information about spa stays, contact the Deutscher Bäderverband (for address, see Health section).

Language courses: There are many opportunities to pursue courses in German language and culture. Often these are subsidised by the Government. For further information contact the Goethe Institut, 50 Princes Gate, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2PH, UK (tel: (020) 7596 4000; fax: (020) 7594 0240; e-mail: mail@london.goethe.org; website: www.goethe.de/london).

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Cars 4 Rental Guide To Things To Do In Germany

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