Northern Germany - Germany is Wunderbar

Germany Holidays: Düsseldorf, the Ruhr’s front room

A landmark city on the Rhine, rich in architecture and art, where the Ruhr’s industrialists splash their cash and their workers come for their big days out.

Germany Holidays: Lübeck’s Nobel laureates

Two great figures of German literature and one world status politician: the Hanseatic city of Lübeck has nurtured them all

Germany Holidays: Hamburg – where the Beatles cut their teeth

In 1960 a young band from Liverpool began their musical career by playing every day in bars in the seediest part of Hamburg. The experience was to prove invaluable.

Germany Holidays: Freewheeling Münster, city of bikes and students

Germany’s cycling capital has over 50,000 students and an estimated 500,000 bikes, not to mention acres of green space. It’s not surprising that so many young people want to study here.

Germany Holidays: Cycling in Emsland

This quiet, low-lying stretch of Lower Saxony is laced with waterways and cyclepaths. The pace of life may be slow, but it is safe, friendly and good value, ideal for family holidays.

Germany Holidays: Eckernförde, Baltic spa resort

This small port on the Baltic up near the Danish border used to be famous for its fish smokeries. Today it is a beach resort with quiet charm and good seafood dining.

Germany Holidays: the story of the VW Beetle

The VW Beetle, the much-loved People’s Car, was suggested by Hitler, designed by Porsche, and would have gone out of production if it hadn’t been for a certain British major.

Germany Holidays: Cabbage patch culture

Northwestern Germany is nirvana for cabbage fanciers. This humble veg is the centre of an outdoors tradition that brightens up the darkest days of winter.

Germany Holidays: Seafood and salty humour

Fish is a tradition in northern Germany, but it may not be what you expect, and it has a long association with a type of salty humour you’re unlikely to hear elsewhere.

Germany Holidays: Time for coffee and cake

Germans love their cafés and you should try them as well. Have a piece of cake with your coffee. There’ll be plenty of choice.