Germany Nature & Wildlife Tours & Trip Packages

Germany Nature & Wildlife Tours & Trips

1,142 Germany trips. Tours from 134 tour companies. 1,392 reviews. 4.5/5 avg rating.

116 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Nature & Wildlife
Danube Bike & River Cruise: Budapest to Prague
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
Their unique emphasis on immersive cultural experiences combined with active exploration with personalized cycling experiences.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Budapest, Prague

Highlights

  • Unpack once, then bike and boat along the Danube in four countries and three cultural capitals—all on one trip.
  • Follow the car-free and scenic Danube and EuroVelo 6 bike paths in this bicycle-friendly region.
  • Enjoy an exclusive Viennese concert with the music of Strauss and Mozart.
  • Choose to be as active or relaxed as you wish from our menu of cycling routes and walking tours.
  • Visit one of the oldest breweries in the world in Weltenburg.

Themes

Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"This trip is unbelievably fantastic. Two of the best rides of my life, were on this tour. The guides were very good and this was just the start, when we met them, at the hotel in Cortina. Cortina was the site of the 1956 Olympics, and is a small pretty village. Nothing was open the two nights we were there, so probably bad timing. Hotel was a typical ski village hotel, good Italian/German food, and very comfortable. Second day of biking was up an old railroad spur that is now a ski trail about 15-20 K up to a mountain pass called Cimabanche Pass, which is beautiful. We rode up in a snow storm, then rain, then finally clear skies. This was the number two best ride of my life. Starting out from the hotel in Cortina, up the old spur, through single track bike trails, past babbling brooks, up to this fabulous mountain pass. This is now where the fun starts. Mostly downhill on paved roads very little traffic, at good speeds, through the most spectacular valleys you would ever see on a bike ride. Breathtaking. It had to end back at the hotel for a big dinner. The best ride of my life was the last biking day out of Merano. We were bused up 1500 K, about 85-90 miles to Lake Resia, high up in the Dolomites, then rode around the lake, down, back to Merano. High mountain peaks, many valleys,small towns, many grape growing farms, scenery, the best, and cool brisk weather. This was truly a great bike tour, one I will never forget. The trip is rated easy, but maybe easy/moderate is closer. The Hotel in Merano is excellent, middle of old town, modern, has a thermal bath, rooms were very good. The town of Merano is a must see if in the area, small, beneath the high mountains of the Dolomites, good restaurants, lots of tourists."

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Rhine Bike & River Cruise: Basel to Amsterdam
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
Their unique emphasis on immersive cultural experiences combined with active exploration with personalized cycling experiences.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Den haag, Koblenz, Zurich

Highlights

  • Enjoy the best of both worlds: an all-inclusive river cruise and VBT Bicycling Vacation.
  • Touch the shores of four countries—Switzerland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands—but unpack your bags only once.
  • Delve into the wine culture of Alsace as you cycle France’s famous Route des Vins.
  • Explore the historic cities of Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Koblenz, and Cologne with local guides.
  • Cruise the charming canals of Amsterdam.

Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"This trip is unbelievably fantastic. Two of the best rides of my life, were on this tour. The guides were very good and this was just the start, when we met them, at the hotel in Cortina. Cortina was the site of the 1956 Olympics, and is a small pretty village. Nothing was open the two nights we were there, so probably bad timing. Hotel was a typical ski village hotel, good Italian/German food, and very comfortable. Second day of biking was up an old railroad spur that is now a ski trail about 15-20 K up to a mountain pass called Cimabanche Pass, which is beautiful. We rode up in a snow storm, then rain, then finally clear skies. This was the number two best ride of my life. Starting out from the hotel in Cortina, up the old spur, through single track bike trails, past babbling brooks, up to this fabulous mountain pass. This is now where the fun starts. Mostly downhill on paved roads very little traffic, at good speeds, through the most spectacular valleys you would ever see on a bike ride. Breathtaking. It had to end back at the hotel for a big dinner. The best ride of my life was the last biking day out of Merano. We were bused up 1500 K, about 85-90 miles to Lake Resia, high up in the Dolomites, then rode around the lake, down, back to Merano. High mountain peaks, many valleys,small towns, many grape growing farms, scenery, the best, and cool brisk weather. This was truly a great bike tour, one I will never forget. The trip is rated easy, but maybe easy/moderate is closer. The Hotel in Merano is excellent, middle of old town, modern, has a thermal bath, rooms were very good. The town of Merano is a must see if in the area, small, beneath the high mountains of the Dolomites, good restaurants, lots of tourists."

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Germany, Luxembourg & France Bike & Boat: Mosel River Valley, Aboard the Princesse Royal
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
Their unique emphasis on immersive cultural experiences combined with active exploration with personalized cycling experiences.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Berlin, Koblenz, Luxembourg, Trier

Highlights

  • Experience three countries—Germany, Luxembourg, and France—up close, by bike.
  • View quaint villages, lush vineyards and forests, and fairytale castles as you roll along a scenic river.
  • Explore the ancient Roman and medieval treasures of Trier.
  • Enjoy a private wine tasting.
  • Relax on your barge and sip Germany’s finest Rieslings and beers.

Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"This trip is unbelievably fantastic. Two of the best rides of my life, were on this tour. The guides were very good and this was just the start, when we met them, at the hotel in Cortina. Cortina was the site of the 1956 Olympics, and is a small pretty village. Nothing was open the two nights we were there, so probably bad timing. Hotel was a typical ski village hotel, good Italian/German food, and very comfortable. Second day of biking was up an old railroad spur that is now a ski trail about 15-20 K up to a mountain pass called Cimabanche Pass, which is beautiful. We rode up in a snow storm, then rain, then finally clear skies. This was the number two best ride of my life. Starting out from the hotel in Cortina, up the old spur, through single track bike trails, past babbling brooks, up to this fabulous mountain pass. This is now where the fun starts. Mostly downhill on paved roads very little traffic, at good speeds, through the most spectacular valleys you would ever see on a bike ride. Breathtaking. It had to end back at the hotel for a big dinner. The best ride of my life was the last biking day out of Merano. We were bused up 1500 K, about 85-90 miles to Lake Resia, high up in the Dolomites, then rode around the lake, down, back to Merano. High mountain peaks, many valleys,small towns, many grape growing farms, scenery, the best, and cool brisk weather. This was truly a great bike tour, one I will never forget. The trip is rated easy, but maybe easy/moderate is closer. The Hotel in Merano is excellent, middle of old town, modern, has a thermal bath, rooms were very good. The town of Merano is a must see if in the area, small, beneath the high mountains of the Dolomites, good restaurants, lots of tourists."

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Imperial Cities of Europe - 6 Countries
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5/5 Excellent
11 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bratislava, Budapest, Hallstatt, Lake Bled, Ljubljana, Munich, Prague, Salzburg, Vienna

Highlights

  • Cruise along the Danube River and experience the beautiful sights of Budapest
  • Admire the beautiful gardens and Rococo interior of the majestic Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna
  • Feel the medieval spirit of the Golden city – Prague
  • Enjoy the German way, tasting sausages and beer in a centuries-old restaurant
  • Ring the wishing bell on the island in the middle of the picturesque Lake Bled

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"I took "Red Belgrade-Communist Era" tour on corona times. From the first contact, staff took care of things in a very friendly, flexible and professional way. The tour I got was informative and fun, explaining not only Serbia but other Yugoslav countries. Fully recommended."

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Germany, Czech Republic, Austria & Hungary in 11 days - Capitals of Central Europe - CHARM BY BUS
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By Exoticca
preferred
4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
Although they’re cheaper than other brands, they still make sure all parts of the trip, like hotels, meet a high minimum standard.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Berlin, Budapest, Prague, Vienna

Highlights

  • Vienna
  • Budapest
  • Prague
  • Berlin

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"The trip was well laid out. Tour guides were friendly and knowledgeable. The only complaint is some of our travel documents that were sent out were not in English. If your sending documents out correspondence should be in both the native language and the language of the people the correspondence to. Other than that a great first time experience."

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Germany & Austria: The Danube River
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Why we love them
Their unique emphasis on immersive cultural experiences combined with active exploration with personalized cycling experiences.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Passau, Vienna

Highlights

  • Discover the historic old town of Passau at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers.
  • Stay at comfortable lodges with spectacular river views and hotels brimming with history.
  • Ride along one of Austria’s most famous bike paths, the Ybbs Valley Cycle Trail (Ybbstalradweg), formerly a railroad connecting the Alps with the Danube.
  • Bike on one of Europe’s most well-known bike paths, the EuroVelo 6, along the banks of the Danube combining easy terrain with fabulous views from both sides of the river.
  • Taste the famous white wines of the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau Valley whose vineyards date back to the medieval Roman settlements.

Themes

Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Nature & Wildlife, Photography

What travelers are saying

"This trip is unbelievably fantastic. Two of the best rides of my life, were on this tour. The guides were very good and this was just the start, when we met them, at the hotel in Cortina. Cortina was the site of the 1956 Olympics, and is a small pretty village. Nothing was open the two nights we were there, so probably bad timing. Hotel was a typical ski village hotel, good Italian/German food, and very comfortable. Second day of biking was up an old railroad spur that is now a ski trail about 15-20 K up to a mountain pass called Cimabanche Pass, which is beautiful. We rode up in a snow storm, then rain, then finally clear skies. This was the number two best ride of my life. Starting out from the hotel in Cortina, up the old spur, through single track bike trails, past babbling brooks, up to this fabulous mountain pass. This is now where the fun starts. Mostly downhill on paved roads very little traffic, at good speeds, through the most spectacular valleys you would ever see on a bike ride. Breathtaking. It had to end back at the hotel for a big dinner. The best ride of my life was the last biking day out of Merano. We were bused up 1500 K, about 85-90 miles to Lake Resia, high up in the Dolomites, then rode around the lake, down, back to Merano. High mountain peaks, many valleys,small towns, many grape growing farms, scenery, the best, and cool brisk weather. This was truly a great bike tour, one I will never forget. The trip is rated easy, but maybe easy/moderate is closer. The Hotel in Merano is excellent, middle of old town, modern, has a thermal bath, rooms were very good. The town of Merano is a must see if in the area, small, beneath the high mountains of the Dolomites, good restaurants, lots of tourists."

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Switzerland, Germany & France: The Black Forest & the Alsace Wine Route
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
Their unique emphasis on immersive cultural experiences combined with active exploration with personalized cycling experiences.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Extreme
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Badenweiler, Basel, Colmar, Obernai, Strasbourg

Highlights

  • Explore three countries on a single journey—on one memorable day you eat breakfast in Switzerland, lunch in France, and dinner in Germany.
  • Cycle through idyllic countryside, framed by the Vosges Mountains, providing a stunning backdrop for your adventure.
  • Immerse yourself in the dual French and German culture of Alsace, and learn about the region’s history as a hotly contested territory.
  • Behold Eguisheim, one of the most beautiful villages in France. It’s even won awards for its overflowing flower boxes decorating the half-timbered buildings and cobblestone streets!
  • Stroll through the cobbled streets of Colmar’s old town and embark on a “floating tour” of La Petite Venise (Little Venice) aboard a small boat.
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Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"This trip is unbelievably fantastic. Two of the best rides of my life, were on this tour. The guides were very good and this was just the start, when we met them, at the hotel in Cortina. Cortina was the site of the 1956 Olympics, and is a small pretty village. Nothing was open the two nights we were there, so probably bad timing. Hotel was a typical ski village hotel, good Italian/German food, and very comfortable. Second day of biking was up an old railroad spur that is now a ski trail about 15-20 K up to a mountain pass called Cimabanche Pass, which is beautiful. We rode up in a snow storm, then rain, then finally clear skies. This was the number two best ride of my life. Starting out from the hotel in Cortina, up the old spur, through single track bike trails, past babbling brooks, up to this fabulous mountain pass. This is now where the fun starts. Mostly downhill on paved roads very little traffic, at good speeds, through the most spectacular valleys you would ever see on a bike ride. Breathtaking. It had to end back at the hotel for a big dinner. The best ride of my life was the last biking day out of Merano. We were bused up 1500 K, about 85-90 miles to Lake Resia, high up in the Dolomites, then rode around the lake, down, back to Merano. High mountain peaks, many valleys,small towns, many grape growing farms, scenery, the best, and cool brisk weather. This was truly a great bike tour, one I will never forget. The trip is rated easy, but maybe easy/moderate is closer. The Hotel in Merano is excellent, middle of old town, modern, has a thermal bath, rooms were very good. The town of Merano is a must see if in the area, small, beneath the high mountains of the Dolomites, good restaurants, lots of tourists."

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France, Luxembourg & Germany Bike & Boat: Mosel River Valley, Aboard the Princess Royal
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
Their unique emphasis on immersive cultural experiences combined with active exploration with personalized cycling experiences.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Berlin

Highlights

  • Experience three countries—France, Luxembourg, and Germany—up close, by bike.
  • View quaint villages, lush vineyards and forests, and fairytale castles as you roll along a scenic river.
  • Explore the ancient Roman and medieval treasures of Trier.
  • Enjoy a private wine tasting.
  • Relax on your barge and sip Germany’s finest Rieslings and beers.

Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"This trip is unbelievably fantastic. Two of the best rides of my life, were on this tour. The guides were very good and this was just the start, when we met them, at the hotel in Cortina. Cortina was the site of the 1956 Olympics, and is a small pretty village. Nothing was open the two nights we were there, so probably bad timing. Hotel was a typical ski village hotel, good Italian/German food, and very comfortable. Second day of biking was up an old railroad spur that is now a ski trail about 15-20 K up to a mountain pass called Cimabanche Pass, which is beautiful. We rode up in a snow storm, then rain, then finally clear skies. This was the number two best ride of my life. Starting out from the hotel in Cortina, up the old spur, through single track bike trails, past babbling brooks, up to this fabulous mountain pass. This is now where the fun starts. Mostly downhill on paved roads very little traffic, at good speeds, through the most spectacular valleys you would ever see on a bike ride. Breathtaking. It had to end back at the hotel for a big dinner. The best ride of my life was the last biking day out of Merano. We were bused up 1500 K, about 85-90 miles to Lake Resia, high up in the Dolomites, then rode around the lake, down, back to Merano. High mountain peaks, many valleys,small towns, many grape growing farms, scenery, the best, and cool brisk weather. This was truly a great bike tour, one I will never forget. The trip is rated easy, but maybe easy/moderate is closer. The Hotel in Merano is excellent, middle of old town, modern, has a thermal bath, rooms were very good. The town of Merano is a must see if in the area, small, beneath the high mountains of the Dolomites, good restaurants, lots of tourists."

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Germany Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
1,392  Reviews
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Excellent
1,162
Great
473
Average
71
Disappointing
61
Terrible
15
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Trusted Customer

Mar 2024

Written on

Botswana Wildlife Safari

Amazing group leader - Bibi was patient, generous with his experience, knowledge and enthusiasm. I cannot recommend him more! I only wish the tents weren’t so leaky!...

M

Marie

Dec 2023

Written on

Botswana Wildlife Safari

The amazing close encounters with the wildlife on a daily basis. Every day our expectations were surpassed. We saw 9 leopards, 2 cheetahs and so many lions and eleph...

S

Susanne

Dec 2023

Written on

Botswana Wildlife Safari

Lions through the camp at night. Watchd with a torch. Baby leopard in a tree...

M

Martin

Nov 2023

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Botswana Wildlife Safari

Highlights have to be the sheer abundance of wildlife viewed on the tour. Birds, crocs, hippos and elephants in Okavango Delta, then lions, giraffes, leopards, antel...

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Germany Tour Selection Trips

  • Focus on just one or two regions of Germany on your trip. It's a large country and you can't expect to see everything the first time.
  • Consider the time of year you’re visiting Germany and whether you like to be warm or cold. If you’d like to ski, of course, winter is great, but those who want to tour castles, museums, the Moselle Valley and the Black Forest may prefer the pleasant temperatures of summer.
  • Pay attention to whether your Germany tour includes attractions views or visits. If there are particular sights that are of importance to you - the Brandenburg Gate or Neuschwanstein Castle - look for those on your itinerary and ask how long you’ll be stopping there.
  • Trains are a cost and time-efficient way to get from city to city.
  • Think about how many people you want to travel with. Small-group tours of Germany may have an easier time getting from place to place and allow for more local and up-close experiences when sightseeing and dining.
  • To see a lot of Germany in one trip, consider a river cruise - you’ll unpack only once and your “floating hotel” will stop at the major cities along the river, as well as the quaint storybook villages that line the banks. You’ll be able to hop off your Germany river cruise vessel to explore with your guide or on your own.
  • Figure out how long you have to stay in Germany and choose your tour operator accordingly. You can get a great feel for German culture and see a beautiful city or two and explore the Alps in as little as three or four days, or stay up to three weeks and add in all the major cities, the Mosel Valley, the Black Forest and more.

Additional details

Do’s and Don’ts for Traveling in Germany

When preparing for your trip to Germany, consider these do’s and don’ts to help make your stay more enjoyable. First, a few things to keep in mind not to do, or to be aware of.

  • Don’t jaywalk unless you want to be scolded by a nearby German who will quickly call out any rule breakers. 
  • Don’t forget the pfand, a deposit on all glasses and bottles in Germany. If you keep the mug as a souvenir, you’ve likely already paid that deposit, otherwise, get your money back by turning your glass back in to the bartender after leaving a beer garden.
  • Please don’t break out the selfie sticks at concentration camps and Jewish memorial sites - honor the memorial with the respect and soberness it deserves. 
  • Don’t plan to shop or visit many of the country’s museums on a Sunday as they’ll likely be closed. 
  • Don’t test your inner race-car driver on the Autobahn - those not comfortable driving at high speeds shouldn’t try it for the first time here.
  • Don’t be late for a reservation - punctuality is of utmost importance in Germany.

Now, as you plan for your trip to Germany, a few Do’s to remember:

  • Learn a few words in Germany, but rest assured that most people speak English (Guten Appetit, Prost, Guten Tag, etc.)
  • Place your order fairly quickly in restaurants - unlike in the US, the waitstaff will not keep coming back to your table if you’re taking your sweet time. 
  • Get familiar with the train timetables - this is the quickest, easiest way to travel around Germany to all of its  most popular sightseeing spots.
  • If your guided tour of Germany takes you into a local resident’s home, remove your shoes and bring a small hostess gift.
  • Travel with cash - not all restaurants accept credit cards.

Ask your Germany tour guide for additional tips and tricks while visiting Germany so that you feel comfortable and don’t immediately stand out as a foreign tourist.

How Long Are Most Germany Tours?

A Germany trip may range anywhere from 3 days to three weeks, depending on your mode of travel, what you want to see and any individual interests (hiking, river cruising, cycling, castles, etc.).

If you have just three days, consider touring Munich and the Bavarian Alps. A week in Germany might also include the Rhine Valley (perhaps on a short river cruise) and Rothenburg. Stay two weeks and tack on Berlin, the Mosel Valley (another great opportunity for Germany river cruising) and Nurnberg.

And if you have upwards of three weeks, add in the Black Forest, Trier and Baden-Baden. To see the majority of the country’s top attractions and regions, the popular tours range from 12 to 15 days. 

Who Will Enjoy Germany Tours?

With so many things to do in Germany, the country serves as the perfect starting point for a grand European tour or as a stand-alone destination full of beauty, culture, history and cuisine. It sits in the very heart of Europe and is touched by nine country’s borders.

Those who enjoy city life can visit modern, yet historic Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Berlin, Munich and Rothenburg. Those seeking wineries and pastoral cycling routes can take a river cruise along the Rhine or Mosel, stopping in storybook villages in lush, green valleys for guided tours and meeting local residents.

German history tours satisfy those with an interest in the ancient side of Europe - visit castle after castle, including the Disney-inspiring Neuschwanstein Castle - and more than 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Beer and brat lovers are in for a treat with Germany’s traditional food culture. Festival fans can find an event to attend practically any month of the year - some of the most popular festivities include Oktoberfest in Munich, pumpkin festivals and Christmas markets.

Germany Weather 

When to travel to Germany is almost entirely dependent on your personal weather preference and resilience. Visitors arrive at this popular European country year-round despite its chilly winters and hot, often rainy summers. The weather in Germany is ever-changing, but if you’re well prepared (layers!) and flexible, you’ll still make the most of your visit. 

Germany’s high seasons are the summer months and then again around the winter holidays - thanks in large part to the popular German Christmas markets.

Fall can be a particularly lovely time to visit Germany, if mainly for its many wine-related and harvest festivals, as well as Oktoberfest in late September-early October. Wine tours in Germany will also run in late spring into early summer, taking advantage of the warming temperatures for wine festivals and tastings.

The best weather months in Germany are May through September and the country’s driest months are typically July and September, also a perfect time to visit the magnificent Neuschwanstein Castle. 

Germany in Winter

Pack a heavy coat and hat and you’re ready to travel to Germany for winter - and with good reason! Beyond the Christmas markets (more on those in a moment), there is a winter wonderland air throughout the country during these colder months.

Consider a cold-weather tour of the Black Forest, where snow activities include everything from skiing and snowboarding to ice-skating and snowshoeing. Look for tours that follow the Black Forest Panoramic Route - and ask if you can stop for the renowned wine and cake in Sasbachwalden. Snow-draped castles and jaw-dropping lights displays add to the allure of Germany in the winter. 

As for those holiday markets … even the Grinchiest among us can’t resist the traditional, olden-style costumes, soul-warming gluhwein and scent of roasting chestnuts (on an open fire, no less) emanating from Christmas markets in large cities and tiny villages all over Germany between late November and Christmas Eve.

A few favorite Christmas markets to add to your list as you research your winter vacation in Germany:

  • Frankfurt’s Old Town - come for the picture-perfect, half-timbered houses of St. Paul’s Square; stay for the pealing of the bells on Christmas Eve
  • Aachen - famous for its incredible gingerbread-like cookies, the Aachener Printen, a perfect complement to your mulled wine
  • Nuremberg - visit in time for the opening ceremony to see the Christkind address the crowd with a traditional Christmas speech in Main Market Square (and be sure to pick up Nuremberg bratwurst, a favorite German delicacy and only available in this Bavarian city)
  • Cologne - more than 150 stalls of traditional German food and crafts, holiday performers and the largest tree in the Rhineland
  • Düsseldorf’s Old Town - step back in time on the century-old carousel, visit the life-size carved nativity scene and learn about the city’s history by way of the woodworkers, glassblowers and other artisans who set up shop in Renaissance-esque stalls 
  • Munich, on the Marienplatz - shop for holiday ornaments and nutcrackers to take home as your Germany souvenir at this, Munich’s biggest and oldest holiday market

Germany in Summer

Germany tours in the summer allow for ample outdoor activities, whether you’re strolling through the leafy Black Forest or cycling along the banks of the mighty Rhine River. Tour operators offering summer trips to Germany may include some of these favorite warm-weather activities:

  • Visiting Spreewald, a UNESCO biosphere reserve just an hour by train from Berlin, and ideal for leisurely walks and canoeing
  • Soaking up the university feel of Freiburg in the Black Forest - dip your toes in one of the Bächle water channels that run along the sides of the street (the locals do!) and while away a few hours at a bustling beer garden
  • Explore the Black Forest (Schwarzwald), one of the prettiest regions of Germany and famed for its storybook villages, cuckoo clocks, hiking, biking and more 
  • Check several German water castles off your must-see list in North Rhine Westphalia - they’re surrounded by moats and the high-ceilinged rooms inside are naturally air-conditioned, a nice respite from the summer heat
  • Take a river cruise on the Mosel from Trier to Koblenz - ask if your Germany tour includes a port stop in Beilstein, a cute little town with a Carmelite monastery and castle ruins 
  • Speaking of rivers, consider a summertime river cruise in Germany, making a point of exploring Passau, the “City of Three Rivers,” where the Danube, the Inn and Ilz all meet
  • Take advantage of the sunny days of summer and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Potsdam, capital of Brandenburg - many of the historic buildings here are more than a thousand years old and there are enough castles to keep you busy for at least a couple of days
  • Stay in the warmest region of Bavaria, in Regensburg, often called the “Northernmost Italian City” for its Italian eateries and gelato shops nestled along cobblestone alleyways and medieval architecture (it’s also one of Germany’s UNESCO World Heritage Towns)
  • Hike in Saxon Switzerland, a national park southeast of Dresden and a favorite area for summer hikes in Germany - make sure to snap a photo of the famous Bastei bridge, a natural rock formation over the Elbe River valley
  • Spend hours at a Cologne beer garden, enjoying a local Kolsch - many day river cruises embark from Cologne, so don’t miss the opportunity to sail along the mighty Rhine 
  • Leave a piece of your heart in the university town of Heidelberg, a charming summer destination in Germany for its Summer Festival, lush Philosophenweg walk, Neckar River views and Königstuhl above its beautiful castle
  • Join the student community of Karlsruhe in the Black Forest for countless warm-weather outdoor activities
  • Hike, boat, fish, raft, attend countless local festivals and visit Eagle’s Nest and the Salt Mines in Koenigssee (also known as Berchtesgaden) in southern Germany - a favorite German location for summer outdoor recreation

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