BMW Central Building in Leipzig, Germany, was built between 2001 and 2006. Designed by Zaha Hadid, the building already received several awards: Deutsche Architekturpreis 2005, Leipziger Architekturpreis 2005, Deutsche Architekturpreis Beton 2005, Best-Office-Award 2006 and a special award at Italian Premio Internazionale Dedalo Minosse architecture event. The exterior is not as interesting as its interiors. Among the signature elements are the 600 m long galleries where body-in-whites are transported to and from the paint shop. There a car production line passes over multilevel floor plates with platforms that function as open office spaces.

Rugen is the largest of Germany’s islands, nearly 1,000 sq km with 570 km long wiggling coastline of steep cliffs and broad, shallow inlets. It is a picture-book paradise of white cliffs, wide sandy beaches, wood and moorland with romantic castles, old churches and old-fashioned towns of fin de siecle villas. Photo by: mario_65

The main town is called Sassnitz, the ‘Gateway to Scandinavia‘. It is a colourful port with the longest seawall in Europe, a 1,450 m long mole where you can spend hours watching the boats come in – from passenger liners to fishing skiffs. Nearby is Jasmund National Park where the sheer chalk cliffs with their extraordinary charm, plunge dramatically into the sea. Behind the dense beech forest, there is unusually diverse woodland including wild apples and pears. There are several idyllic resorts dotted around the coast in the south east – old spa town with incredible clean beaches. Photo by: rhewson630@rogers.com

In contrast to the woods and hills of the eastern site, is a low-lying area of saltmarsh wetlands, tidal flats and peat bog with an incredible variety of flora and fauna. The lagoons there are heaven of thousands of migrating cranes. Photo by: nahaase

When to go: Rugen is beautiful at any time of year. The tourist season is April to October. Population: 73,000. Getting there: By boat – either across the Strelasund on the car ferry from Stahlbrode to Glewitz, or across the Baltic from Scandinavia. Photo by: eagle-ffm

Photo by: elpolam

Muskauer Park is an exceptional example of a European landscape park. The Park is located in the city Bad Muskau on the border between Germany and Poland. It covers 3.5 square kilometres of land in Poland and 2.1 in Germany. It lies along the river Nisa. Park Muzakowski was damaged considerably during WWII, so much of it has had to be restored.

The founder of the park was Prince Hermann von Pückler-Muskau (1785-1871), the author of the influential Hints on Landscape Gardening. It uses the techniques of ‘nature painting’ to create a harmonious garden-as-artwork. The site also features a reconstructed castle, bridges and an arboretum.

The park contains a high diversity of plant species and over 650 of them grow there. Designed as ‘a painting done with plants’, it uses the advantages of local plants and is an ideal place to take a charming walk.

On Juli 2, 2004, the UNESCO inscribed the park on the World Heritage List.

The silver of land, clinging to the west coast of the island of Rugen on Germany’s Baltic coast, has preserved all the charm that attracted so many famous early 20th century artists, writers and intellectuals to its shores including Einstein, Freud, Brecht and Thomas Mann. Photo by: me_youwe

Hiddensee is less than 17 km long and just 250 m wide at its narrowest point. The landscape is exceptionally beautiful with incredibly varied scenery – precipitous rocks contrasting with the white sandy beaches, meadows and saltmarshes, huge dunes, sandflats and undulating heartland. Large part of the island are only just above sea level while the highest point is 72 m. The white sands along the western and north coasts are some of the finest anywhere in the world. Just the chilly breeze reminds you that you are not in the Caribbean. Photo by: kid schoko

No cars are allowed here. Transport is provided by horse -drawn carriages or bicycles. The main town, Vitte, is a small port on the east coast, a beautiful area of heathland which in August is a blazing purple carpet of heather. Photo by: Theresa F.

Hiddensee has a faintly bohemian atmosphere – a retreat for individuals seeking peace from the madding crowd. You will stumble across small galleries and roadside exhibitions wherever you go. Photo by: Kathleen Leilani

When to go: The high season runs from May to September, but the island caters for tourists throughout the year and hardy types will enjoy the bleak winter landscapes just as much as, if not more than, the summer ones. Population: About 1,300. How to get there: Ferry from Stralsund on the mainland. You should know: You must book months in advanced to get a hotel room between June and August. Photo by: tkbnet_en2009

Monastic Island of Reichenau lies in Lake Constance in southern Germany. It lies between the Gnadensee and the Untersee, almost due west of the city of Konstanz. The highest elevation on the island, the Hochwart, reaches 438.7 meters, or 43 meters above the lake surface. Today, these preserved areas are protecting species of plants and animals, which are typical for the region around Lake Constance.

In 724, the itinerant bishop Pirmin founded the monastery on the uninhabited island of Reichenau at Lake Constance. It’s becoming an important center of art and culture of the Middle Ages. During the “Golden Age” of Reichenau Island, numerous relics were collected.

The churches of St Mary and Marcus, St Peter and St Paul, and St George, mainly built between the 9th and 11th centuries. The famous artworks of Reichenau include the Ottonian Renaissance murals of miracles of Christ in St Georg, unique survivals from the 10th century.

In the year 2000, UNESCO inscribed the monastic island in the World Heritage List!

From stylish hotels, retro-chic bars that resemble cold-war bomb shelters to boutiques that elevate kitschy East German goods to high design, Berlin is still divided. The city is a mixture of past and future. Take a stroll into the twisted backstreets and you might bump into building, a courtyard or a block that looks frozen in 1989. The art mile in the Mitte district, in drab contrast to the slick galleries and Ikea-fied apartments.

Berlin is extremely rich in music and art. The music, as eclectic as the beer selection, is played by a rotating cast of floppy-haired D.J.’s. For modern beats in a retro lounge, climb the rickety scaffolding to Klub der Republik, or K.D.R. , a grungy hangout in Prenzlauer Berg named after the Palace of the Republic, the dismantled East German parliament building.

Berlin has 170-plus museums, but only one examines how ordinary East Berliners lived under Communist rule — another example, perhaps, that reunification is a work in progress. The small, privately financed DDR Museum opened in 2006 and offers a playful trip behind the Iron Curtain with authentic artifacts and archival film.

Berlin was a huge city even when it was divided. To cover more ground, see old East Berlin behind the wheel of a Trabant, the plastic car that was a symbol, for better or worse, of the Communist regime. See also how the other side lived. While East Berliners were scouring markets for fresh fruits and vegetables, Iggy Pop and others were drinking absinthe and ordering entrecote at the Paris Bar , in the upscale Charlottenburg district of what was West Berlin.

The city has coolest night life. whether it’s the urban beach bars that seem to wash up wherever there’s open space or the perpetually long lines outside the Watergate Club. Vintage drink carts. For groovy East German goods at moderate prices, bring your tote bag to Arkonaplatz, a little park at the edge of Mitte that becomes a retro-trendy flea market on Sundays. Cute cafes ring the park. Bring your sunglasses.

Photos by: Denny Lee

Schloss Linderhof Palace was built from 1869 by the King Ludwig II as a copy of the Palace of Versailles. Located in Germany, near Oberammergau in southwest Bavaria, it is the smallest of King Ludwig II’s fantasy castles and there are only six main rooms. Though much smaller, the architecture of the magnificent palace is extravagant with ivory candelabra’s and carpets made of Ostrich feathers. Set in wonderful gardens alongside a small lake, this palace is filled with gold.

The gardens surrounding Linderhof Palace are considered one of the most beautiful creations of historicist garden design. It’s about 25 m wide and 35 m long with the gardens were very big (the palace landscaped parklands are 50 hectares) and full of flowers and fountains were leafed with gold.

Today is owned by the Bavarian Government and no-one lives in the palace – it’s just for visitors. They can look around the restored and heavily ornamented rooms. Admire the wall paintings, tapestries, original furnishings and splendour of the palace, before touring the landscaped gardens. There is an entrance fee.

Germany’s second largest island, Usedom is a picturesque, low-lying landscape of rolling meadows, woods and lakes dotted with thatched cottages, windmills and medieval churches. The island, 445 sq km in area, lies to the northeast of the lagoon of Stettin at the mouth of the River Oder, the border between Germany and Poland. Photo by: h.bresser

The sunniest spot on the North German coast, Usedom is perfect for seaside holidays, with over 100 km of cycle paths, 400 km of walking trails and 40 km of flawless sandy beaches. The northwestern hinterland is one of the most beautiful parts, where woodland descends steeply to the coast and you are likely to spot sea eagles circling overhead. In the south east of the island there are some lovely stretches with lakes and sleepy villages. Photo by: Werner Schnell Images (2.stream)

The island’s historic spa towns exude an unmistakable air of culture and luxury. There are rows of magnificent 19th century mansions, elegant Art Nouveau villas, and stately piers more than 300 m long. Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf and Bansin, three former fishing villages on the north coast, are among the oldest of the Baltic seaside holiday resort. Photo by: Werner Schnell Images (2.stream)

When to go: May to September. Population: 76, 500. How to get there: Fly to Usedom, Road/rail from Szczecin, Poland or Zussow, Germany. Photo by: Werner Schnell Images (2.stream)

Nuremberg is second-biggest city in Germany, after Munich. The city is home to an appealing variety of historic buildings, museums, and interesting sightseeing opportunities. Nuremberg is famous for its sausages. Also the city offers a wide variety of annual events catering for all tastes. Opera or ballet in the State Theatre, cultural events in various city districts, cabaret and so on – the program is huge.

Much of the best sightseeing in the city of Nuremberg wait within the boundaries of the Altstadt, the Old Town quarter. Highlights here include the rebuilt Nuremberg Castle, the famed gingerbread at Hauptmarkt, the pedestrian thoroughfare of the Konigstrasse, the Pegnitz River, and the Altstadt Walking Tours, which covers a circuit of the area and passes the Nuremberg Castle along the way. Join a guided tour through the medieval dungeons in the Old Town Hall or discover the subterranean warren of the Felsengnge with rock-cut beer cellars.

Activities in Nuremberg: Nuremberg comes up with lots of parks and green spots along the river Pegnitz. Nice locations offering nice options for cycling, skating or just relaxing in one of the many beer gardens in Nuremberg.  From a simple picnic or afternoon retreat to the park to a technical hike, a round of golf, or a more adventurous sport, there are plenty of Nuremberg activities to keep you busy.

Emerald water and snowy mountains peaks provide a scenic backdrop to this glorious 45 hectare ‘island of flowers’, one of three very different but equally interesting islands in Lake Constance. The lake, which is Central Europe’s third largest, lies on the Rhine between Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Photo by: mbell1975

Visitors to Mainau have all their expectations surpassed when they find themselves landing in one of the most beautiful parks of Europe with a fairytale Baroque place at its heart. The island gardens are a jungle of exotic vegetation, citrus trees and orchids made possible by the microclimate of the lake. The variety of different species, colours and fragrances is an incredible experience – you can relax under palm and sequoia treed, explore winding side paths, catch the scent of orange blossom and dazzle your eye with kaleidoscope of colour before wandering through parkland on an incredible view over the lake itself. Photo by: e-n-n-o

The island is run by the Countess on behalf of the Foundation; the garden of Mainau is not only breathtakingly beautiful but a model of sound ecological practice. Photo by: ***irene***

When to go: April to September. Population: Family and residents. How to get there: Regular boat services from Konstanz or the island of Lindau. Photo by: ***irene***

Photo by: Peter Karlsson

The Dutch island of Terschelling lies along the Dutch coast for 29 km creating a barrier between the North and Wadden Seas. It is most accessible of the West Frisian Islands, with miles of sandy shoreline and a wonderfully varied landscape for its size. The north coast is a white-sand beach up to 1 km wide, backed by windswept dunes with a hinterland of pine forest. To the south is salt marsh – lush meadowland where catle graze and cranberries grow. The entire eastern end of the island is a nature reserve for migratorybirds.

The main town is called West-Terschelling, which is a charming port on the south coast, steeped in maritime history. The islanders are renowned for their seamanship, resilience and resourcefulness. There are walks, cycle paths and bridleways that take you all over the island, superb beaches for sand yachting and surfing, and plenty of opportunities for sailing or just mucking around on a boat. There is a real sense of being at one with nature here – a wonderful sense of freedom and space. 

When to go: June to September. Population: 4,702. How to get there: Ferry from Harlingen (The Netherlands) to West-Terschelling. You shoul know: Don’t bother to bring a car here. There are plenty of buses and taxis but the best way of getting around is by bike.

Photos by: proudof7

The Black Forest is a fairly large region located in southern Germany close to the French border. Covers forested mountains and hills rising up to the altitude of almost 1500 m, it is one of Germany’s most visited tourist destinations. “Black” because the forest growth can be so thick that the forest sometimes seems dark and black. One could easily imagine a Hansel and Gretel getting lost here.

The scenic region includes magnificent blue lakes, fresh coniferous forests and great lookout points. It offers something for everyone – from villages of cultural importance to excellent tourist services. One of the main attractions is the elegant spa city of Baden-Baden. Built around thermal springs the city offers enjoyable opportunities for spas and horse racing.

The Black Forest is known for its half-timber houses many of them 300 years old. The success of Black Forest Gateau is based on tasty cherry schnapps and the traditional cuckoo-clock. Yes, it is home of the original Cuckoo clock – all hand made. The charming village of Triburg is famous with its many clock shops and almost every type of cuckoo clock imaginable.

The Cocoon club in Frankfurt- its interior architecture is very interesting place. There’s a dance-floor, bars and a restaurant with a really good chef. Sven Vath undisputed personality wanted to make, out of Frankfurt, a capital for avant-garde electronic music.

Round forms areas and the separees in the walls, as well as the DJ in his pulpit above the crowd and the illuminations on the outer walls give Cocoon club a unique atmosphere.

While on the dance-floor, one can literally admire the gem: a 107 meters 360° screen enveloping clubbers with synchronized images, which looks like.

Its famous “pods” are a kind of really cool hangout cubicles and are always full.

The tiny island of Heligoland, 70 km off the German coast, towers up unexpectedly, its dramatic rust-coloured cliffs rising up to 61 m high out of the grey emptiness of the North Sea. It is a geological mystery – although its bedrock is limestone, like the White Cliffs of Dover, the island itself is composed of layers of sandstone, unlike any other rock form in the region. Photo by: Arend Kuester.

In the 19th century, this 1 sq km wedge of land was considered the healthiest place in Germany and attracted the attention of artists and writers, Kafka and Goethe among them. The invigorating sea air has an exceptionally low pollen count and the climate is mild, with more sunshine than the mainland and long balmy autumns. Even in winter the weather is rarely cold – fig and mulberry trees flourish here. A ten-minute boat ride to the north-west is a low-lying islet known as The Dune, part of the main island until 1720, when a violent storm caused a huge surge that permanently separated it. It is inhabited apart from a seal colony, and there are two idyllic, long sandy beaches for bathing and camping. Photo by: evrimsen

Amazingly, considering its remoteness, there are signs of prehistoric habitation there. From the 17th century it was populated by Frisians, who named it ”Helgyeland” (Holy Land). Although the islanders were semi- autonomous, surviving by fishing, smuggling and wrecking ships, sovereignty alternated between Denmark, Britain and Germany. In 1890, the British swapped it with Germany in return for Zanzibar, but after the World War II, the Royal Navy evicted all the inhabitants and tried to bomb it to bids. Despite the fact they failed, the force of the explosions left a huge dent in the landscape – a permanent reminder of Heligoland’s turbulent past. Photo by: JeroenJeroen

When to go: The best weather is from May to October, but the island is interesting at any time of the year. Population: 1,650 (2006). How to get there: The ferry from Cuxhaven takes two hours. Passengers are met by fishing boats which take them to land. You should know: Heligoland is a tax-free zone so all goods you buy there are at bargain prices, but check your allowances – you may be stopped at customs on re-entering mainland Europe. Photo by: jvonr

Outside the Haus der Kunst museum sits a canal, who is an underground surfing spot in Munich, Germany. The rapids suuply local surfing buffs with ample waves maintaining their surfing skills sharp throughout the winter. Its only one man at a time at the surfing hob, so future enthusiasts should be waiting. These German surfers need no worry about sharks:)