IN FOCUS GERMANY
VINE TIME ON THE RHINE
With the Munich Beer Festival and Christmas markets now established perennial big sellers, Germany is looking to push its natural attractions and burgeoning reputation for great wine, says Jo Cooke
northern European country can. While Bavaria with its gingerbread houses and lederhosen-clad men is full of quirky, rural charm, Berlin is on the cutting edge of contemporary art, and Hamburg has a sparky music scene befi tting a city that saw the Beatles cutting their teeth. Outdoor types, meanwhile, will fi nd cycling and walking trails galore in the Black Forest and Rhine Valley, and those who love boys’ toys can’t fail to be
F
Above from left: Vineyard tours are growing in popularity, along with the reputation of German wines; a Bavarian castle; Frankfurt has a beer festival too
ew nations offer the variety and diversity of attractions – and thus sales potential – that this
impressed by
the state-of-the- art Autostadt in Wolfsburg, a
Volkswagen factory, car theme park and
celebration of motoring
rolled into one. Then there are spa towns such as Baden Baden, perfect for those in search of some sublime pampering or the sweeping, sandy beaches of the North Sea coast with their iconic strandkorb, beach chairs- cum-windbreakers.
Natural beauty also abounds,
especially in the wine regions where terraces of vines hug the valley soaking up the sunlight. The Romans introduced wine production to Germany over 2000
years ago and today
80,000 vintners cultivate 140 different grape
varieties in the country’s 13 wine regions which
include Moselle, Saxony and Württemberg. With the resurgence of interest in
German wines, fuelled by growing international acclaim and a batch of awards, there has never been a better time to suggest clients consider visiting these regions as part of their itinerary. With a ream of low-cost airlines and traditional carriers fl ying direct to Germany, and an extensive rail network, there are plenty of opportunities for dynamic packaging, too, as well as booking through a tour operator.
In the current economic climate,
where clients are looking for maximum value for money, Germany delivers. This is a nation that prides itself
on punctuality, effi ciency and quality – which is why visitors can expect a high standard of food, service and accommodation, whether they are staying at a three-star or fi ve-star property, and public transport is economic and clean. This year-round destination, while perhaps not previously synonymous with tourism, excels at it.
Germany What's New
Berlin’s new airport, The Willy Brandt Berlin-Brandenburg International (BER), is scheduled to open on June
22 May/June 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
thedeal seal
time: "Germany is just an hour from the UK by plane,
Maximise holiday
making it the perfect short weekend escape”
©DEUTSCHE ZENTRALE FÜ R TOURISMUS E.V
©LANDESHAUPTSTADT MAINZ
©THÜ RINGER TOURISMUS GMBH
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