The 7 best places to visit in Germany

City of a thousand contrasts, Munich surprises its visitors. The festive atmosphere of the Oktoberfest in Theresienwiese is the complete opposite of the stately calm of the Linderhof and Neuschwanstein castles. The lakes, forests and mountains which surround the city are good walking country, not forgetting the Englischer Garten, the lungs of the city.

Culture reigns in Dresden where the famous Zwinger Palace houses masterpieces of the great Flemish, Italian and German artists. Before visiting the main city's main museums - the Grünes Gewölbe and the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, stop at the Brühl terrace to admire the Elbe.

Founded in 1143, Lübeck is a medieval city rich in history. Several of its baroque, renaissance, gothic and classical buildings are classed as UNESCO world heritage sites. These include the Saint Maria Church, the Town Hall, the Holstentor and the Koberg. A "marzipan" - an almond pastry will keep you going as you visit all the sights.

On the banks of the Neeckar, this city is known for its romantic setting. The landscape is breathtaking and the view from the heights of the Konigstuhl mountain is even more impressive. Heidelberg Castle with its unique architecture and magnificent botanical garden is one of several attractions in the city. The old city streets have kept an old world feel and walking through them is very pleasant. On the bridge linking the two banks of the Neeckar is a place reserved for lovers who attach padlocks there to symbolise their love.

The capital of reunified Germany still carries the scars of the cold war, like the remains of the famous Wall and the Checkpoint Charlie Museum. The city has nearly 180 museums, including the Neue Nationalgalerie and the Kulturforum as well as the Bode, Pergame, l'Altes Museum and Neues Museum which can all be found on Museum Island.

Also known as the Mecklenburg Lake Plateau, in the north-eastern state of Mecklenburg West Pomerania, a large number of lakes are connected by canals. The capital, Schwerin, is a very welcoming town and the market square is always lively. But it is the castle which marries gothic with baroque architecture that is the town's main attraction. The region's beautiful natural park borders Lake Muritz, and its abundant wildlife make this an area conducive to walking and hiking.

Hamburg is a destination where history and relaxation meet. A cruise from the port on the Elba is a great way to discover the historic warehouses of Speicherstadt. Hamburg's interesting sites include the Town Hall, medieval churches, and the lively Saint Paul district.