Visit the city founded by Benedictine monks. This is, in fact, how Munich received its name, a derivation of the German word for Monk. Located north of the Alps, Munich attracts a large number of tourists annually to its architecturally diverse streets. Sights you should not miss include the Marienplatz, or central square, the Hofbrauhaus, a state owned brewery, and the Frauenkirche, a 20,000-seat cathedral.
Come during the fall and experience one of Germany's great events. Each year, residents and visitors descend upon Munich in the thousands to experience Oktoberfest. Originally a marriage celebration for royalty, today the event is a showcase event for Bavarian culture and beer. If you are a beer lover, this event should be at the top of your list.
Visit one of the oldest cities in Germany. Cologne, as it is called by visitors, was founded by the Romans over 2,000 years ago and lies on the famous Rhine River. You will find that Koln is heavily populated and boasts a thriving art scene and a great number of museums. Major sights include the cathedral, the Hohenzollernbrucke bridge, the main shopping area Hohe Strasse and Cologne University, the largest in the country.
Stop by the Gestapo Prison and try not to freak out. This former prison brings to life the world of Nazi Germany during World War II. Also worth a visit is the decidedly more upbeat Modern Art Museum. If you're a history buff, stop by the Roman-Germanic Museum. Lastly, just south of the Koln is the city of Bonn, Beethoven's birthplace.
Rub elbows with the residents of the Free and Hanseatic city of Hamburg. Hamburg hosts many well attended festivals, such as the Hamburger Dom, the country's largest fair, the Gay Pride Parade and the Hafengeburtstag, celebrating the birth of the harbor.
Revel in the entertainment opportunities within the city limits. If you enjoy music, the Hamburg State Opera is one of the largest in Germany. There is also a big trance music scene with alternative and punk bands also very common. Football, or soccer, is huge in Hamburg and catching a Bundesliga match, the top league in the country, would be an appropriate highlight.
