In addition, Leipzig’s rich musical heritage includes the Gewandhaus Orchestra and the world famous St. Thomas Boys Choir which looks back on a proud tradition of almost 800 years in the year 2012.

The world famous St. Thomas Boys’ choir is Leipzig’s oldest “cultural asset” and emerged over 800 years ago from church services organized by the Augustinian Canons. Its most famous choirmaster was Johann Sebastian Bach who lived and worked in Leipzig from 1723 until his death in 1750. His encounter with the Schola Thomana gave impetus to the history of music and its legacy continues to this day.

Related to the St. Thomas Boys’ Choir are the St. Thomas Church and St. Thomas School and together they form the THOMANA, the triad of Church, Choir and School. The cycle of celebratory motets began on January 6 with the Epiphany Service. Highlights of the anniversary year will be the major festival week in March, several world premieres, the International Boys Choir Meeting and of course the Leipzig Bachfest (June 7-17, 2012) – Leipzig’s biggest music festival with 73,000 visitors and more than 110 events every year. It will come under the motto “… ein neues Lied – 800 years of music at St. Thomas” in 2012. The Bachfest 2012 will shed light on Bach’s time as cantor from all kinds of historical perspectives, all of which will be centered on Bach’s work. www.bachfestleipzig.de All year numerous events related to the THOMANA are being held.

More information: www.thomana2012.com

www.gerhard-richter.com 

One week later, a large retrospective of Richter’s works will open in Berlin at the New National Gallery (Feb 12 – May 13) www.smb.museum

From May 26 to August 26, Dresden will celebrate 500 years of the painting of the Sistina Madonna by Rafael www.skd.museum ; Albrecht Duerer’s early works will be shown on the occasion of the artist’s 500th birthday at the German National Museum (May 24 – September 2) in Nuremberg www.der-fruehe-duerer.gnm.de ; and, in Kassel, the extraordinary every-five-year Documenta modern art exhibition will permeate the city’s skyline, sidewalks, parks and buildings from June 9 to September 16.

www.d13.documenta.de

The following list provides highlights from the expansive annual events calendar, including their scheduled dates for 2012*.

► Long Night of Museums

January 28, 2012 / August 25, 2012

Have you ever dreamed about spending the night in a museum? Berlin’s popular “Long Night of Museums” makes this dream come true: Around 100 museums, large and small, presenting established and new collections, open their doors from 6 pm Saturday evening until 2 am Sunday morning. Unique music, theater, and culinary events will enhance the permanent and temporary exhibitions and promise to make the nighttime museum visit a unique experience. With one ticket, patrons get unlimited use of a special shuttle bus service and admission to all participating venues and events. ( Lange Nacht der Museen).

► The 62nd Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale)

February 9-19, 2012

The annual Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) is not only the city’s largest cultural event, but also one of the most important dates on the international film industry’s calendar. In 2011, nearly 20,000 film professionals from 116 countries, including about 3,900 journalists, were accredited for the Berlin International Film Festival. With more than 300,000 tickets sold, the Berlinale is not only a film industry meeting. It also enjoys by far the largest audience of any film festival in the world. Up to 400 films, most of them international or European premiers are shown every year as part of the Berlinale’s public program. For two weeks, art, glamour, parties and business meet at here. In 2012, Mike Leigh will be the Jury President of the Berlinale.

► Carnival in Berlin

February 12, 2012

More than 1 million spectators and participants are again expected to attend the 11th annual Berlin Carnival Costume Parade. With an expected 3,000 participants in 100 groups, 60 floats, and numerous marching bands, the frolicsome parade will start at 11:11 am, and move through the Western center of the German capital. More than 600,000 spectators, most of them in colorful costumes, line the streets every year to watch the parade and collect sweets.

► Festival Days at the Staatsoper Berlin

March 30 – April 9, 2012

A highlight in Berlin’s classical music calendar are the Staatsoper Festival Days, which will be presented at the Schillertheater and the Philharmonie in 2012. Every year, highly acclaimed artists present two opera productions plus several symphonic works. Highlights in 2012 will include the premiere of Alban Berg’s opera “Lulu”, directed by the renowned Andrea Breth, as well as two works of Richard Wagner: “Das Rheingold” and “Die Walkure” as the first and second parts of a new production of the »Ring« cycle. General Music Director Daniel Barenboim will direct both operas, as well as three concerts at the Philharmonie with the Staatskapelle Berlin and the Filarmonica della Scala from Milan.

► Gallery Weekend Berlin 2012

April 27-29 2012

44 of Berlin’s most influential galleries open their doors to present contemporary art during this three-day event; art lovers, design fans, and curators can explore Berlin’s creative scene through numerous openings, guided tours, parties, and special events. Various galleries. Gallery Weekend

► Extended Opera and Theater Night: 1 Ticket, 50 Stages

April 28, 2012

During the Extended Opera and Theater Night, some 50 Berlin stages will demonstrate their variety, originality, and distinctiveness. From 7 pm until 1 am, they will offer a stream of short, approximately half-hour events allowing audience members to assemble their own journey of discovery through the Berlin opera and theater scene. The program offers not just “taster” visits for tourists and newcomers to the theater, but also surprises for ardent theater fans. Shuttle buses will carry visitors from theater to theater on seven different routes. The starting point and meeting spot is the Bebelplatz with an open-air stage, central box office, and information stand. Bebelplatz, Fifty Berlin Stages.

► Berlin Biennale at Kunstwerke/Institute for Contemporary Art

April 28 until July 1, 2012

The Berlin Biennale, organized every 2 years and one of the most important events in the contemporary art world, is taking place for the 7th time in spring 2012. The festival is dedicated to showcasing the latest works by a new generation of international artists and brings together numerous artistic and political positions. Curator of this year’s Berlin Biennale is internationally highly acclaimed artist Artur Żmijewski from Poland, who mainly works with social and political issues transformed into actions and films. One of the first artists invited to participate in the Berlin Biennale is Israeli-Dutch artist Yael Bartana. Bartana will further develop her project of the “Jewish Renaissance Movement in Poland” (JRMiP), where she calls for the return of over 3 million Jews to Poland to re-establish the Jewish culture there.

► Carnival of Cultures

May 25-28, 2012

In celebration of the cultural and ethnic diversity found in the German Capital, the Carnival of Cultures will host about 1 million enthusiastic patrons in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district. Presenting a colorful parade with over 100 groups, 4,000 dancers, singers and musicians from about 80 nations, the “Carnival of Cultures” has become one of Berlin’s most popular and highly anticipated annual events. The parade takes place on May 27 and is accompanied by a colorful street festival with performances, concerts, and food and drink from around the world.

► Classic Open Air Berlin Gendarmenmarkt

July 5-10, 2012

Classic Open Air Berlin, celebrated every summer al fresco at Gendarmenmarkt, the city’s most beautiful square, features all-time favorites in operetta, opera, classical and contemporary music. The 2012 program will be announced at a later time.

► DMY International Design Festival

June 6-10, 2012

Berlin has long been recognized as a center for contemporary design and in 2006 was awarded the UNESCO title “City of Design”. The DMY design festival invites both young and renowned designers to present new design products and projects; the exhibition is accompanied by panel talks, discussions, and workshops that explore current topics as well as future trends of contemporary design. The central exhibition of the festival takes place at Airport Tempelhof.

► Lesbian and Gay Street Festival

June 16/17, 2012

Berlin’s Lesbian and Gay Street Festival has enjoyed growing popularity among gays and lesbians and with the public at large. In 2012, Berlin’s Rainbow Fund will present its 20th annual Lesbian and Gay Festival, which is the largest festival of its kind in Europe. Expecting some 45,000 visitors, the festival will again take place around Nollendorf Platz in Schöneberg district, one of Berlin’s traditional gay stomping grounds. There will be information booths, culinary treats, performances, and lots of music and parties.

► Fête de la Musique

June 21, 2012

Taking place every year on the day of summer solstice, this truly European music event celebrates the diverse forms of live music. Free concerts on over 50 (mostly open-air) stages throughout Berlin feature artists from all of Europe who play everything from klezmer and jazz, to pop and rock. Fete de la Musique.

► Christopher Street Day

June 23, 2012

Glitzy costumes, fantastic wigs, and brightly painted faces – Berlin’s Christopher Street Day will be celebrating its 34th anniversary in 2012. The popular event promises to attract hundreds of thousands of people to the German capital to celebrate equality and tolerance for gays and lesbians around the world. LGBT residents and visitors can again expect to see some 50+ floats, and look forward to partying with half a million people in the streets between Kurfürstendamm and the Brandenburg Gate.

► Berlin Philharmonics Open Air at the Waldbühne

June 24, 2012

A cultural summer highlight is the open-air performance by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra at the Waldbühne Amphitheater, where the famous orchestra traditionally ends its season. In 2012, the famous Philharmonics will be directed by Seiji Ozawa, and the program includes music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

► 16th Berlin International Beer Festival

August 3 – 5, 2012

Move over, Munich! With the Berlin International Beer Festival, the German capital proves that it can hold its own, when Karl-Marx-Allee will turn into the world’s longest beer garden and bar. On a stretch of over one mile, 300 breweries from 86 countries will draft some 2000 brands of the world’s finest beers.

► Berlin Music Week

September 5-9, 2012

Berlin will become center stage for the international music world during this week-long event, which is many things at once: A music industry gathering and market place for professionals, conference and coaching platforms for musicians, and of course concert and music festival for the public. Events of the Berlin Music Week include the Berlin Festival in the hangars and the airfield of the historic Airport Tempelhof; the Berlin Club Night with 60 participating clubs welcoming visitors to Berlin’s legendary nightlife; the trade fair Popkomm, and the all2gethernow coaching platform for young talents.

► 6th Berlin Festival

September 7-8, 2012

Around 15,000 music fans are expected to attend two days of live music at the historic Tempelhof Airport, which turns into one of the most unique stages in the German capital. The 2011 line-up with 70+ bands included Beirut, Public Enemy, The Drums, Kruder and Dorfmeister, and many more. The program for 2012 will be announced at a later time. Berlin Festival.

► 39th Berlin Marathon

September 29 and 30, 2012

The annual Berlin Marathon is not only among the top five international marathon races; it is also huge folk festival that attracts visitors and competitors from around the world. The 42-kilometer route will span 10 districts throughout the city. In the past, the Marathon saw some 40,000 participating runners, 8,000 inline skaters, power walkers and wheelchair athletes representing some 90 nations.

► eat! Berlin Festival

Fall 2012

This festival celebrates the culinary scene of the German capital; Berlin’s best chefs, many of them adorned with Michelin stars, cook up special gourmet menus in restaurants and other unique locations throughout the city. The culinary events are co-hosted by German actors, musicians, and politicians, and music, literature, and films will accompany the dinners. The festival also hosts workshops, cooking and baking classes, wine tastings, and of course, parties. The grand finale of the weeklong event is the eat! Berlin Gala, where the most unique menu and program will be awarded. The date and program of eat! Berlin 2012 will be announced at a later time.

► German Unification Day

October 3

In celebration of the reunification of Germany, a large celebration is held each October 3 on the streets surrounding the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag. Music fills the air with special stages set up featuring everything from classical to rock.

► Festival of Lights

October 2012

For two weeks each October, Berlin turns into a sparkling metropolis with a firework of illuminations during the Festival of Lights. The city’s most famous sights and locations such as the TV Tower, Brandenburg Gate, and Berlin Cathedral will be highlighted by colorful lights, projections, and fireworks, giving Berlin a magical glow. Complementing the festival are numerous cultural events, all focusing on the topic of “light”. Special “lightseeing tours” are offered by bus, boat, or bicycle, and on the first Saturday of the festival many of the illuminated buildings host special events until midnight, during the “Night of open doors”.

► JazzFest Berlin

November 1 – 4, 2012

The series of festivals in Berlin traditionally draws to a close with JazzFest Berlin , which will be held for the 48th time in 2012. The program focuses on big bands and large ensembles; alongside American jazz stars, the festival presents artists from around the world, whose music crosses the borders between local folk traditions and global sounds and trends. Haus der Berliner Festspiele, Quasimodo, and other sites.

► BerMuDa – Berlin Music Days

November tbd

Who needs sleep? Clubbers, ravers, musicians, and label managers can look forward to four nights of clubbing and electronic music. Berlin’s best clubs, including Berghain, WMF, and Watergate, invite electronic music aficionados to come dance and party. In its third year, BerMuDa is on its way to become a major international music festival.

► Christmas Fairs and WinterMagic

December 2012

The Yuletide season offers a wide variety of events and celebrations for visitors and Berliners. Beginning at the end of November, Berlin is home to about 60 Christmas markets, including Germany’s largest fair in Spandau’s Old Town, the historic market at Gendarmenmarkt square, and the nostalgic fair at the Opernpalais Unter den Linden. Holiday concerts, ranging from classical to vaudeville, enhance the spirit, while countless winter activities, such a tobogganing and ice-skating, make for unique urban winter experiences. More information and a calendar of events at http://visitberlin.de/en/feature/a-lot-of-christmas-celebrations

► New Year’s Eve at the Brandenburg Gate

December 31, 2012

New Year’s celebrations prove extra special in recent years when more than million Berliners and visitors gather at Brandenburg Gate to call in the New Year and witness a dramatic fireworks display. The party stretches along the Straße des 17. Juni all the way to the Victory Column, and features show stages, DJ towers, dance floors, a Ferris wheel, and delicacies from all over the world. An international stage program with live acts, famous rock and pop bands, and DJs will guarantee uninterrupted entertainment until the wee hours of the morning..

More information on Berlin’s expansive calendar of events is available at www.visitBerlin.com

Business travelers, tourists, and companies will be presented with ideal connections, international flights, direct motorway access, and a rail station under the main terminal. The BBI concept envisages an airport of the next generation: Inexpensive, functional and cosmopolitan coupled with modern Industrial architecture.

In a premium location directly in front of the terminal in the urban surroundings of the airport plaza, the hotel is ideally connected to the local infrastructure. The modern-style 4-star superior Hotel of Steigenberger Hotels AG will contain 322 rooms, including 27 suites. Nine excellently furnished and equipped conference and event rooms are located in a business meeting area of 1,500 square metres, international cuisine and a generously dimensioned wellness area.

The building was designed by Eike Becker Architekten of Berlin and the interior architecture was styled by Markus-Diedenhofen from Reutlingen. The concept they have developed combines warm natural colours and high-quality materials with modern functionality whilst including a number of design elements from the world of aviation. A floating sideboard, for example, is reminiscent of the wing of an aeroplane and the headboard of the bed features a number of details typical of aircraft seats. A certain energy has been generated within the room via a conscious decision to adopt an asymmetrical approach to the alignment of reading lamps and to the design of the bedside tables. A window slit has been set into the wall dividing the room from the bathroom in order to provide an optical connection between the two spaces. The features of the bathroom itself include a floor-level shower with a glass dividing wall and a washstand with a generously sized storage area.

The hotel is due to be opened when business at Berlin Brandenburg Airport begins in June 2012. www.steigenbergerhotelgroup.com and www.berlin-airport.de

To recognize Luther’s musical legacy, LutherCountry is celebrating “The Year of Reformation and Music” in 2012. This is part of the ten-year Luther Decade, building up to 2017 and the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s world-changing act of defiance. When, on October 31, 1517, the monk nailed his 95 Theses to a church door in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany, he triggered the Protestant Reformation.

Luther loved music. Not only was he an accomplished player of the flute and the lute, he wrote many hymns. The most famous is A Mighty Fortress is Our God, nicknamed the “Battle Hymn of the Reformation”. It first appeared in print in 1529. But, Luther also wrote Christmas carols. Today, he is regarded as one of Germany’s most important composers prior to Bach.

Luther’s legacy is massive; put simple, the Reformation laid the foundations for a new form of music in Europe. Greatly influenced by Lutheran doctrine were composers such as Bach, Liszt, Telemann and Handel. All are recognized in 2012.

As the new Church Year begins on October 31, Reformation Day is celebrated with festivals and church services throughout LutherCountry.

UPCOMING HIGHLIGHTS 2011/2012

November 10 2011: Erfurt St Martin’s Festival

Thousands fill the vast Domplatz (cathedral square) for the traditional St Martin’s Day Festival on November 10, dedicated to Martin Luther as well as St. Martin (the city’s patron saint). In the evening, small children are out and about carrying lanterns, often with real candles! And among the taste treats are traditional roast goose and, made ONLY on November 10, Martinshörnchen, yummy sweet flaky pastries, filled with fruit preserves.

January 18 2012: Erfurt

To launch the Year of Reformation and Music, local choirs perform compositions specially written for a new Lutheran hymn book. The Loh-Orchester Sondershausen plays 19th-century symphonic works on the subject of the Reformation.

February 25 to November 11 2012: Eisenach Bach House

Special exhibitions around town are dedicated to “Bach, Luther and Music”. You can, for example, listen to a recording by the choir of the Georgenkirche (Church of St. George) singing hymns from a 1536 hymn book that both Luther and Bach might have heard. In Luther’s House, the exhibition focuses on the cantatas of Georg Philipp Telemann.

March 9 to 18 2012: Magdeburg Telemann Festival

The city celebrates its favorite son: Georg Philipp Telemann. This is the 21st annual Telemann feast event with concerts all over the town, from the cathedral to St John’s Church where Luther preached.

March 30 to April 22 2012: Thuringia Bach Weeks

The largest music festival in the state, Thuringia Bach Weeks feature a series of cantata church services with performances in historic settings by top-class musicians from Berlin, France, and Switzerland.

May 31 to June 10 2012: Halle (Saale) Handel Festival 2012 – Handel and the confessions

When it comes to Handel, Halle and Leipzig (25 miles away) are the cultural focuses for this world-famous composer. The Handel Festival has been held in authentic places in Halle, the city of his birth, since 1922. Handel’s 42 preserved operas form the backbone of the festival program, with 34 performed at the Handel Festival so far, a record unrivalled in the world. In 2012, the featured operas include Alcina, Porus, King of Indiaand Otto, King of Germany.

June 14 to July 22 2012: Lutherstadt Wittenberg Heaven on Earth – The World’s Religions in Luther’s Wittenberg

Himmel auf Erden (Heaven on Earth) is an outstanding international music festival that celebrates religious music from around the world.

There are more exciting events scheduled after July 2012. Please visit www.visit-luther.com to find all events for the LutherDecade and even more information about current tours to this historic region.

For an authentic Christmas feeling there is no place like Saxony. Running along Germany’s eastern border, the Ore Mountains in Germany’s eastern state of Saxony are literally Germany’s Christmas workshop. Home to charming towns that create most of the wooden handcrafts in Germany’s over 2,500 Christmas markets.

The art of woodcarving is firmly rooted in the long mining history of the region. The small village of Seiffen could be called the ‘toy capital’ of Germany as it is there that the nutcracker, the smoking man and other holiday icons were invented after mining declined and workers needed a new way to earn a living. Carved and elegant pyramids and candle arches illuminate every corner during the Christmas season and were created to express the miners’ longing for light. The magnificent town of Annaberg-Buchholz reflects the former wealth of the mining era. www.visitsaxony.com

Theme: Frankfurt at Christmas: Markets, Music and Magic

As one of Germany’s most important international hubs, Frankfurt is a perfect start for your Christmas markets trip to Germany. Within a few hours by train, you can reach most of Germany’s stunning Christmas markets, not to mention visit Frankfurt’s own market from November 23 to December 22 in the old Roemerberg town center featuring traditional arts and crafts, a wide range of culinary specialities.

The scene is truly beautiful. A lavishly decorated fir tree reaches for the skies, thousands of fairy lights illuminate the surrounding townscape, snow descends slowly upon the historical old town while the air is filled with the scent of baked apples, roasted nuts, homemade gingerbread and piping hot Apple wine, a specialty of Frankfurt and served from charming grey and blue ceramic jugs. Exuding a cosy and romantic atmosphere, Frankfurt’s Christmas market invites visitors to a leisurely stroll amongst rows and rows of booths and stalls. Close by, Germany’s tallest Christmas tree stands proudly at a height of over 90 feet. Together, the old town hall and the historical half-timbered homes of the Roemerberg along with, St. Paul’s Church and Frankfurt’s modern skyline form a colorful backdrop.

The history of Frankfurt’s Christmas market dates back as far as 1393. For years, only Frankfurt merchants were permitted to display their wares here, perhaps explaining why today one is still able to find such a wide variety of local and regional specialities. Gingerbread, “Bethmännchen,” a delicious almond and marzipan biscuit (and a favourite of Goethe), and “Quetschemännchen,” a candied figure made of dried plums, are just some of the many typical Frankfurt Christmas specialities looking back on hundreds of years of culinary tradition. Years ago, a gentleman too shy to make known his affections to a lady often availed himself of the age-old custom of sending a “Quetschemännchen” to her residence to let her know of his intentions. If she accepted this sweet gift, his chances looked bright indeed. If not, he would be well advised to seek elsewhere.

Aside from sweets, the market’s beautifully decorated stalls also feature a wide variety of traditional Christmas articles, such as Christmas ornaments, arts and crafts as well as typical Frankfurt creations like pottery and stoneware products. And then there’s the unique honey shop on St. Paul’s Square, one of the market’s more unusual attractions. www.frankfurt-tourismus.de

Historic Highlights Debuts New Website and Prepares for Christmas

Preparing for Christmas in Germany is a magical time especially in some of the historic towns where traditional Christmas markets and decorations have personalities of their own. With the relaunch of their website: www.historicgermany.travel , the 13 member towns of the Historic Highlights association have a brand new reason to celebrate this holiday season. The new website features special packages that can be booked online, interactive maps, an E-Guidebook, a calendar of events, videos and trip planning tools, such as itineraries with special themes, including architecture, religion and culinary highlights.

The year-round itineraries, or “Dream Routes,” include “On the Path of the Romans” to the towns of Trier, Augsburg, Mainz, Wiesbaden, Osnabrueck; the route of “Emperors, Kings and Palaces” with palaces, fortresses and castles in Koblenz, Erfurt and Potsdam; “On the Roots of the Reformation” highlighting the activities of the monk, Martin Luther; and finally, “Treasures of the German Romanticism” which emphasizes where important poets, composers and philosophers walked and talked and even, in the case of Freiburg, revolted for national unity.

At this time of year the four wonderful Christmas itineraries are particularly appropriate. You can choose a single tour or combine all four. To begin with the “Charming Christmas” route takes visitors to traditional Christmas markets in small towns in the Black Forest and Bavaria. In the historic old towns of Freiburg, Augsburg and Wuerzburg, the town centers glow in warm lights and the smell of gingerbread and hot chestnuts in the air radiate the full charm of the holiday season. Festively decorated city centers are the highlight of the “Peaceful Christmas Breaks” route. Imposing backdrops of cathedrals, churches and city halls combined with seasonal concerts, carol singing, ice skating and fairytale tellers add to a peaceful atmosphere in Mainz, Wiesbaden, Muenster and Osnabrueck.

The third route: “Festive moments from Germany’s heart to the Baltic Sea” goes to the nostalgic cities of Erfurt, Potsdam and the Hanseatic city Rostock, which all provide a magical atmosphere at Christmas time. While the fourth route travels along rivers and lakes which are a magnificent scenic backdrop to the Christmas markets. This route, “Traditional Christmas along German rivers,” starts in the 2,000 year-old town of Koblenz, visits Germany’s oldest city Trier with the Moselle River, Wiesbaden’s Twinkling Star Christmas market located in the idyllic Palace Square and Heidelberg, which is renowned for its romantic ambiance. www.historicgermany.com

SPECIAL EVENTS AND CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Nov 21 – Dec 30

Luebeck Christmas Market

Festive Christmas lights, stars and beautifully decorated Christmas trees conjure up a magic atmosphere in Lübeck’s old town and invite you and your friends and families to stroll around the market and take in the charming atmosphere of the Baltic town once home to Thomas Mann. The scent of honey roasted almonds, spiced wine, herb goodies and grilled sausages fills the winter air. More than 200 small Christmas stalls offer self-made wooden toys and Christmas tree decorations. www.luebecker-weihnachtsmarkt.de

Nov 24 – Dec 24

Dresden Striezelmarkt

Germany’s oldest Christmas market has resided in the Saxon capital for more than half a millennium. Last year, the Dresden Striezelmarkt turned 575 years and the tradition and charm live on. Stroll through authentically decorated stalls, enjoy the relaxing and romantic atmosphere as you linger beneath the glow of muted lights, feast your eyes on the intricate Christmas decorations, red tile roofs, and the rustic construction that harkens back to simpler, more idyllic era and pace of life. Events designed to fill both young and old with holiday enthusiasm while Saxon delicacies including the Dresden Stollen or “Striezel” round out a pleasant visit to the Dresden Striezelmarkt. www.dresden.de

Nov 25 – Dec 24

Munich Christmas Market

The nearly 100-ft. high Christmas tree sparkles in the glitter of its 2,500 candles in the middle of Munich’s Marienplatz, the aroma of Gluehwein (hot spiced wine) fills the air and angel hair is glowing everywhere. The heart of the Bavarian capital is under the magic spell of Christmas. Festive live music from the balcony of the town hall: Bavarian small string groups, wind players, singers and choirs will get you in a Christmas mood. www.muenchen.de

Dec 16 – 18

Rudolstadt Christmas Market

The imposing baroque castle in the charming town of Rudolstadt Heidecksburg in Thuringia turns every year into a charming historic Christmas setting. The town preserves many cultural traditions and is associated with the life and work of famous poets and scholars, including Friedrich Schiller, Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Johann Gottlieb Fichte, Wilhelm und Alexander Humbold, the musicians and composers Richard Wagner, Franz Liszt and Niccolo Paganini as well as the founder of the first kindergarten, Friedrich Fröbel. A varied program filled with concerts and many activities for children round off this unique Christmas market. www.rudolstadt.de

Dec 31

New Year’s Party at the Brandenburg Gate

Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, millions of people celebrate the coming of the New Year at the Brandenburg Gate. The festival mile runs from the Straße des 17. Juni to the Victory Column. On this stretch there are many show stages on which international music stars, rock and pop bands perform. The New Year is greeted with spectacular fireworks and laser shows at midnight. www.silvester-in-berlin.de

Germany’s Christmas markets are now listed on our website www.germany.travel

LOLLING ABOUT

Tucked away amid the dramatic sandstone formations of Germany’s Saxon Switzerland, Bad Schandau offers more than its iron-rich waters on the banks of the upper Elbe river. The town also boasts a wealth of architectural gems, dating back to the days when people came to take the waters, starting as early as the 1730s. Today’s facilities include the Toskana-Therme, where visitors soak in a saline pool, or float in a round basin surrounded by Liquid Sound, live-streamed electronic music and patterns of light and colour projected onto the ceiling.

On the perfect diet

The scenery is grand along Germany’s Alpine Road, where you find the town of Oberstaufen. Nestled in the foothills of the Hochgrat Alps formation, this spa resort has been treating its wellness visitors to the benefits of the Schroth diet for 60 years. And in addition to looking after their health, spa guests can roam the countryside, which to the west and north, presents the bucolic vistas of the Allgäu region and Lake Constance, and looking south and east, extends to the dramatic Alpine backdrops leading to Neuschwanstein Castle.

Barefoot by the sea

The Baltic seaside resort of Göhren, on the island of Rügen, is Germany’s only seaside Kneipp hydrotherapy spa. Wellness guest can do their wading and barefoot walks right on the beach, harnessing the natural benefits of both the sea air and the salty water. The island’s white, medicinal chalk can help alleviate joint inflammation and skin conditions. Along with other wellness treatments, Göhren offers lots of room to relax nearby. Stretching for miles, its northern beach is also a favourite with families.

www.germany.travel

Holiday Highlights in Hamburg and Berlin include:

Christmas Markets: From Romantic to Off Beat

Starting as early as November 21, Christmas markets are poised to get you in the holiday spirit. Hot mulled “Glühwein”, traditional gingerbread, and cold weather comfort snacks are a must, and corralling and holiday concerts contribute further to the festive mood.

Hamburg’s 15 Christmas markets range from the nostalgic Historical Market at Rathausmarkt square with its old-time alleys, to the Wintermagic at Jungfernstieg, which is on the city’s canals and known for its old-fashioned ferries wheel and famous hanseatic maritime flair. Germany’s only “adults only” Santa Pauli market offers a naughty alternative to the traditional format: located in Hamburg’s famed red-light district Sankt Pauli, the focus is on cocktails, cabaret, and live music. The city’s newest market is at Überseequartier at HarborCity, a former dock area-turned urban hot spot.

At year’s end, Berlin’s 60 holiday markets invite visitors to slow down and enjoy the Season. The most romantic Christmas market is the old-world Weihnachtszauber at Gendarmenmarkt Square in the Eastern part of the city. In the West, the market at Charlottenburg Palace is known for its stunning backdrop and high-end arts and crafts. The Lucia Christmas Market at the Kulturbrauerei, a former brewery-turned cultural hot-spot, features Swedish traditions, atmospheric light displays, and occasional bonfires.

Winter sports, the Outdoors and Family Fun

An illuminated wintery steamboat cruise on Hamburg’s inner city Alster lake has long been a favorite activity for families. However, in recent winters, unusually low temperatures covered the 400 acre body of water with a solid ice layer, turning the lake into a popular outdoor wonderland for skating, ice sports, or walking. On weekends booths set up on the ice and serve hot beverages and hearty snacks.

Irrespective of temperatures, Europe’s largest artificial outdoor ice rink at Hamburg’s Indoo Arena at Planten und Blomen park offers winter-long skating.

In lieu of real mountains, Berlin’s Winterwelt (Winter World) at Potsdamer Platz features a 40-feet high and 230-feet long mobile toboggan run, a free outdoor ice rink and curling lanes, complemented by a rustic “ski hut”, where waiters in traditional garb serve Austrian specialties.

Romantics can enjoy the holiday lights and decorations at Berlin’s historic center from a horse-drawn carriage. Tours start in front of the Opern Palais.

Christmas Trees and Holiday Lights

For more than 40 years, the Alstertanne has been Hamburg’s best known Christmas tree. Mounted on a pontoon in the middle of the Alster lake, this tall and festively lit pine tree is in clear view from the upscale Jungfernstieg shopping area, which is also decked out in festive Advent dress during the Holiday season.

A tall Christmas tree on Pariser Platz at the iconic Brandenburg Gate makes for a perfect photo opportunity. Traditionally, the tree is donated by a small community in Norway and decorated with stars, angels, red apples and more than 800 lights. From here, illuminated Linden trees beckon visitors to stroll down Unter den Linden Boulevard.

Culture and Holiday Shows

In Hamburg and Berlin, opera and music are part of the Holiday magic.

The 2011 winter program at the Hamburg State Opera includes performances of Humperdinck’s “Hänsel and Gretel”, the “Nutcracker”, as well as the Hamburg Ballet’s traditional performance of the “Christmas Oratory”.

http://www.hamburgische-staatsoper.de/de/2_spielplan/index.php?s=1322694000&t=Kalender

Berlin’s three opera houses and seven symphony orchestras will be staging holiday specials, such as a Family Christmas Concert and organ performance at the Berlin Philharmonics, http://www.berliner-philharmoniker.de/en/concerts/kalender/view/browser/datum/2011-12/ as well as “Cinderella” and Verdi’s “La Traviata” performed at the Schiller Theater by the Staatsoper Ensemble. http://www.staatsoper-berlin.org/de_DE/calendar/01.12.2011-31.12.2011

Holiday Specials and Hotel Packages

Hamburg Tourismus offers a special Holiday package on their website, including one overnight, a guided tour of the Christmas markets, shopping voucher, sightseeing tour, Hamburg Card and restaurant discounts. Package starts at Euro 109.00 per person. http://www.hamburg-tourism.de/en/search-booking/pauschalen/overview-packages/details/hamburg-in-der-weihnachtszeit/

The Ritz Carlton in Berlin serves Advent afternoon tea and traditional roast goose dinners in their Brasserie Debrosses.

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Berlin/Information/Calendar/Default.htm. The 5-star Hotel Brandenburger Hof offers a high-end New Years package, including four overnights and an exclusive cultural and culinary program, from Euro 1,944.00 per person. http://www.visitberlin.de/en/article/new-years-eve-in-berlin-2011.

For more information

Tourist information and bookings at www.visitberlin.com and www.hamburg-tourismus.de

www.bremerhaven-tourism.de

The bus tour incorporates a fascinating look at the production and manufacturing of the giant rotor blades, foundation bodies and wind turbines for offshore-wind energy facilities. The offshore wind station is based on a 500 ton steel tripod foundation, which anchors the wind power station to the sea bed. The rotor blades rise up to 570 feet in the air, with the highest one almost 100 feet higher than Germany’s most-visited destination: the Cologne Cathedral. A stop at the container lookout tower allows a glimpse at the loading of the offshore wind energy facilities for the wind park “Nord Sea East”. The College of Applied Sciences in Bremerhaven offers a masters degree program in “wind energy technology” to qualify future wind energy specialists.

Bremerhaven’s amalgam of maritime aquariums and zoos, climate houses and museums is unprecedented. Visitors can explore the world’s climates along the 8th longitude at the Climate House® Bremerhaven 8° East, a unique and scientifically-founded adventure world featuring extreme heat, cold and varying climates around the world. www.bremerhaven-touristik.de

Bremerhaven’s Zoo at the Sea provides visitors with an impression of the habitat of diving polar bears, polar foxes, common seals, fur seals and penguins, including bizarre, barren deserts of ice, colorful tundra landscapes framed by water and the back drop of the River Weser. Close by the Seawater Atlantic Aquarium provides wonderful experiences and insights into the coldwater fish and crustaceans in the northern Atlantic waters as well as a sea fish cooking studio.

These top attractions are immensely family-friendly and affordable and comprise the Havenwelten mega tourism project rising along the River Weser. But it does not end there: the Atlantic Hotel Sail City; the German Maritime Museum; the submarine “Wilhelm Bauer;” the Historical Museum Bremerhaven, and certainly last but not least, the “fishery mile” is lined with restaurants, cafés, bistros, pubs, maritime shops and even a seafood cooking studio to satisfy your inner chef. www.bremerhaven-touristik.de

THE LUTHER ROUTE

This circular trail joins two towns that are significant in the history of the Reformation. One is Lutherstadt Eisleben, where Martin Luther, the Great Reformer, was born and where he died. The other is Lutherstadt Wittenberg, regarded as the heart of the Reformation.

Both are situated between Berlin and Leipzig in the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, which celebrates the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. Marked with a medieval-looking green L, the 250-mile-long Luther Route links 40 important towns, villages and sites, such as Halle (Saale), Mansfeld Lutherstadt, Dessau, and Woerlitz. But there are also well-signposted local walks.

WALKING IN WITTENBERG

In Lutherstadt Wittenberg, for example, the Luther Path not only highlights seven important sites, but doubles as a prayer or meditation trail. Start with the Castle Church, where Luther nailed his 95 Theses, his demands for reform, to the door. The trail includes the Fountain in the Cranach Courtyard, where Lucas Cranach, the great medieval painter worked. It continues past the grand entrance to the Town Hall. Nearby, at the Town Church is a memorial to the Jews. You also visit the Leucorea, the university where, in 1514, Luther studied the Bible, finding “understanding, insight, and truth.”

Most romantic is the Luther House, where he and Katharina von Bora, a former nun, spent much of their married life. The walk takes about an hour, ending at the Luther Oak, where Luther burned the writings of the Pope in 1520. A pamphlet in English, with short Biblical texts, as well as any further information about Martin Luther, Katharina von Bora and other important persons of that time and of course tickets for all guided tours are available at the Tourist Office directly opposite the famous door at the castle church. Please also refer to the website www.lutherstadt-wittenberg.de.

CYCLING ROUND EISLEBEN

Lutherstadt Eisleben is the small town where Martin Luther was born on 10 November 1483 – and where he died, on 18 February 1546. As well as visiting Luther’s Birth House (Geburtshaus) and visitor center, important sites include the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul (see the font where Luther was baptized), St. Andrew’s Church (where he preached his last sermon), and a reconstruction of the Sterbehaus, the house where he died.

In Eisleben, you can rent a bicycle ($6 a day) and get out into the surrounding countryside. The Lake Trail (Seetour), a 20-mile loop round Suesser See (lake), is nice and flat, with apricot orchards. Stop for coffee in the pretty village of Seeburg, with a castle and a terrace overlooking the water.

Or choose the 20-mile Castle Trail (Burgtour) that leads to Burg Bornstedt. In this centuries-old castle, days gone by are recreated by “knights and ladies,” dressed up in medieval armor, helmets and shields.

Further information: LutherCountry www.visit-luther.com