Germany Rediscovered: Detours © Unsplash A selfie at the Brandenburg Gate, a tour of Neuschwanstein Castle – all great. But which cities, landscapes and special places in Germany are also worth seeing? Once a month, we take you to a place in Germany that you absolutely must discover! Photo (detail): © Adobe Detours | Zollverein Coal Mine The Eifel Tower of Industrial Culture Can a disused coal mine be beautiful? Zollverein coal mine in Essen can! The Zollverein industrial complex combines architecture and nature, culture and leisure activities, the past and the future. Anyone into ice skating or swimming will definitely have a great time here. Photo (detail): © Adobe Detours | Wadden Sea A Safari Through the Mud Germany’s northern coast has been shaped by the wind, the currents and the tides, creating the Wadden Sea. It provides a habitat for some unique wildlife and offers an opportunity to head out in pursuit of the “small five”. Photo (detail): © Adobe Detours | Slinky Springs to Fame A Bridge of Many Colours There’s no need to travel to London or Venice to cross one of Europe’s most impressive bridge constructions. Simply go to Oberhausen instead, where the “Slinky Springs to Fame” is suspended across the Rhine-HerneCanal. Photo (detail): © Adobe Detours | Magdeburg Brightly coloured beats drab and grey Bauhaus meets East German prefabs and Hundertwasser meets Gothic: Magdeburg is a truly “colourful city”. With two superstars who grew up nearby. Photo (detail): © Adobe Detours | Augsburg Outstanding Water Culture It’s hard to believe, but Augsburg has more bridges than Venice, not to mention wonderful fountains and countless small streams running through the city! The Romans built the first aqueduct and the Augsburgers later perfected the water system – a prime example of Swabian engineering skill in Bavaria’s oldest city. Photo (detail): © Adobe Detours | Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord Steampunk galore in a leafy wilderness A conglomeration of pipes, tanks, steps and plants: a visit to Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord is a fascinating adventure. There can hardly be a more enjoyable way to experience the history of the Ruhr region. Photo (detail): © Adobe City contours Nuremberg A touch of Bella Italia Nuremberg has a picturesque flair and history – including some troubled chapters. The city offers a lot that makes life richer: Our author Clara Lipkowski details spots to experience modern culture, art and curiosities. Photo (detail): © Adobe City contours Hannover Probably the most underrated city in the world Boring? Colourless? Despite what you may have heard, Hannover is none of these things; it’s just as exciting as Berlin or Hamburg – only more manageable and without all the irritations. Time for a visit to what is probably the most underrated city in the world. Photo (detail): © Adobe City Contours Rostock On its Way Tourists nationwide know the Rostock district of Warnemünde for its beach, lighthouse, pier, and fish butties. The city of Rostock itself is generally associated with shipyards, the fishing combines used in the GDR, and the Lichtenhagen pre-fab housing estate. So it is high time we took a closer look at this historic Hanseatic league city. Photo (detail): © Adobe Detours | Lorelei The Siren Song of Lorelei Anyone who comes here – whether by mountain bike or on foot – will quickly fall in love with this region of culture, nature and wine on the River Rhine: it’s a very easy place to spend time. Photo (detail): © Adobe Detours | Trier Romans and other famous individuals A holy robe, a black gate, Roman apple wine and some celebrity family history that hardly anyone knows about: do you need any more reasons to visit Trier? Photo (detail): © Adobe Detours | Ferropolis City of Iron When the coal mines were shut down, little remained in the village of Gremmin but an immense hole and some abandoned construction equipment. Yet out of the desolate landscape grew something new: Ferropolis, the city of iron. Photo (detail): © Adobe Detours | Zipfelbund Germany from all sides The name alone is puzzling: what on earth is meant by the word “Zipfelbund”? And what might a Zipfel Passport, Zipfel Prize and Zipfel Pact refer to? But be warned: you will need quite a bit of time if you want to see everything. Photo (detail): © Adobe Detours | Walchensee Sunshine Reggae in the Alps A Caribbean panorama in the Alps, how is that possible? It can hardly be thanks to the weather, and is definitely not because of the easy ocean access. And yet it is not without good reason that Lake Walchensee is dubbed the “Bavarian Caribbean”. So why not pop on your flip flops and your shades – and let’s take a look at what our local Caribbean has to offer. Photo (detail): © Adobe Detours | National Park Rügen In Störtebeker’s Footsteps Untamed nature, fascinating vistas: Germany’s smallest national park on the Baltic Sea island of Rügen offers some great views – not only for Instagram. And with a bit of luck, you might even discover some pirate treasure here. Photo (detail): © picture alliance / ZB / Jens Trenkler Detours | Görlitz Quentin Tarantino on the Market Square Görlitz. Never heard of the place? Well, it’s true that it isn’t exactly the first town recommended to people visiting Germany. And yet it has something to offer that no other town in Germany can match – not even Berlin, which is said to have it all. Top
