With Eid Al Adha around the corner and set to provide UAE residents with an extended weekend, keen travelers would do well to embrace Germany’s “Stay a Little Bit Longer” initiative and explore numerous of the country’s regions and make the most of the abundance of diverse experiences they have to offer.
Discover Germany
With such variety to choose from, visitors to Germany will not be left short even if they go for an extended stay. Those seeking places surrounded by plentiful greenery are in for a treat with a wide selection of parks, botanical gardens, and open spaces across Halle, Kassel, Essen, and Osnabrück.
Mountain bike park Palatinate Forest.
All four cities provide plenty of recreation within their “urban jungles.” Furthermore, a visit to Halle’s mountain zoo, located on the elevated Reilsberg north of the Old Town, is a green scene not to be missed. Likewise, the panoramic views from the Hercules monument in Kassel and the enormous water features at the Wilhelmshöhe Palace complex, which is Europe’s largest mountain park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Spa Towns
Spa towns are another great attraction for GCC travelers known to seek places offering relaxation and tranquility. Wiesbaden is a cosmopolitan spa town with famous Art Nouveau baths that helped it receive the title of “World Spa Resort.”
Known as a gem among German bathing resorts, it first opened in 1913. Another town known for its excellent spa culture is Baden-Baden, one of three German spas honoured by UNESCO in 2021 as one of the “Great Spa Towns of Europe.”
Located on the edge of the Black Forest, the town’s spa tradition is based on the 2,000-metre-deep thermal springs. The town has springs, baths, abundant nature, and wellness clinics renowned for their medical and therapeutic treatments.
Some of the other spa towns worth exploring include Bad Schandau, which has healing springs in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, and Aachen, which is known for its healing thermal waters and hot springs dating back to the Roman times.
Wilderness experiences
Germany is also known for its wilderness experiences, such as camping under the stars, trekking, hiking, and mountain biking among others. It offers travellers a plethora of adventurous activities in which to immerse themselves.
For campers and trekkers looking to explore the myriad of stars, galaxies, and planets, they can head to Westhavelland – the first “Dark Sky Park” in Germany – as well as the Rhön Dark Sky Reserve, Eifel Nature Park, and Sternenpark Winklmoos-Alm, among others.
Hikers can explore the 13 extra-special trails dotted across Germany, including the Goldsteig Trail, the Harz Witches trail, and the Erzgebirge-Vogtland Ridge Trail, among others. Elsewhere, mountain bikers can discover off-the-beaten tracks in the Sauerland, Ore Mountains, Bavarian Forest, Harz Mountains, and Palatinate Forest.
Meat-free Restaurants in Germany
Having worked up an appetite, vegans can find a wide selection of creative meat-free restaurants, bistros and coffee houses across Germany. The meat-free culinary landscape has become even more colourful, sustainable and delicious, and now includes attractive creations for people who want to do without animal products altogether.
“Germany offers an extensive array of captivating places to explore and experience,” said Yamina Sofo, director at the Dubai-based German National Tourist Office (GNTO).
“Travelers have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the refreshing atmosphere, encounter vibrant cultures, and embark on nature-filled adventures, all while prioritizing sustainability.”
Sofo continued, “As the GCC remains a significant market, it is crucial to provide visitors with appealing travel experiences. We warmly invite GCC travellers to visit Germany, stay a little bit longer during this Eid break, and fully immerse themselves in the abundance of everything the country has to offer.”
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
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