A towering 1000-year-old cathedral, millions of lights, the scent of mulled wine and gingerbread—these are the things that make the Aachen Christmas market.

READ: Aachen Christmas Market Guide

Millions of gleaming lights, hundreds of vendors, and numerous city squares decorated with distinctive themes make the Cologne Christmas market one of the best markets in Europe.

READ: Cologne Christmas Market Guide

Exploring the Nuremberg Nazi Party Rally Grounds

READ: Exploring the Nuremberg Nazi Party Rally Grounds

Dotted with medieval churches, laced together with half-timbered buildings, and punctuated by a castle from the early days of the Holy Roman Empire, Nuremberg, Germany, is bursting at the seams with history.

READ: 18 Fun Things to Do in Nuremberg, Germany

Bremen, Germany, is at once a modern university town and a port city with more than 1200 years of history.

READ: 13 Fun Things to Do in Bremen, Germany

the visit to the Nuremberg Christmas market was a charming and romantic experience--where tourists and locals commune together in the cold and embrace the season. To put it simply, Nuremberg’s Christmas markets are absolutely enchanting.

READ: Nuremberg Christmas Market Guide

Miniature Wonderland is far more than kid's play. This is Germany's most popular tourist attraction. It is a perfect re-creation of our world in miniature and it is absolutely fabulous!

READ: Reliving My Childhood at Miniature Wonderland

On the surface, the idea of visiting an old warehouse district may not sound very interesting. But once we were standing in front of Hamburg’s historic Speicherstadt, it was easy to see why this unique area is so popular.

READ: Inside Hamburg’s Fascinating Warehouse District

People riding in a horse-drawn carriage across mud flats at the Wadden Sea in Germany

READ: Crossing the Wadden Sea by Horse-Drawn Carriage…Almost

The beauty of Lubeck, Germany, is complemented by divine food, great shopping, and a proud history still visible across the city today. With so much to offer, this northern German city is not to be missed, even if you’re short on time.

READ: 36 Hours in Lubeck, Germany

In the center of Bremen’s Old Town stands the most perfect building in Germany. At least as far as we’re concerned.

READ: Bremen Town Hall: The Perfect Place in Germany

In October 1517, a young theologian posted 95 theses on a church door in Germany. His name was Martin Luther and his actions changed the world. Today, the Martin Luther pilgrimage sites in Germany draw visitors from around the world.

READ: Walking In the Footsteps of Martin Luther

In the frigid winter of 1999, I visited Nuremberg for the first time. From my first walk down the Koenigstrasse, I was smitten. That first trip was the beginning of my love affair with this historical city – a love affair that continues to this day. The city is extremely photogenic, so I can’t resist sharing some of my favorite Nuremberg photos.

READ: 15 Inspiring Photos of Nuremberg

Germany’s relationship with Jewish history is painful. But this is not that story. This is the remarkably unlikely story of one of Europe’s greatest treasures hidden for centuries. This is the story of a history lost – and rediscovered under unlikely circumstances. This is the story, the legend, of the Erfurt Treasure and the Old Erfurt Synagogue.

READ: Rewriting Germany’s Jewish Heritage in Erfurt

The Romantic Road. Those three words conjure up images of fairy tales and charming little villages. For years, despite numerous trips to Germany, I’ve avoided what is arguably the best known holiday route in the world. I had a lot of preconceptions about the Romantic Road – some were true and some were just legends. One thing is for certain, The Romantic Road in Germany was a complete surprise.

READ: The Best of Germany’s Small Towns on The Romantic Road

Like ghosts in the mist, white hooded bodies move silently through the 200 year old wooden structure. The dense fog strangles the senses as sight and sound are distorted. Slowly, the bodies pace back and forth. The only noise is the faint trickle of water. These pilgrims come to the Keltenbad spa (or Celtic Bath) in Bad Salzungen, Germany for “The Cure.” As I quickly learned, the Keltenbad Bad Salzungen is like very few places on earth.

READ: Experiencing The Cure of Bad Salzungen’s Keltenbad Spa

Weimar, Germany is a town with an identity crisis. On one hand, it is a town deeply rooted in the Romantic Classical period. On the other hand, it is progressive, modern and gave birth to the Bauhaus movement. The dual traditions – Classical Weimar and the Weimar Bauhaus – are both recognized as separate UNESCO World Heritage Sites. I’ve visited the city several times over the last 20 years, and each time is a truly profound experience.

READ: A Tale of Two Weimars

The hamlet of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of Germany’s most visited small towns. It is also one of its best preserved: hundreds of years of poverty and neglect left the town in mint shape. In the summer, over 2 million visitors pack its tiny streets. But in the dead of winter, I had the town nearly to myself and was able to explore the many things to do in Rothenburg virtually alone.

READ: Fairy Tales and Legends in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

On a recent trip to Central Germany, I encountered a man who played an important historical role, but has been relegated to a mere footnote: the painter known as Lucas Cranach the Elder. During the Protestant Reformation 500 years ago, he had a ring-side seat for one of Europe's most transformative periods. I didn't go looking for Lucas Cranach, but I'm glad I discovered him.

READ: In The Footsteps of Lucas Cranach the Elder in Germany

The place called Buchenwald was not just a location. It was a journey into the darkness of the human soul. For me, the Buchenwald Concentration Camp is where the Holocaust becomes most real. Buchenwald was not the first concentration camp built by the Nazi’s. Buchenwald was not the biggest camp in Germany’s World War II machine. But in many ways, Buchenwald is the most symbolic and most important.

READ: The Bleakness of Buchenwald

In a valley north of Nuremberg, Germany, modern medicine changed forever. For over 160 years, nearly every major diagnostic medical achievement can trace its roots to this area. The Siemens Med Museum in the quiet university town of Erlangen, Germany tells the story of technological progress in medicine.

READ: The Siemens Healthineers MedMuseum in Erlangen, Germany

Often overlooked by bigger neighbors, Wurzburg, Germany doesn’t receive nearly enough credit. The city is the start of the Romantic Road tourism route and the center of one the country’s most important wine regions. This best of Wurzburg walking tour takes in as many of the top attractions in a one-day itinerary.

READ: Exploring Wurzburg, Germany – the Little Gem on the River Main

Regensburg, Germany is Europe’s forgotten capital city. During the Middle Ages, the Imperial Diets (General Assembly) met for nearly 1,000 years in the city of Regensburg. From 788 to 1806, Regensburg was one of the most important cities in Europe.

READ: Europe’s Forgotten Capital – Regensburg, Germany

In the German Christmas markets, gluhwein is a staple sold at dozens of stands among the ornaments and nutcrackers.

READ: Gluhwein — German Mulled Wine in the Winter

The lilt of snowflakes, the sparkle of white lights against the darkness, the warmth and comfort of hot chocolate, and the delight of Christmas carols.

READ: 20 Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit the German Christmas Markets

The sound of Benedictine monks singing could be heard high on the Andechs Hill above the German countryside: “Veritas mea, et misericordia mea, cum ipso: …

READ: A Pilgrimage to the Andechs Monastery in Germany

While this is a company town in the Franconia Valley, Erlangen is also home to an important University. Students gather on the lawns to read or play sports (soccer and a form of tight-rope walking between trees seem to be the favorites). Despite being a workaday factory town that was essentially obliterated in World War II, there is still a charm here. Days are filled with the tranquil atmosphere of a slower life.

READ: Snapshots of Life in Erlangen, Germany

For a small city, Nuremberg (known as Nürnberg in German) has a number of good restaurants, particularly German and local Franconian cuisine. Here, we review four …

READ: Four Restaurants To Try In Nuremberg, Germany

The trip from Munich to the King’s Castles—Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein—in the municipality of Schwangau in Southern Bavaria takes about two hours, but it takes you back …

READ: The Castles of Mad King Ludwig: Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau

Dachau. This place needs no introduction. Since World War II, Dachau has become synonymous with cruelty and torture. But Dachau is also a real town …

READ: Visiting Dachau Concentration Camp Today

Bamberg, Germany isn't on many people's travel itineraries, but I was fortunate enough to discover it several years ago. Bamberg had largely escaped damage during World War II and is now preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here are the top 5 things to do in Bamberg!

READ: Visiting the Beer Town of Bamberg, Germany