Since reunification in 1989, Germany has regained its crown as one of the largest countries in Europe. Bordered by nine European countries, this expansive land offers something for everyone from sports, cuisine, culture and shopping to incredible architecture.

Berlin is the third largest city and the most politically influential capital in Europe, with a landscape that gives testament to its turbulent recent history. But it’s not all about the cities. The Rhine Valley is packed full of historical attractions including some wonderful castles, and the high peaks and wild gorges of the Black Forest mountains – running along the Rhine towards Lake Constance, Alsace and Switzerland – offer wonderful walking as well as famed cuisine, and cuckoo clocks!

Wine-lovers will want to visit Moselle and Saar, an area teeming with vineyards and where the famous German Riesling wines come from. Then there’s the idyllic scenery of Upper Bavaria, a world-famous cornucopia of natural beauty. Lake Chiemsee – also known as the “Bavarian Sea” – was carved by the ice age and again is a must-see, picture-postcard beautiful against an imposing backdrop from the Chiemgau Alps.

These suggestions are just a taste of what this huge country has to offer for visitors, with a lifetime of holidays waiting to be had in such a large and varied land.