A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, Cologne Cathedral is one of the finest church buildings in the Christian world. Gargantuan proportions and craftsmanship of unparalled quality have made the cathedral a defining example of the Gothic style.

King Ludwig II's world-famous castles stand proudly against the spectacular backdrop of the Alps. Neuschwanstein, his fairytale castle, is the most-visited building in Germany, and was designed to resemble a medieval German knight's castle.

No other landmark better symbolises German history than Berlin's signature attraction. When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, thousands of East and West Germans celebrated the opening of the borders and reunification of Germany in its shadow. The Brandenburg Gate has a magical appeal for all visitors to Berlin, from heads of state to tourists.

These two islands are surrounded by the emerald-green waters of Lake Constance. Reichenau Island is well-known for its abbey of the same name, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Mainau's reputation as an "island of flowers" is due to its stunning range of parks and gardens.

Its distinctive tower has become an icon of the Ruhr area. The former colliery is widely regarded as a masterpiece of technical design and stands as a unique witness to the era of coal and steel. One of the most impressive features is the way in which Bauhaus design principles have been implemented in an industrial context.

Over a period of more than three centuries, the rulers of Brandenburg and Prussia commissioned the finest artists of the age to create a stunning ensemble of palaces and parks for the royal city of Potsdam. Sanssouci Palace and Park are the best-known and most beautiful of these.

An impressive labyrinth of canals, basins, quays and bridges, Hamburg's port is one of the foremost sea freight centres in the world, and – with its harbour tours, promenade and fish market – it is also the city's number one attraction.

The dazzling white chalk cliffs on the coast of the Jasmund peninsula are Rügen's most famous landmark – towering cliffs with a sheer drop down to the sea. Their white chalky layers are a dramatic contrast with the green of the beech forests and the turquoise of the sea.

Dresden's most famous attraction is a masterpiece of baroque architecture. The destruction and rebuilding of the Church of Our Lady symbolises the history of the city like no other building.

One thousand years of history have shaped the Franconian imperial and episcopal town of Bamberg, leaving behind many valuable architectural monuments such as medieval churches and baroque town houses. The magic of the past hangs like a veil over the town.