Germany is tipped to be one of the ‘must visit’ city break destinations for 2010. Famed for its culinary delights of sausage and sauerkraut washed down with a choice of the finest beers brewed in Europe – Germany has much more to offer for those looking for a perfect getaway break.

The good news is that easyJet is making it easier and more affordable to travel to Germany’s key cities this year with new routes from London Gatwick to Dusseldorf and Hamburg launched on 2nd February

To ensure you enjoy the best the country has to offer, the low-fares airline has compiled a whirlwind guide to Germany’s hot spots from historic culture and stunning attractions to shopping and delicious food.

Düsseldorf:
Situated on the Rhine River, Düsseldorf is the place to visit for culture vultures.

Famous for its arts and culture (Paul Klee, Joseph Beuys and Gerhard Richter all studied at the city’s Academy of Fine Arts), Dusseldorf has plenty on offer.

While wandering around the city, head to the beautiful Alststadt, also known as the Old Town district. The area is renowned for the Schlossturm (The Dusseldorf Castle Tower) and St Andreas Church.  Just visiting this area will give you a flavour of the history and splendour of the city - guided tours can also be booked to make sure you don’t miss any of the traditional German sights.

The Rhine Tower is one of the most famous attractions of the city. Located south of the Rhine, the views from the top floor of the tower allow you to see the spectacular panorama of the city. If you fancy some ‘high dining’, then return at night when the tower opens its own restaurant, the Günnewig Rheinturm. The tower gently rotates, giving customers a 360° view of the city and Rhine River.

For shopping addicts, Dusseldorf is one of the most elegant shopping metropolises, with stylish boutiques and arcades located in the Königsallee district.

Hamburg:
This colourful and cosmopolitan city provides the perfect backdrop for a much needed escape.

Labelled as Europe’s greenest city, Hamburg is dominated by the 160-hectare Lake Alster, which is surrounded by parks, promenades and quaint waterfront cafes.

The city also has beautiful architecture, including the St. Michaelis church, Deichstrasse and the Rathaus marketplace. Many of the key attractions at night are lit up, transforming the city into a romantic haven once the sun has gone down. Couples can also enjoy a traditional steamboat ride winding through the city’s many canals. There are a vast array of different boat tours which meander through the city to choose from - visit www.hamburg-tourism.de for more information.

To further indulge yourself, the city boasts the largest city centre shopping mall in Europe, the Europa Passage, which houses over 100 shops on five floors. This stunning complex is a shopper’s paradise.

Berlin:
Berlin is brimming with history and ideal to suit any visitor as the perfect mix of cultural and cosmopolitan means that you can admire stunning German art at the Schloss Charlottenburg or shop to your heart’s content in the Kurfürstendamm area.

The best way to see the city in all its glory is through a legendary and free New Berlin Tour - perfect for visitors on a budget. Led by passionate and energetic British guides, the tour will fascinate those who want to learn about German history. Starting off at the beautiful Brandenburg Gate, you will see famous places such as the Reichstag, the Berlin Wall and the Old Royal Boulevard. Visit www.newberlintours.com for more information.

When the sun goes down, Germans are renowned for their partying and the city is fast becoming a Mecca for clubbers who come to the German capital looking for top class DJs and clubs. The guides that lead the New Berlin Tour also put on a pub crawl at night to take you around the city’s best local haunts.
For those who want a more relaxed night, Berlin is home to plenty of cool bars to unwind in after sight-seeing all day. Here you can taste the country’s best beer on tap and indulge in real German culture.

Munich:
In Munich the traditional happily co-exists with the modern, as museums featuring artistic masterpieces and extravagant palaces meet with the world of BMWs and designer boutiques.

For motor enthusiasts, the BMW Museum brings the BMW brand and heritage to life by merging art, history and design in an innovative and dynamic exhibition. Open 9am-6pm (Tuesday-Friday) and 10am-8pm (Saturday, Sunday & public holidays), entrance to the museum for adults is €12.00 and children (under 18) just €6.00.

Germany is famous for its love of beer, and the Hofbräuhaus am Platzl is arguably the most famous beer hall in the world. Located in the city centre, the restaurant features Bavarian dishes such as knuckle of pork and Weisswurst (white sausage) with traditional Bavarian music playing during regular hours.

To enjoy the stunning scenery of Munich’s surroundings, the charming Nymphenburg Palace & Gardens is the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely afternoon. This beautiful Baroque palace, which features incredible architecture and galleries, was constructed between 1664 and 1758 as the royal family’s summer residence.

A 490 acre English-style park surrounds the palace and features a hunting lodge, Chinese teahouse, bathing house, witch’s cottage and tropical greenhouses. To visit the palace tickets cost €5.00. The palace and gardens are open 9am-6pm (April- 15 October) and 10am-4pm (16 October- March).