Germany

Berlin

The 18th-century neoclassical gate that became the symbol of German reunification, with the parliament’s glass dome next door (book the free dome visit ahead).

Berlin

A 1.3 km preserved stretch of the Berlin Wall covered in murals — the longest open-air gallery in the world along the Spree.

Berlin

2,711 concrete stelae in a field near the Brandenburg Gate — the central Holocaust memorial, designed by Peter Eisenman (2005).

Berlin

Five world-class museums on one Spree island — the Pergamon’s Ishtar Gate and the Neues Museum’s bust of Nefertiti are the headliners.

Munich

Munich’s central square since 1158 — the Gothic New Town Hall plays its famous Glockenspiel daily at 11am and noon.

Schwangau, Bavaria

Ludwig II’s 1869 fairy-tale castle on a ridge above the Pöllat gorge — the direct inspiration for the Disney castle. Views from Marienbrücke bridge.

Munich

One of the world’s largest urban parks — a river where surfers ride a standing wave at the Eisbach, beer garden at the Chinese Tower.

Watch the Eisbach surfers near the park entrance — completely surreal for a city park.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Germany’s highest peak at 2,962 m — cog railway or cable car to a summit terrace spanning the border with Austria.

Berlin

The former airport turned public park — bike or skate down the actual runways where the Berlin Airlift landed in 1948.

Munich

The 1589 state beer hall — oompah bands, liter steins and shared tables under vaulted ceilings. Touristy but the original.

Munich

Munich’s permanent food market since 1807 — stalls, a beer garden and the maypole, right behind Marienplatz.

Berlin

Berlin’s two street foods — currywurst (invented here in 1949) and the döner kebab perfected by Turkish immigrants at spots like Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap.

Berlin

Berghain in a former power station is the world’s most famous techno club; Tresor and ://about blank carry the same tradition. Door policies are strict — go late, dress low-key.