Germany is the largest country in central Europe. It is highly influential financially, culturally, and politically and it is recognized for its precision engineering and high-tech products. Despite its strong influence technologically, it still manages to maintain an old-world charm and "Gemutlichkeit" (coziness) or hospitality. It's a lovely place to visit and most tourists find the locals to be very welcoming and eager to show off their country.

Given the country's large size, it has several distinct regions that are surprisingly diverse, making it a pleasure to explore. The north is known for its hills and coastline which stretches along the Baltic Seas. Western Germany is wine country and is a wonderful place to relax and sip some of the area's finest wine. Central Germany has dense forests, historic cities, and large cities which act as financial centers. Eastern Germany houses the capital, Berlin, and Southern Germany touches the Alps, which is perhaps some of the most beautiful landscape in Europe. Germany has many cities which are worth visiting, the most popular of which include Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt and Hamburg. Allow yourself several days in each city, but also make sure you have time to enjoy the countryside and Germany's quaint, fairytale like small towns. Many people think of castles when they think of Germany. Many of these are found along the "Romantic Road" which is a popular scenic route that passes by many of the most well known castles and a handful of lovely small towns. Perhaps the most quintessential castle along the route is Neuschwanstein Castle.

Although Germany is not really considered a budget travel destination, there are some tricks you can use to save some money. Perhaps the most significant cost savings will come from booking your train tickets several weeks in advance. This can cut the cost by as much as half, but it will reduce the amount of flexibility you have when you travel. There are also some good budget food options. There are street vendors in most of the larger cities and many of the small towns. Most sell sausages, but sometimes you'll find more diversity and the cost really can't be beat. Also look into free tour options in the larger cities. Inquire at the visitors center and they may be able to tell you about some free, student run tour programs.

The Alps: The German Alps are a beautiful destination any time of the year. During the winter months they offer great skiing or winter sports opportunities, and during the summer you can enjoy some wonderful hiking and breathtaking views.
The Black Forest: The Black Forest has countless hiking trails, many restaurants, and unique shops.
Neuschwanstein Castle: Perhaps the most iconic of all the German castles, its found along the Romantic Road and is one of the most visited castles in Germany
Brandenburg Gate: A former city gate in Berlin, this site is considered a symbol of Berlin's past.

Bratwurst: This is the most common German sausage and is found everywhere. It's often served with mustard and sauerkraut on a bun. It's a great budget option and can easily be purchased from street vendors in most large cities.
Doner Kebab: This veal or chicken dish actually originated in Germany, despite it being considered a Turkish dish. It's a popular, affordable meal that is rich in flavor, but cheap in cost.
Rehrucken: This is a venison tenderloin typically served with noodles and a heavy gravy sauce.
Rinderroulade: A uniquely German dish, this is made from very thinly sliced beef rolled around a piece of bacon and pickled cucumber.