The German thirst for beer is waning – it’s not cool to be drunk any more
Nicholas Potter
From Berlin’s techno scene to Oktoberfest, a revolution in drinking culture is taking place, and it’s led by young people, says Nicholas Potter
Hamburg’s wartime bunker is reinvented as an unlikely green oasis
An iconic air raid shelter in the St Pauli district has been given a new lease of life with the addition of a hotel and rooftop urban park
Skip the coast: three of Europe’s loveliest lakes to visit – by travel experts
Three writers pick their favourite lakeside getaways in France, Germany and Italy, with boat trips and great places to stay and eat
June 2024
Berlin by rail: a cold-war adventure
Taking the sleeper train to Berlin, the writer and his teenage son explore the city’s fascinating legacy, eerie buildings, war relics and stunning street art
Paris can wait: how we dodged the summer crowds by Interrailing to Europe’s smaller towns
We took our teenage sons on quieter tracks – to Utrecht rather than Amsterdam, Baden-Baden not Berlin – and enjoyed a less frantic rail tour of Europe
Fancy a pre-match pint? If you’re in Frankfurt for the footie, you’ll be on cider rather than beer
Boozy, tongue-popping Apfelwein is the toast of the host city. Here’s where to sample it with your frankfurters
May 2024
48 hours in Cologne, Germany’s most laid-back city
Cologne cathedral, Europe’s biggest collection of pop art and vintage shops are all less than four and a half hours from London by train
Extra time at Euro 2024: day trips and more from Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Leipzig
Spectacular scenery and rich culture from the Alps to the North Sea are just a train ride away from the main hubs at this summer’s football tournament
Germany’s football factory: a travel guide to the Ruhr
Readers' travel tips
Readers’ favourite trips in Germany: ‘We wandered every cobbled street and climbed every gothic tower’
Why clubbers are raving about Germany’s cross-country Techno Train
April 2024
‘Slow travel at its most joyous’: our three-week road trip to Croatia
Rather than bomb down motorways for marathon stretches, the idea was to see new things along the way, such as the great lakes of Germany and a Renaissance town in Italy
Readers' travel tips
Share a tip on travel in Germany – you could win a holiday voucher
Tell us about your favourite places to visit in Germany – the best tip wins £200 towards a Coolstays break
Five of Europe’s best national parks – with all the beauty but none of the crowds
Offering exquisite scenery, rare wildlife and spectacular trails, these under-the-radar national parks are worth tracking down
January 2024
A musical tour of Berlin: from Wagner’s epic opera to techno raves
In our new series, we explore a city through its musical landmarks and songs. First stop, Germany’s hip, historic capital, home to trailblazing clubs and inspiration for Dietrich and Bowie
A Black Forest fairytale: riding Germany’s ‘hell valley’ railway in winter
The Höllentalbahn is a spectacular line through south-west Germany’s forests and magical towns. Enchanting stop-offs en route include gothic Freiburg and pretty Titisee lake
From Arctic art to the Disgusting Food Museum: Europe’s top 10 culture destinations for 2024
Malta’s first art biennale, Copenhagen’s repurposed Carlsberg district, the first Arctic Circle capital of culture … this year promises a feast of cultural activity
December 2023
Dresden – the city that saved my Christmas
The city’s Christmas markets and baroque architecture will revive even a flagging festive spirit, while its steampunk street art is an edgy pick-me-up
November 2023
Rail journey of the month
Rail route of the month: across eastern Germany to the Polish city of Szczecin
Our slow travel expert rides a train through a region of lakes and forests which deserves to be far better known
October 2023
Every witch way: a spooky walk in Germany’s Harz mountains
This 60-mile trail through northern Germany takes in eerie folklore, industrial heritage and forests recovering from a devastating pest
