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Germany may not be the first European country that comes to
mind when considering a sunny holiday,
but its beaches have become one of Europe's best-kept
summer secrets. The white, pristine sand with
its traditional Strandkörbe (wicker baskets), attracts
millions of visitors annually to the Baltic Sea while
wildlife enthusiasts favor the mud flats of the North
Sea. Many travelers from its European neighbours
have already discovered Germany’s northern coastlines,
though it remains a hidden gem to American
visitors.
So discover Germany’s maritime spirit and happy travels.
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Miles and miles of beaches
Germany touches two large bodies of water: the North Sea and
the Baltic Sea. Though connected through a canal they are
very different from each other. The North Sea, heavily
influenced by the tides, is home to the Wadden
Sea . This habitat for more than 10,000
species of plants and wildlife, mussel beds, dense sea grass
meadows and soft mudflats provide food for many animals. In
contrast, the Baltic Sea is famous for its endless white
beaches, unspoiled natural surroundings and seaside resorts
which hosted European nobilities as far back as the 18th
century. Many historical villas are relicts of this glorious
past. Mecklenburg
Western Pomerania , where the Baltic Sea is
located, was the second most popular holiday destination
with Germans in 2012.
Hanse Sail
Sails galore in Kiel and Rostock
As every year, sails will be set at the end of June in the
city ofKiel at
what is known as "Kieler
Woche" , the largest sailing event in the
world. Kiel Week usually gathers around 5,000 sailors, 2,000
ships, and about three million visitors each year. While the
event started out as a ship racing championship, it has long
since become one of Germany’s largest festivals with many
popular bands playing on public stages. For 2013, the
nine-day program from June 22-30, includes over 2,000
activities including sailing events and 400 races on eleven
courses. A somewhat smaller version of the Kiel Week is the
annual Hanse
Sail in Rostock .
Held on the second week in August (8-11, 2013) it attracts
about 250 traditional sailing ships from a vast variety of
countries.Contact
German National Tourist Office
Wibke Carter
Public Relations Manager North America
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 2000
New York, New York 10168-0072
Phone: +1 212 661 7175
Fax: +1 212 661 7174
wibke.carter@germany.travel
www.germany.travel
Music in Germany
- Old and new
However, not
everything is about Mozart this year. From
classical concerts, jazz festivals to open-air pop
and rock concerts, Germany has every type of music
event possible for all types of taste. There is the
annual "Bach Festival" in Leipzig from May 27 to
June 7 (http://www.bach-leipzig.de/). More than 60
concerts will be performed at the "Beethoven
Festival" in Bonn starting on August 31 to October
1. (http://www.beethovenfest.de/). The "Rheingau
Music Festival", one of the biggest classical music
festivals in Europe with more than 140 events, from
June 24 to September 2, which take place in
romantic castles and palaces on the Rhine
(http://www.rheingau-musik-festival.de/). For jazz
lovers, the "International Dixieland Festival" in
Dresden, the second biggest jazz festival in the
world, is not to be missed from May 7 to May 14
(http://www.dixieland.de). Another excellent choice
is the the "Duesseldorf Jazz-Rallye"
(http://www.duesseldorfer-jazzrally.de/) from June
24 to 26 or the great "German Jazz Festival" in
Frankfurt (http://www.kultur.frankfurt.de/) from
October 27 to 29 as well as the "Jazz Festival" in
Hannover (http://www.hannover.de/) from May 13 to
23.
Once a year,
music, not horsepower, reigns supreme at the
Nuerburgring Formula 1 racetrack. Decibel levels
rise for the Rock am Ring festival. At the same
time the sibling event "Rock im Park" takes the
stage in Nuremberg. "Rock am Ring" and "Rock im
Park" are the two largest open-air events in
Europe. More than 150.000 people are expected to
visit these highlights of the European Open-Air
season from June 2 to June 4. Approximately 70
bands, such as Depeche Mode, will play on the
festivals three stages (http://www.rockamring.de/
and http://www.rockimpark.de).
REGIONAL
FOCUS
The Mozart City
Augsburg
Augsburg, the
birthplace of Leopold Mozart, the composer's
father, will celebrate the Mozart's family, all of
whom lived in the region for generations. One of
the highlights is the 55th German Mozart Festival
from January to July 2006. The focal point of the
festival program will take place May 12 to May 28,
when the conductor Bruno Weil presents four
important works from Mozart's Salzburg years
1773-1777 with the internationally-renowned
"Tafelmusic Orchestra". From May 14 to May 21 there
will be special programs for children while adults
will enjoy hearing "In Concert - the Authentic
Mozart Experience" on May 16 when Mozart pieces
will be played on the violin that belonged to
Leopold Mozart. The father of the boy genius also
gives his name to an international violin
competition when most talented violinists from
universities around the world will compete for 11
exciting days. The 12,500 Euro 'Mozart Prize' will
be awarded for the first time on May 26 in a
concert with the Munich Radio Orchestra.
(http://www.mozartstadt.de/)
Augsburg is also
offering various Mozart tours and a special travel
guide: "The Mozarts - The German Mozart City
Augsburg and Mozart Sites in the Region". The guide
provides historically-substantiated, detailed and
entertaining information about the life of the
family of musicians who lived here for generations
as craftsmen, sculptors and bookbinders.
(www.mozartstadt.de)
SPECIAL
EVENTS
Mozart Festivals
Exhibition
Mozart's Manuscripts
Offenbach / Jan
29 - May 31
The City of
Offenbach will commemorate Mozart with concerts,
readings and an exhibition -- "The widow Mozart
Left Me All of Her Husbands Manuscripts."
(http://www.mozartways.com/)
Trail "Of an old
Love"
Mannheim / May 1
- Oct 3
Mannheim played
a decisive role in Mozart's life as it is where he
met his future wife: Constanze Weber. The "Trail of
an old Love" takes place every first Saturday.
(http://www.mozartways.com/)
Mozart Summer
Concert
Herrenchiemsee /
May 25 - Sep 3
The
Herrenchiemsee Castle Concerts are presenting a
special program with the loveliest night music and
entire string quintets of Mozart. Herrenchiemsee
Island is one of the major historic-cultural sites
in southern Bavaria.
(http://www.herrenchiemsee-festspiele.de/)
Mozart Festival
Wuerzburg
Wuerzburg / June
2 - July 1
The baroque
Residence Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage
site, is the venue for the Mozart Festival. The
program highlight will be a performance of
"loveliest night music" in the illuminated
"Hofgarten" palace gardens.
(http://www.wuerzburg.de/)
Potsdam Music
Festival Sansoussi: The Way to
Mozart
Potsdam / June 2
- 18
Visitors will
enjoy the opportunity to listen to Mozart
exceptional artists in the beautiful rooms and
parks of the world-famous palaces and gardens
Sanssouci. (http://www.potsdam.de/)
54th European
Festival Weeks
Passau / June 16
- July 23
More than 60
concerts will be held during the summer period in
castles and churches in the area. Highlight of the
Festival: Fireworks display on June 27 accompanied
by the "Jupiter-Symphony".
Mozart Festival
in Schwetzingen (Very Sweet)
Schwetzingen /
Sep 9 - Oct 10
The 31st Mozart
Festival of the Mozart Association is taking place
in the Castle of Schwetzingen with concerts and
exhibitions.
(http://www.mozartways.com/)
SPECIAL
DEALS
Family Trip to
Augsburg
The package
"Weekend with the Augsburg Puppets and Legoland"
includes a ticket to the Augsburg Puppet Theatre.
Travelers can also enjoy the Legoland Leisure Park
whose 2006 season opens on 8 April. Also included
in the package are two nights with breakfast and a
city tour "On the Trail of the Fuggers through
Golden Augsburg". The price starts at 152 Euro per
person.
(http://www.regio-augsburg.de)
Experience
Germany and the World Cup Host Cities
Experience the
atmosphere of the Soccer World Cup as you become a
participant of the world greatest event this year.
Explore Germany and the host cities of the World
Cup with their fan festivals and accompanying
cultural program on an individual trip. Choose your
own itinerary; check out the beautiful German
countryside, Frankfurt, Munich and other cities of
your choice in an 8 day fly and drive package.
Although this package does not include World Cup
tickets, it does cost only $ 829.00 per person.
This package includes a roundtrip fare to Frankfurt
and return from Munich, a rental car with unlimited
mileage. Book by February 16 and travel between
June 1 and August 30.
(http://www.europeasap.com/)
World Cup Soccer
Tour Cologne and Italy
Combine your
international tournament with a visit of the
world's most exciting soccer event: the FIFA World
Cup. See the quarter final game in the 'AufSchalke
Arena' in Gelsenkirchen and experience the Cities
of Cologne and Duesseldorf. Fly over to Italy after
a four day stay in Germany and get to know the
Italian countryside and culture. The ten day trip
includes a round trip fare and accommodation as
well as the tickets for the quarter final game. The
price starts at $ 1,956 per person from New York
and at $ 2,197 per person from Los Angeles or San
Francisco. (http://www.esrusa.com/)
For comments and
enquiries, contact Victoria Larson, PR Manager, at
the German National Tourist Office: 212-661-7175 or
victoria.larson@d-z-t.com.
Also, please
register on our press extranet (if you haven't
already done so) at
www.germany-extranet.com/index_press.html.
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