Romantic cities, castles and a wealth of history, Germany has an array of sights perfect for groups
As well as the large cities and stunning sights, Germany holds many hidden treasures that groups will love.
Explore castles which could have been pulled from a fairy tale, delve in to the rich history the country has and enjoy the range of experiences Germany has to offer.
Berlin
Starting at the tallest highest building in Germany, groups can climb the Berlin TV Tower and enjoy the breath-taking views nowhere else in the city possess.
Don’t worry about the sight taking up time, the elevator ride to the 203m high Panorama floor takes a mere 40 seconds. Once there, you can sit back with a drink and admire the views which are up to 80km on a clear day.
With over two hundred years of history, no trip to Germany’s capital would be complete without a visit to the Brandenburg Gate. It’s described as one of Berlin's most important monuments which is a landmark and symbol of Berlin’s Cold War division into East and West.
Berlin DDR Museum offers visitors an interactive experience, with its exhibition that depicts life in the former East Germany.
The museum is divided into three themes areas: Public life, state and ideology and life in a tower block.
Groups can visit exhibitions including: A recreated WBS 70 tower block flat with five rooms, cinema, prison cell, surveillance room, interrogation room and a nursery.
Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more.
Open until 15 October, the International Garden Show in Berlin features garden designs from all over the world, including from Great Britain, ‘The Garden of Vulcan’ by British landscape designer Tom Stuart Smith.
Bigger than all three RHS shows combined, IGA focuses on green urban lifestyle under the motto of ‘an OCEAN of colours’ and will appeal to anyone interested not only in gardens and horticulture, but also Berlin and the surrounding regions.
Cologne
Visitors will be unable to miss the UNESCO World Heritage site, Cologne Cathedral is a stunning piece of architecture whereby the pair of towers dominate the town centre.
At night this Gothic building, that is perched near the Rhine, comes to life with its bright lights beaming from its walls.
If you have a spare hour, €3 and a head for heights, visitors can climb the 509 steps to the top of the cathedral to take in the sweeping panoramic views of the city.
Don’t fancy being up in the clouds? For €4 there is a tour of the treasury.
All visitors can admire the impressive interior and exterior of this cathedral for free.
Known locally as Imhoff-Schokoladenmuseum, the chocolate museum is a must for groups visiting Cologne, where they can look forward to an informative and fascinating time.
Visitors are free to move around the museum at their leisure and take in the marvelous creations from the chocolate world. Watch the Master Chocolatiers as the foil wrap the sweet creations in Lindt’s signature wrapping, or feast your eyes on the Lindt Chocolate fountain where you’re given a free wafer dipped in melted chocolate.
The museum holds an array of history surrounding the sweet treat, from a journey through 5,000 years of chocolate's cultural history; how chocohttps://tv-turm.de/en/homepage/late conquered Europe; how a luxury product becomes affordable; and the Early advertising boom.
Discounts are available for groups of more than 15, and guided tours are available with a special one for this summer – From raw cocoa to praline. This guided tour will be running from 15 July – 29 August. Every weekend at 2pm and is an additional € 3,50.
Heidelberg
Described as one of the most romantic cities in Germany, with its beautiful old bridges and castle ruins, it is bursting with character and culture on each cobble you step – A perfect place to delve into history.
Overlooking the city, the ruins of Heidelberg Castle stands tall and fierce 300ft in the hills above. The castle – which is a combination of several buildings – has been partially restored.
The beautiful aspect about Heidelberg Castle, is that each building represents, highlights and showcases a different period of German architecture, with the first parts being constructed in 1300.
The courtyard of the castle is home to many excellent festivals, as well as theatrical performances, concerts, and firework displays. The most popular event is Heidelberg Castle Festival running from June to August.
Visitors can reach the ruins either by a mountain railway running from the Kornmarkt, or via a 15-minute walk from the old town.
For group reservations of 15 or more, contact +49 6221 58 40 228 or email gruppen@heidelberg-marketing.de
Founded in 1933, Heidelberg Zoo is home to more than 250 species of animals, bird and reptiles.
Exhibits include: a red panda, elephants, lions, tigers, brown bears, meerkats, giant tortoises, a gorilla family or the chimpanzee gang and many more.
Groups of 20 or more can receive 10% discount on a single ticket.
After a busy day touring the town, visitors can relax in The Red Ox Inn originally a student pub for the pupils of Germany’s oldest university.
When you sit at one of the tables, you are faced with an historic tradition of carved names in the wood from the students. Pictures don the walls of this Public House to show historical evidence of the history, cultural and business life of Heidelberg.
It was the ‘hang-out’ of famous historic figures like Mark Twain and movie stars, John Wayne and Marilyn Monroe.
Groups can enjoy lunch here, and extra opening hours are available for groups on enquiry.
There are limited coach spaces in Heidelberg, especially at the castle, so it’s recommended to reserve a space in advance. To book, email park@reiseshop-heidelberg.de or to reserve five days in advance online, visit www.reiseshop-heidelberg.de
Munich
Lederhosens and and Dirndls at the ready, for the 184th Munich Oktoberfest will be starting from 16 September to 03 October 2017.
Visitors can enjoy colourful parades and a variety of fairground rides as they enjoy some of Germany’s traditional food and drink.
The opening day of the festival will see a parade of carriages, floats and people in costumes travelling down the streets of the city.
The annual folk festival, dating back to the 1800s, is a free-to-enter event where groups can buy specialty beer which has been brewed within the city limits of Munich.
The Augustiner Festhalle tent is described as the “more moderately paced” and friendliest of all the tents.
Oberammergau
The premiere of the 42nd Passion Play will be on 16 May 2020.
The tradition, maintained and experienced almost without interruption for over 380 years, of putting on the play about the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ every ten years is regarded as the most important Passion-Play in the world.
The village at the edge of the Bavarian Alps expects approximately 450,000 visitors for the Passion Play, over half of which will be international guests.
For the next Passion Play, there are 102 performances planned.
Rust
Travel down to Rust where groups can experience Germany's largest theme park.
Europa Park has over 150 attraction, shows and events. It takes ‘theme park’ very literally here, as the attraction has 18 themed areas where visitors can experience 15 different countries including: Russia, Italy and Iceland.
There is something here for all ages, from 13 roller-coasters to 4D cinema shows.
Offers are available for groups of 20 or more.
