Magical North

Fairytale country: From the tranquility of Baltic beaches to the excitement of bustling Berlin. Follow the famous Fairytale Road to the Northern Plains and the charm of 13th-century Hanseatic towns. See white, sandy beaches, cliffs, hamlets, resorts and seaports. And discover the excitement and splendor of our capital, Berlin.

Bremen-Hamburg-Luebeck-Berlin-Frankfurt:

Weser Valley (Weserbergland): Take a leisurely, romantic boat trip on the River Weser, past majestic woods, mountains, dreamy towns, ancient monasteries and churches.

Bremen: This Hanseatic city is Germany's second largest port. See its town hall, cathedral, Roland Statue, art galleries and impressive marketplace.

Bremerhaven: Take a side trip to this maritime port with its excellent museums, including the Emigration Museum, where you can even trace your German ancestors.

Hamburg: This international port is Germany's #1 ocean gateway to the world. Lake Alster is right in the heart of the city. See chic shops, elegant hotels, office towers, great museums and silhouettes of church spires reaching into the sky.

Lübeck: Don't miss the jewels of this old Hanseatic seaport. See Gothic and half-timbered houses line the old town streets, exquisite churches, St. Annen Museum and the home of the author, Thomas Mann.

Baltic Sea (Ostsee): The 240 mile (384 km) Baltic coastline offers gently lapping waves, white-sandy beaches, coastal cliffs, fjord inlets, serene bays, mighty ports and quiet backwaters.

Schwerin: Visit the huge castle, the historic old town, market square and the 500-year-old Gothic cathedral.

Berlin: Our capital is our largest city, one of the world's true mega-cities, rich in culture, atmosphere, history and fascination. Don't miss the historic Brandenburg Gate, the restored Reichstag (parliament), world-famous museums, opera houses, theaters, concert halls and magnificent edifices recalling Berlin's Prussian past. Stroll in Tiergarten park and past the cafés on the Kurfürstendamm. And don't miss the new "post-Wall" Berlin, including dynamic Potsdamer Platz, the Jewish Museum, newly retro-chic Prenzlauerberg, Oranienburgerstrasse and the boutiqes of Friedrichstrasse and the Hackesche Höfe.

Spreewald: A boat excursion is a great way to see the waterways, woods and valleys of Berlin's "private" countryside.

Harz Mountains (Harz): Follow the winding roads and hiking trails (or take a narrow-gauge railroad ride) to enjoy the unique legends, folklore and forests of this magical landscape.

Wernigerode: En route back to Frankfurt, see this picturesque medieval town's city-hall, half-timbered houses and restored castle.