The Aalen history ties back to the year 150 A.D., when Romans started building a fort house (Römerkastell) here. Thus it is considered as being among the oldest in Germany. It is believed that in the above year, a Roman fortress contained the equestrian unit at the site of present-day Aalen.

The first documented mention of the town was in the year 1136, though there seems be an ambiguity over the precise constructor of the town: whether by the Staufians or by the counts of Oettingen.

Later on, it remained an Imperial City from 1360 to 1803, before being annexed to Württemberg. (Remember, the state Baden-Württemberg consisted of two independent states in the past… Baden (the west) and Württemberg (its eastern part).

Either way, Aaalen witnessed a brutal fire in 1634 and transformed into the seat of an Oberamt from where the district Aalen came into sight in 1938.

The town of Wasseralfingen was amalgamated into Aalen in 1975, which was having the population of one third of Aalen at that time.

Flensburg is the third largest city in the state Schleswig-Holstein, after Kiel and Lübeck. It is Germany’s second most northerly placed city (after Westerland,) and it lies barely 4 miles from the Danish border.

Flensburg was established anywhere around 200 by the Danish settlers. It acquired its town rights in 1284 and rapidly rose to develop into one of the most significant town in the region.

It was not an associate of the Hanseatic League. However, it sustained some solid and cordial contacts with this significant trading network. It went through a number of catastrophes in the form of disease called plague in 12th century and witnessed a fierce fire in 1485.

For the duration of the Second World War, Flensburg was left roughly unharmed by the raids that laid other German cities desecrate. However, some children were died when their school was bombarded in 1943 after the war ended.

The city got a distinction to become the capital of Germany for a very short while in 1945 in a dramatic way when the president took shelter in the city to save his life. Subsequent to the Second World War, on the basis of its population, it got the status of a city. Shortly after the Second World War, it faced even a bigger crisis in the form of a pro-Danish movement, which was raised to capture the town to make it a part of Denmark.

Flensburg consists a well conserved Old Town with various monuments to witness from centuries gone by. The Johanniskirche church in the old town is the city’s oldest church, which was built in the 12th century. The Marienkirche tower is a high Gothic Baroque style tower which was erected in 1885. You’ll see that it’s still very well decorated. The Nikolaikirche is a main Gothic church.

The Nordertor is a fashionable gate and regarded as the town’s landmark. The Kompagnietor, one more gate which was built in 1602, is a shipping company’s harbor gate. The Alt-Flensburger Haus is a building of historical consequence as Eckener brothers’ parents lived in this building.

Flensburg is frequently regarded as the town of the museums as it has a very vast number of museums of different subjects. The Museumsberg Museum is recognized for artistic and cultural history, while the Schifffahrtsmuseum is famous for shipping and shipbuilding.

If you feel warmth for animals, you will surely have a lot of enjoyment in the Naturwissenschaftliches Museum.

Apart from the museums, the city has also a fine collection of archives and libraries. The Town Archive has a extremely inclusive compilation of olden era arts. Some other archives are also in the town, as, the Dansk Centralbibliotek for Sydslesvig and the State Central Library.

Schwerin became a part of the Duchy of Mecklenburg in 1358, paving the way to become it the seat of the dukedom from then on.

In 1621, subsequent to the division of Mecklenburg, the town turned out to be the capital of the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

On May 2, 1945, after the end of World War II, the city was taken into command by U.S. troops. Later, on June 1, 1945, it was handed over to the British, who subsequently gave it to the Soviet forces in July same year.

After German reunification in 1990, Schwerin was chosen as the capital of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania amid serious competition.

One of the many highlights this city has to offer is, the Schwerin Cathedral, which is really an impressive building. It is 105m (345ft) long and 117.5m (386ft) high and was erected in Gothic style in mid 12th century. A statue of the Lion was erected on the northern side of the cathedral tower in memory of the founder of the cathedral, Henry the Lion.

The Old Gardens (Alter Garten), in the superb backdrop of the city’s most stunning site for events, hosts annual castle festival productions which attracts a good number of tourists from far-off places. The Mecklenburg State Theater is to be found right by the Old Gardens. The building, carved on the Italian Renaissance style, now used as a place to host cultural events.

And speaking of castle festival productions, the majestic Schwerin Castle is another major highlight of the city and can be found right behind the Old Gardens.

The 18th century stone grinding mill, a popular tourist spot, is a fully-functional water mill. This mill might well be visited as a technical monument and museum. Observatory and Planetarium could also be found out in the town. These places are perfect to the universe lovers who adore watching moon, the planets and the most beautiful sights of constellations.

Schwerin has a Television Tower which was made public for the very first time in 1961. The Renowned Tower Café is close to the TV Tower from where you can get pleasure of an amazing sight across the city.

If you’re fond of animals of different species, no need to lose your heart — the city has a zoo. :-)

This zoo was established in 1956 as a recreational area for native animals. Its location makes it even more appealing. It is positioned amid Schwerin Lake in the east and the Fauler See in the west. It has now become an extremely special destination for a day out for young and old alike over the past few decades.

Or perhaps you like to spend your time at beaches? If so, you’ll get your due at Zippendorfer Strand (Zippendorf Beach).

By the way, there’s a small airport nearby. 32 km or 20 mi southeast the city is the Schwerin-Parchim Airport (SZW).

Duisburg is a German city which became “famous” for its extensive coal mining and industrial metal and steel production. It is not necessarily a “beautiful” city, but one that might be worth visiting to explore its cultural and historical benefits.

With a population of approx. 500,000 people, it’s situated in North-Rhine Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen), close to Düsseldorf, the capital of that state.

Its domestic port is the largest in the world (of its kind), and the conventional trades of coal, steel and shipping are now united by lighter industry.

Duisburg is fairly admired for its emerald parks, lakes, and outdoor leisure facilities. Its culture with many museums and art galleries and the famous König Brewery, is well-known throughout Germany.

You’re going to find plenty of Duisburg Buildings here in the form of museums as the Wilhelm Lehmbruck Museum contains the paramount assortment of sculptures from the 20th century in Germany. This particular museum is named after the sculptor Lehmbruck. His creations shape the major spotlight of the museum. You might also get a chance to see other works by internationally renowned sculptors and artists.

Film Museum is another such place in Duisburg, and a very interesting place for couples.

Hamborn Abbey church is another sight seeing place for you which is located in the north of city. With the passing of time, the church was expanded to its current abbey status and the abbey was dissolved by Napoleon in 1806.

The city has lots of other churches to explore, such as the Salvatorkirche, Minoritenkirche, and the Liebfrauenkirche (Church of our Lady), which has pieces from the Vatican Church of the Brussel Exposition of 1958.

The Duisburg Zoo is another marvelous piece of attraction as it consists an open enclosure, a huge monkey house, an aquarium, a dolphin aquarium, and lastly a whale aquarium with loads of tranquility. You can give food to the animals only from the fodder and also there are bistros and café corners in this particular zoo. Your children will be happy to have lot of space for fun and play.

And the “Lifesaver-Well” (Lifesaver-Brunnen) is considered the city’s symbol and lies in its center. It has a 7m (23ft) high, colored sculpture which rotates on a metal platform, surrounded by sparkling water. (It’s very obvious and you’re going to see this sculpture right away. :-)

And due to its closeness to Düsseldorf International Airport [DUS], it has provided an opportunity to transform itself as an important venue for commerce and steel production.

Aachen is located close to the Belgian and Dutch borders, in the western part of the state North Rhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen).

This affluent city possess a prosperous history dating from the eighth century when Charlemagne made Aachen the capital of his empire. It could boast a number of significant sights together with a captivating newspaper museum, a 14th century town hall and the illustrious cathedral, which is Charlemagne’s final resting place.

It is a city which distinguishes itself by a extensive array: rich past interrelationship, historical highlights, enlightening attractions, large events such as the global dressage, jumping and riding competition CHIO and the awarding of the international Charlemagne Award (Karlspreis), as well as museums of several kinds. And last but not least, the city’s lots of economic and scientific functions.

It’s really a beautiful city! I always enjoyed my time there.

Amazing also are the descriptions, often used by the travelers to bring out the beauty of this city, who have already made a trip to it. It is hilly, especially south of Main Station (Hauptbaunhof), so be ready for a few crutch work out.

There is a delightful jet, a few blocks south of Main Station with lawn chairs. Of extraordinary appeal are its Museums and treasuries. A particular sparkler in this esteem is the reserves of the Cathedral of Aachen, which is a well thought-out principal ecclesiastical treasury north of the Alps.

If you are fascinated in paintings and sculptures from the late Middle Age or in 17th century painters, you must go to the Suermond-Ludwig Museum. The Ludwig Forum of International Art is an exposition of a variety of forms of fashionable art. Plastic arts are offered at this point together with music, dance, theater, film, and so on.

Museums that furnish individual well-being are the Newspaper Museum, the Urban History Museum of Burg Frankenberg, the Customs History Collection, and the Computer Museum. (Ever used a computer, buddy? ;-)

Aachen’s enlightening program covers a broad assortment and is progressively further cherished by young and old, amid the local inhabitants as well as by those coming from overseas. The extent of performers varies from provincial cabaret entertainers to international stars.

An authentic “cultural marathon” is the Annual Cultural Summer, from June to September. This happening terminates in a string of open-air concerts of various musical schools, presented on Katschhof Square, one of Europe’s finest plazas.

Other points you might want to explore are: Charlemagne’s marble throne… the Octagonal Chapel… the Town Hall which was built between 1333 and 1370 on the ruins of the imperial palace… the Suermond Museum… and the stylish fountains of sulphurous water, bearing observer to the spa statues of the city.

By the way, every year in July, Aachen hosts at large scale an international horse riding and jumping tournament.

With a population of over 561,000, Leipzig is the largest city in the federal state of Saxony (Sachsen). It is well known for its universities, trade fairs, and countless historical buildings and monuments.

Ever heard of the peaceful Monday demonstrations? Or what about the successful battle against Napoleon?

This and a lot more happened here in Leipzig.

But the city is good for shopping, too. Huge malls like Paunsdorf Center in the east or others in the inner city, have countless luxurious stores including posh pubs, bars and cafes.

Regarding going from point A to B, the city serves as a very important rail junction of north-to-south and west-to-east. When you are in its huuuuge main station (Hauptbahnhof), you’re going to realize how many ICE high-speed trains come and go, moving plenty of people from city to city.

Airports? It has two of them…

Leipzig/Halle Airport [LEJ] is the larger one, with ~2 million passengers per year, it’s even serving international guests.

The other one, Leipzig-Altenburg Airport [AOC], lies 53 km (32 mi) south of Leipzig in the state of Thuringia. It’s considered a regional airport and being used for low cost transportation — by Ryanair — to London/Stansted, Edinburgh, and Barcelona/Girona.

And the nature? Leipzig Zoo is among Germany’s largest animal parks. It has African safari and other animals from all over the world. And it has the oldest Botanical Garden in Germany, which is also one of the first in the world.

By the way, the Bundesverwaltungsgericht is located here. It is now German’s federal court and was once the highest court between 1888 and 1945.

Koblenz — some also still call it Coblenz — is located in the charming scenery of the Rhine and Moselle river, bordered by four low mountain ranges. It is a more than 2,000-year-old city with plenty of enlightening monuments and historic buildings.

Situated in the federal state Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz), its peaceful lanes and constricted alleyways, the calm and cheerful ambiance of its squares and river promenades make it a pleasant city where its visitors feel right at home.

While strolling all the way through the city’s momentous center with its slender lanes and romantic squares, you might wish to go shopping, or just to have a break in one of the countless sidewalk cafés.

A gentle walk from St Florin’s Market to Old Mint Square and Jesuits’ Square will take you past significant monuments such as medieval churches and brilliantly restored historic house fronts.

It offers you a grand shopping experience as gorgeous shops fascinating you to shopping in historic surroundings. In the dusk, you could enjoy wine and dine in an indoor or outdoor restaurant.

In Koblenz, you will be able to stroll calmly by the side of the rivers watching barges and boats passing by. Take pleasure in scenic walks and cycle routes or take a river cruise and have the benefit of water sports, golf, horse riding, swimming or whatever else you may need to get your heart and circulation going.

This city as well as the rivers winding their way between castellated mountains, is perfect for a lively holiday in a picturesque and exciting surrounding. For individuals who desire to take it easier, here are numerous potentials for soothing body and spirit with its delightful atmosphere.

Savoring the wines and relishing the specialties of this region is an exceptional experience, highly appreciated by everyone. Regional serving dishes such as Deppekooche together with a young or dry Riesling, are simply tempting. Homemade food is offered with wine and you will surely enjoy the local cuisine.

Guests and visitors are often treated like members of the family. If you drop in at the right time, it may not take long before everyone is joining in songs about “Father Rhine” and sweet “Mother Moselle.”

Throughout the year, you may witness the flurries of cultural activities. You will see classical open-air concerts in front of the Prince Elector’s Palace and choral concerts at Schloss Stolzenfels. A variety of street festivals as well as appealing museums and art galleries complete the choice.

In Koblenz, you will even find fortress walls and castle towers, palaces and patrician houses with some UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Additionally, the impressive Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, sitting high atop a hill overlooking the Rhine, Moselle, and the city of Koblenz, withstood many wars and fights.

All in all, there are too many excellent reasons to visit Koblenz and enjoy life in one of the most beautiful corners of Germany.

Dresden lies in the south of East Germany and is the capital of the state Saxony (Sachsen). It is a port city on the Elbe River, near the Czech Republic, and the spotlight of one of Germany’s largest metropolitan areas.

It is a foremost manufacturing, transportation, and cultural center with a very historic Old Town (Altstadt), which is located in the heart of this city — on the southern bank of the Elbe.

Just opposite on the northern bank are the districts Neustadt, Antonstadt, and Albertstadt. Dresden suburbs consist of Loschwitz, Blasewitz, Plauen, and Löbtau.

Around 600 B.C., Germanic tribes settled in the Elbe river area. Later on, when these settlers left the place, it paved way for the Slavonic peoples who ultimately founded Drezdany. This eventually became the source as the later settlement of Dresden derived its name from. Zschertnitz and Gompitz are sects, which showed their link from Slovak.

Dresden was first mentioned in a document of the year 1206.

It had witnessed a major havoc in the form of bombing on Valentine’s Day in 1945 and suffered a huge damage. However, due to this damage, and the following attempt at revitalization, the city is an admired and popular tourist site in Germany.

Possibly the easiest way to start a journey is by taking a walk through Old Town. Scores of the key tourist attractions can be found under a mile from there.

During World War II, Old Town suffered profound harm. However, since German reunification, plenty of efforts have been undertaken and Old Town is in the way of being restored to its past grace.

Highlights of this city contain its numerous historical structures. Zwinger Palace houses quite a few museums and consists more than 2,000 paintings; the chief among the paintings is the famous Sistine Madonna by Raphael.

Semper Opera House is another important building in Dresden which exemplifies neo-renaissance architecture. This Opera house was destroyed by fire in both 1869 and 1945, but the building that stands there today is an exact replica. Characteristically, the solitary performances you will glimpse here are classic opera.

If you are eying for modern-day works, you are best served to check out the Kleine Szene Theater.

The Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) is certainly among the most admired tourist attractions in the city. This church featured a typically large 314-foot high dome. The dome weighed 12,000 tons and had no inner supports. After the completion, the Frauenkirche further cemented its position as a grand tourist site in Germany.

Lübeck, proud capital of the former Hanseatic League, is a district-free city in the state Schleswig-Holstein with a population of around 217,000. It is the second biggest city in that state, which lies in North Germany.

The city is positioned at the Trave river with the largest German port on the Baltic Sea. The old part of the town is an islet enclosed by the Trave river.

In this particular region, the Elbe–Lübeck Canal joins the Trave with the Elbe river. Wakenitz is another significant river near the city’s center.

The city is very close to other major cities such as Hamburg and Kiel, and finds its connection via Autobahn. (To Denmark too, by the way.)

This city has a medieval environment and many sites of cultural and historical interest. For example, because of its Brick Gothic architectural heritage, this city is on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.

You will certainly feel a sense of delight while visiting the Holsten Gate (Holstentor), which is a colossal, 15th-century fortification. Its twin towers are certainly its illustrious landmark, and you’ll find its picture on most post cards.

This site is not only aide memoire of the martial vigor of the “Queen of the Hanseatic League,” but also of her self-assurance. Its enduring exposition in the Museum of City History is dedicated to city’s trade life in the late Middle Ages and early modern period.

Love historical places like churches? You’ll surely have fun here in the form of St. Mary’s Church. This triple-naved cathedral is a characteristic and enormously remarkable brick building. By means of a central nave, which is roughly 40 m (131 ft) high and two towers rising to 125 m (410 ft), it is the third-largest church in Germany.

It is also regarded as the highest brick vaulted construction in the world. St. Mary’s Church is thought to be the very initial example of Gothic-style architecture using local brick instead of natural stone. In later years, it became a model for numerous Gothic brick churches all over the Baltic region.

The Buddenbrooks which is extremely opposite to St. Mary’s Church, is the natural location for experiencing the life and work of the two Mann brothers.

Other Points Of Interest

You’re going to find some fine sandy beaches and all the atmosphere of a traditional seaside resort with a casino and many cruise liners and passenger ships. The four-mast barque “Passat,” which is surely among the supreme sailing ships, has turned out to be the landmark of its Travemünde district.

You’re with family? Then excursions to the Hansa-Park theme park in Sierksdorf on the Baltic coast could result in a marvelous treat. :-)

Traveling by air? The Lübeck Airport [LBC] is located south of the city and has a train station right at the terminal.

Zwickau is to be found in a valley at the foot of the Erzgebirge or Ore Mountains in East Germany, in the state Saxony (Sachsen). It is well placed on the left bank of the Zwickauer Mulde river.

The city, located in a coal-mining region, is an industrial center. Chemicals, electrical apparatus, mining machinery, and textiles are manufactured in here.

Places of significance comprise the 16th-century town hall and the 15th-century Church of Saint Mary. Both have a rank among the finest examples of German Gothic architecture. It is hometown of the German composer Robert Schumann.

It was established as a Slavic settlement in the 11th century. Subsequently, in the 12th century, it started to flourish as a trading center and was made a city in 1220. From 1290 to 1323, the town dominated as a free imperial city and became subject to the principality of Meissen.

Gradually, it transformed into an industrial city in the 19th century. For the period of the Second World War, in 1945, the government operated a Nazi concentration camp here. The city was placed under Soviet control after liberation by the Americans. From the time 1949–1990, it belonged to East Germany and was a hub for the coal mining.

Zwickau is also known as the City Of Churches — it has nine of them. The excellent Gothic church of St. Mary, which was built from 1451-1536 is a splendid work of art. By way of its spire bulky bell, it draws a good number of tourists. Another beautiful church is the St. Catharine church, which was restored during 1893–94.

The town hall is the most famous site of the city and is regarded as one of the most beautiful secular buildings. It was created in 1581. It has civic documents, autograph of the works of Hans Sachs, and cloth merchants’ hall.

The August Horch Museum is a wonderful place for art lovers. The record of the Horch automobile factory captures your imaginations. Zwickau’s Christmas market, in the Erzgebirge foothills, is termed as one of the most gorgeous in Saxony. It is organized in the old quarter where Santa himself drops by every day at 4.30pm to see the children.

The Silver Mines path, Saxony’s first signposted picturesque course, runs for approx. 230km (143mi), starting here in this city and ends in Dresden.

Heritage is key to the region, and the city has preserved its heritage in a grand way, which is very much responsible for bringing prosperity to its people.