Germany Alps by Francisco Antunes

If you’re looking to explore rural Germany then using the country’s rivers as a guide is a great idea. The Rhine, Elbe and Danube are just three of Germany’s many waterways that snake through the 130,000 or so square miles within its borders. Whether you want to explore the rivers aboard a cruise boat, or simply follow them in the car, Germany’s waterways will take you through many of the countries most traditional rural areas.

The Elbe, for example, crosses the eastern corner of the country and the Elbe Valley is home to traditional castles such as Albrechtsberg Castle, Lingner Castle and Eckberg Castle, as well as a plethora of charming German villages such as Loschwitz and Pillnitz, and a large number of the country’s vineyards. If you were to choose to explore using the Danube river in the south of the country as your guide, this would take you through the Danube river valley with the steep white cliffs around Thiergarten, rural castles such as Burg Wildenstein and Schloss Werenwag, and the Obermarchtal, or the Upper March Valley.

Somewhere near St. Goar along the Rhine by ilovebutter

In the west of the country, the area around the Rhine is filled with castles, fortresses and ruins constructed along what was once one of the country’s major trade routes. The Upper Middle Rhine Valley is now a World Heritage site and a visit here is just not complete without a stop off at the traditional markets of the area, the knight tournaments and festivals.

Another great way to explore the German countryside is to take the Alps as your reference point. The Alps touch Germany in the very south of the country and exploring this area will take you into some of the country’s most famous rural areas. The Bodensee, an area of three lakes, is located just at the northern foot of the Alps and is also known as Lake Constance. The lake is actually situated in three countries – Austria, Switzerland and Germany – and here you can climb up the wooden staircase of the Marienschlucht ravine, visit the bronze age settlement of the Pfahlbauten and wander around the impressive estate of Schloss Salem.

Oberammergau in Bavaria, Germany by heatheronhertravels

The state of Bavaria also touches the Alps, which is home to the Franconia wine region, numerous beer gardens serving the local brews and well-known monuments, such as the Castle of Coburg and Linderhof Palace. Finally, an exploration of the area isn’t complete without checking out the Black Forest, where you can visit some of the best-known waterfalls in Germany – the All Saints Waterfalls and the Triberg Waterfalls – and the famous spa town of Baden Baden that sits at the foot of the Black Forest, as well as tucking into some of that infamous gateau, which is named after the cherry liqueur brewed in the region.

Whatever your idea of adventures, Germany has much more to offer than just its cities. Get out and explore the rural areas and broaden your knowledge of this traditional and fascinating country.

John is a travel writer based in the UK who writes for Alamo Germany – providing car hire across Germany to help you get out and really explore the country.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Jean-Pol GRANDMONT

Ajaccio

Ajaccio straddles a gorgeous bay and is very much a Riviera town with its spacious squares and elegant, upmarket marina. The towns are beautiful and tasteful with some fantastic restaurants and cafes. The 15th century Genoese citadel is a great place to wander and the muse Fesch is home to an incredible collection of renaissance paintings by Botticelli, Titian and Poussin. Of course the town’s beaches are a firm favourite with travellers and the Plage Trottel is the better of the two.

Le Golfe de Porto

Le Golfe de Porto region contains Corsica’s most beautiful landscapes and the blue bay and red cliffs make the area dramatic to say the least. The rock formations of Calanches de Piana are well worth visiting and the surrounding mountains and vast pine forests are a fantastic place to hike and enjoy yourself. Diving is also incredible here if you are feeling adventurous.

Calvi

Calvi is perhaps the most impressive town of Corsica and it certainly has the most impressive history and architecture. The 6km sandy beach is the biggest draw for many but beyond that the town is incredibly impressive. The imposing citadel of Calvi against the mountainous backdrop is an incredible sight to behold. The town itself plays home to the Haute Ville full of twisting cobbled lanes and stairways and the medieval architecture and beautiful street cafes are a fantastic place to stroll and relax. Villas line the outer reaches of town as you head to some of the most beautiful countryside and the mountains.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Pierre Bona

Corte

Corte lies at the base of a mountain range with stunning views and is one of the most idyllic locations of Corsica. The citadel and museum of Corsica make a great day trip and you can stroll the castle’s ramparts and enjoy a fantastic view. The town’s main street is a fantastic shopping and street café area with plenty of pokey boutiques and places to rest.

Bonifacio

Bonifacio’s location is what makes it so incredible. Its perched along an isolated peninsula at the most southerly point of the island. The town has a unique identity and the huge citadel is a great place to explore before walking along to the marina. The beaches along the coast are incredible and well worth exploring.

Where to stay
There are plenty of accommodation options on the island from camping to all-inclusive resorts. The main towns have an abundance of hotels with some particularly good ones to be found in Calvi. Along the coast there are few large resorts but villas in Corsica along small bays and in small villages are fantastic. Camping lets you get into the heart of Corsican countryside and is a great option for hiking and walking.

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