The German capital is bursting with joyful energy and not just during the Love Parade! Boredom is not something they know much about here. You can shop till you drop at the numerous boutiques, shopping malls and second-hand shops. And make sure to take in the views of the city from the dome of the Reichstag. In the evenings, you are spoilt for choice with an incredible range of theatres, variety performances, concerts and the hottest clubs.

Have you been to the "Grosse Freiheit" in Hamburg yet? Nightlife takes on a different dimension in the entertainment capital of northern Germany with the Reeperbahn and the St Pauli district. Hamburg's traditional bars, funky live music bars, stylish shops and fantastic shopping malls will blow you away. The "Willkomm Höft" on the Elbe is a ship welcoming station that greets every large vessel with its own national anthem. And if you like musicals, Hamburg is an absolute must!

Munich's ultimate highlight is, of course, the Oktoberfest! However, this charming city has plenty more in store for its visitors. Discover the city centre at your leisure, take in some of the famous museums or visit the Olympic park, then relax in one of the many cafés and beer gardens, or in the English Garden.

The city's most famous landmark, Cologne Cathedral, makes it easy to find the city centre. After exploring one of the busiest shopping streets in Germany, you can relax on the banks of the Rhine, soaking up the rays and watching the passing boats. Once you're recharged, it's off to sample Cologne's nightlife with its cool clubs and traditional old town pubs.

Frankfurt, "city of contrasts", combines an ultra-modern skyline and the tallest building in Europe with Römerberg square, its historical centre.Night owls can dance until dawn in one of the many clubs or chill out in a cider house sampling Hessen's "national drink". There's a real cosmopolitan feel here.

Düsseldorf is famous for its excellent shopping. A stroll down the elegant Königsallee boulevard ("Kö" for short) for a glimpse of the latest fashion trends is not to be missed. Other attractions include the beautiful promenade along the Rhine, the extravagant architecture around the Rhine Tower and harbour, and the old town, home to more than 250 bars.

In addition to your top four cities, there are many others that are also well worth a visit such as Frankfurt am Main with its unmistakable skyline, Hamburg with its distinctive northern charm or Dresden with its wealth of cultural attractions - to name but a few. Click here for more...