Munich

Munich, rivalled only by Berlin as Germany's most popular destination, is a city that enjoys contradicting itself. Don your Lederhosen, pack your Dirndl and head down to the capital of Bavaria, where cutesy folk traditions rub shoulders with BMWs, haute cuisine and high-minded sophisticates.

The city is a haven for all sorts of culture, with a staggering array of museums, a vibrant arts scene and the infamous revels of Oktoberfest. Bavaria is souvenir-icon Germany at its most postcard perfect, and the fairy-tale Gothic, biergarten-filled city of Munich is no exception.