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The stories of the Brothers Grimm seem more fact than fiction in the ethereal Black Forest and countryside of Germany, where villages of half-timbered houses spring up like magical mushrooms, fairy-tale castles spiral through the clouds, and enchantment with the country doesn't end with a simple kiss. Every one of Germany's 16 states are spellbinding in their own way, some for classical music, written by prodigies like Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Schumacher; some for being the home or launch pad of famous thinkers such as Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzsche, Albert Einstein, Johannes Kepler, and Johann Wolfgang Goethe; some for their royal history and architecture, set against modern post-war construction; and others simply for the country's famous master-crafted beer and hearty, rustic cuisine. Berlin, the country's largest city and capital, is a destination that boasts all of the above. History buffs revel in walking the Unter den Linden, a pathway from royal residencies that leads from the Brandenburg Gate to the Schlossbrücke in Old Berlin; or on "Ku'damm," where fantastic shopping on Fasanenstraße provides plenty of diversion, as do the City Castle and a royal hunting lodge. Modern art exhibits show a more dynamic side of this reunified city, while the Berlin Wall Memorial provides a sobering look at a tumultuous time in contemporary history. In contrast, visitors can't help but be uplifted by the strains of Glockenspiel music that emerge from the cuckoo clock in the Marienplatz in the Bavarian capital of Munich, the original city of Oktoberfest, or delighted by the awe-inspiring, baroque Nymphenburg Palace. In between these two major destinations, red stone caps set the medieval town of Heidelberg quaintly apart, and several waterside cities bring romance to the forefront. In fact, Dresden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once the seat of the kings of Saxony, was a hub of the Romantic Movement; canal-crossed Hamburg provides exciting nightlife, plus Elbe River and nature views for days, as one of the greenest cities in Germany. Not to be outdone, Frankfurt offers farmers' markets, traditional apple wine bars, and summertime entertainment in the Palmengarten that are somehow not at odds with its status as the "Manhattan of Germany," a center of international trade, and shopper's paradise along the Zeil. GERMANY 99 803 North Sea Baltic Sea POLAND NETHERLANDS FRANCE BELGIUM LUX. DENMARK SWITZERLAND AUSTRIA CZECH REPUBLIC G E R M A N Y Berlin Frankfurt -am-Main Munich Cologne Hamburg Heidelberg Bonn Leipzig Dresden 0 100 miles 0 100 km SOFITEL BERLIN KURFÜRSTENDAMM O O O O O Centrally located just off the fashionable Kurfürstendamm, the Sofitel Berlin focuses on art, architecture, and design, for a reflection and an atmosphere of savoir vivre—the supreme art of enjoying life. The 311 guestrooms are among the largest in the city; they are luxurious in style, while also offering the latest in cutting-edge technology. This hotel also features a fitness and wellness area, and two international restaurants. THE WESTIN GRAND, BERLIN O O O O O The Westin Grand, Berlin stands in a prominent location, right in the historical center of Berlin. The spacious lobby, with its glass atrium, and the fresh elegance of the Beaux Arts-style design, awaits you at this recently renovated luxury hotel. Relax in the WestinWORKOUT ® gym with whirlpool, sauna, pool, solarium, and beauty salon, or enjoy the large garden in warmer weather. Together with Relish Restaurant & Bar, The Westin Grand, Berlin presents an interplay of classical lobby and exclusive restaurant culture. KEMPINSKI HOTEL BRISTOL O O O O O Located directly on the famous Kurfürstendamm, this grande dame among Berlin hotels is unmistakably eye-catching, with its striking semi-circular swung facade. Travelers appreciate the service, cuisine, and extreme attention to detail at the Kempinski. The elegant guestrooms are decorated in a classic modern style, completed by supreme personalized service. The wellness area is an oasis of relaxation with a heated pool, fitness studio, and spa services. The outstanding dining options include creative international and local fare. BERLIN 62 Germany