Germany will appeal to travellers who are interested in forest scenery, spas and historical and cultural attractions as well as the flavour of German life. Travellers who are particularly interested in beaches or Old World architecture may be happier in other European destinations. May and October can also be good, particularly for those interested in museums. In December, Germany is full of delightful Christmas markets. Take a sweater anytime you visit.
Winters are cold, often drizzly, but the skiing is best then.
There's less disparity between the goods on the shelves in shops in eastern and western Germany now than there used to be, but each still features regional specialities. Classically tailored traditional German clothes are a good investment for both men and women, as they last for years and don't go out of style. Downtown shops are closed on Saturday afternoons and Sundays. If you're driving around Bavaria in summer, you might be lucky enough to run into one of the village flea markets. We stopped at one once in Wasserburg that lasted all night.