MODERN LIFE IN GERMANY

Modern life
What makes everyday life worth living? Great cuisine and fine wines, relaxing in Mother Nature, festivals and celebrations, vacation, design and fashion, inspiring architecture. Germany has plenty of all to offer – and is far removed from all the clichés that might still abound about lederhosen and sauerkraut. But then the numerous visitors from abroad who are increasingly discovering that Germany is an interesting vacation destination already know this. Not just because of the wealth of German cultural and historical sights, but also because of the wide- ranging regional cuisine and the changing landscapes. In fact, although the Germans are the undisputed world champions when it comes to foreign travel, they still prefer to holiday between the North Sea and the Alps.

Since the beginning of the new millennium German Riesling wine has been enjoying a Renaissance – on the international stage as well. The world over, it is now a standard item in many top restaurants. In just four years the USA has doubled the amount it imports. Riesling has earned the enthusiasm of wine experts for the “German wine miracle” thanks to its lightness and sparkling character, characteristics that are the result of the particular climatic conditions and soil: because the German wine-growing regions are among the most northerly in the world.



The long period of vegetation and moderate temperatures in summer make Wines from Germany filigree and keep their alcohol content low. Different soil types and vines such as Müller-Thurgau and Silvaner also play their part in giving German wines a reputation for being remarkably varied.



However, the new generation of vintners in the 13 German wine-growing regions has also played its part in the success story, concentrating as it has done on quality rather than quantity. Germany, traditionally a white wine country – of the wine produced in Germany 65 percent is white and 35 percent red –, is increasingly discovering red wine. The acreage used for cultivation, primarily for Spätburgunder, has already more than tripled. Could this be the next wine miracle?



Germany is becoming increasingly popular as a country to visit: In 2004, for the first time ever foreign guests registered more than 45 million overnight stays, and according to The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) the trend is still on the increase. Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt/Main and Cologne are the most popular cities with international visitors. Most come from other European countries, the USA and Asia. With regard to individual states, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg are the preferred destinations.



In addition to historical sights, top-quality concert series, art exhibitions, theater performances as well as major international sports events, not to mention street festivals and atmospheric Christmas markets are just a few of the attractions that bring the visitors flocking. The Germans love to celebrate, and never miss an opportunity to do so. Many festivals such as Munich’s renowned Oktoberfest, Christopher Street Day in Cologne, the Carnival of the Cultures in Berlin, Fastnacht in Mainz and Carnival in Cologne have long become an international synonym for high spirits and a cosmopolitan atmosphere.



Whereas most foreign visitors are drawn to the big cities, Germans themselves tend to visit smaller places and rural regions in their home country: The coasts of the North and Baltic Seas, the Black Forest and Lake Constance are the most popular vacation destinations. Germany boasts no less than 15 national parks, 93 nature parks and 14 biosphere reserves between the mudflats in the North and the Alps in the South, where nature enjoys special protection. However, coastlines, lakes, as well as low and high mountain ranges are all becoming increasingly important as a sort of open-air health club. There are all sorts of opportunities available: There are as many as nine long distance trails stretching for 9,700 kilometers throughout the country and a total of 190,000 kilometers of signposted walks. And for cyclists there are 40,000 kilometers of track on which to discover the country.

The architectural scene in Germany has several regional centers, but since reunification it has also certainly focused on Berlin. In the capital, world-class architecture can be experienced at close quarters: Whether Lord Norman Foster, who converted the former Reichstag building into the new German parliament, Renzo Piano, Daniel Libeskind, I. M. Pei or Rem Koolhaas – the list of international architects who have made their mark on the new face of Berlin is long. However, the elite among German master builders such as Helmut Jahn, von Gerkan Marg und Partner, Hans Kollhoff and Josef Paul Kleihues have likewise made a firm contribution to the new capital. In the old harbors of Hamburg and Düsseldorf experiments are being conducted with new formal ideas. And in many cities striking museum buildings have been created by German architects – such as Stephan Braunfels’ Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich, Frank Gehry’s Museum MARTa in Herford, Tadao Ando’s Langen Foundation near Neuss and the Leipzig Museum of Fine Arts by Berlin architects Hufnagel Pütz Rafaelian.