Germany calling

Tens of thousands of tourists from the region are travelling to Germany this summer, one of the most popular European holiday destinations for Gulf nationals.

Germany is not only the richest and most populous nation in Europe; it also is a growing tourist destination attracting approximately 54.8 million overnight stays annually.

Antje Roeding, director Gulf countries of the German National Tourist Office (GNTO) said: "The total number of overnight stays from the Gulf countries has increased to 724,721.

"Since 1998, the number of overnight stays in Germany grew by almost 134 per cent, which amounts to an annual rise of 11.4 per cent. Out of the 724,721 overnight stays, 493,000 were in one of the so-called 'magic cities' - Munich, Frankfurt, DŸsseldorf, Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart, Hanover and Dresden."

The holiday period has started in Germany and the country is expecting tens of thousands of visitors from Bahrain and its neighbours alone.

Visitor Rashed Mohammed Al Mel has been travelling to Germany since 1984. He said: "I sometimes fly to Germany twice a year with my family.

"The thing I like most about it is the beautiful landscapes, the great weather, but most of all, I appreciate the safety there.

"I don't think you will find any country in Europe that is as safe as Germany. I can take a walk with my wife at night with a good conscience as if I was back home. I always get the feeling that we are much respected among the German people. It's just a great country."

Similarly, Noor Mohammed Al Kindi, head of public and guest relations at Dubailand, who frequently travels to Germany, emphasised: "I have travelled to so many countries with my family, but it was only in Germany that I truly felt like I was on a holiday.

"I love the cleanliness and the friendly local population. There are such beautiful pedestrian ways in cities like Munich, DŸsseldorf and Cologne; it all gives you this feeling of a mediaeval flair.

"Another thing I love about Germany is its beautiful parks and public gardens. Also, my children absolutely loved Legoland. And even now we are still caught by the magic of the ski resorts in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, which turn into a paradise in the summer."

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is one-and-a-half hours drive away from Munich and located in an area that is known for its magnificent landscapes, attracting large numbers of visitors in the summer who are in search of natural beauty. There are cable cars that take visitors to the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain at almost 3,000 metres.

Mr Roeding added: "Germany is a very varied tourist destination that has a wide range to offer. Its healthy climate and mixed landscapes provide a superb environment for spa holidays. The country is also ideal for family holidays.

"Our leisure and theme parks are perfect for the whole family. Shopping is another great experience in Germany.

"We have a huge range of different places to shop, from the traditional atmosphere of town centres to more than 400 shopping malls.

"Furthermore, a wide choice of hotel accommodation offers almost everything. You can either stay in a very familiar boarding-house or in one of the luxurious five-star hotels or spend a few days in an old castle.

"Travelling throughout the country is very easy. We have a very good railway system which makes travelling very easy and convenient. Driving a car along the 633,000 kilometres of freeways and roads is a very fascinating experience."

Germany is located in the centre of Europe and the territory covers 357,021 sq km ranging from the mountains of the Alps in the south to the North Sea shores in the north-west and the Baltic Sea in the north-east.

It has some of Europe's major rivers like the Rhine, Danube and Elbe. Germany shares borders with more European countries than any other country.

Its neighbours comprise France, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Denmark and Poland.