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Official Press Newsletter of the German National Tourist Office New York,  June 2013

Summer time is outdoor time. In Germany locals and visitors alike flock outside to enjoy sunshine, open air festivals and the best of German cuisine. In the summer, travelers can enjoy long, sunny days with temperatures often ranging between 70° and 80° F, an invitation for bicycle rides, days on the beach or hikes in the Alps. On the German Fairytale Road, puppet theater and other plays will celebrate 200 years of the Brothers Grimm in 2012.

Have a great summer and happy travels!

 

In this newsletter
» Summer festivals nationwide  
» Legoland Discovery Center opened in Oberhausen  
» Summer of fairytales  
» Lübeck‘s link between Past, Present and Art  
» Americans spend most money in Germany  

Brass Band Munich Oktoberfest © GNTB

Brass Band Munich Oktoberfest © GNTB

Summer festivals nationwide

During the summer, Germany’s festival season is in full swing with events and celebrations everywhere. With many festivities happening outside, visitors can fully relish the warm temperatures. Between July and August, almost every German city organizes a city festival (“Stadtfest”) where locals of all ages enjoy open-air concerts, fun rides, fireworks and lots of food and drink in the heart of their city. It is a great experience for travelers to take part in these (free) festivities and to soak up some local flavor. Dresden ’s Stadtfest is especially worth visiting: It is celebrated in the charming Baroque Old Town. InBerlin , a summer highlight is the Classic Open-Air Festival at Gendarmenmarkt, a beautiful historic square in the city. Since the 14th century, Hamburg celebrates the DOM, one of the largest open-air fun fairs in northern Germany.

© LEGOLAND®  Deutschland Freizeitpark GmbH

© LEGOLAND® Deutschland Freizeitpark GmbH

Legoland Discovery Center opened in Oberhausen

Following the success of the existing Discovery Center in Berlin, a new center opened its doors in mid-March 2013 inOberhausen, which is only 25 miles from Düsseldorf . Painstaking attention to detail has transformed this indoor park into a playing field for kids ages 3-10. Whether it’s fighting off evil trolls with laser guns, taking it easy in the 4D cinema, singing on the LEGO® karaoke stage or seeing colorful pellets turned into those famous little bricks at the live factory show – there’s something for everyone. Other attractions in the area include Sealife and Germany’s biggest shopping center, Centro Oberhausen.

Wicked Stepmother Snow White © GrimmHeimat Nordhessen GmbH

Wicked Stepmother Snow White © GrimmHeimat Nordhessen GmbH

Summer of fairytales

In 2013 Germany celebrates the 200th anniversary of the first edition of the Brothers Grimm fairytales. At the heart of the celebrations is Expedition Grimm in Kassel which opened on April 27, 2013. Kassel is also a stop on the German Fairytale Route which runs 373 miles, from Hanau in the south toBremen in the north. The road links together important places in the lives and works of the famous brothers such as Hanau, where they were born. Here the Brothers Grimm Fairytale Festival will be staged from May 1 – July 1, 2013 whereas in Steinau, travelers can catch a Grimm-based puppet festival. The route winds through lovingly restored medieval towns such as the village of Bad Wildungen (home of Snow White) and the pied piper town of Hamelin .

Luebeck Old Town © GNTB

Luebeck Old Town © GNTB

Lübeck‘s link between Past, Present and Art

Following several years of redevelopment, St. Anne’s Museumand St. Anne’s art gallery have been amalgamated to form St. Anne‘s Museum Quarter in Lübeck , northern Germany. The cultural attractions are situated in the old town, which is surrounded on all sides by water. Cultural treasures of immeasurable value are on display, such as the unique collection of sacral artwork which is presented on the authentic spot: the former monastery. The exhibitions are comprised of modern and historic rooms, courtyards, gardens and the late-Gothic cloister dating back to the year 1512. The newly created multi-media presentation “TimeTravels” connects the different areas of the museum quarter where visitors can take a virtual walk through seven centuries of culture and art.

Heading Home After Shopping © GNTB

Heading Home After Shopping © GNTB

Americans spend most money in Germany

Tourism is vital for the economy. Revenue generated from travel to Germany rose again in 2012 and is a consistent and important component of the tourism industry. In the rankings of Germany’s highest-revenue source markets, the US travelers were the clear leader with revenues of around €4.3 billion in 2012, followed by Swiss visitors (€2.4 billion) and Russian travelers (€2.2 billion). More than 2.3 million Americans visited Germany in 2012 reflecting a 4.2 per cent increase from the previous year.

To learn more about the top 100 attractions in Germany, download the TOP 100 app or visitwww.germany.travel/top100 

For more information about the travel destination Germany please visit the GNTO press center .

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For daily news about the travel destination Germany, visit our website www.germany.travel , follow us on Twitter or connect with us via Facebook .

Contact

German National Tourist Office

Wibke Carter

Public Relations Manager North America

122 East 42nd Street, Suite 2000

New York, New York 10168-0072

Phone: +1 212 661 7175

Fax: +1 212 661 7174

wibke.carter@germany.travel

www.germany.travel

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Maralyn D. HillThe Epicurean Explorer

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