History up Your life!

It takes something special to be one of the 13 cities that belong to the Historic Highlights of
Germany association – Germany´s finest selection. At these destinations, visitors don´t just view monuments, they interact with history!

Historic Highlights of Germany is representing 13 of the best alternative cities for short breaks and itineraries and would like to help travelers to get to destinations off the beaten track. Each city has played a major role in changing the course of German, European and sometimes even world history. Our aim is to suggest tours with a rich cultural experience, friendly environment and a relaxing time.

Participating cities are: Augsburg, Erfurt, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Mainz, Muenster, Osnabrueck, Potsdam, Rostock, Trier, Wiesbaden and Wuerzburg - perfect destinations for travelers who wish to go beyond casual sightseeing and truly experience Germany's rich culture and history.

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Birthday Celebrations on a Grand Scale for Frederick the Great

2012 - and Frederick’s Anniversary is the focus of activities in Potsdam

On no other city in Germany have the Prussian monarchs left such a definitive mark as they have on Potsdam what is today the capital city of Brandenburg, situated on the very doorstep of Berlin.  King Frederick the Great played a particular role in this and it is his 300th birthday that is to be the focus of this year’s forthcoming year-long celebrations in Potsdam.

The Foundation for Prussian Palaces and Gardens Berlin Brandenburg will be staging an exhibition entitled “Friederisiko – Friedrich der Grosse (“Frederick and Risk - Frederick the Great“) from 28th April to 28th October 2012. The Prussian king also takes center stage in musical events:  the Potsdam Sanssouci Music Festivals, which will be taking place in the palaces and parks, will be presenting their program under the banner of “Frederick the Great: Music and Europe” (09.-24.06.2012). And the baroque horse-riding displays to be staged in the forecourt of the New Palace (19.-22.07.2012) hold the promise of a really special experience.
 
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VINOPOLY 2012 - high calibre wine heritage

The combination of history, culture and fine wine in Germany will be irresistible for many individual travellers. This year, the wine culture in six of our 13 member cities is the center of attention. German wine celebrates its international comeback and receives highest ratings amongst international critics.

With various new offers travelers will be introduced to the finest wines and can experience how cultural landscapes and family traditions have been shaped by them. Experience our finest wine destinations: A tour of discovery through cities on the Rhine, Main or Moselle rivers enthrals the senses with high-calibre culture and internationally acclaimed wines.

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Pilgrimage of the Holy Robe 2012

A very special event will take place between April 13th and May 13th 2012: The "Heilig Rock Wallfahrt" (Pilgrimage of the Holy Robe). Christ's Seamless Tunic - is Trier Cathedral's best-known treasure. Normally kept covered and protected from light, it is only rarely on open display - that is, during the Holy Robe Pilgrimages. In the last hundred years, this has taken place three times: in 1933, 1959 and 1996.

The pilgrimage in 2012 marks an historic anniversary: in 1512 the German Emperor Maximilian I  made a formal visitation to Trier. Since that first pilgrimage 500 years ago, millions of people from all over the world have come to honor the "Heilige Rock" (Holy Robe).

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Discover Germany with DB Bahn

Experience the culture and history in our enchanting Historic Highlights of Germany cities. DB Bahn takes you to your Historic Highlight while passing the most beautiful river valleys and fairytale castles. Fly to any major airport and connect directly to Deutsche Bahns´s rail and service network. Train travel comes at low prices with the German Rail Pass or Sparpreis (Saving Fare). Travelling with Deutsche Bahn means arriving at your destination relaxed.

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