Bonn

Bonn, a beautiful city in western Germany, sits along the Rhine River. Once the capital of West Germany, Bonn today combines history with modern energy in a really charming way.

The city is famous as the birthplace of Beethoven, and music lovers can visit his birth house which is now a museum. The composer's presence is still felt throughout the city, especially during the annual Beethoven Festival.

Beyond its musical heritage, Bonn offers beautiful architecture like the pink Baroque Bonn Minster and the impressive Old Town Hall. The city's university atmosphere keeps things lively, with students filling the cafes and bars around Friedensplatz and along the Rhine promenade.

The Museum Mile is a cultural highlight with five major museums in a row, including the impressive Haus der Geschichte (House of History) which tells Germany's post-war story.

In spring, Bonn transforms when the cherry blossoms bloom in the Altstadt, creating stunning pink tunnels of flowers that draw visitors from all over. The nearby Siebengebirge (Seven Mountains) region offers great opportunities for nature lovers to explore the Rhine Valley landscapes that have inspired so many German romantic painters and poets through the centuries.