From early Spring, through the Summer and Autumn, Biergaerten are a favourite warm weather option throughout Germany. Although their origins were simply to use the chestnut tree shaded areas covering underground beer storage cellars in 19th century Bavaria.

3,000 years of chocolate history and a child, and adult, friendly interactive journey from cocoa bean to chocolate bar, are to be found in the world's largest Chocolate Museum. Cologne's Imhoff-Schokoladenmuseum, designed to look like one of the ships moored along the Rhine River.

Cuckoo Clocks and Black Forest Gateau come from south west Germany, Baden Wuerttemberg, one of the most successful of Germany’s sixteen states. Its Black Forest is a fascinating mixture of tradition, scenery, history, health resorts dating from Roman times and the German Clock Route.

Cologne Cathedral took over 600 years to complete. Construction began when Cologne was part of the Holy Roman Empire, and was finished in 1880 in a newly United Germany with Wilhelm I as its first Emperor. It is stunning and one of the country's most important monuments.

From the North Sea to the Allgaeu, Germany's 'foodie' favourite, Cheese, is produced in small mountainside farms and industrial dairies across the country. With hundreds of regional specialities and national varieties, ranging from mild to spicy, highly flavoured and sometimes less than fragrant.

Germany has its own 'Day of German Beer', Tag des Deutschen Bieres, and is by tradition considered a food in Bavaria, but unofficially just enjoyed elsewhere. Some FAST FACTS about the age old beverage Mark Twain once described as 'as different as hens in a farmyard', Germany's Beer.

Pentecost and Corpus Christi are major Christian festivals in Germany. Religious and public holidays with services and processions, as well as secular and preChristian traditions, they bring an end to the religious celebrations which began with Palm Sunday and Easter.

When Fruehling officially arrives, tables and chairs appear outside Cafe's and Beer Gardens whatever the weather, and are accompanied immediately by Spring Traditions, Festivals, Cultural Events, Adventure, and of course Flowers, Flowers and more Flowers

In many regions of Germany May 1st, May Day, really is 'Tanz in den Mai', Dancing into May. Beginning the night before with Walpurgisnacht, when witches were believed to come out of hiding to join in the festivities, and continuing with traditions around the Maypole on the day itself.

Sweet Woodruff is the scent of Spring, and added to White Wine it becomes May Punch, Maibowle, a popular May time drink in Germany, joining May Day and all the other traditional festivities and customs. Its season is brief but perfect for those first warm spring evenings.