Catedral de Berlin, Berlin Cathedral. (Source: Vvillamon)

Berlin, the capital city of Germany, is an ultra-modern, high-tech city just like any other at first glance. Spend more time here and you can't help but notice the looming shadows of the country's rather tumultuous past. You will find remnants of a dark history in the form of WWII bombed down buildings,the fragments of the famous "Berlin Wall" and multiple memorial museums that make you shudder through their reflections of a gruesome Nazi regime past. If you haven't visited the world famous memorial museums here, you really haven't visited Berlin.

Holocaust Memorial Berlin (Source: danielfoster437)

The 'Holocaust' refers to the systematic, bureaucratic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of approximately six million Jews by the Nazi regime. The Holocaust Memorial in Berlin is one of the most evocative monuments that reminds visitors of the gruesome Holocaust history of Germany and was designed by the American architect Peter Eisenmann. The centerpiece of the Holocaust memorial is the “Field of Stelae” with a unique architecture of more than 2,500 geometrically arranged concrete pillars of varying heights. Walk through it and you feel very disoriented and gloomy and that is exactly the mood the architect intended to create.

Holocaust Memorial (Source: milan.boers)

An adjacent underground museum serves as an information center and is located below the field of pillars. It offers an exhibition on Nazi terror in Europe and holds the names of all known Jewish Holocaust victims, obtained from the Israeli Holocaust museum Yad Vashem. (Address: Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe Cora-Berliner-Straße 110117 Berlin; Phone: +49 (0) 30 - 26 39 43 36; Open Hours of the Information Center: April – September: 10 am to 8 pm (last entrance 7.15 pm) October - March 10 am to 7 pm (last entrance 6.15 pm) Closed on Mondays, except public holidays)

Berlin - Philharmonie (Source: roger4336)

Berlin Philharmonic is considered one of the best concert halls in the world. Amazing architecture, mind blowing acoustics, creme de la creme of performances. If you love music, you have to visit the Berlin Philharmonic for a soul quenching experience of a lifetime. To find out about concerts that are taking place during your stay there, please click here. (Address: Herbert-von-Karajan-Str. 110785 Berlin; Telefon: (030) 254 88-999)

Berlin en 1947 (Source: dalbera)

East Central District is a bohemian area that consists of Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain and Prenzlauer Berg. Kreuzberg is one of Berlin's most eclectic districts, and the comfort zone of left-wing punks, anarchists, gays, creative artists and Turkish immigrants who are in majority owing to which the area is sometimes referred to as Little Istanbul. Area is dominated with plenty of kebab joints and funky nightclubs and hotels. Here you can check out the following; Oranienstrasse is a street here full of cozy cafes, restaurants and shops. Two world famous tourist sites steeped in history - Topography of Terror (an outdoor museum at the location where the Nazi paramilitary buildings were based before the Allied bombings) and the Jewish Museum. Görlitzer Park: You'll see Turkish families barbecuing on summer weekends. Failed contemporary art is also displayed here. Landwehrkanal: Take a stroll along this peaceful and traffic free canal lane laced with benches, bars and restaurants with terraces.

Topographies of Terror (Source: Hollingsworth)

Museum Island is considered as the heart of Berlin's museum Landscape.Since 1999, the Museum Island is the world's unique architectural and cultural ensemble of the world cultural heritage by UNESCO.It consists of following museums-

Berlin, Museum Island 5/12 (hs29) (Source: Ted and Jen)

Altes Museum - It houses  collection of antiques, sculptures, weapons, gold jewelry and silver treasures of Greek art and cultural history of the Cycladic culture to the Roman era.

Pergamon Museum -It houses architectural constructions and sculptures of the Greek and Roman Antiquities, the Museum of Near Eastern with 6,000 years of history, art and culture of the Near East and the Museum of Islamic art with the art of Islamic peoples from the eighth to the 19th Century.

Old National Gallery - It houses sculptures and paintings of the 19th Century by Caspar David Friedrich of the French Impressionists to make the frescoes in Rome Nazarene.

Bode Museum - It houses artifacts of 15th Century, in the Italian and German Sculpture Collection sculptures and statues from the early Middle Ages to the 18th Century. (Address: Bodestraße 1,10178 Berlin-Mitt; Phone: 030/3339509; Open Hours: Daily: Everyday 10:00-18:00 except Thursday when its 10:00 - 22:00; Tickets:  14 Euro (17.88$)

Trabi Safari (Source: ilovebutter)

You cant be in Berlin and not visit anything to do with the World wars and the fall of the Berlin wall, can you? To have an amazingly unique (but incredibly local and Berlin'esque') experience, go on the Trabi safari, where you see the places 'where the cold war was at its hottest.'

Trabi Safari (Source: Marco Zanferrari)

You'll get to see Berlin from an entirely different perspective, and you'll get to take (and keep) an original piece of the Berlin Wall as a personal souvenir! Along the way, you will pass many important historical locations and headquarters of world politics as well as places brimming with drama and excitement. This is absolutely the kind of activity an entire family would enjoy! (Address: Trabi-World at WELT-Balloon, Zimmerstr. 97/ corner, Ecke Wilhelmstr. 10117 Berlin-Mitte; Call: +49-30-27592273; Email: berlin@trabi-safari.de; Safari price: Ticket prices range from 79 to 89 euros ($110 to $124). It also includes snacks (known as bread&salt); Click here to book your tour tickets)

Berlin Wall (Source: carolynconner)

The only part of the Berlin Wall that now remains intact lies to the east of the city centre, along the River Spree. It is known as East Side Gallery for the many murals painted on the wall. There are some other places where parts of the wall remain standing. It it fascinating reminders of the horrors of German history. (Address: Mühlenstraße (near Oberbaumbrücke) ,10243 Berlin; Timings: always accessible; Cost: Fee charged)

Battered Brandenburg Gate in 1945 (Source: stoixeia)

The Brandenburg Gate or Brandenburger Tor was once a city gate which functioned as Berlin's entrance. Today, it has become the defining symbol of Berlin and Germany. Located in downtown Berlin, on the Paris Square and by the end of the Unter den Linden Avenue, it is not an Arc of Triumph but the access to the “New Berlin” of its time. Enjoy the view of the marvelous architecture while walking through this historic place! (Address:Unter den Linden,Pariser Platz,10117 Berlin; Timings: 24hr open; Cost: Free)

Badeschiff (Source: Hen_son)

The Badeschiff (bathing ship) is one of Berlin’s most unusual swimming pools. It is part art project and part contemporary solution to living in a polluted urban center. Originally  it  was conceived by local artist Susanne Lorenz. Badeschiff, on the Danube Canal is an anchored ship that’s been converted into a club that’s packed with Viennese and with interesting slide shows projected on the walls. (Address: Eichenstraße 4, 12435 Berlin; Phone: 0157 - 876 259 19; Timings: In the summer of 1 May: daily  8:00 - 0:00, SAT. 30 JULY: 08:00 a.m. - 06:00 p.m; Special Note:   On Sunday 31 July, & friday 26 August  the Badeschiff  will remain closed all day; Cost: Summer  from 1st May: 4, - € / students 3, - € / children under 14 € 1.50)

Bill Speidel's Underground Tour (Source: cliff1066™)

The Underground Tours are organised by the Berlin Underworlds Association. This bizarre and spectacular walking tour will lead you into the weird interiors of a blasted air raid shelter from World War II. You will also be able to explore two of the original 7 floors of Berlin's biggest bunker complex. All these were a part of am ambiguous construction program proposed by Adolf Hitler himself to supply the civil population with shelter places. Look out for a former ammunition elevator via a solid and safe steel construction. (Address: Brunnenstrasse 105, 13355 Berlin; Phone:49-30-4991-0517)

Videogame Milestones (Source: bonus1up)

If you are a tech geek or into computer games, this place will be like a paradise! And even if you're not, Computerspiele Museum guarantees good fun time for everyone. Here is history of a different kind - there's Lara Croft, Super Mario Bros, and a whole bunch of games and their history too! (Address: Karl-Marx-Allee 93a; Tel.: 030 - 60988577; Entrance fees: €8 ($11.13); Opening hours: Wed to Mon 10am-8pm)

Frankfurt (Source: azroby)

Frankfurt is one of the most popular tourist destinations that is also the business and financial capital of Germany. It is also the largest city in Germany located on the banks of River Main and is popular for its futuristic skyline and the biggest German airport.

ROEMER (Source: D Petzold Photography)

There are many things to see while you are in Frankfurt. The most popular being the historical attractions of Römerberg - old center of Frankfurt that houses a number of old world churches and villas dating back to 14th & 15th century, Dom or The Saint Bartholomeus' Cathedral - A Gothic style church built back in 14th century, Eiserner Steg - which is an Iron Bridge, Hauptwache, Alte Oper or the Old Opera, Börse - The Frankfurt Stock Exchange building, Paulskirche or St. Paul's Church, Sachsenhausen etc.

Saint Bartholemeus' Cathedral (Source: tinyfroglet)

Other popular places that you can check out are museums like Architektur Museum, Deutsches Filmmuseum, Städel-Museum, Museum Giersch, Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Liebighaus, Museum der Weltkulturen, Museum für Kommunikation, Portikus etc.

Commerzbank Tower (Source: loop_oh)

Frankfurt has some of the tallest buildings and Commerzbank tower is the tallest among all. Frankfurt known for its unique skyline is a beautiful wonder which is relegated to one part of the city and this is something you might have not seen anywhere in the world. Other notable things to see are Main River Bridges, Henninger Turm, Palmengarten - Botanic Garden, Grüneburgpark - largest public park, St. Leonhardskirche - Romanic Church, Bornheim etc.

Mainkai (Source: Martin Kliehm)

Like the city the nightlife of the city is also very unique and spectacular, there are numerous cafes, pubs, nightclubs, discotheques, restaurants, cinemas, entertainment centers etc. This is one city which you will love exploring with your partner.

Cologne Cathedral (Source: lukasz.kryger)

Cologne is the fourth largest city of Germany located on the banks of River Rhine in North Rhine-Westphalia Region. This is one beautiful city that is known for its media business, business hotspots and majorly tourism. This is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany along with Frankfurt.

Kolner DOM (Source: storem)

There are many beautiful sites and landmarks, that you can go and explore like the famous and prominent structures of Cologne skyline Kölner Dom - UNESCO Site, Die Kölner Synagoge, Agnesviertel, 12 Romanesque Churches (St. Kunibert - with wonderful stained glass windows, St. Severin, St. Aposteln, St. Gereon, St. Martin, St. Georg, St. Ursula, St. Maria Lyskirchen, St. Andreas, St. Pantaleon, St. Maria im Kapitol and St. Cäcilien), Hohenzollern Bridge also called the Locking bridge, Rheinauhafen - Harbor etc.

museum ludwig (Source: m.a.r.c.)

Other notable places in Cologne are Museum Ludwig, Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Wallraf-Richartz Museum, Römisch-Germanisches Museum, Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum für Völkerkunde, Kolumba, Schokoladenmuseum Köln GmbH etc are few of the most popular museums and galleries here.

Rhine Valley, Appenzell Alps, Germany (Source: Trodel)

There are many tours and cruises you can choose from to enjoy the city. Rhine Valley also known as the Romantic Road is located between Cologne and Frankfurt cities in the Franconia Region of Germany and is famous for its hiking tours. This heartland of Germany is known for its peaceful valleys, unspoilt medieval towns, rolling countryside and the gushing rivers Main and Danube. This is the very place that has inspired many poets, writers and painters to create their own masterpieces.

Rhine Valley, Appenzell Alps, Germany (Source: Trodel)

This is one great place where you can go for a long walking tour exploring the landscape and the German way of living. Here you can go for guided or self guided tours. For more information on other similar hiking trails in Germany, please click on this link.

Rhine Valley 33 Neiderwalddenkmal (Source: michael clarke stuff)

The city is also famous for its cinemas, theaters, nightspots, entertainment arena, shopping and dining areas etc. A wonderful place for wonderful people across the world. You will have some great time here and it will be one of your wonderful memories to cherish in your later years.

Delft_Zurich_Zermatt-2351.jpg (Source: bjohnson00)

Zurich, apart from its scenic beauty is known for its historical monuments, beautiful churches and   interesting museums. The food to is something you should definitely indulge in. Here are some of the places/things I feel would be worth your time. Take a look!

Hispano Suiza H6C 1924 Torpedo Tulipwood body, left front (Source: wbaiv)

The Swiss National Museum gives one an epic look into the culture and history of the Swiss. Its mammoth collection, housed in a feudal-looking 19th-century facade, contains among others, works of religious art (which includes the 16th-century stained glass from the Tanikon Convent and priceless frescoes from the church of Mustair). Some of these Carolingian art date back to the 9th century. The altarpieces found here are all carved, painted, and gilded.

View over Limmat (Source: Qtea)

Step into the prehistoric section for an exceptional array of exhibits. Some even go back to 4th millennium B.C. There are artifacts from 17th-century china, there are age old furniture, costumes, and dollhouses. Not to mention, exhibits tracing the history of Swiss clock making from the 16th to the 18th centuries. (Address: Museumstrasse 2 8001 Zürich, Switzerland; Tel.: 044/218-65-11; Hours: Tues-Sun 10am-5pm (until 7pm Thurs); Prices: Admission US$ 12.46)

Grossmunster, Zurich (Source: Robert Scarth)

The quaint churches, cobblestone roads, hustle and bustle of city life, makes Zurich attractive for the tourists. So among Zurich's many churches, the Twin Towers of Grossmunster is the most visible landmark. Grossmunster is a 12th-century Romanesque ex-cathedral with a fascinating history of Catholic saints and Protestant preaching. (Address: Grossmünsterplatz, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland; Tel:044 252 59 49; Operation Hours:Cathedral:  Mon to Sat- 9am-6pm.Towers: Same hours as cathedral.; Entry Fee:Cathedral is free)

Kunsthaus Graz (Source: HeyItsWilliam)

The Kunsthaus Zürich also known as Museum of Fine Art houses the most important collection of modern art in Zürich and is famous for both its permanent art collection and its temporary exhibitions. International works of significance include paintings by Edvard Munch, Van Gogh, Picasso, and leading Expressionists. There is also works by Claude Monet and Marc Chagall. If you are a Zurich card holder then you get a free entry to all museums in Zurich. To know more about the Zurich card go here.Click here to book a Zurich card online. (Address:Heimplatz 1,8001 Zürich,Switzerland; Tel:044 253 84 84; Operational Hours:Sat / Sun / Tues 10AM-6PM, Wed-Fri 10AM-20PM Monday closed; Entry Fee: Adult/child/student & senior US$ 22.44/free/US$9.97, free Sun)

The Rhine Falls (Source: vasile23)

Located just outside of Zurich, the Rhine Falls is Europe's biggest waterfall and so definitely worth a visit.The waterfall offers a spectacular view and a beautiful scenery. It is one of the top tourist attractions in Zurich. You also have the option of embarking on a boat ride to enjoy a close-up view that could have you splashed a bit. Click here for additional information on the trip. (Duration: It takes 3 hours to reach Rhine Falls from Zurich; Ticket Prices:Adult:$58.61,Child:$29.30. Click here to book your tickets)

Flora und Botanischer Garten, Amsterdamer Straße 34, Köln, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany (Source: Aniket Mone)

The Botanischer Garten (or the Botanic Garden) explains just why we see so many postcards of Switzerland that depict a riot of colorful flowers till the horizon. It is home to as many as 15,000 living species of flora, including some very rare specimens from as far as New Caledonia and southwest Africa. The herbarium itself houses over three million plants. Owned by the University of Zurich, the gardens were laid out on the site of an erstwhile private villa. (Address and Contact: Universität Zurich, Rämistrasse 71; Call: 044/634-84-61; Hours: Park Mar-Sept Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat-Sun 8am-6pm; Greenhouses daily 9:30-11:30am and 1-4pm; Price: Free)

My beautiful Butterfly (Source: digital cat )

There are many other equally popular attractions, cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, hotels etc., where you can have some wonderful time with your near and dear ones. This is one great destination where you would love to go.

DCP_4908 (Source: pppspics)

Lucerne located across the lake from Altdorf is a beautiful small city in the heart of Switzerland. Lucerne is not only famous for its beautiful landscape and natural beauties but it is also known for Mount Rigi and Rütli Meadow where many tourists come exploring.

The Chapel Bridge, Luzern (Source: jay8085)

Lucerne has many beautiful sites to explore and popular among them are The Chapel Bridge, which is one of the most prominent landmarks of this spectacular city, Alpineum, Bourbaki Panorama, The Glacier Garden, The Swiss Transport Museum etc.

"Lake Lucerne" – Albert Bierstadt, 1858 (Source: alex_ford)

Other attractions in Lucerne are The Old City Wall, Lucerne Art Museum, The Rosengart Collection - collection of 200 works by 23 artists of early modernism, The Richard Wagner Museum, Kunstund Kongresshaus Luzern, The Lion Monument etc.

There are many activities you can take part in like paragliding from Pilatus and Rigi, boat tours, guided tours of the city. The best way to explore Lucerne is by taking a walk or ride on a bike.

Foire du Valais (Source: Olivier Bruchez)

Valais is a region that lies between Geneva and Lucern and it is known for its valleys, highest peaks and glaciers. I have selected the Anniviers Valley which is located on the left bank of River Rhone in the middle of Canton of Valais region. You can go for a hiking tour with your partner or friends covering the gushing wild Rhone River, sunny hillsides with vineyards, panoramic nature reserves, deep gorges and above all snow capped mountains. The tour can start from the town of Sierre covering the Zinal Valley, stopping in beautiful alpine villages, before returning to Sierre via Vercorin, enjoying the beauty of nature all the while. You can get more interesting hiking trails and other information here.

There are many cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and other entertaining things that will make your stay in Lucerne more enjoyable and filled with fun.

Around Lake Geneva - Geneva - Switzerland - The beauty of the Land and Water plus the air describe themselves! 01/11/2009 - Beauty unfolds! (Source: || UggBoy♥UggGirl || PHOTO || WORLD || TRAVEL ||)

Geneva is the second most populous city of Switzerland and has many beautiful sites, breathtakingly beautiful landscapes, historical sites, museums, galleries, parks and entertainment areas etc.

Jet d'Eau (Source: tshein)

The most popular attractions in Geneva are Jet d'Eau, The Rade - one of the most prominent sites where the water pumped from the fountain goes as high as 140m in the air, Cathédrale St-Pierre - located at the highest peak in the Old Town dating back to pre-Roman times, Palais des Nations, Quartier des Grottes, Monument Brunswick, Ile Rousseau - a beautiful island, L'Ile - is the remains of a fortified castle erected in the 13th centuary, Jardin Anglais - an impressive garden near the lake, Place Neuve - an impressive Grand Theater, Eaux-Vives etc.

Monument Brunswick I (Source: tillwe)

Other popular attractions in the city include museums and galleries like International Museum of the Reformation, Museum of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Musée ARIANA, Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain, Musée d'Histoire Naturelle, Musée d'Art et d'Histoire etc.

Musee d'histoire Naturelle (Source: Studio eLBee)

Geneva is also known for its beautiful gardens like Parc des Bastions, Parc des Eaux Vives, Parc de la Grange, Bois de la Bâtie etc. Apart from the monuments, parks, historical sites, gardens etc, Geneva also has a vibrant nightlife and entertainment centers where you can have some great time together.