Germany, Classic and Cool

The largest department store in continental Europe, Kaufhaus des Westens (usually abbreviated as simply KaDeWe) is over a century old and a must for any shopper visiting Berlin. After being largely destroyed in World War II, its reopening in 1950 was not only an important shopping moment but a propaganda one too, an embodiment of the prosperity of West Berlin. Regardless of its Cold War significance, the sixth-floor food hall provides an unforgettable culinary experience with a chance to sample the best German and international products.

Germany is, of course, famous for its traditional dishes from sausages to sauerkraut. The country is also, however, packed with Michelin starred restaurants, where chefs are creating some of the world’s most innovative—and always delicious—dishes. Germany has 282 Michelin starred restaurants, but don’t fear that eating well will require spending hundreds of euros. The country also has 474 Bib Gourmand restaurants, where you can enjoy a three-course gourmet meal for €35 or less. One of the country’s most celebrated hotels is Traube Tonbach, in the picturesque Black Forest region. While the area has long been famous for its natural beauty, thanks in large part to the hotel’s restaurant, Schwarzwaldstube, it has also become famous for its food. The dishes served by Chef Harald Wohlfahrt are decidedly haute: combining classical French techniques with venison, fish, and produce from the Black Forest. The restaurant has been consistently recognized by Michelin and other authorities as one of the country’s very best. It has received three Michelin stars each year without interruption since 1992 while five chefs who worked under Wohlfahrt have all gone on to earn three stars at their own restaurants. Photo Courtesy Traube Tonbach

There are few phrases that convey luxury and excellence in just two words: French perfume, Russian caviar, and, of course, German automobiles. Some of the country’s most famous exports are the products of its famous automotive engineering. In the 1880s, the development of combustion engines by Carl-Friedrich Benz and Gottlieb Daimler changed not only the history of Germany, but the world. Companies like Audi (Ingolstadt), BMW, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, and Volkswagen (Wolfsburg) continue to lead the industry. The Mercedes-Benz museum (Mercedes-Benz Welt, or World) in Stuttgart, designed by the Dutch architectural firm UNStudio as well as Porsche’s museum in the same city and BMW World in Munich cover the history of automobiles from their earliest days to the present. In Leipzig, however, you can experience these engineering marvels how they should be—from inside a car. You’ll know you are getting close to the Porsche test track when you see the unusual observation tower. After watching Porsche’s test drivers take the latest models out, you can climb into a car for an unforgettable, high-speed drive as you take a spin around the track. Photo Courtesy Porsche