Facts about Germany 2015 2015 | Page 164

162 | 163 WAY OF LIFE Cologne Cathedral. The numerous UNESCO covering 70,000 kilometres, for example the World Heritage sites, among them Sanssouci Iron Curtain Trail (1,131 kilometres) or the Palace in Potsdam and Classical Weimar, 818-kilometre long German Limes Cycle are also popular. In addition, events such Route. Those looking for a cheap night’s ac- as the Oktoberfest in Munich, with around commodation will find plenty of opportun- 6.3 million visitors the world’s biggest public ities, for example in one of the 500 youth festival, also attract visitors. A football sta- hostels, 130 of which are family youth hos- dium is also on the list of tourist magnets: tels, or on one of the 2,870 campsites. the Allianz Arena, a masterpiece by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, and the Feel-good holidays and Bayern Munich home ground. environmentally friendly travel Like culture, movement in general plays a Wellness is an important topic in Germany. It big role in Germany’s appeal. Around includes such unusual features as the river 200,000 kilometres long, the network of sauna in the Emser Therme thermal complex, hiking trails alone offers extremely good as well as the numerous feel-good facilities in conditions and magnificent views, for ex- spa resorts such as Bad Wörishofen and Bad ample on routes through the national parks Oeynhausen, with its Wilhelminian-era ar- or against the backdrop of the magnificent chitecture. In Germany, there are a total of 253 Alps. On top of this there are more than 200 spa resorts, which use a label recognised by well-established long-distance cycle trails the “Deutscher Heilbäderverband”, the German Association of Spa Resorts. The quality of the medical treatment and support also at- INFO Climate In Germany a warm, moderate rainy climate with westerly winds prevails. Major fluctuations in temperature are rare. There is rainfall throughout the year. Mild winters (2 °C to –6 °C) and not too hot summers (18 °C to 20 °C) are the rule. In 2014, the mean annual temperature reached a record 10.3 °C, which was 2.1 degrees above the longterm average of 8.2 °C for the international reference period 1961 to 1990. 2014 was 0.4 degrees warmer than the previous warmest years 2000 and 2007. → dwd.de tracts numerous guests to Germany. Ever more frequently, travellers are not only taking care of their own wellbeing, but are also paying attention to the environment. In Germany, the demand for ecological tourism and sustainable travel is growing. Organic farms offer holiday rooms, there are 104 nature parks and 15 biosphere reserves, in which great importance is attached to sustainable development and biodiversity. In order for everyone to be able to move around easily in Germany countless initiatives ensure that the disabled too can travel without hindrance.