Germany

The youngest federal state in Germany, Baden-Württemberg only came into being in 1952, but that hasn’t stopped it from racing ahead as the country’s manufacturing powerhouse. Its charming landscape is also incredibly diverse, taking in an abundance of forested uplands, beautiful valleys, magical forests and fairytale castles.

Close your eyes and think of Germany, and you’re probably picturing Bavaria. Tradition is as important to Bavarians as German beer and Lederhosen - and they love nothing more than letting their hair down at a good old Volksfest - but this state is also a thrumming hive of industry, famous for its output in the automotive, mechanical engineering and electronics sectors.

Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, Germany’s capital city has exerted one of the biggest pulls in Europe. Expats flock to Berlin to make the most of its exciting start-up scene, infamous nightlife and incomparable culture.

Despite what Berliners may say, Brandenburg is so much more than the area that surrounds Germany’s capital. One of the least-densely populated states in the country, it is covered with forests, crisscrossed with canals and nearly 3.000 lakes, making it home to some of the best-preserved wildlife in the whole country.

Another Hanseatic city and another city state, Hamburg is the second-biggest city in Germany and the second-smallest state. Situated on the River Elbe, just a stone’s throw from the North Sea, Hamburg is a port city with a proud history of seafaring and international trade, attested to by its industrial skyline and passion for pickled herrings.

The second-largest state in Germany by land area, Lower Saxony is bordered by more states than any other and straddles both maritime and mountainous areas. It stretches from the East Frisian islands in the North Sea down to the Harz mountains, passing Hannover and some of the most fertile fields in the whole country.