Recommend April 2016 - (Page 68)

THURINGIA GERMANY'S BEST-KEPT SECRET...REVEALED Germany's tourism numbers are in, and travelers, most notably those hailing from the U.S., turned out in record numbers last year, making it the country's sixth record-breaking year in a row. In 2015, Germany reported a 5.4 percent increase in its volume of international overnights in properties with at least 10 beds, for a total of 79.7 million overnights, with U.S. tourists, Germany's third largest market, showing an 8.5 percent increase. Most international travelers visited the Big 3-Berlin, Germany's forward-thinking capital city and cultural center; Munich, the stylish capital of Bavaria whose inherent charm can be seen in its Baroqueand Renaissance-laden architecture; and Frankfurt, the country's strong financial center and business capital-while the state of Thuringia, Germany's cultural heart nestled in the center of it all, remained largely overlooked. That said, a rising number of tourists are beginning to take notice of this hidden gem situated in east central Germany. The birthplace of some of the world's most influential thinkers, Thuringia's impact can be seen and heard around the world, from the Bauhaus-inspired design of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge to the music of the renowned, Thuringia-born composer Johann Sebastian Bach, played in concert halls and churches throughout the world. Upon closer look, there is certainly more to Thuringia than meets the eye. In the town of Eisenach, visitors will find the hiding place of Squire George, better known as Martin Luther, who took refuge behind the stately walls of Wartburg Castle after receiving backlash for leading the Protestant Reformation. Weimar, a city once recognized as a European Capital of Culture, is home to German writer, poet, and statesmen Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's well-preserved home and Bauhaus University. But wait, there's more... IT'S SHOWTIME! Thuringia's annual event calendar is chock-full of family-friendly, culturally-enriching festivals, concerts and exhibitions. Here's a small sampling of what your clients can expect to see this year. Thuringia Bach Festival; multiple towns and cities- March 18-April 10, 2016 and April 4-May 5, 2017 Leading ensembles from Denmark, Sweden and Norway will take to the stage in cities and towns across Thuringia to demonstrate their interpretations of Bach's great works. Weimar Summer Festival, Weimar-June-September 2016 Generous park landscapes, open squares and narrow alleys-the ideal stages for street festivals, music performers, warm film evenings and great concert events. During the summer, artists, audiences and strollers go outdoors and discover a relaxed elegance in Weimar that is unique in European cultural cities. Erfurt Christmas Market; Erfurt-Nov. 22-Dec. 22, 2016 Staged in front of the magnificent St. Mary's Cathedral in Thuringia's capital city of Erfurt, the state's largest Christmas Market sees a 39-ft.-tall Christmas pyramid, an 82-ft.-tall Christmas fir and nativity scene, and dozens of stalls selling popular Christmas Market goodies, including gingerbread and handcrafted wooden trinkets. All photos courtesy of: Left Page from Left to Right: Thuringia Tourist Board/A.-L. Thamm, Stiftung Lutherhaus Eisenach/A.-L. Thamm, Thuringia Tourist Board/J. Negwer, Erfurt Tourismus und Marketing GmbH/B. Neumann, Right Page from Left to Right: Thuringia Tourist Board, Thüringer Bachwochen e.V./J. Haentzschel, Thuringia Tourist Board/M. Schuck , Stiftung Leuchtenburg/www.konzert-theater.de

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend April 2016

Editor’s Notes
Hotel Desk: Hotels for Foodies
Tour Talk: Take to the Road With Enterprise
Cruise Lines Whip Up Culinary Treats
Viking Celebrates Agents
5 Adults-Only All-Inclusives Where Dinner Is an Art
Saint Lucia Loves Chocoholics
Accent on Food
Hotel Culinary Options in the U.S.
Culinary Travel: A Buffet of Options
Vegas Bites
Dining Through the Holy Land
Spotlight on Gastronomy
Hyatt Ziva Cancun
Lovely Valencia
Thuringia: Germany’s Best-Kept Secret...Revealed
Devouring Asia

Recommend April 2016