Top 10 short trips to Germany's neighboring countries

This beautiful natural landscape with its meltwater lakes is ideal for boat trips, cycling tours and hiking.

This region in the north-east of the country is particularly enjoyable in the summer months.

The Belgian capital is worth a visit at any time of year. It has a cozy flair, although it is of great political importance due to the European Parliament.

Sights such as the Manneken Pis, the Chocolate Museum and the Parc du Cinquantenaire make the capital even more interesting.

Denmark has no mountains. Instead, the country has a long coastline. One of the most popular beaches is Søndervig. The sandy beach there impresses with its light color and immense width.

The North Sea can be easily reached via a wooden structure. If you are looking for a break from everyday life, this region is just the right destination for you.

The Dutch university city of Maastricht is located in the province of Limburg. It has a dreamy and romantic atmosphere. This is mainly due to the numerous historic buildings in the charming harbor town.

Particularly worth seeing are the old town and Johannis Church, as well as the futuristic Bonnefanten Museum of Fine Arts.

Luxembourg is the capital of the country of the same name. You shouldn't overlook Germany's small neighbor, as it has an outstanding attraction in the form of the historic Bockkasematten.

These are circular walls that include caves in a mighty rock.

The French region of Alsace, with its metropolis of Strasbourg, borders directly on Germany. It's not just the city that is bursting with charm, but also the surrounding countryside.

Vineyards make the landscape extremely picturesque. In the small wine villages, you will find cozy restaurants where you can enjoy the local wine and the region's typical tarte flambée.

Want to explore the mountains? Then Zermatt in Switzerland is perfect for you. There you will get a view of the 4,478-metre-high Matterhorn - the country's landmark. The municipality of Zermatt is located at an altitude of 1,620 meters in the canton of Valais.

It allows you to combine the cozy romance of a mountain village with adventurous, high alpine worlds.

Austria's capital Vienna will enchant you with its historical charm without sacrificing modernity. You can sample the classic Sacher cake in a Viennese café and visit the Prater, St. Stephen's Cathedral or Schönbrunn Palace.

The picturesque landscapes and historic villages in Styria or Burgenland invite you to take extensive car tours. Not forgetting the world-famous ski resorts in Tyrol and Salzburger Land.

Deep, mythical forest landscapes await you in the Czech Šumava. The 120 km long mountain range boasts attractive sights such as the Vistula river valley, the Vltava reservoir and Charles Castle.

The cosmopolitan city of Amsterdam with its canals and museums is always worth a visit. Art in particular can be admired in the spacious rooms: Rijksmuseum, Hermitage Museum, Stedelijk Museum, Van Gogh Museum and Het Rembrandthuis.

Most of the destinations above lie within the Schengen Area – which means visitors from outside the EU need a Schengen visa (Type C) to enter. And that visa requires proof of travel health insurance as part of the application.

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