By 
Dortmund is a large city located just north of the Rurh River. An interesting city of contrast, Dortmund is often called a green metropolis, as almost half of the municipal area consists of green spaces, forests, waterways, and spacious parks such as Westfalenpark and Rombergpark. What’s interesting about this is that for nearly 100 years there was extensive coal and steel milling within the city limits. Like many cities in Germany, the old town hall is one of the main places of interest to visit. There is also a moated castle from the 13th century known as Haus Rodenberg which is very impressive.
While in Dortmund, it’s easy to access many other fun and exciting German cities in the areas, including Cologne, Dusselforf, and Essen, all of which are less than an hour away. You may want to explore many of the national forest areas or head further west to the Netherlands. Wherever you are planning to go, Dortmund is a charming city that makes for a great base of operations during your next Germany vacation.
Located about 50 miles south of Frankfurt, Mannheim offers visitors plenty of activities and attractions to keep them busy. Sites like the Mannheim Palace, which is also the main building of the University of Mannheim, attract tourists from all over the region. The Fernmeldeturm is a communication tower with an observation deck and a restaurant that is 120 meters above the ground. Needless to say, it offers beautiful views of the area. Don’t forget to check out the delicious fresh fruits and vegetables at the farmers market every Monday and Wednesday.
After you’ve enjoyed your fair share of Mannheim, why not use a rental car to explore more of the region? Heidelberg is just a short drive away and is a very photogenic German city with close to 150,000 people who call it home. Most visitors want to visit Heidelberg Castle, which was built over hundreds of years by various rulers of the time. Be sure to visit the “old town” part of Heidelberg. You won’t be disappointed by the local beer, the cheer and the good times in general. The region is full of other interesting little towns and cities just waiting for you to explore. What are you waiting for? Plan your next vacation to Germany today!