Highlights of 2014: Regensburg hosts Louis IV exhibition

Between 1300 and 1350 Bavaria was the focal point of Europe. This year is the 700th anniversary of the accession to the throne of its Emperor, Louis the Bavarian, Louis IV, ushering in a new era of ground-breaking innovations, and one which called the old, antiquated world view into question. In particular, he struggled against the power of the Papacy and to create a Germany not dominated by the Hapsburgs.  Regensburg is offering a four-day package to visit the Bavarian State Exhibition (in the Pfalzkapelle, left, with giant throne outside) including the show, a dinner, and hotel accommodation.  €285 per person in a double room.

Highlights of 2014: Leipzig’s 25th Festival of Lights

This year it is 25 years since the Peaceful Revolution, when, after prayers for peace in four different churches in Leipzig, about 70,000 people gathered with candles in their hands to demonstrate for more freedom in the GDR. Several thousand policemen and soldiers were deployed but the demonstration remained peaceful. The events became an important milestone on the way to German reunification. This year the city is marking the occasion with a Festival of Lights on 9 October 2014 that brings history to life with audio, video and light installations, performances and art projects. All year round, visitors can follow in the traces of those events and visit authentic sites like the Stasi museum, in a building where for 40 years the secret police had their Leipzig headquarters. Here history is visible and palpable.

Highlights of 2014: Frankfurt's celebrates summer roses

Summertime will see the annual Rose and Light Festival returning to the Palmengarten (left), Frankfurt's much loved botanical gardens. The venue’s magnificent rose gardens, featuring over 12,000 cut roses of all colours and varieties, will be open to the general public from 6th to 9th June 2014. The absolute highlight of this four-day event is the Light Festival, taking place on Saturday, 7th June and featuring thousands of tee lights and a massive concluding fireworks display. Rounded off with guided tours, lectures, and a number of concerts.

Highlights of 2014: Weimar hosts a Rule Britannia concert

For one evening this summer the Weimarhallenpark will come over all British thanks to a concert performance on the lake stage (left) by the Staatskapelle Weimar and their principal conductor Stefan Solyom, with a programme of works by  Ralph Vaughan Williams, Malcolm Arnold, Henry Wood , Edward Elgar, Ron Goodwin, William Walton and Frederick Delius. The setting is magnificent, with audience bringing picnics into the beautifully lit park or in the meadows. The 12th July evening will be compered by entertainer Gayle Tufts, a US-born comedian and singer who lives in Berlin.

Highlights of 2014: Wheel spinning in SouthWest Germany

SouthWest Germany hosts the German Grand Prix in July 2014, on the legendary Hockenheim circuit only 30 minutes from Heidelberg. The original circuit opened in 1932 on roads carved through the forest, whilst the current circuit has hosted the Grand Prix since 1970. The long straights and tricky hairpins test drivers to the limit. With crowds of some 120,000, excitement levels are high. If you prefer to be behind the wheel yourself, on the open road, then three other ‘circuits’ in SouthWest Germany are celebrating birthdays in 2014. The Castle Road has linked romantic castles for 60 years, with some castle accommodation along the way. The Baden Wine Road has catered for wine lovers, also for 60 years, and the Baden Asparagus Route has promoted the delights of spargel for 20 years.

Highlights of 2014: Kuhnle kicks off with an Open Ship

Germany’s premier boat charter operator Kuhnle-Tours, a company with excellent coverage of the lakes in Mecklenburg and Brandenburg as well as houseboating through downtown Berlin, is starting its season at its main base, Hafendorf Muritz, with a big weekend on 26-27th April. Activities on offer include visiting the boat building yards, a secondhand boat sale, a tour of the holiday houses at the base, and a boat blessing.

Meanwhile over in France, Kuhnle-Tours is holding a similar event earlier in April (weekend of the 12-13th) at their base at Niderviller, which is on the Mosel just across the border from Germany. This one will feature a lot more wine.

Highlights of 2014: Baiersbronn – a real find for foodies

Fancy foraging in the Black Forest? In Baiersbronn, Germany’s Michelin star heaven with eight stars shining brightly, it’s all about enjoying what nature has to offer. In 2014, visitors can explore a new culinary hiking trail guided by a wild plant expert who’ll point out herbs, berries or mushrooms, and a special wild plants menu rounds off the tour. Hikers who prefer the do-it-yourself approach can set off with a picnic rucksack and information on wild plants. In April, Baiersbronn will also launch particularly enjoyable picnic spots featuring enchanting views and scenic surroundings to further improve your eating al fresco experience. From May onwards, visitors can go on a culinary treasure hunt with restaurants featuring the likes of forest honey ice-cream or lamb fried sausage. Tip: Using the 2014 launched visitor card “Schwarzwald Plus”, visitors (staying two nights or more) to Baiersbronn and nearby Freudenstadt, both located in the new National Park, can enjoy more than 80 attractions and things to do for free.