Germany al fresco: making the most of summer in Weimar

The summer brings another dimension to Weimar: an open city landscape surrounded by green areas, parks and a river. Moving, pulsing, full of life. In the little alleys, in front of the palace and mansions. Art and music everywhere, history, stage and boulevard. Generous park landscapes and open squares make ideal stages for street festivals, music performers, and warm outdoor film evenings. Concerts on a floating stage in a reflecting pool for several thousand spectators, garden art in a square in the old town, enjoying wine in front of Goethe’s home and spontaneous jam sessions on the terraces of the bars and cafés. It's all Weimar.

Germany al fresco: Leipzig's newest lakeland riviera

This spring has witnessed the opening of a brand new lake due south of the city. The 733-acre Lake Störmthal, part of a whole new lakeland area, has been created with leisure in mind, with swimming beaches and holiday accommodation. At its centre is the floating church Vineta (left), a memorial for the 14 villages which had to give way to open-cast mining in this region. On one shore is the new Lagovida resort, with 200 beds in luxury villas and suites, and you can explore both land and water in a restored original DUKW amphibious vehicle from 1942.

Germany al fresco: Frankfurt's city forest and tower

Not many visitors to Germany’s financial capital are aware that Frankfurt has Germany’s largest Stadtwald or City Forest (5,000 acres, with 450kms of paths), just south of the Main river and within walking distance of the Lokalbahnhof station.

This ‘forest’ hosts one of the tallest wooden observation towers in Germany, the Goethe Tower which has just reopened this year after four years of renovations. From the top, 43 metres up, there are great views of the skyline and all the nearby Shrebergarten (allotments). At the bottom there’s a popular café and playground, which makes it ideal for visiting families.

Germany al fresco: the new Black Forest National Park

Here’s one long outdoor dream: in its 90km, the Baiersbronn “Seensteig” (lake trail) takes hikers right through the brand new Black Forest National Park featuring glacier-created lakes, peaceful upland moors, thick coniferous forest and wide views from the (almost) tree-free plateau pastures. The national park, which was opened on 1 January 2014, features Germany’s oldest “Bannwald” (protected forest), the so-called “Wilder See” (wild lake), an ecosystem which has been left to develop its unspoilt beauty for over 100 years. At the Ruhestein Conservation Centre rangers inform visitors about the rare flora and fauna. Baiersbronn Tourism offers a  package for three or six nights including luggage transport fom €251 per person, info@baiersbronn.de

Germany al fresco: Kuhnle's liveaboard fishing cruises

Discover the rich fishing grounds of Germany’s biggest lakeland system in the company of other fishermen and an experienced fishing guide.  This autumn, boat charter operator Kunhle-Tours is offering two angler-focussed trips (11th September and 2nd October) from its Müritz base, guided by a knowledgeable local fisherman. You can, of course, choose how much fishing you want to do, but the guide will be on hand day and night, and your houseboat will have a dinghy for getting into tricky backwaters. A berth costs from €199 per night.

Germany al fresco: Regensburg's long summer evenings

A picture says more than a thousand words. So, just look at this one of Regensburg and no further proof is needed that the UNESCO World Heritage city on the Danube is the perfect al fresco spot. As soon as the temperature rises, life goes outdoors on one of the many squares such as Haidplatz, Bismarckplatz or Neupfarrplatz. Cafés and restaurants invite visitors to enjoy local specialities in the open air; not for nothing is Regensburg often called Italy’s northernmost city. History comes alive here, be it in Germany’s oldest coffee house, strolling through picturesque alleys, or standing in front of towers dating back to the Middle Ages. The picture says it all.

Germany al fresco: country comes to town in SW Germany

Southwest Germany, the 'sunny side of Germany', hosts a fine selection of outdoor activities and events. In the summer, you don't even have to leave town for a taste of country life, when for example the region's vineyards transform downtown Stuttgart into a Wine Village (27 August - 7 September). Meanwhile over in a terraced setting on the western edge of the green city of Freiburg, a big encampment appears. This is the Tent Music Festival (16 July - 3rd August, pictured left), which offers an unparalleled range of all music genres - rock, pop, jazz, indie and classical - plus dance and variety acts, performing either out in the open, or in giant circus tents.