GERMANY

Location - Western Europe; Capital - Berlin; Population - 83 million; Currency - Euro MORE GERMANY

It's a seven hour train ride from Budapest to Munich, followed by an overnight journey to Cologne and a Thalys train to Aachen, on the German/Belgian/Dutch borders - April 2012.

Germany is part of the Euro zone

A great sculpture on the entrance to the old town of Aachen, known as the Geldbrunnen

The imposing figure of Aachen Cathedral rises in the background

The 14th century Town Hall (Rathaus) overlooks the Markt - Aachen

A statue of Charlemagne in the Markt, with the Town Hall to the right - Aachen

The Charlemagne fountain and the Markt - Aachen

It's possible to have a roadside drink at Aachen Theatre - Aachen

The Stadtgarten is home to the Carolus Thermal Baths - Aachen

Graffiti in the Stadtgarten - Aachen

Also on the outskirts of the old town is Lousberg, where you can walk to the top for (albeit obscured) views of Aachen

A church spire as seen from Lousberg - Aachen

The Stasi were East Germany's feared state security service - Aachen

Back in the old town, Aachen Cathedral dominates the end of a cobbled street - Aachen

The Puppenbrunnen (Puppet Fountain) in Aachen's old town

Fountains, bakeries and cafés are commonplace in Aachen

Aachen Dom is a UNESCO listed world heritage site - Aachen

The core section of the Dom (Cathedral) dates back to the 9th century - Aachen

An eyecatching exhibition was on show in front of the Cathedral when I stopped off in Aachen in 2014 on my enclaves tour

Identical regal sculptures all painted red and gold were on display next to the Dom. As far as I know it's a temporary exhibition - Aachen

The cobbled streets of the old town - Aachen

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LINKS

www.germany-tourism.co.uk - German tourist board

www.about-germany.org

www.bahn.de - excellent German train website, also covering areas outside Germany. Buy tickets online.

I am not responsible for the content of external websites.