Touring Germany
Germany is an extremely varied country with no two regions displaying the same character. In Germany you can take a relaxing river cruise, enjoy a wine or beer tasting, visit a spa, walk in hills or mountains and explore historic towns and fairytale castles. There really is something for everybody. Although OneStage have excellent musical contacts in all parts of Germany, The Black Forest, Rhineland, Moselle, Bavaria and Leipzig remain the most popular destinations for performance groups. Many German cities, for example Leipzig, Halle, Weimar, Bonn and Bayreuth are defined by their association with composers such as J.S. Bach, Handel, Beethoven and Wagner which make Germany an ideal destination for combining performance with music-related sightseeing.
As there are so many options for tours within Germany, we suggest that you
contact us for more information. Below are just some of the most popular destinations that we can offer.
A short stay in Germany can be an excellent first part of a longer tour,
perhaps going onward to the
Czech Republic,
Hungary,
Poland,
Austria,
or Slovakia
Visiting Frankfurt and the Rhineland
Frankfurt is only a short distance from the Romantic Rhine and an excellent centre for groups who prefer a city-based tour. The modern part Frankfurt (known as Mainhatten) is home to the Hessian State Bank, where you can take the elevator to the 58th floor for fantastic city views. Yet, only a short coach ride from Frankfurt is the contrastingly picturesque town of Rüdesheim-am-Rhein, which is another excellent base for a tour around this area of Germany. Rudesheim is famous for its bustling central street, the Drosselgasse and has a reputation as a centre for eating out and wine-tasting. Visitors can also enjoy a cable car ride from the town for views of the vineyard- clad surrounding hills.
Another recommended place to stay in the Rhineland is popular town of Boppard a little further to the north. If you travel by coach or boat between Rudesheim and Boppard, you will be able to see some of the most dramatic Rhineland scenery including the legendary Lorelei Rock, Burg Rheinfels and countless other fortresses, castles and ancient villages.
- Outdoor Venues:
- Bad Homburg Town Square or Spa Concert Hall, Oberwesel Town Square, Rüdesheim-am-Rhein courtyard
- Churches and Cathedrals:
- Mainz Cathedral, Parish Church in Köppern or Bad Homburg, Koblenz Cathedral, St Peter's Church in Bacharach
- Other Indoor Venues:
- Spa Halls in Bad Schlangenbad, Bad Breisig, Bad Ems and Bad Neuenahr
Visiting the Black Forest
The Black Forest stretches about 170 km from Basel in Switzerland, to Karlsruhe, separated from the Vosges by the subsidised plain of the River Rhine. The region is renowned for its beautiful forested hills, excellent food and outdoor activities. However it is also a wonderful destination for a concert tour, owing to a good choice of venues and Onestage's excellent links with local musicians.
Some groups opt to stay in Triberg, right in the heart of the Black Forest. Triberg is the centre of the clock-making industry and Germany's highest waterfall, the Gutach rapids, can be found here along with the Black Forest Museum, which exhibits local crafts and traditional costumes. Alternatively, the more cosmopolitan university city of Freiburg is well located for local sightseeing. The city boasts an impressive Munster (Cathedral) and an exquisite Aldstadt, full of historic buildings, mosaic-decorated pavements and countless interesting shops and restaurants. A cable car from the town takes you into the surrounding hills where walking is very popular.
- Outdoor Venues:
- Lakeside venue in Schonach, music pavilion in Schönwald
- Churches and Cathedrals:
- Freiburg Munster, The Lutheran Church in Freiburg, St Omar's Church in Wilchingen (Switzerland), Parish church St Urban in Schonach
- Other Indoor Venues:
- Triberg Hall of Fellowship, St Georgen City Hall, Festival Hall in Furtwangen
Visiting Leipzig and Environs
Leipzig is the second largest city in East Germany, with a strong cultural tradition in music and literature, as well as some beautiful Renaissance and medieval buildings. The Renaissance town hall, prominent in the town square, is one of Germany's most beautiful buildings of its kind. Behind this you will find a monument to Goethe, who studied law at Leipzig University. Another famous inhabitant of the city, the composer J.S. Bach, worked at the Thomas Kirche in Leipzig from 1723 until his death in 1750, founding the famous boys' choir there which is still in existence
From Leipzig, a visit to the infamous Colditz Castle is a must, with a guided tour a recommendation. You can also visit the attractive towns of Lutherstadt Wittenburg and Naumburg, the Handelhaus in Halle, or enjoy a "champagne" tasting in Freyburg.
- Outdoor Venues:
- Bad Lausick Butterfly Pavilion, The Bach Monument in Leipzig
- Churches and Cathedrals:
- The Nicholaikirche in Leipzig, The Thomaskirche in Leipzig, The Pauluskirche in Halle
- Other Indoor Venues:
- Bad Schmiedeberg Spa Concert Hall, Schloss Proschwitzn
