Weimar

The city that attracted Goethe and Schiller has much to offer today's travellers. Long before the small city became Germany's interwar capital, it was a paradise of refinement and culture around the court of the dukes of Saxe-Weimar. The ducal family crypt includes the graves of Goethe and Schiller.

Highlights include the homes of Germany's literary giants - now museums - the small 18th century dowager palace of the duchess Anna Amalia known as the Wittumspalais, the duchess's exquisite Rococo library and the ducal residence, the Stadtschloß.

In the old town centre are Renaissance houses and the city is set off by parklands that include several pavilions and the Schloß und Park Belvedere above the city.

Weimar's Classical and Bauhaus movement monuments are world heritage-listed.