What will travel be like in 2022?

In winter, people are drawn to the snow. One of the most popular destinations is the Zugspitze. In good weather, a panoramic view of Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Italy is possible from Germany's highest mountain. Skiing and snowboarding are possible here, but only for people who are fully vaccinated or have recovered. Also, masks must be worn.

Normally, Germany is very colorful in February, when the carnival revelers parade through the streets. In 2022, however, the traditional Rose Monday parade will not take place in the carnival stronghold of Cologne as usual, but instead a small Rose Monday festival is to be celebrated on February 28. Bonn and Aachen are also looking at how they can mark carnival in 2022 despite the pandemic.

One of the warmest places in Germany can be found in the southwestern Breisgau region. So, if you want to take in the first rays of sunshine in spring, we recommend a hike along the Kaiserstuhl trail near Freiburg. Between the Black Forest and the Rhine River, you can spot the first plants blooming around this time of year.

Cherry blossom season is best known in Japan, but there are also hanami spots in Germany where lush pink and white blossoms bloom in the spring. Hanami means "to look at blossoms" and refers to the tradition of celebrating the cherry blossom festival. Top spots for this are the town hall of Altona in Hamburg, the Bösebrücke bridge in Berlin and Heerstrasse street in Bonn.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 42nd Oberammergau Passion Play in 2020 had to be postponed by two years. Now, it is set to begin on May 14, 2022, and run through to October 2. Since 1634, the people of Oberammergau have been reenacting the last five days in the life of Jesus in a performance lasting several hours.

On June 18, Kassel's cityscape will change. That's when the 15th edition of Documenta, the world's most important array of contemporary art exhibitions, held every five years, is set to begin. This one will be held under the motto "lumbung," which in Indonesian means a communal rice barn where surplus crops are stored for the benefit of the community.

In summer, it's especially appealing to travel around in a campervan, or go camping. Head for Germany's North Sea and the Baltic Sea if you're into big skies and sandy beaches. On the Baltic Sea island of Fehmarn, there are several campsites that are ideally located, such as the Miramar or Fehmarnbelt sites.

In August it can get so hot that cooling down is absolutely necessary. Fortunately, there are numerous lakes all over the country that a perfect for a refreshing swim. Berlin's Wannsee is a very popular option.

In 2020 and 2021, the Wiesn — as the Oktoberfest is locally called — had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. In 2022, it is scheduled to take place again and is planned for the period between September 17 and October 3. The world's largest folk festival has been held on the Theresienwiese in Munich since 1810 and is considered an important economic factor for the city.

When it gets a bit cooler in October, hiking is always a good idea. The autumnal colors can be admired in the region Bohemian Switzerland, just across the border in the Czech Republic. If you want to see something different than the Bastei Bridge, you should walk through the Edmundsklamm (picture). There is a mystical atmosphere here in the morning, when the fog is just lifting.

November is the perfect time to visit Germany's smaller cities and experience their winter charm. The cozy old towns in places like Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Heidelberg or even Hameln in Lower Saxony (pictured) are particularly beautiful. The town, where the legend of the Pied Piper is set, attracts visitors with its timber-framed houses and winding alleyways.

In December, Germany will presumably be colorfully decorated and illuminated again as the holiday season begins. The opening of the traditional Christmas markets should spark the festive spirit. But whether or under what circumstances the markets will actually be able to open again, nobody knows.