Once a strong empire and one of the world's most fearsome governments, Germany today is an economic force with a remarkable wealth of culture and attractions - magnificent old churches, world-class museums and a breathtaking countryside dotted with charming medieval villages and fairy-tale castles. If you're still not convinced, here are the top five reasons for you to visit Germany.

1. World War II Landmarks and Memorials

Many countries in the world have their share of World War II landmarks and memorials. None, however, has as many as those of Germany. Indeed, when you visit Germany, you will notice that many towns and villages have a memorial to honor their dead. The most poignant memorials, though, are the memorials in honor of the millions of Jews who died during World War II, such as the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin and the memorials in the German concentration camps, like Buchenwald and Dachau. The Jewish Museum, showcasing the history of the Jews in Germany since the Middle Ages, is also a memorial in itself.

Aside from these Jewish memorials, you can also visit other World War II landmarks during your holidays in Germany, such as the Nazi party rally grounds and the Palace of Justice in Nuremberg where the war trials were held, and the Eagle's Nest in the German Alps, near which you can find an information centre about Hitler's regime. You can also visit the Military Museum in Dresden, the most heavily bombed city during the war, to learn more about the German army.

2. Beer

Beer is the oldest alcoholic beverage in the world, and though it did not originate in Germany, it is closely associated with the Germans. In fact, beer is the national drink of Germany, with over 1,300 breweries scattered all over the country, particularly in the northern regions. There are over 5000 brands and many varieties of German beer, too, though all are made exclusively from water, barley, hops, yeast, and sometimes, sugar according to the Purity Law, which ensures their high quality.

Therefore, you should spend your holidays in Germany and try to sample as many types of beer as you can, or simply drop by during the annual Oktoberfest in Munich, the largest beer festival in the world and one of the most famous events in Germany. During this time, you can go from one tent to another and drink as much beer as you like, although you'll want to hold your liquor unless you want to get arrested for causing trouble or wake up with a bad headache in the medical tent.

3. Christmas Markets

Christmas is a magical season all over the world, but it is especially festive and enchanting in Germany. After all, Germany is where the Tannenbaum or Christmas Tree originated, as well as the less popular but equally significant Advent Wreath. You will see these, along with other German yuletide symbols like the Nativity Scene, gingerbread cookies and carved nutcrackers, in the Christmas Markets held in many parts of the country, with the largest ones held in Stuttgart, Dresden, Nuremberg, Augsburg and Erfurt, so visit Germany in December and fall under the spell of the season.

4. Car Country

For auto enthusiasts, it is a dream come true to visit Germany, where the automobile originated and where the headquarters of top car manufacturers are located. Stuttgart, in particular, is where Gottlieb Daimler invented the first four-wheel automobile with Karl Benz, which is why it is where you will find the Gottlieb Daimler Museum, as well as the Mercedez Benz Museum. If you want to take a closer look at how cars are made, you can tour the factories of BMW, Volkswagen and Porsche in different cities. You can also drive a Trabi along the streets of Dresden or stop by Germany's most famous race track at Nurburgring.

5. Classical Music

Aside from being the birthplace of the automobile and the Christmas Tree, Germany is the birthplace of many classical composers such as Bach, Wagner, Beethoven and Handel. You can hear their compositions at many opera houses, such as those of Frankfurt and Berlin, and even some churches when you visit Germany, as well as in their own individual festivals, like the Beethoven Festival in Bonn or the Bach Festival in Leipzig. If you want to hear all of their best pieces, you should come to the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, the largest in Germany, or the Heidelberg Festival.