History, culture, and natural beauty perhaps best describe the essence of vacationing in Germany. With its many historic cities and small towns, along with an abundance of forests and mountains, visitors are spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing a unique place to visit. Those wanting to sightsee or experience the arts should head to the metropolitan areas such as Munich, Frankfurt, or Hamburg, while those looking for recreational activities should visit places such as the Bavarian Alps, the Black Forest, or the Rhine Valley as its mentioned in the large map of Germany. Lovely old cathedrals and grand palaces are everywhere, and in the smaller towns and villages - some with their original medieval Old Towns still intact - many centuries-old traditions, including traditional Christmas markets, festivals, and fairs, continue to this day.