From 17 to 28 May 2012, Göttingen will once again be a draw for fans of baroque music and visitors from all over the world. This year's International Handel Festival, with 'love and jealousy' as its theme, features numerous concerts and a varied programme of entertainment. There is also plenty on offer for children and young people.

A park in the east of Berlin is a showcase for garden design from around the globe. Back in 2000, the Gardens of the World became the first German park to receive the UK's coveted Green Flag Award and is the only park in Berlin to be recognised for its accessibility for disabled visitors. The opening of the new Christian Garden now makes it nine themed gardens in the capital city of Germany.

The UNESCO World Day for Cultural Diversity has been held on 21 May every year since 2001. With the support of the German Publishers & Booksellers Association, bookshops across Germany are celebrating this day by hosting a range of special events. 'The Value of Creativity' provides the theme, as people from all over the world are called upon to protect and promote cultural diversity.

International tennis stars from eight countries will be competing for the coveted title at the 35th Power Horse World Team Cup in Düsseldorf from 20 to 26 May 2012. Tennis fans will have the opportunity to watch all the action live at the Rochusclub in Düsseldorf, which has hosted the World Team Cup since 1978.

The very first Frankfurt Gourmet Festival is taking place from 21 to 26 May 2012. Popular German chef Mirko Reeh is inviting visitors to his new cookery school along with special guests André Großfeld, Germany's youngest Michelin-starred chef chef, and TV chef Daniel Schmidt. They will be on hand to help amateur cooks prepare a four-course meal which they will all tuck into afterwards.

The 2012 Special Olympics at the Olympic Park in Munich is a festival of fun and shared sporting enjoyment. It is the world's biggest sporting event for people with disabilities and is officially recognised by the Olympic Committee. There are competitions in 20 disciplines and the event is also accompanied by an extensive programme of cultural entertainment. Around 5,000 athletes from all over the world are expected to take part.

How do blind people find their bearings in nature? Sighted and non-sighted visitors can find out the answers at the Blind People's Garden of Bremen, the first of its kind in Germany. Relief panels with information in braille describe the design of the garden, while the raised plant beds encourage visitors to smell, feel and touch the plants.