This artificial, fortified island in Lake Steinhude near Hannover was built for Commander Wilhelm zu Schaumburg-Lippe in the second half of the 18th century. Visitors can still travel to the island in traditional sailing boats where they are greeted by the sight of cannons and casemates.

Celle Palace in Lower Saxony first appeared in records as a 'castrum' (Roman camp) in 1318. Especially worth seeing are Germany's oldest baroque theatre still in use today and the only chapel north of the Alps with a fully preserved Renaissance interior.

Clemenswerth Hunting Lodge in Sögel in the Emsland region was built in the late-baroque rococo period. The star-shaped hunting grounds with central lodge, guest pavilions, chapel, stables and 42-hectare forest park form one of the most delightful examples of stately German rococo architecture.

Mysterious peat-bog corpses, traces of the Vikings and exquisite paintings – all these and many other treasures can be found in the two state museums at the most important palace in the far north of Germany.

The Holsteinische Schweiz lakelands provide the picturesque setting for Eutin Castle and its enchanting gardens. After extensive restoration work, the castle has been returned to its former glory.