The Bavarian state library has teamed up with the Bavarian Department of State-owned Palaces, Gardens and Lakes to develop an app featuring information about Ludwig II, the German king renowned for his fairytale castles. This modern resource presents young people in particular with an exciting way of retracing the 'footsteps of a fairytale king' and discovering the significant places and events in the life of Ludwig II. The multimedia content explores subjects ranging from architecture to music.

Besides plenty of cultural attractions, Bavaria also boasts a huge range of culinary specialities, outdoor activities and wellness facilities.

German wine-growing regions don't come much smaller than the region around the Ahr river. Wine-growers here go to great lengths to cultivate exquisite vines on the smallest scraps of land and on steep slopes. Alongside portugieser and dornfelder, the most popular grape varieties in this region famous for its red wines are pinot noir and pinot madeleine. But even the relatively small proportion of white wines produced here are of exceptional quality. The Ahr terroir is characterised by rocky slate soils and very low rainfall.

The region is yours to discover on foot or by bike. What's more, the charming wine taverns make an inviting spot for a bite to eat washed down with a glass or two of the region's finest wines.

The Ars Viva Award for young artists living in Germany was first presented 59 years ago. The Association of Arts and Culture of the German Economy has continued to award this prize for fine arts ever since, and each year it takes a new theme as its focus. Forty-two artists took part in the 2012/13 contest and their works on the latest theme of 'systems' represent a wide spectrum of outstanding artistic talent.

The exhibition has already made an appearance at the Neues Museum in Nuremberg, but visitors still have until 12 May 2013 to see it at the Kunsthalle art gallery in Kiel and between 28 June and 6 October 2013 at Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein.

From 11 January to 4 May 2013 the International A Cappella Festival, now in its 16th year, returns to Wilhelmshaven with a programme of high-calibre concerts. The series of eight concerts features ensembles from the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany performing in Wilhelmshaven venues including the former pumping station.

If you're in the area, be sure to visit Bremerhaven too. As the biggest city on Germany's North Sea coast it is the perfect day-trip destination with attractions such as the German Emigration Centre and the Klimahaus, where you can explore the Earth's different climate zones.

The 67th Ruhr Theatre Festival in Recklinghausen near Bochum is taking place from 1 May to 16 June 2013. This year's festival is themed on 'the dawn of the modern age and utopia' and will present works by leading representatives of this era in around 75 productions and 183 performances at twelve different venues. The plays are performed on the 'green hill' in Recklinghausen and visitors can enjoy fantastic music and comedy in the EntertainTent theatre marquee.

Recklinghausen is also hosting FRiNGE – THE OFFBEAT FESTIVAL from 21 May to 8 June 2013, which is a platform for new creative talents and innovative performances.

All manner of gourmet delights will be on offer at this year's Rheingau Schlemmerwochen Festival, on from 26 April to 5 May. Vineyards and restaurants from across the Rheingau region – from Flörsheim on the river Main to Lorchhausen on the Rhine – will be inviting visitors to sample their local specialities. The fine food, wine and programme of cultural and musical entertainment make the festival a great experience for young and old alike.

The Rheingau region has a long tradition of wine-making, started by the monasteries many centuries ago.

A great way to explore the region is a walk on the Rheinsteig trail or a cycling tour on the Rhine Cycle Route.

On the last day of April, people of all ages with pointed hats, broomsticks and long crooked noses will be flocking to Mount Brocken to join in the Walpurgis Night fun. This traditional European festival is celebrated in more than 20 regions in the Harz mountains. The festival programmes each have a character of their own and in addition to the ghouls, ghosts and witches offer everything from music to medieval crafts. The theatre production of Goethe's 'Faust' at the Brockenherberge hostel and a ride on the Brockenbahn railway are among the highlights.

The Harz is home to a number of castles and palaces as well as several UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Mines of Rammelsberg, the old quarter of Goslar and the Upper Harz Water Regale.

Numerous cycling tours have been organised in the Münsterland region on 28 April 2013 as part of SattelFest 2013 to mark the official start of the cycling season. The tour around Velen and Ramsdorf, for example, gives cyclists the chance to enjoy local restaurants offering delicious food and drink, warm hospitality and a countryside setting. Because of the variety of tours, it is also possible for families with young children to take part in the event.

Those who wish to experience the Münsterland region in all its diversity will discover a wealth of attractions, regional highlights and beautiful scenery on the Boxenstopp Route.

From March 2013, it will be possible to sleep high above the rooftops of Nuremberg in an ultra-modern youth hostel inside the castle. At the heart of the city, the completely modernised accommodation in the 500-year-old Kaiserstallung offers 93 modern rooms as well as meeting and conference rooms equipped to a very high standard. Because almost every floor is fully accessible it is possible for all types of visitor to enjoy the unique atmosphere of the castle.

By opening this modern, hi-tech hostel, the German Youth Hostel Association has made the medieval city of Nuremberg even more attractive to young people. As Nuremberg is located on several cycling trails – the Regnitz Cycle Route for example – the youth hostel also offers special services for cyclists.

The annual Museums Night is a wonderful opportunity for numerous towns and cities across Germany to showcase their various museums. Berlin and Stuttgart will start the ball rolling on 16 March 2013 by running after-hours tours of their renowned museums and intimate art galleries. But it's not just about looking around prestigious collections and exhibitions. There is also a variety of other events on offer. Stuttgart, for example, is hosting a special children's programme in the afternoon for the younger members of the family and Berlin is organising Museums Night around its 2013 theme Diversity destroyed .

Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Frankfurt are inviting visitors to come and explore their museums on Museums Nights in April and May. Many other towns and cities in Germany will follow during the year.