For many, Autumn in Germany means Oktoberfest: Munich's 16-day celebration of beer, welcoming over six million visitors each year. However, Germany has much more to offer than beer, pretzels, lederhosen and dirndls. With its picturesque castles, fascinating culture, quality vineyards and rich history, Germany is a country to be explored.
To mark the occasion, hotel comparison website trivago.co.uk has put together an 'Alternative Oktoberfest' list: ten German gems worth visiting. Some destinations will come as no surprise, such as the fairy-tale castle Neuschwanstein and the ever-popular capital of Berlin, but Germany has some hidden secrets. Who knew it was possible to sample some of Europe's finest oysters on one of Germany's 50 islands? See below for more facts, ideas and travel inspiration.