What was once a significant trading town in the middle ages is now a bustling transport and industry hub and the capital of the German state of Thuringia. Despite its rampant modernisation, the city has managed to preserve many of its historical structures and its old town remains one of the most intact medieval cities in all of Germany. As a result, Erfurt is a history lover’s dream with its grand squares, countless church steeples, cobbled alleyways, and architectural wonders spanning across centuries. Much of Erfurt’s charm can be found in simply wandering around its pedestrianised streets and admiring the beautiful old timbered houses and small bridges providing access across the Gera river. The city’s location within the wide valley of this lovely river, allows for stunning riverside scenery and provides an ideal scenic environment for a relaxing picnic or an array of outdoor activities. Erfurt offers oodles of medieval charm combined with a lust for life that results in a rewarding destination that will excite even the most jaded of travellers.