Top 5 German course destinations this summer

1. Constance

The town of Konstanz as it’s known in German is situated at the western end of Lake Constance, near to the Swiss border. It’s a lively university town and has a large old town full of cobbled streets, attractive old buildings and buzzing cafés. Although the university students are no longer there in the summer, its location on the lake and close to beautiful hills and meadows makes it a great option for a summer language course. There are a huge range of activities to do in your free time, and summer festivals like the Seenachtfest to enjoy too. The Seenachtfest always takes place on the second Saturday in August and has been in existence for hundreds of years. Today, the firework display is one of the largest in Europe and attracts thousands of visitors who come to watch, and to enjoy the activities, musical performances and market stalls that precede it.

More about German courses in Constance

2. Lindau

The Bavarian town of Lindau is located on an island in the eastern part of Lake Constance. It’s a really beautiful and historic town whose idyllic setting surrounded by lakes, vineyards, forests and hills makes it a fantastic summer German course destination. Outside of lessons students can cycle, swim, canoe, sail, dive or, just enjoy a spot of sunbathing at the lakeside. Equally, there are a range of cultural and historic sites to explore, including the town’s medieval old town and the range of beautiful buildings that are housed within it. In the evenings, the lakeside cafes and restaurants are a perfect place to take in the surroundings and practise your German.

More about German courses in Lindau

3. Zürich

Zürich is located on a picturesque river and lake whose water is so clean you can drink it! It’s an affluent, fashionable city that has a really laid-back atmosphere – quite the opposite in fact to the dull, sterile image that used to be applied to it. In fact, since the late 1990s hundreds of new bars, restaurants and clubs have opened in the city, and Zürich’s Street Parade has now taken the title of ‘Europe’s largest annual street party’ from London’s Notting Hill carnival. Taking a German course in Zürich during the summer will mean that you can make the most of the lakeside setting, whether you want to swim or just soak up some rays. You can also enjoy the thriving café culture and experience the many events and festivals that take place in the city during June, July and August.

More about German courses in Zürich

4. Regensburg

Situated in the north of Bavaria, close to the Czech border, Regensburg is a beautiful old city whose Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its modest size makes the city really easy to get around and explore, but the large university in the town means that there’s a really lively atmosphere and plenty going on. There are lots of squares with cafes and beer gardens that offer an ideal way to spend warm summer evenings, and the hills, meadows and lakes of the surrounding Bavarian countryside are fantastic to explore at this time of year.  Regensburg also hosts a number of festivals during the summer, including the Bavarian Jazz festival every July.

More about German courses in Regensburg

5. Hamburg

Germany’s second city is a fantastic choice for anyone hoping to take a German course during the summer. Hamburg has scores of tourist attractions to enjoy at any time of the year, but winters can be very cold, and its location on the coast can certainly be best enjoyed when the weather is warmer. Hamburg is home to over a thousand parks and gardens, which are perfect for sunbathing and picnicking, and the city’s harbour area (in particular the old warehouse district) boasts hundreds of cafes and restaurants where you can sit out and enjoy the sun. Hamburg is also the gateway to the beach and spa resorts of the Baltic coast, where you can spend days or afternoons away from the city if you wish. If you happen to get any rainy days, there are scores of museums dedicated to art, history and even spices that will give you an interesting insight into this influencial city in times gone by…

More about German courses in Hamburg

Cactus offers a variety of German course destinations throughout Germany, Switzerland and Austra. Please visit the Cactus Language webiste for full course listings and to book.