Milestone moments: Germany is about to step into the spotlight

Here's where to go to be part of all the action.

To say Germany is having a moment in 2024 would be an understatement. The country is celebrating a number of milestones this year, starting with the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, with a number of special events planned in the months ahead. The nation is also celebrating the 250th birth anniversary of one of its most famous artists, Caspar David Friedrich, with exhibitions featuring the romantic landscape painter's works at Germany's top art institutions.

Just don't forget to drop in at the new Plattenbau-Museumswohnung during your trip. A three-bedroom flat dating back to 1986, it offers insights into what life would have been like in the German Democratic Republic era. Visit germany.travel for more details.

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Meanwhile, if you want to weave through magnificent Portuguese cities as part of a river cruise, you can't look past Avalon Waterways' Avalon Alegria, which recently set sail on its maiden voyage from Lisbon to Porto. Build specifically for the Douro River, the 80-metre, 102-passenger vessel will specialise in seven-night voyages between the two cities. avalonwaterways.com.au