Hanover, on the banks of the River Leine, is a great city break destination or base from which to explore the medieval charms of the Lower Saxony region

TOUCHDOWN
In Hanover, nothing is on a small scale. The exhibition centre in Mittelfeld district is the largest in the world, attracting 2.5 million visitors to trade and cultural events every year. The second largest Oktoberfest beer festival (after Munich’s) draws another one million visitors annually to the city famed for its outdoor eating and drinking culture.

SLEEP
In a prime location opposite the exhibition centre you’ll find the comfortable, if standard, Best Western Premier Parkhotel Kronsberg [1 Gut Kronsberg, +49 (0)511 87 400; www.kronsberg.bestwestern.de]. There’s a more contemporary edge to the 3-star Luhmanns Hotel am Rathaus [21 Friedrichswall, +49 (0)511 326 268] in the city centre, which is stylish without straying into over-designed territory. For a stunning view, the Marriott Courtyard [3 Arthur Menge Ufer, +49 (0)511 366 000; www.marriott.de] overlooks the beautiful Lake Maschsee, and you can enjoy a cocktail on the outdoor terrace.

EAT
If you like German cars, Benz Restaurant & Bar is for you [3 Mercedesstr, Langenhagen, +49 (0)511 978 1666; www.restaurant-benz.de]. On the first floor above the Mercedes showroom, the restaurant serves a mix of Mediterranean fusion and seasonal local delicacies: try the Labskaus (corned beef, potatoes, herring, onion and beetroot) for a taste of northern Germany. At the legendary pancake house Pfannkuchen Haus [27 Calenberger Strasse, +49 (0)511 17 113] you can try over 40 types of pancakes in a rustic setting.

THE MUSEUMS
The Sprengel Museum debuts 25 new exhibitions during the year and has an exciting permanent collection in which German expressionism and French modern art are well represented. It’s open daily except Mondays from 10am- 6pm, [Kurt Schwitters Platz, +49 (0)511 1684 3875; www.sprengel-museum.de]. If the weather’s fine, saunter down the Sculpture Mile from Königsworther Platz to Friederikenplatz

SHOP
The Kroepke is Hanover’s pedestrianised shopping district, while the Niki de Saint Phalle Promenade, a shopping arcade that’s been regenerated in recent years, houses enough clothing and accessories stores to rival a mall but in a more appealing setting. For more unique gifts and antiques, visit the flea market on the banks of the River Leine just next to the old town, held every Saturday morning.

NIGHTLIFE
This is Germany, so a visit to a beer garden is a must. The huge Waterloo Biergarten serves beer and sausages until midnight every day [1 Waterloo Strasse, +49 (0)511 15 643]. The most popular club is the Osho Diskothek, housed in a circular glass building and locally known as ‘Baggi’ [7L Raschplatz, +49 (0)511 342 217; open Wednesday to Saturday, 10pm-3am].

COMING UP
Hanover’s Royal Gardens (Herrenhäuser Garten) play host to the International Fireworks Competition and it’s the turn of the Philippines on 30 August (further displays are planned for 13 and 27 September). These events also encompass classical music and food and drink. Tickets are available at the venue or the tourist office from €18 (www.hannover.de/feuerwerk).