Germany's Top Five

Get merry in Frankfurt or Hamburg -- Germany's largest fun fair, Munich's Oktoberfest, might still be months away, but folks in Frankfurt and Hamburg are already enjoying themselves on merry-go-rounds and roller coasters followed by some bratwursts and drinks. At Frankfurt's Spring Dippe Fair, you should try some apple wine, a regional specialty. Fish sandwiches are probably better at Hamburg's Dom, however. Check out both events before they close on April 17.

Get earplugs in Berlin -- If you're into extreme sports and motorbikes, Berlin's Max Schmeling Halle is the place to go on Saturday and Sunday, where the IFMXF Night of the Jumps will take place. Some of the best riders from the International Freestyle Motocross Federation will compete for world cup points, get catapulted into the air and do all sorts of other scary things. It's probably going to get noisy and a little smelly, but if you're into it, go ahead.

Get dance in Weimar -- Acrobats of a different nature will meet in Weimar for a week starting on Friday for the International Dance Theater Days organized by the eastern German city's National Theater. As the festival coincides with the 60th anniversary of the liberation of nearby Buchenwald concentration camp, several dance companies from Israel have been invited. Germany's renowned Sasha Waltz Company is also participating with Impromtus (photo).

Get art in Munich -- One of Munich's most charming museums, the Villa Stuck recently reopened after a complete renovation. Once the home of Munich artist Franz von Stuck, it includes local art from the Jugendstil period. The building itself is also impressive and visitors can now peek into the restored rooms once occupied by von Stuck, who died in 1928. The museum's open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Get music in Heidelberg -- In case you're visiting Heidelberg this month, check out the city's spring music festival, which runs until April 29. It's been called "one of Germany's most exciting and most innovating music festivals" and includes performances of classical music spanning from Mozart to modern composers. Local musicians and international stars such as violinist Joshua Bell and pianist Ivo Pogorelich will appear. And needless to say, the city's backdrop is unbeatable.