Skopje is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Macedonia. It is the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic center. Skopje is located on the upper course of the Vardar River, and is located on a major north-south Balkan route between Belgrade and Athens. It was known in the Roman period under the name Scupi.

The territory of Skopje has been inhabited since at least 4000 BC; remains of Neolithic settlements have been found within the old Kale Fortress that overlooks the modern city centre. On the eve of the 1st century AD, the settlement was seized by the Romans and became a military camp. When the Roman Empire was divided into eastern and western halves in 395 AD, Scupi came under Byzantine rule from Constantinople.

Being the capital of the Republic of Macedonia, Skopje is home to the largest cultural institutions of the country, such as the National and University Library "St. Kliment of Ohrid", the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, the National Theatre, the National Philarmonic Orchestra and the Macedonian Opera and Ballet. Among the local institutions are the Brothers Miladinov Library which has more than a million documents, the Cultural Information Centre which manages festivals, exhibitions and concerts, and the House of Culture Kočo Racin which is dedicated to contemporary art and young talents.

The Skopje Jazz Festival has been held annually in October since 1981. It is part of the European Jazz Network and the European Forum of World Wide Festivals. The artists' profiles include fusion, acid jazz, Latin jazz, smooth jazz, and avant-garde jazz. Ray Charles, Tito Puente, Gotan Project, Al Di Meola, Youssou N'Dour, among others, have performed at the festival. Another music festival in Skopje is the Blues and Soul Festival. It is a relatively new event in the Macedonian cultural scene that occurs every summer in early July. Past guests include Larry Coryell, Mick Taylor & the All-Stars Blues Band, Candy Dulfer & Funky Stuff, João Bosco, The Temptations, Tolo Marton Trio, Blues Wire, and Phil Guy.

The provincial capital Hanover of Lower Saxony is located on the River Leine and has a population of over 500,000. As an exibition center, Hanover has won national and international fame, as well-known trade fairs such as the Cebit Technology Fair take place here. It is also referred to as a "green city" because it is surrounded by green areas and thus offers ample opportunities for recreation in the town center Eilenriede.

Hanover is compact but not cramped; the shopping is elegant without showing off, and the dining excellent without being in any way stiff. Hanover has character, especially when you get to know it a little. There’s no doubt that everyone will soon find their favourite spot in the city, which might be one of the following:

The Hanover Congress Center: The Hanover Congress Center is one of the most interesting buildings in the Lower Saxony capital. It can be seen immediately due to its distinctive "Kuppeldach" and consists of the Kuppelsaal, Beethoven Hall and other rooms. The HCC is located at the Hanover Stadtpark and is the location for numerous major events.

The Leibnizhaus: The Leibnizhaus is a Renaissance citizen's house built in 1499 and it got its name by the philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. After its destruction in the Second World War, the building was finally rebuilt in the early 1980s. Today it is a guest house and is used for events.

The Lister Tower: The Lister Tower was built in the late 14th century and served as a waiting tower during its time. Today, the Freizeitheim is located there, together with a beer garden which lurks you in.

Gehry Tower: The Gehry Tower was built by the architect Frank O. Gehry and has an architectural peculiarity due to its slight twist. It is used as an office building after its opening in mid-2001 after one year of construction.

Telemax: The Telemax is a Radio Tower and with its height of 282 meters is also the highest tower of its kind in the state of Lower Saxony. From a viewing platform at an altitude of 185 meters, you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view over Hanover.

Sculpture mile: The sculpture mile was built in the year 2000 and extends between the Lower Saxon Parliament and Herrenhäuser Garden. Here are eight extraordinary sculptures to admire.

Zoo Hannover: The Hanover Zoo is one of the most spectacular and best zoos in Europe. The zoo received the Park Scout Award for the fourth year running in 2009/10, placing it among the best zoos in Germany. The zoo consists of several theme areas: Sambesi, Meyers Farm, Gorilla-Mountain, Jungle-Palace, and Mullewapp. Some smaller areas are Australia, the wooded area for wolves, and the so-called swimming area with many seabirds.

The Herrenhausen Gardens: The Herrehausen Gardens are a large garden area consisting of the Welfengarten, the Großer Garten, the Berggarten and the Georgengarten. As a recreation area, it serves both the residents as well as tourists and guests in search for relaxation.

With its wide range of museums, Hanover is as popular with culture-lovers as it is with night owls, who like to party hard in the popular Linden district or around the Steintor. It’s a multi-faceted town that is much more exciting than its reputation would indicate.