Hamburg - Buds are sprouting, birds are twittering and the convertibles and sunglasses are coming out.

Milan - Natural and organic materials are current trends in furniture design, but in the coming months synthetic materials that were popular in the 1980s are to make a comeback.

Stuttgart - Outdoor enthusiasts should always have a meal before sleeping in the great outdoors, according to the Stuttgart- based magazine Outdoors.

Milan - The environment and climate change have become current and definitive topics in the design of home furnishings.

Bielefeld, Germany - Sauna enthusiasts are advised to use only naturally scented concentrates when pouring water on hot rocks, according to Germany's Sauna Association in Bielefeld.

Munich - Making a mistake while indoor climbing can be a painful experience bu