There is scarcely any other city than can offer such diverse and attractive leisure amenities as Hannover, the capital of the State of Lower Saxony. You can stroll through thr Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen or enjoy the unbridled greenery of the Eilenriede city forest; while the Maschsee Lake has a Mediterranean feeling that visitors revel in. The meadowlands along the River Leine entice ramblers and cyclists to explore their wide expanses. And all these things are to be found right in the heart of the city. Hannover's lively city centre attracts shoppers with its extensive pedestrian zone, the Ernst-August-Galerie and a series of elegant arcades and shopping malls. In the Old Town quarter you can stroll through narrow medieval streets and relax on the banks of the River Leine or in one of the countless cafés. Lovers of the arts from all over the world are drawn by Hannover's theatres and concerts, the outstanding offerings of its art galleries and its numerous museums and noted buildings. As a city of trade fairs, events and sport, Hannover is a place of international encounter. Among the annual events that attract visitors in their thousands are the Maschsee Lake Festival and the biggest Marksmen's Funfair in the world.