Situated on the River Main, Lichtenfels is the capital of the district of the same name, and a small town that still practices many old craft skills. Meaning, it’s an ideal place to visit for those who wish to get somewhat of a feel for traditional rural life in Germany.

You can even attend the local college and learn about basket making — the only place in the country where this skill is still taught. Speaking of which…

In keeping with the rustic traditions of the town, the most important time in the town’s year is at the end of September, when basket makers from around the world flock to Lichtenfels to sell their wares, and exchange basket-related knowledge. This is also a great time to visit, and you can watch the basket makers at work and pick up a few tips, or have a go at learning a new skill if it’s something you’ve never tried before.

Much of the action both during the festivals and during everyday life is centered around the picturesque town square and its most important building, the Lichtenfels Town Hall (Rathaus). The surrounding cafes are a great place to sit with a coffee and watch the world go buy.

Also held in this area on a regular basis is the local market, where you can pick up some fresh produce and enjoy the local cuisine, and enjoy bartering the traditional rural way.

After gorging yourself on sausage and sauerkraut you may feel the need for a spot of exercise to burn it off. The surrounding Oberes Maintal region (Upper Main Valley) offers walking, water sports, cycling and hiking opportunities.

There are also a number of relaxation and thermal salt water spa facilities at nearby Bad Staffelstein, for when it all becomes too much like hard work, and you need a massage to recover. ;-)

Huge spending from the Brussels-based URBAN town development program has seen Luckenwalde transformed almost overnight from a small town lacking in perspective, into a model of development and modern architecture. This, therefore, makes now the ideal time to visit, with lots of investment having brought the facilities and attractions up to a high standard.

The town was previously known for its traditional industries of cotton printing, dyeing, brewing, and making bronze and metal goods. You can visit a number of old buildings which bear witness to this.

Although most are not functioning in their original capacities any longer, the buildings themselves are generally well-preserved.

The cloth and wool factories of Luckenwalde were once some of the most important and extensive in the whole of Germany, and you can pay a visit to an important building in this industry in the form of the Herrmann Hat Factory, which was built around 1921 by architect Erich Mendelsohn.

It quickly goes from the traditional to the surreal. At the other end of the scale, the newly-built public library is about as far removed from the word “traditional” as you can imagine. The main building is the former railway station, but it is the adjoining annex (which houses the children’s library) that really stands out; being gold in color, made of a copper-aluminum alloy, and built in a strange, almost indescribable, slanting structure, that makes the journey there worth it on its own.

Cycling is a good way to see the area, but if you fancy something different, why not get your skates on?! The Fläming Skate Track circles Luckenwalde, and leads through some beautiful scenery along its immaculate path, with villages, lakes, nature reserves and even beer gardens to be found along the way.

Don’t have too many beers though — or you might not find your way back! ;-)