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Hegau Map

Located near the picturesque Lake Constance a.k.a. Bodensee, Hegau is strategically located between the Rhine valleys, the nearby Alps, the mystic Black Forest, and the posh Swabian Alb. The volcanic topography of the region has given rise to isolated domes which overlook the surrounding valleys. These form ideal locations on which many of the castles were built.

Needless to say that the views from the castles are magnificent! It’s especially beautiful when the season is turning and the landscape is a myriad of colorful hues. The sculpted gardens are almost as famous as the castles. If you want a short break from culture and architecture, take a leisurely stroll in between tours and simply enjoy the scenery.

There are many museums which showcase Hegau’s history and culture. Almost every town has its own museum and historical sites. Local traditions are still observed and the summer holds a variety of festivities. You can dress up and join in the singing and dancing. Young and old alike celebrate the festivities. Locally brewed beer and wine is enjoyed and revelries last until late.

An interesting excursion is a leisure boat cruise along the Rhine. You can enjoy either a single or multi-day cruise option. Here you can see many of the ancient castles that tower on the hilltops. Of particular interest is the old stone loch. Built centuries ago it is a credit to ancient engineering.

With one of the highest concentrations of castles in Germany, you would do well to have a map or guide book handy. Having said this, it is really easy to explore the area independently.

There are several theme touring routes which take you visit the castles, museums and other places of interest. An advantage of touring like this is that you can choose your route according to what interests you and explore at your own pace. Stopping to enjoy the views, or taking in some culture as you cycle along.

One site worth including in your tour plan is the ruin of the Hohentwiel fortress. It is the largest remaining fortress relics in Germany. Quite impressively, it is located on top of a mountain together with Hegau’s highest vineyard. Other sites that are recommended are the castle ruins at Hohenhewen and Hinterburg.

In summer time, the ruins, valleys and hilltops are interspersed with a colorful array of wild flowers. In Hegau there are many walking and hiking trails. Most combine a bit of culture by visiting historical sites and towns with beautiful rural scenery. If you are a horse enthusiast then you can enjoy a variety of trails that follow the castle routes.

There are several open air swimming pools in Hegau which provide refreshing entertainment in the summertime. On cooler days or in winter you can head to the indoor pools in Tengen.

In winter time the region is transformed as the valleys and hills get blanketed in powdery white snow. If you enjoy cross country skiing you can have a great amount of fun here. With a moderate elevation there are kilometers of cross country routes that can be explored in season.

Whatever time of year you choose to visit, you can appreciate the area’s natural beauty and you will be sure to take many stunning photographs. The legendary culture of Hegau is both interesting and captivating and the beautiful landscapes make it that much more enjoyable.

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Hohenloher Ebene Map

The Hohenloher Ebene, a more or less flat region in the northeast of Baden-Württemberg, is something out of a fairy tale. The baroque style castles have been beautifully maintained and the history of the area is both fascinating and detailed.

There are more than a hundred castles in the area and as with most dynasties there were power struggles, conquests and victories. Anyone who has an interest in European history will find the area immensely interesting. Because the history is complex you’d do well to have your guide book handy to reference the details when exploring the different sights.

Neuenstein Castle is the jewel of the Hohenloher Ebene. Once a moated castle it is one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture. It is also the residence of the Hohenlohe-Oehringen family but as a museum it is open to the public. If you are a history enthusiast you may enjoy visiting the Hohenlohe family archives which are stored at Neuenstein.

Aside from the beautifully terraced gardens a special feature of Neuenstein Castle is that it has a large, authentic and well preserved middle age kitchen. It is rare to be able to see an example of this and is definitely well worth visiting.

The nearby Langenberg castle has an attraction of a slightly different nature — a car museum which has some fascinating artifacts. Here you can spend some time viewing an excellent collection of vintage cars.

If you enjoy the legends of knights then you must visit the Götzenburg Castle in Jagsthausen. Here you can learn about Götz von Berlichingen and his colorful history.

It is no wonder that the royal dynasties chose the Hohenloher Ebene to build their castles. The picturesque landscape, dense forests, clear streams lend themselves to exploring and there are many touring options available. As an alternative to exploring in your vehicle you can choose one of several activities on offer in the area.

Bicycling and hiking are popular and you can enjoy either a structured guided tour or grab a map and guidebook and do some independent exploring. There is a 350 km long cycling network, but if you are not quite that energetic you can enjoy shorter day trips around the countryside.

There is much Roman influence in the architectural styles and old buildings. Of particular interest is an old Roman fort near Welzheim, which has been reconstructed into an open-air museum. In fact, almost every town has a fascinating museum and you can spend hours browsing through the history of the Hohenlohe.

If you would like to spend some time in the countryside, the forests and hills are great for exploring on foot or by bike. There are also several horse trails in the area and multiday tours can be arranged on request. A treat is to sail over the treetops in a hot air balloon in the early morning and watch as the mist lifts out of the valleys.

The Hohenloher Ebene also has a rich wine tradition and you can get to enjoy some superb wine tasting on your explorations. There is even a wine museum in Pfedelbach which showcases some traditional wine making methods. The region produces some of the best of Germany’s wines.

However you choose to explore the area you can’t help but be swept up in the romance of knights and their magnificent castles. With the rich cultural heritage, I wouldn’t be surprised if you dream of your own fairytale as you return home. :-)

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