Over 50 percent of the town of Sankt Ingbert (also written St. Ingbert) is covered in lush forest. If you are looking for a little outdoor adventure, grab a mountain bike and head out on one of the many trails that meander through the woods. The paths also serve for when you’re looking for some more leisurely activity in the form of walking and taking in the beautiful surroundings.

St. Ingbert also houses a beautiful year round stainless steel pool called Das Blau which translates to “The Blue.” Adults pay up to 7 EUR to enter and can then enjoy frolicking about in the sparkling blue water. Whether swimming laps or playing Marco Polo, Das Blau provides you with some wonderful aquatic relaxation.

The town is actually a part of the biosphere reservation Bliesgau. Learn how the biosphere seeks to develop exemplary environmental regions and what unique qualities the area possesses. This biosphere is the very first industrially shaped model region in the world, making Sankt Ingbert quite the environmentally ground breaking little town.

After a heavy dose of nature you can head into town for some wonderful shopping in the city center or perhaps a trip to one of the town’s several museums. The art found in these reveal the urban industrial culture that lies at the root of St. Ingbert.

The downtown area also has plenty of options to satisfy desires for music, literature, or theater that may overcome you.

If you’re a Jazz fan you should make a note to stop into town during the months of February and March in order to catch the International Jazz Festival. The event has been an annual occurrence since 1986 and is an experience that should not be missed. The festival spans an entire week and is filled with talented jazz musicians hailing from both Germany and abroad.

Relax and take in the beauty and tranquility of Voerde as you stroll along the banks of the Rhine River. 15 kilometers of gorgeous landscape follows along the edge of the river, giving you a true look into the German countryside. To really get lost in that natural feeling, you can head over and wander through the Mommbachniederung nature preserve.

While it is a developing city, Voerde’s rural roots remain strong, allowing you to experience both the outdoors and a little bit of city life.

If you’re interested in getting the old blood flowing you can go for a run or a hike in the Wohnungswald forest or through the stunning park that graces the land surrounding the historic Haus Voerde mansion, complete with moat.

If water sports are more to your liking you can take out a trusty rowboat or canoe and paddle around, or cast a fishing line into the Rhine River, the Lippe, or the canal.

After exploring the nature sites you can wander about the town center and the multitude of newly established shops that line the streets. Or take in the new business buildings and municipal park that are all new additions to the growing city.

To satisfy any curiosities about the local history head over to the Krickerhauer Heimatstube and let your mind swell with knowledge. Take a look at the church at Götterswickerhamm in order to catch a glimpse of some truly beautiful architecture.

If you are looking to engage in some cultural activities try and make it to Voerde between May 29 and June 2 for the annual Whitsun Equestrian tournament. And for winter vacations there’s always a Christmas market where you can peruse the goods in search of some uniquely German items — while enjoying a glass of Glühwein, or two, or three. :-)

If you are looking for a break from the noise and chaos of city living, Ahaus can be your haven, offering the chance to take life a little slower and really soak it all in. The natural beauty surrounding the town as well as its historic qualities make it an admirable setting for a tranquil getaway in the countryside.

The 1,000 year old town is enclosed within four large walls, yet in the middle of this historic frame you can find a redesigned city center with plenty of shops to satisfy the needs of any urban shopper.

To get a real taste of its historical element check out the baroque castle featured in downtown. This moated centerpiece once served as home to the prince-bishops of Münster and holds a significant place in the town’s history.

The cultural offerings are abundant here. You can bound about the countryside and admire historic villas as well as see actual windmills and watermills that have been very well preserved.

Wandering through town you can stop by the local heritage centers or museums for a dose of art. If you are struck by the desire for live performance be sure to catch one of the many plays and concerts that can be found in the town’s theaters.

The preserved natural land that surrounds the town lends a palpable ease calm to the atmosphere. The collection of cycling and walking paths allow you to get out there and have some good bonding in with Mother Nature. Give in to your inner naturalist and explore the wetlands, heathland, and peat moors that grace the countryside.

Slow down to the pace of life in Ahaus and just take in the natural and historical beauty that surrounds this charming German town.

Apolda is a magnificent German town located in the Thuringia state.

If you are a canine-lover, you’ll be plenty entertained during your visit to what was the wealthiest town in the region at the end of the 19th century.

The Doberman Pinscher dog breed originated in Apolda and the town has built a monument dedicated to this renowned breed of canines.

Make your first stop at the market square where you’ll first visit the beautiful Town Hall. This structure will definitely be worth the visit due to its Renaissance style and design.

Next, stroll over to the Apolda Castle which was built in the 16th and 17th century. The architecture and interiors of the castle are absolutely stunning!

After the castle, it’ll definitely be worth your time to visit the Railway viaduct which was built in approximately 1845.

You won’t want to miss the Zimmermann factory building which was built in approximately 1880. Christian Zimmermann who lived from 1759 to 1842 put Apolda on the map for the hosiery and cloth industries by creating the hosiery and cloth manufacturer.

Seeing as Apolda is widely-recognized for its beautiful bells, you can’t afford to miss the bell museum. It’s important to note that the largest free-hanging bell in the world, the Decke Pitter of Cologne Cathedral, was constructed right here in Apolda! :-)

A church you’ll want to make sure to see is St. Martin’s Church, built in 1119. The church has gorgeous interiors and architecture with fantastic details in Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque style.

If you’re interested in learning more about Germany’s history, make a visit to the Museum of East German History where you’ll be able to gain in-depth insight into this part of German history.

Don’t forget to pick up some knitwear as a souvenir. Apolda is known for it’s beautiful knitwear and you’ll want something to show your friends at home from your trip to this quaint German town. Maybe even pick up one or two knitwear pieces for your family or friends, too!

As your day comes to a close, take a stroll along one of the promenades in the market square. Apolda has many beautiful promenades which will make you feel as though you are walking through this beautiful German town centuries ago!

Enjoy! :-)

Ansbach is an ancient town formed around the building of a Benedictine monastery by Franconian noble, Gumbertus. This Franconian noble was later canonized. In 1221, Ansbach officially became a town and people have visited the town and its beautiful village ever since.

Your first stop should be the beautiful Castle of the Margraves of Brandenburg-Ansbach. The castle was rebuilt in the 17th century and boasts gorgeous Baroque architecture and interiors that you don’t want to miss.

The Margrave museum provides visitors with a rich insight into the town and its formation surrounding the 8th-century Benedictine abbey.

You also don’t want to miss the beautiful churches of St. Gumbertus and St. Johannis which were both built in the 15th century. Both churches boast beautiful architecture as well as a place to relax your mind and feet for a few minutes.

Another church you’ll want to visit is the Gambertus Church, a gorgeous 3-towered Protestant church which hosts occasional concerts and recitals. Call to find out specific times for various concerts and recitals if you’re interested.

The beautiful Court Garden, also known as the Hofgarten, will quickly grab your attention with its gorgeous greenery. Relax for a few moments in nature and breathe in the fresh air.

The Kaspar Hauser Monument is definitely worth a mention. There is a tale that is widely debated about Kaspar Hauser who is known to be an abandoned child who lived in 19th century Germany. Hauser is believed to have ties to the royal House of Baden. For further information on Kaspar Hauser, google the name, and you’ll be able to find plenty of information on this debatable and interesting tale.

As your day comes to a close in this gorgeous Ansbach, take a stroll through Wolframs-Eschenbach. Wolframs-Eschenbach is a small town which was founded in the middle ages. The town has fortunately very well maintained its 500-year old structures and architecture. It was named for the Minnesinger Wolfram von Eschenbach who was a medieval poet.

You’re certain to enjoy your visit to Ansbach, an ancient and beautiful German town in the stunning and unique state of Bavaria.

If you are someone who likes to get your bearings when you arrive in a new place, I suggest a sightseeing drive around Schwedt (Oder) which you can arrange for at the tourism office. You can also arrange for a coach and carriage tour around the town or just enjoy a stroll through the old town.

This is where you’ll encounter the Catherine Church which was originally constructed with field stones in the 13th century, and where the town is currently reconstructing itself around historic models.

If you get a chance, I suggest a stop at the Galerie am Kietz where local artists display their work. There is also a public museum, and The Tobacco Museum where you can get a peek at Schwedt’s history.

Theater lovers will delight in the variety of opportunities to take in a play in what is fast becoming known as one of Germany’s most popular theater towns. Year round there are a wide range of performances on the bill at the Schwedt Uckermark Stages. There are ballets, concerts, musicals, dramas, and more.

There are also top-notch performances staged at the Schwedt Music and Arts School which nurtures young talent and even houses the Stolperdraht (Trip Wire) theater for children and youth.

You are also sure to love all the opportunities for recreation that the town provides. Whatever sport you’re into they have a venue for it. Watch some motocross at the Motorsportsclub, go bowling, or swimming. You can even rent a canoe or rowboat and spend an afternoon paddling around the Hohensaaten-Friedrichsthaler-Wasserstraße Canal.

If you’d simply rather bask in the region’s unique beauty take a walk or bicycle ride through the Unteres Odertal National Park.

Gronau (Westphalia) is located on the border between Germany and the Netherlands in the region of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is only about 10 km from the Dutch city of Enschede. The area surrounding the town is rural and mostly flat, which makes it an ideal place for a bicycle tour, horseback ride or hike.

Udo Lindenberg, one of Germany’s most famous rock musicians, was born in Gronau. He used his music as a way to protest the totalitarian society of the German Democratic Republic until the country was reunified in 1990. His fame may be the reason that the Rock’n’Pop Museum/Hall of Fame is located there.

It has been open since 2004 and is an impressive structure dedicated to preserving the sights and sounds of modern music. There are 47 sound system monitors in the building and 200 loudspeakers, which give you a feeling of attending a live concert. More than 10 million euros have been invested in the project so far, and it is becoming a sight to see.

If you are a fan of popular music, be sure you attend, and be prepared to be transported back to the time of the British Invasion, Heavy Metal groups, or Techno music. Gronau also hosts a Jazz Fest every summer, which attracts musicians from a very different genre for many live performances.

The area around Gronau is well known for its bicycle routes. There are races held for cyclists of all ages and skill levels each fall when the weather is at its temperate best. The town and the countryside offer a wide variety of restaurants and taverns that provide a relaxing atmosphere and good food and drink. The area is famous for its rye bread as well as hams, roasts, beer, and schnapps.

In other words, it is the perfect place to withdraw from the hustle and bustle of the world and unwind. :-)

Böblingen, located in South Germany, has been a municipality since 1253. This beautiful town is only about 20 minutes from Stuttgart and is also easily reached via two Federal Freeways (Autobahns). Regional railroads serve the town nearly every hour, as well, so your visit can be relaxed and enjoyable.

Packed with history, in the 1500’s it was the site of one of the most deadly battles of the Peasant’s War. This conflict between the upper and lower classes was the largest uprising of its kind until the French Revolution occurred in the late 1700’s.

If you visit the town today, be sure to take in the German Peasant’s War Museum. There you will see weapons, tools, implements, and clothing from the 15th and 16th centuries. You can also find pamphlets and other information concerning the Protestant Reformation from the same period.

There are several other museums in the town that are worth visiting as well, including the Folk Museum of North Bohemia and the Municipal Gallery.

You will certainly want to schedule a visit to the Mineral Spas when you go to Böblingen. The Mineraltherme features a variety of pools, saunas, massages, and other spa treatments that will relax and refresh you. Those suffering from degenerative or inflammatory conditions will find relief in the healing waters, and everyone will enjoy the experience of being at a top-notch resort.

The spa offers midnight swims on certain days of the week, a first-class restaurant, and many other amenities. :-)

There are special events, which occur on the town square and on the shores of the two local lakes throughout the calendar year. You can enjoy a Town Fair in July, a Wine Festival during September and a special Christmas Market near the year’s end. Concerts, flea markets and many live shows are held from June through September during “Summer at the Lake.”

You may also see international rock and pop music stars performing at the Town Hall or Congress Centrum.

Cycling is popular all over Germany, but the sport takes on a whole new twist when you visit Bünde. The town offers several different bicycle routes that allow families and singles to solve mysteries or complete a scavenger hunt while they ride.

One such tour, especially devoted to families with children, has twelve stops along a route where twelve questions are hidden. As the family rides from place to place, they must decipher the clues to find the answer to a mystery. Successful groups can claim a prize at the mayor’s office.

A similar ride for adults features crossword puzzles, which must be solved at each station along the route.

These are just a few of the outdoor activities you may enjoy if you visit this town in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Bünde is a very old town that was first mentioned in historical documents about 853. The Laurentius Church was even established between 778 and 840. It boasts one of the oldest church foundations in the entire region.

The fossils, which are found in abundance in the area, are even older. Skeletons and bones of many sea animals have been found here that have been dated at 30 million years old. Friedrich Langewiesche was the scientist who made many of these early discoveries in 1911 and 1912. He became an honorary citizen of Bünde, and you should plan to see the skull of a toothed whale and remains of a manatee that he found if you visit.

These and many other discoveries are housed in the Doberg Museum. The German government has turned the whole area where the fossils were found into a protected Nature Preserve. In addition to ancient relics, wildlife, forests, and meadows are kept safe from modern society.

Any cigar aficionado will want to visit Bünde. It is called the Cigar Box of Germany and lies at the center of the nation’s tobacco industry. In addition to cigars; pipes, tobacco jars, and boxes are produced there. A tobacco museum showcases the history of cigar production.

Singen is found in southern Germany very close to the border with Switzerland as well as Lake Constance. It lies within an interesting geological area known as the Hegau. This is a landscape covered with the remnants of ancient volcanoes.

One of the largest of these hills is called The Hohentwiel and is the site of a large set of castle ruins. The fortress was built from the stone taken from the hill itself, beginning in about 914. The castle was held by various rulers and states throughout history and was strong enough to withstand five sieges during the Hundred Years War.

If you visit there today, you will not only be able to tour the remains of this ancient fort, but enjoy a panoramic view of Singen and the surrounding areas, as well. The Hohentwiel is home to a festival every summer that attracts world-class musicians like James Brown and Joe Cocker.

You should be sure to visit the Hegau Museum in Singen. It showcases a comprehensive history of the area since the Ice Age and has an impressive display of fossils and other artifacts. It also contains a large butterfly collection and a mineral exhibit.

The Municipal Art Museum allows local artists to display their work and the new Town Hall is a source of pride for the residents. It is situated to have a beautiful view of the Hohentwiel and is the site for dramatic productions, children’s theater shows, and musical concerts of all styles and types.

In September, Singen hosts a bicycle marathon, which attracts professional riders from a wide area. Amateur riders are also welcome to participate in the event, and there are three different lengths of races to accommodate all skill levels. Cyclists can choose from courses that are 30, 53, or 106 kilometers long and they all wind through the beautiful Hegau area. In conjunction with the marathon, you can enjoy a Short Race, Kid’s Race, good food, and a variety of musical acts.

If cycling is not your cup of tea, you might like to participate in golf, dancing, mini-golf, horseback riding, tennis, or running while you are in the area. Youngsters in your group will be sure to enjoy the large water slide that spans 86 meters down the Hohentwiel. :-)