The German Stork Route, or Deutsche Storchenstrasse, is quite a unique scenic route in Germany. I mean, what makes someone follow these majestic white birds (with black accents) along 450km through parts of (take a deep breath…) Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, and Lower Saxony centering around the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Elbe River Landscape? Yeah, that’s quite a few federal states and even more so an amazing natural landscape!

I know! Nature lovers, tree huggers (I use this term with the utmost respect), and ornithologists (bird watchers). But, seriously, there’s a lot more to be found on this route than just red-legged birds with large bills that eat insects, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals (that’s quite a varied menu).

The stork really is a regal animal and has been given the “job” of bringing babies to parents all over the world. Oh, you know I’m just kidding, but how many of us parents have told our little ones that a stork brought them? Could be why German painter Carl Spitzweg painted his 19th century Der Klappenstorch showing a white stork dropping a baby into the waiting skirts of three village women? I don’t know — color me romantic.

Like most birds, storks like to winter in warmer climates (people are no different — have you ever been to Florida in January & February?). They start to return from their African winter usually in March, staying until around September when the first chill hits the German air (ahhhh, my kind of weather — but, I digress).

Actually June is the best time to see the birds along the route — although, late July & early August is when you’ll catch many of the smaller baby storks leaving the nests for the first time.

Even if you want to see things other than just storks, the Stork Route meets up with the German Framework Road, the Elbe Cycle Route, the Lower Saxon Asparagus Route, and the ultra massive Lower Saxon Mills Route. So even if you’re sightseeing on another route you can still get a taste (and I don’t mean of this bird served over rice — ha ha) of the Deutsche Storchenstrasse.

And this is why I’m highlighting some of the best towns along the German Stork Route that meet up with other German scenic routes. This way you can see both magnificent birds and magnificent German towns.

Honestly though, there’s a list of over 100 villages, towns, and hamlets where you’ll find stork nests (just follow the stork scenic route signage). But, many of these nests often fall within private property — so please be respectful.

The Start Of The German Stork Route

Lauenburg (Elbe) is a great place to start. It’s a town with many half-timbered buildings dating back to the 17th century and its Maria Magdalenen Church is more than four centuries older. Follow Lauenburg’s narrow streets along ’til you find yourself at the remains of Lauenburg Castle for its Local History Museum.

The “port city” of Boizenburg is next, an eclectic town with medieval ramparts and tents & BBQs along the lake where everyone is welcome to swim (play a game of beach volleyball) — you get the point — from May to September. Needless to say, keep your eyes out for the storks. This forested area is the best breeding (eating, sleeping) grounds for these awesome birds.

Over in Amt Neuhaus, another town in the Elbe Valley, you’ll find plenty of meadows, pastures, grasslands, and canals. Grab your binoculars and start looking up for the storks. Closer to the ground you’ll find a local history museum, a lovely medieval Lady Chapel, and a half-timbered Lutheran Church that’ll knock your socks off.

Dömitz is next; and has a harbor and natural dunes. Its Old Town is filled with many framework houses (its Rathaus dates to 1820) and its Fortress Dömitz is now a museum.

The history surrounding the next town of Wittenberge is so unique, you might find yourself forgetting about those storks for a bit. There was once a subcamp of the Neuengamme Concentration Camp housed here, its castle is now a museum, its Stone Gate dates to 1300, its City Park (and the town itself) is filled with all sorts of sculptures, and everyone likes to eat Knieperkohl — a local dish made with cabbage, wine, and cherries.

Havelberg is where the German Stork Route meets up with the Strasse der Romanik (um, that would the Romanesque Route). This town has the Romanesque Havelberger, the 13th/14th century Church of St. Lawrence, a Salt Market, former synagogue, a horse market, a water park, and both hiking and biking trails (follow these to go searching for the storks).

Tangermünde is where the River Elbe meets the Altmark Region. As much as the storks like to summer here, it’s the castle (with a 14th century prison tower) that might catch your eye first (and also houses a museum). Plus, the Rathaus is almost 600 years old, believe it or not.

And on it goes to Stendal, a Roland town along the Altmark Cycle Path. There’s a Roland Festival in June, a Zoo, the St. Nicholas Cathedral, and a Fire Brigade Museum. If you’re interested in archaeology (not just bird watching) the Winckelmann Museum is dedicated to the “father” of modern archaeology.

You probably won’t be in Seehausen (Altmark) too long. Visit the town’s destroyed Jewish cemetery, the Tower Clock Museum, take pictures of the medieval fortification wall, and the Sts. Peter & Paul Church. After that, rush over to Arendsee.

Arendsee, another town on the Romanesque Route, has an Abbey Church from its medieval monastery built in 1184. But, it’s the Lake Arendsee that brings folks from all over to relax, splash, and play. Oh, and to see the storks — I almost forgot we are on the German Stork Route for a minute… ;-)

Back in Lower Saxony, it’s time to see Lüchow (Wendland). If you’ve traveled along the German Framework Road, you’ve already been here. If you’ve never been here you’ll find tons of timber framed houses, a tower from the original castle, and an indoor & outdoor pool. Take a dip in the outside pool — more chances to see the storks flying over your head.

Dannenberg (Elbe) is a puppet town — and I don’t mean a “puppet government” either! Every October is the Puppet Festival, it also has the original “donjon” from the Waldemar Tower, and if you follow along Fisherman’s Road — it leads to what was once the 18th century Jewish Quarter and Jewish cemetery. Sorry, the synagogue was destroyed during the 1930’s.

Meeting back up with the Fachwerkstrasse is Hitzacker (oh, and the Lower Saxon Asparagus Route). Hitzacker has more than framework buildings — it has an awesome outdoor museum with archaeological finds from the Bronze Age. The town also has prehistoric megalith tombs, and a game reserve.

In Dahlenburg, visit the Dahlenburger Museum and the desecrated Lawrence Church (destroyed during the Napoleonic Wars) has exhibits about this little talked about war.

Lüneburg, a town on the Stork Route AND one the Old Salt Route! Thankfully, Lüneburg survived much of the aerial bombings of WWII, so what you see today is how it’s been for centuries. Visit the German Salt Museum, the Grafitti Hall of Fame, and see where Johann Sebastian Bach went to school. What’s this got to do with storks? Nothing… but I’m sure Bach’s parents told him the stork brought him. ;-)

I’ve saved the best (and I mean the very best) of the German Stork Route for last. Well, not just the Stork Route — Bleckede is a town on the German Framework Road, Lower Saxon Asparagus Route, Lower Saxon Mills Route, the European Brick Gothic Route, and the European Hiking Route E6.

It’s also a town right in the middle of the Biosphere Reserve Lower Saxony Elbe Valley and the Elbhöhen-Wendland Nature Park. What’s this all mean? You’ve got everything you can possibly imagine all in one place… good food, windmills, gothic architecture, half-timbered houses — and more hiking and cycling paths that you ever do in a month of Sundays.

So, I hope you see that you don’t just have to be a nature lover (tree hugger) to enjoy the German Stork Route. There’s something for everyone of every age and fitness level. Of course you can enjoy this route anytime of year (the storks might not be here, though) by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, and car. Whatever mode of transport you choose to use — just remember to look up!

German Stork Route Web Site

Official Web Site of the German Stork Route.

If you didn’t speak German you might look at the name Deutsche Tonstrasse and wonder, what the heck is that? Well, my English speaking friends — it’s the German Ceramics Route.

Ceramics? For real? Like as in little figurines that you paint for a hobby?

Well, yes and no.

There’s more to the German Ceramics Route than meets the eye. This is more of a getting in touch with your inner brick kind of trail; and where you’ll certainly find little ceramic and pottery studios along the way, too.

Seriously though, the bricks made in the Ruppiner Land region in northern Brandenburg went on to build some of the most beautiful brick churches in the federal state; and which you’ll see when you travel along this 215km circular trail that starts in Velten.

Velten makes the perfect start to the Ceramics Route as it’s home to the Oven & Ceramics Museum (located in the Alte Mühle or Old Mill). The town has a long history of tile production and white enamel glaze was invented here.

After a visit to the museum and the Catholic Church St. Joseph get ready to see Hennigsdorf, where the Martin Luther Church was built from locally made brick. Isn’t this what the route is all about?

Next up is Stolpe, an old village with cafes, a golf course (not that this has anything to do with ceramics — it just makes for a good time), and a 14th century church.

Over in Hohen Neuendorf you’ll find wetlands, forests, and lots of ceramic studios and workshops. I’m pretty sure you’ll find the perfect gift for yourself here.

There are more ceramic studios in Glienicke, as well as forest paths to walk and a brick church to see. There’s also a weekly market on Wednesdays which is great for finding little gifts to bring home.

Looks like shopping is on the agenda for your next town of Mühlenbecker Land, particularly its Schildow district. Don’t spend all your time shopping, you got an antique train station and red brick church to see too.

And over in the Mühlenbeck district you got the Mühlenbecker Castle (built as a hunting lodge in the 1760’s) to see. Mühlenbeck is also a site of large clay deposits, which is needed in all this ceramic & brick production. I guess the stuff’s gotta come from somewhere — might as well be in town as pretty as Mühlenbeck.

A few kilometers away is Summt (still in Mühlenbecker Land though), where you can forget about bricks and clay for a little while. How? By riding, cycling, or walking around the moorlands, of course!

Another five kilometers and you’ve reached Zühlsdorf (you guessed it… still in Mühlenbecker Land), a village of tar works, a saw mill, and an agricultural museum. Sounds nice, right? Yeah, I thought so, too.

In Wensickendorf, which is a neighborhood of Oranienburg, go have a nice swim, a game of tennis, and a visit to its medieval stone church before you relax at one of the town’s beer gardens at the end of the day.

Shopping is on the “to do” list again in Schmachtenhagen (Oranienburg) at its Farmers Market. The rest of the day can be spent at the petting zoo, finishing off at the late 19th century brick church.

There’s also a 19th century church in Zehlendorf (Oranienburg). But, the town’s also known for its cycling and nature walking trails, too.

After all the walking & cycling it’ll be nice to sail along on a canal ride in Kreuzbruch (Liebenwalde), which’ll take you right past the town’s brick church.

Only a short distance (4km) is Liebenwalde with lots of watersports and framework houses (many from the 18th century). The Burg Liebenwalde is now a museum — don’t you just love German castles? Yeah, me too.

Krewelin (Zehdenick) is a town of little bridges and a timber framed church that was destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War. It was rebuilt and its alterwings date to the 15th century.

Zehdenick is another town famous for its clay deposits. It also has a Cistercian monastery ruin with a gallery in the old monastery’s barn.

Funny, its Mildenberg district has a large lake with clay deposits and its also a big brick producing town. But, I think you’ll remember it more for its 13th century rectangular stone church.

Ribbeck (part of Nauen) also has a 13th century church (the tower didn’t come along for 500 more years). In the town’s nature protected area you’ll find many rare plants, a place to fish, and many hiking trails.

What is it with 13th century churches? There’s another one in Zabelsdorf, too! Check out its gold chalice — it’s some of the most beautiful craftsmanship you can imagine.

Less than three kilometers is Marienthal where the Wentowsee has more clay deposits. The village also has little canal locks, a half-timbered church from the 1780’s, and a nature reserve area for walking and cycling.

You’re half-way done! Congrats! :-)

The German Ceramics Route certainly has lived up to its name, yes? You’ve seen so many brick churches and lakes with clay deposits. Not too many castles, though. Good thing there’s one in Tornow and another one in Blumenow (both of which belong to Fürstenberg (Havel)), although this one’s in ruins.

The Stone Age village of Bredereiche has a charming half-timbered Village Church decorated with St. Andrew Crosses. Himmelpfort has an old monastery with a museum and herb garden. And in Fürstenberg proper there are islands out in the lakes, a castle, a city park, a butter market, and a medieval yellow brick church (that does NOT lead to the Wizard of Oz in case you’re wondering).

You’d think that Neuglobsow in Stechlin would be on a Glass Route because it’s known for its glassworks, but no. Anyway, it’s nearby lake is one of the deepest in Germany (just in case you ever have to answer a trivia question).

You’re coming around to Menz now, where the oldest building in the village is a 13th century stone church. At Kirchstrasse 4 is Menz’s Forest Museum that’s open from April to October.

It’s back to the ceramics in Rheinsberg where you can take a ceramics factory or castle tour. Ah, just do both then visit some of Rheinsberg’s ceramics shops.

You might want to plan to be in Köpernitz over a weekend since that’s when the Baroque Köpernitzer Manor House is open to tourists. Or, unless there’s a concert or event going on. Weekday? Try a hike through the forest instead.

Heinrichsdorf is a brick village. It’s got a brick church, a brick schoolyard, and brick factories. I told ya it was all about the bricks here.

Dierberg (notice that, politically, you’re still in Rheinsberg) is a picture perfect medieval village, and the best time to see it is from May to October. Klosterheide’s a charming town, too.

Lindow (Mark) has a lot going on, so you might want to stay here for the night. It has a lovely 13th century convent, lakes, monastery ruins (that hold both literary and music events), an old watermill, and the whole town takes part in the Lindower Summer Concerts.

If you’re a sucker for a great lake view, Seebeck’s got it. It’s also got lots of clay deposits, too. Only two kilometers away is Vielitz, a village totally abandoned during the Thirty Years’ War. Now, it’s a modern village with tree lined streets and a picturesque Gothic church.

It’s too bad the three brickwork factories in Herzberg (Mark) are gone. But, it does have gorgeous medieval frescoes in its 13th century church santuary — which is also where you’ll find summer music concerts going on.

A quick trip to Rüthnick is all it takes to see its 19th century church and its plasterhouses.

Then it’s on to Kremmen and its Beetz district for fishing, its windmills, and village church. Stopping in the other neighborhood of Sommerfeld to see its Bavarian style cottages — not bad for a one-time Swedish village that was totally leveled a few centuries back.

Kremmen’s Marktplatz is where you’ll see a historic Rathaus (Town Hall) and a stone cross with the Hohenzollern coat of arms. The St. Nikolaus Church was built in 1200, when it was burned down in 1600 it was rebuilt with brick — earning the town its spot on the Deutsche Tonstrasse. OK, its two brick factories and clay pottery workshops helped, too.

You’re almost done with the German Ceramics Route… only a few kilometers to go!

You got a castle in Groß-Ziethen (Kremmen). This Burg has undergone an amazing transformation from its 13th century beginnings, to a Renaissance style, then totally rebuilt in the Baroque. That’s a lot of history all under one roof.

Funny, we’re coming to the end of the German Ceramics Route and NOW we’re getting a whole bunch of castles. Schwante Castle (in Oberkrämer) is a stunning 2-story Baroque palace where you can take in cultural events, art exhibits, and concerts.

Vehlefanz welcomes visitors with a charming windmill and a 13th/14th century church. In Eichstädt, the next to last village, visitors are always welcome at its 14th century stone church.

I can’t think of a better place to end my journey on the German Ceramics Route than Marwitz with its factories, ceramics workshops, and pottery studios.

Forgive me for leaving you here — I think I have some shopping to do…

In the Northern Black Forest in Baden-Württemberg is the gorgeous spa town of Bad Herrenalb.

Today it’s famous because of it being a spa town and a popular stop on the Black Forest Spa Route, but back in the Middle Ages it was famous for its Herrenalb Abbey.

Founded in 1148, the Abbey was the center of Cistercian monastic life. That was, until the Protestant Reformation when the Abbey was “dissolved.” More like left to elements I would say, as it’s now in ruins.

That doesn’t stop the residents of Bad Herrenalb (and visitors alike) from coming for the annual Klosterhoffest every September. It’s a good time for all.

That’s not the only festival in Bad Herrenalb. The Quellenfest is also in September; and I won’t leave out mentioning the Reiterfest, or the Bahnhofsfest in August.

When it’s not festival time in Bad Herrenalb come see the old steam locomotive, travel along the Marienweg (it’s got a great panoramic view of town), or try to find the Falkensteinfelsen (oh, you can’t miss it… follow the Falkenburgweg and follow the signs).

And as I mentioned, Bad Herrenalb is a spa town — so that means it’s got a spa. Ahh, the sauna, body scrubs at the Siebentäler or Seven Valleys Therme will make you feel totally relaxed and pampered.

It’s a good end to a day of hiking or bicycling, a round of golf on the town’s 9-hole course, or rock climbing.

Another perfect end of a day is at one of Bad Herrenalb’s Dinner Theater show. Take your pick, there is the Don Quixote, the Shakespeare, the Marlene Dietrich, and Dracula show to choose from. Actually, that’s just a few of them. You do have more to pick from.

Ain’t this place great? Besides having a myriad of things to do, it’s easy to get here as there is frequent bus and S-Bahn service from places like Pforzheim, Karlsruhe, and Baden-Baden, so no excuses for not coming.

Wow, pretty awesome and convenient — I’m convinced the Black Forest has it all. ;-)

The town of Großbeeren in Brandenburg is, for all intents and purposes, its own town of just under 8,000 residents. Some would just call it a suburb of Berlin as it’s only a few minutes to the south of the capital.

Historians might recognize the place, as it was once the site of an epic battle during the Napoleonic Wars back in 1813. In commemoration of the vertically challenged, French Emperor’s loss at the Battle of Großbeeren, the town built a 32-meter high tower in the middle of town.

The tower, besides being the town’s landmark, houses a little museum that’s open May to September on Saturdays (2pm-6pm), and the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month from 3pm-5pm. It also acts as an observation tower.

Also in commemoration of the Battle of Großbeeren, there’s a small pyramid (known as the Bülow Pyramid) in honor of the battle; and yet another (an obelisk) in the churchyard.

For a bit of 20th century history, Großbeeren was right on the border of West Berlin — separated by the Berlin Wall from 1961 to 1990. The wall’s gone now, so everyone is free to walk about the town’s many kilometers of hiking & biking trails, many of which go through the Biotope Heinersdorf.

One building in Großbeeren that’s seen it all is the 18th century castle. Today it’s a hotel and restaurant that’s said to have the largest beer garden in all of Brandenburg.

Hmm, do you go there, or do you go to Großbeeren’s artificial lake with its sandy beach, waterskiing, and wakeboarding? Which isn’t Großbeeren’s small (only 1200 square feet) swimming area.

Stay for another round of beer, or go for a round of golf on Großbeeren’s 9-hole course?

Great, plenty of choices. Forget it, give me the beer garden; but only as a reward for going to see the Village Church in Diedersdorf (built in the 13th/14th century) and the small stone church in the village of Kleinbeeren (built 14th century).

I don’t know if that’s true about the beer garden — but I can’t think of a better way to end any day in Großbeeren.

I was just thinking the other day about how we’re so into a 24-hour/7-day a week society. Everything is instantaneous, instant gratification, and well, enough to send you into sensory overload.

Not gonna happen in the Hessian town of Erzhausen.

For many of you who remember a time when there wasn’t 24-hour a day TV, or even remote controls for that matter — you’ll enjoy it here.

No, I’m not saying there isn’t a telly to watch. I’m saying that Erzhausen is a place where shops close for lunch; and most of them are closed on Sundays.

Anyone out there remember what that was like? I remember and I’m not that old. ;-)

It’s just a nice way to slow down, smell the roses kind of thing. OK, maybe not roses since you’re close to the Odenwald, but you get my point.

A number of hiking and biking trails will easily take you to them. Both the Rhine and Main are even close enough to get to by bicycle.

There’s nothing hurried here in Erzhausen, you can stroll along a leisurely pace and still have plenty of time to see things since it’s only 7 square kilometers.

OK, they say they offer a bit of sport. I think what they mean is the Boulebahn that’s used by young and old.

Oh yeah, and there’s the small Frankfurt-Egelsbach Airport [QEF], the one primarily for business travelers, just north of town.

Erzhausen might not have all that much going on other than that, and If I missed something please do let me know, but it does have a number of festivals. The most popular is the May Fair (May 1st) and the Advent Fair at the end of November. Just about everyone attends so don’t go expecting anyone to take you out on one of the town’s guided biking tours.

What’s your rush anyway? Didn’t I tell you that things slow down here in Erzhausen…

Close to Stuttgart in Baden-Württemberg is the town of Hemmingen that’s known for its wines, castles, festivals and markets.

What it really should be famous for is its Glems-Mühlen-Weg, stretching on past mills, orchards and meadows for 40 km from Glemseck (part of Leonberg) to Markgröningen.

You’ll be passing many mills and farms along the way, that used to grow everything from wheat to sugar beets; now many are growing corn.

Whatever they’ve got, eating great is always an option in Hemmingen (the cherries and other fruits are delicious). And especially so once you’ve gotten ahold of a fine Württemberg wine.

You can buy one just about anywhere, but wouldn’t it be nice to get one while shopping at Hemmingen’s Advent Market (late November), or its Krämermarkt just two weeks before?

Eat up now, because we’ve got a lot to see here in Hemmingen. The first order of business is to see the St. Laurentius Church. It was a typical medieval church, until it had to be rebuilt during the Renaissance.

Closeby is the Emperor Stone, a memorial to commemorate the visit of Kaiser Wilhelm in the 1880s.

Are you going to ask me if Hemmingen has a castle? I know you are, and I’m happy to tell you that, yes they do. Two in fact.

Hemmingen Castle is now the local Rathaus; while the other is a 14th century Burg with half-timbered gables and English Gardens.

As for half-timbered houses, yeah, Hemmingen’s got those as well. Keep your camera handy at all times, OK?

One stop in Hemmingen might sound a bit creepy, but the 5th century graveyard at the cemetery is a piece of history.

Forget history for a minute, hopefully you’ll be here for Hemmingen’s Onion Festival in October, or its Street Festival (chocked full of jugglers and other merry makers), or its Harvest Festival in early October.

And one day each July the residents get together for what’s known as Warentauschtag — which is like a swapmeet for getting rid of items (gently used, mind you) around the house.

Hey, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure! :-)

Not too far from the Harz Mountains are the 10 districts of Holle, a town along on what were two trade routes. Holle’s geographical location in Lower Saxony is secondary to the magnificent castles that decorate the landscape.

You do get to see both at the ruins of Wohldenberg Castle, whose Keep is a 32-meter high observation tower. Its St. Hubertus Church also brings plenty of people to the 12th century ruins.

The 12th century was pretty active for the town of Holle, as this is when the nearby monks started improving on the land of the Castle Derneburg. They worked, they toiled, and when all was said and done — they had added a fish ponds, a mausoleum, and greenhouse.

While the castle is private property, the greenhouse is now a Culture Center that hosts all sorts of events, including a Garden Festival at the end of August; and concerts, theater, and art exhibitions.

The other two castles left are the 16th century Castle Henneckenrode (in the Weser Renaissance style) and one of the most beautiful Baroque castles imaginable — Castle Soder. It’s private property so you can only see the outside of this 4-storey, moated castle, but that’s where you’ll find its English-style Garden.

Now that you’ve seen those, it’s time to move on to the Local History Museum (at Hollenweg 4) housed in a charming half-timbered house. Its exhibits include everything from medical instruments to fossil; from farming to home decor.

Another of Holle’s museums doesn’t have so much to do with history, but art & culture. The Heersumer Museum, in case you’re interested, is open on the first Sunday of the month from 2pm-5pm.

Festivals in Holle also count as culture, so I hope you enjoy the Kite Festival in September, and the Harvest and Fall Festivals that are both in October.

The puppet theater at the Kasper Holler House counts as both culture and art (don’t ya think), but the swimming and tennis are just pure fun.

Don’t ya think? ;-)

It’s true that you can go swimming and shopping just about anywhere. However, maybe not as in such a pretty locale as in the town of Ransbach-Baumbach.

Ransbach-Baumbach lies along the Westerwald, just about 20km northeast of Koblenz. Hmm, I guess that makes you close enough to enjoy the city without having to stay there.

This small town will get a bit crowded on the first weekend of October, that’s when the annual Töpfermarkt or Pottery Market is held.

Ransbach-Baumbach is known for its pottery, and tens of thousands of shoppers come to buy themselves some of the prettiest pottery around. So even if it’s not the Töpfermarkt, you’ll have many local pottery shops to purchase the proper souvenir or gift.

The yearly market isn’t the only market in Ransbach-Baumbach, it’s got an Advent Baazar and a Christmas Market; an Oktoberfest (the end of Oct); and a Kirchweihfest in August.

If you’re going to be trekking around the Westerwald (and not shopping for a loved one or partying yourself silly), you’ll need to see the Dornburg (a Celtic ruin), and the mid-13th century Castle Stolzenfels (which doesn’t look like a medieval castle — as it was rebuilt in the 1800s after being destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War).

Go climb the 40-meter high on the Koppel, you’ll have an excellent view of everything. And while you might not have an eagle’s eye view at the BBQ grillhut areas, the scenery is also lovely.

Ransbach-Baumbach’s sightseeing and recreation doesn’t end there. You’ll want to see the town’s 12th century church (now Lutheran), and its 18th century farms.

No, what you’ll really want is to swim at either its swimming lake (the Erlenhofsee); its outdoor pool (with a 50-meter waterslide, springboards, and volleyball court); and its indoor pool (open Oct/Apr).

It sounds like Ransbach-Baumbach’s got everything to keep you happy, right? Not yet, as I haven’t told you about the 17th century brewery.

OK, I just did — so now you know that it has everything.

Tucked away on the western corner of the Saarland, bordering Luxembourg and France is Perl — a real gem of a town.

Many people find themselves coming to Perl if they’re following the stunning gardens found on the Gärten ohne Grenzen or Gardens Without Borders — a scenic route of sorts that’s all about, well, gardens.

I know you could have figured that out without me telling you — but I had to anyway. ;-)

One garden on the Garden Without Borders list is the Palais von Nell, whose Baroque garden is heavenly.

While technically not a “garden,” I wouldn’t miss out on a chance to follow the Panoramaweg Perl which follows along the Moselle Valley’s nature reserve area and its orchids (which bloom from the end of April to June).

If you’re on a quest of Roman history, look no further than the Römische Villa Borg; a Roman archaeological site (and not where you’ll find the Roman mosaics in Nennig).

Villa Borg’s got its own gardens, a Roman tavern, a museum, and a Roman Festival on the 1st weekend of August. When you’re walking around here, you’ll think you were in Ancient Rome.

Other historical sites in Perl include the the Schloss Berg (a 12th century castle that’s now a restaurant), the Besch Military Cemetery with its three stone crosses that stand as a memorial to the lives lost in World War II; and the St. Quirin’s Chapel.

St. Quirin’s Chapel, or Quirinuskapelle, is a unique piece of history, as it was believed to be a Celtic religious site — as well as the site where the saint’s bones came to rest.

Each year in his honor the town holds a Horse Parade on May 1st.

The saint isn’t the only religious devotion found here, the town lies along the Way of St. James — a route for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

At the St. Jacobs Chapel pay special attention to the altar, as it was once a Roman tombstone.

If you’ve seen all this, all you’ve got left to do is relax and totally enjoy yourself at the 4-day Wein-und-Kellertagefest at the end of October, or the Wine Festival in late August.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve come to Perl for its Romans, its gardens, or its stop on a religious route — either way, it’s wonderful.

Niedere Börde kind of had me perplexed. It’s a town in Saxony-Anhalt of eight villages, none of which are named Niedere or Börde.

The eight villages are quite old, and each has its own sites to see.

Dahlenwarsleben’s contribution to sightseeing is its church. The original medieval one was destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War, and only the tower remains of its 11th century beginnings.

Groß Ammensleben has the most sightseeing, as it lies on the Romanesque Route because of its monastic church of Saints Peter and Paul. The village also host a yearly Hoffest and is the final resting place of two Soviet soldiers from World War II.

In Klein Ammensleben, some families can trace their root all the way back to the mid-16th century. Irrelevant to sightseeing, but a fun fact nonetheless. This village’s sites would include its old church and it’s Village Festival on the first weekend of October.

Jersleben lies close to Magdeburg (only 15km, quick via the B189 highway), and much of it was destroyed by fire a few centuries ago. The two watermills are still here, which are the oldest buildings in the village, and Jersleben is known for its nature area.

Another village known for its nature is Samswegen, it’s got forests and bogs to trek around in.

For those of you who really want to see those quaint timber-framed houses or romantic windmills, you’ll want to go to the village of Meseberg.

Gutenswegen can rival Groß Ammensleben for activities. Every year on Rose Monday (two days before Ash Wednesday) there’s a big Carnival; and a Wine Festival in October. Look around and you’ll even see pieces of the former village wall and the 12th century church of St. Catherine.

The last village is Vahldorf, a hamlet founded by the Saxons. Most people around here know it for its 500-year old church bells that were almost lost for all time when they were sent to Hamburg to be melted down during WWII.

Luckily, Vahldorf got them back.

Whatever the names of Niedere Börde’s villages, there’s no doubt that you’ll love visiting each and every one.