You know you’re old when no one knows how old you are. Which is how it is over at Schloss Weikersheim in the town of Weikersheim.

The castle was built sometime in the 12th century (no one knows when exactly), and it’s one of the most visited sites in town. Its Knight’s Hall is enough to send anyone into sensory overload because every inch is richly decorated. Even its fireplace is ornately decorated to the smallest detail (such was the case in Renaissance architecture when the castle was rebuilt).

Every year there’s a fantastic Christmas Market held in the castle’s courtyard (a splendid venue for all opera concerts taking place here), and try not to miss all statues in the castle’s park.

Also rebuilt was Weikersheim’s Gänsturm. It was built (the first time) in 1320, and was severely damaged during a bombing raid in World War II. Some folks wanted it torn down, others didn’t. Luckily it was saved, and now it houses a small museum.

Over at the Marktplatz there’s a small village museum, a pretty Rococo style fountain (don’t they just spruce up the place?), and a bunch of half-timbered buildings to see. The Marktplatz is also where you’ll find the (Protestant) Church of St. Georg.

Feet hurt yet? Great, but they might after walking or cycling the 1200km of trails throught the Tauber Valley. Ahh, find a beer garden and all will be right with the world.

I really mean that, there are quite a few of them here in Weikersheim. Surprising since this is a wine region. ;-)

It doesn’t really matter what you’re drinking during Weikersheim’s Kärwe. This fair/parade (the 1st Sunday of September) has been going on for centuries. Since 1419, actually.

Wow, we Germans like tradition, don’t we?

We also like art, so join the locals in visiting the many artisans living in the area, where you’ll find everything from potters to organ makers. Maybe they’ve been inspired by the details in the castle — even if they don’t know how old it is. ;-)

There are days when I feel like I’m just ping-ponging all over Germany. One day it’s all about the north, another about the east, and today it’s all about the south. Specifically Laurchringen, a town in the very south of Baden-Württemberg right on the border of Switzerland.

It’s a good thing there aren’t too many old buildings in Lauchringen. You don’t want to be inside when the Black Forest Cycle Route is calling your name. You’ll pass along pleasant rolling hills and the most romantic of bridges along the way, that’s for sure.

You’re also not too far from Lake Constance, so if you want something a little more active to do, then this is it.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Black Forest Nature Park is a place of quiet, peaceful reflection. It’s also a great way to slow down and smell the proverbial roses. Better yet, smell some of the local flowers too.

When your tootsies hurt after a day of biking or hiking, kick off your shoes and get them in the Kneipp Foot Bath. I know, it doesn’t look like anything except some stairs leading down to a brook. But, trust me, your aching feet will thank you.

One other way to rest your tired soles is to sit by the Big Oak (it was planted in the 18th century) for an afternoon picnic. The Black Forest offers the most delicious of regional dishes, so you’ll eat good and have one of the best seats in the house.

Speaking of eating good, the Weekly Market in Lauchringen is the right place to be. Every Thursday from 3pm-7pm, you’ll find sausages, organic produce, cheeses, breads, and wine to take with you or eat right there.

When munching is this good I don’t mind jumping all over Germany, especially when it takes me to places like Lauchringen. I also don’t mind jumping into the town’s solar-heated swimming pool. Ahhh, perfect.

When you find yourself in the Hessian town of Calden, likely coming straight from the Kassel-Calden Airport [KSF], there’s (probably) two things on your mind: Castle Wilhelmsthal and archaeology. What you’ll find is a whole lot more.

Since I brought up Castle Wilhelmsthal first, let’s start there. Don’t let the moniker castle fool you, this ain’t no medieval building. It’s a palace (built 1743), and thought to be one of the most magnificent in Germany.

Within this grandiose Rococo palace is a fantastic museum with all sorts of permanent art collections. Its gardens are on the European Garden Heritage Network (as if Germany doesn’t have enough scenic routes, right?), and to visit is free.

However, if you want to get married in the castle it will cost you. Ahh, a small price to pay for these digs. ;-)

If you’re following the archaeology side of Calden, there’s the Steinkiste von Calden. This is a megalithic grave for forty prehistoric souls (and thought to date around the 4th millennia B.C.). And the Erdwerk Calden is an archaeological site from around the third millennium B.C. Yeah, that’s pretty darn old.

Now that you’ve got these two items checked off your must-see list, here’s a chance to hike around the countryside to see the Kopfsteine, a natural basalt rock formation; or the Naturpark Habichtswald.

OK, even if you’re not into the whole “nature” thing, you’ll find something to do. On Saturdays the Observatory is open to visitors looking to gaze at the stars (8:30pm in winter, 9:30pm in summer), and the Preacher’s Cottage is a lovely building from the late 17th century (if you want to gaze at architecture instead).

Calden also has a Jewish cemetery since it had a Jewish community from as far back as the 14th century right up until the 20th century.

Calden might relish its history, but it’s also a modern day town (get a gander at its Waldschimmbad), where you’ll have come for a castle & found more.

From the looks of it you might think Coppenbrügge in Lower Saxony isn’t all that much. It’s not brimming with medieval churches or castles. Nor is it chocked full of outdoorsy things to do.

Yeah, right! Nothing could be further from the truth. ;-)

Coppenbrügge does have castles. Well, at least they were castles at one time. The most visited is Castle Coppenbrügge (located at Schloss Straße 1), which was built along a bustling trade and military route at the turn of the 13th century. The Thirty Years’ War kind of put an to the castle’s glory.

The Schloß in Bisperode (one of Coppenbrügge’s 12 districts) is exceptional and romantic looking with its moat. The village’s church might not seem like much, but I think it’s fantastic.

And Coppenbrügge did have a medieval monastery. Monastery Marienau (in the village of Marienau) was created in 1310, and was once a pilgrimage site. Pilgrimages to the monastery stopped after the Reformation swept through the region — and that’s about when the monastery was closed forever. All that remains are the chapel walls, which are preserved.

As if sightseeing around Coppenbrügge isn’t exercise enough, there’s always Nordic Walking (you can rent poles), horseback riding, cycling, or hiking on along the Bergmannsweg — a 21km route through the Osterwald. Picturesque, if I do say so myself. :-)

Coppenbrügge is also great for a variety of festivals and markets held throughout the year. It has both an Advent Market (November) and a Christmas Market (December), a Johanesfest at the end of June, a Summer Festival in August, a Martinifest in mid-October, and both Maibaum and Walpurgisnacht festivities on April 30th and May 1st.

These festivals and markets are pretty popular, so if you can’t find a guesthouse or inn for the night try camping out. There’s also an RV park that’ll only cost you a few Euros a night.

All the better to save your Euros to shop in Coppenbrügge’s markets or to stay a bit longer, don’t ya think? ;-)

For an area of Lower Saxony known for shipping, fishing, and anything else maritime, you’d be surprised to find a really awesome museum that houses airplanes and helicopters.

Thanks, Nordholz, you’ve gotten the attention of any airplane lover out there! ;-)

When you see a stature of Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin you know you’re in the right place, the Aeronauticum. This German airship and Naval Air Museum houses everything from Pembrokes to Fairey Gannets, and Sea Hawks. These are on permanently on display, and the museum regularly houses special exhibits.

Speaking of airships, Nordholz is home to the Cuxhaven/Nordholz Airport [FCN], so it’s fairly easy to get here.

Inasmuch as I’m fascinated with airplanes, it’s the sea that calls my name here. How could it not, it’s right in the Nature Park Wadden Sea (Naturpark Wattenmeer) — an UNESCO World Heritage Site — where you can go mudflat hiking.

It’s simple enough, really, just find a guide to take you out on the mudflats when the tide goes out. Ahh, walking along the North Sea never felt so good.

It’s good for you, too. The salty air makes Nordholz a real therapeutic destination. As if the walking, hiking, and Nordic Walking wasn’t enough?

The Wattwagen is pretty popular. It’s a horse pulled wagon tour that’ll take you out to one of the outlying islands. If this 4-hour “tour” is too long for you, take a ferry back to Cuxhaven once you get to the island.

If you’ve come back with the wagon, look for the Krabbenpulmaschine. It’s a machine that processes crabs straightaway — cutting the “process” time down, bringing you fresher crabs to eat.

Don’t tell me you didn’t know there were crabs to be found on this piece of sandy beach, did you? This is a fishing village. :-)

I’m thinking this might be why the town sponsors “Fishing Weekends” for two nights from September until Christmas. It might be a bit chilly, but a true fisherman would brave the cold.

At least, that’s what I’m told. ;-)

You won’t, however, be forced to spend the night at Nordholz’s Naturist Campground. Oh, that’s just a dainty way of saying it’s a nude campground. A clothing-required campground is also here, if you’re interested.

I’d prefer to slather myself up with all that sea mud instead of choosing whether to visit a nude campground or not. Would you?

At first I felt bad for Nordheim, a town in Baden-Württemberg that borders the city of Heilbronn. I mean, can you imagine having to be the “little sister” of a (relatively) large city?

But, as I got to know Nordheim I found it to be quite refreshing from the confines of big city life.

It’s quiet here in Nordheim, a perfect place to relax and just camp out under the stars. With a number of RV sites available, you don’t actually have to camp outside. ;-)

Besides, with frequent train service (hourly!) to/from Heilbronn and Stuttgart. If you change your mind about sleeping outdoors you can easily make your way back to the city.

I wouldn’t rush off yet. Nordheim sits along some pretty amazing real estate where wine is king. There’s a reason that Nordheim’s on the Württemberger Weinstraße (Württemberg Wine Route). The vineyards around the countryside are fantastic for just a leisurely stroll or a more arduous hike (you’ll find marked hiking and biking routes that range from 15 to 31km, in case you’re interested).

Either way, these activities aren’t as grueling as the Trollinger Marathon that takes place every year in May. You don’t have to participate with the actual running, just come along and cheer for those who are actually do.

The marathon isn’t Nordheim’s only “festival” event. Every year at the end of April there’s a traditional Maypole Festival, and a 3-day Park Festival at the end of August. Think of it as another excuse to try some of the many red wines made from the region’s grapes.

Nordheim’s also got more traditional sightseeing, with a beautiful half-timbered Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) that is now the town’s library (a proper, gorgeous setting for books, I must admit), the New Town Hall (built 1854), the Parsonage Building (its Rococo), and its St. Bartholomew Church (which had to be rebuilt like four times over its history — the last one being in 1945).

No, I don’t feel sorry for Nordheim one bit. It’s great just the way it is. :-)

How many of you out there really don’t like hot, sticky summer weather? Anyone? Anyone? You? Well, good news then as you get to keep the town of Neuenbürg in the Northern Black Forest in the state of Baden-Württemberg all to yourself.

All right, not all to yourself since 7,000+ people already live here, but you get my point. ;-)

What’s the weather got to do with it? Easy, the average summer temperature in Neuenbürg hottest months of July & August is only about 24°C. That’s about 75.2°F… in the summer!

Not hot enough for a hurricane, and barely warm enough to break a sweat while you’re out sightseeing, hiking the Nature Reserve Eyachtal, or playing a game of tennis and miniature golf.

Hmm, I said Aldingen was a slice of Heaven — I think you’ve found another piece of it. ;-)

Oh yeah, sightseeing — that’s what you’re here for. One stop should definitely be Schlossruine Neunenbürg. It was an 11th century medieval castle, but it was destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War. The owners rebuilt it in the 17th century, and it’s now a branch of the Baden State Museum.

Not every castle in the area of Neuenbürg was rebuilt. Castle Waldenburg lies in ruins too, and sadly not much is known about this particular schloss (when it was built, etc). Experts do know that it was a fortress, a palace, and had a chapel; plus a bronze artifact found here is now in Stuttgart’s Landesmuseum.

Castle Staubenhardt suffered the same fate as Waldenburg, as this too is a ruin. The difference being, this castle was built in the 11th century and destroyed in 1384.

Yeah, thanks for bringing up the 1300s. This is when the paintings at Neuenbürg’s St. George Church were done. The church’s interior isn’t a grandiose Baroque affair — no, this is a simple, unassuming church with medieval artwork. Stunning, I would say.

If the weather in Neuenbürg didn’t make this place perfect for ya, the sights and countryside certainly would do it instead. Don’t you think?

It appears to me that just about every German town has a story to tell. Sometimes it’s seen through its architecture, artwork, or some legend. And sometimes it’s seen by the extraordinary people that once lived there.

This is how it is in the town of Jettingen in Baden-Württemberg (whose villages are Unterjettingen, Oberjettingen, and Sindlingen).

Sindlingen is where one remarkable woman once lived. Her name was Franziska von Hohenheim.

Lady Hohenheim originally was the mistress of Duke von Württemberg in the late 18th century (oh, you naughty duke), later becoming his wife. The Duchess’ charitable work was well-known, even helping the persecuted, pietist, Johann Michael Hahn find refuge within the town limits.

Mr. Hahn started a “pietist” community here back in the 18th century; one of only a handful.

FYI, a pietist was someone within the Lutheran church that somehow kicked off the Methodist branch of Protestantism.

Michael Hahn is buried here in Jettingen; and one of only two busts of the duchess can be found in the Castle Church.

Yes, you have to have a castle before you can have a church. Don’t get too excited — the “castle” isn’t a dark, forbidding schloss — if that’s what you’re expecting. You can, however, spend the night since the castle is now a hotel. :-)

Ahh, I’m feeling like royalty already.

Besides the castle and the history of Sindlingen’s residents — you’ll also find the village has a number of timber-framed houses, as well as quite a few of them in the village of Unterjettingen.

What a remarkable comeback Unterjettingen has — barely a hundred people lived here during the days of the 17th century Thirty Years’ War. Predating the war is the Mauritius Chapel (built 15th/16th century), and well worth a visit.

Right alongside the historical sites of Jettingen are relative newcomers, the town’s Wasserturm (Watertower) and the Rathaus (Town Hall). Both are modern and sleek; and yet somehow manage to fit right in.

Ya know, Jettingen’s Grillplatz (BBQ grilling area) is also a newbie to town — and that’s certainly a place where you’ll fit right in.

You bring the beer and I’ll bring the wurst — too bad the Duchess and Herr Hahn aren’t here to join us, though…

For those of you who think rail travel is a much more genteel mode of transport, then you’ll love the historic Emsland Railway, which is a 176km route that’s one of the oldest rail lines in Germany. What it also does is bring you to the town of Salzbergen.

No one said you couldn’t get off the Emsland Railway, did they? ;-)

This little slice of locomotive heaven can be found in Lower Saxony, right on the border of North Rhine-Westphalia. Interested?

Great, ’cause we got stuff to see. You can’t go hanging around the train all day.

I’d start with the oldest stuff in town first, so that would be the Bronze Age grave mounds; then on to the medieval castle ruins, and to the Gut Stovern — a 13th century manor house with a chapel and a moat. Sorry, it’s only open two days a month.

Last stop on the “architectural history” tour is the St. Cyriakus Catholic Church, which is actually built on top of an even older church (check out the 15th century Klünsche Madonna).

A guided tour around Salzbergen is a really good idea, as that’ll explain so much more in-depth stuff of the town’s history than I ever could.

Salzbergen has a Fire Department Museum (Feuerwehrmuseum), if you’re interested, with all sorts of antiquated equipment and uniforms. My friend says too bad they don’t have any hunky firemen in them.

She said all women love firemen. I think it’s just her. I also think she needs some fresh air to cool down now… ;-)

If you find the need to be outdoors too, you can do it swimming, hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, biking, or hot air ballooning to name a few.

And this isn’t even including all the festivities outside, like the Schützenfest (that’s a Marksmen’s or Shooting Festival) in mid-August, the Salt & Oil Market on the 3rd weekend of June, the Herbstkirmes or Autumn Fair (2nd weekend Oct), and the Martinsmarkt a month later.

Ladies, with any luck maybe you’ll catch the eye of a fireman at the Refinery Run in August. Gentlemen, I’m sure you don’t care about such things — so it’s good that Salzbergen has the historic railway for the rest of us. ;-)

It’s hard to talk about the lovely town of Staufen im Breisgau without bringing up the town of Knittlingen. Why?

Because of Faust, that’s why.

Don’t ask why I say these things like this — just enjoy the story, OK? ;-)

Anyway, Faust was an alchemist who was born in Knittlingen in the 15th century. In his quest to produce gold, he was said to have made a deal with the Devil himself right here at an inn in Staufen im Breisgau.

Hmm, Faust blew himself up in 1540 — making superstitious, church-goin’ folk believe the tale.

But, long before Faust came along Staufen im Breisgau was just your average Stone and Bronze Age town, where men went off to hunt and women did the gathering. And then the Romans came doing whatever it was they did. ;-)

When the Middle Ages finally came along, residents did what they did. That’s to say, they built a castle.

Sorry, Burg Staufen isn’t a fully functioning castle — it’s been in ruins since the Swedes sacked it in 1633. But, I find this mid-13th century castle ruin incredibly romantic — and the view of the Black Forest, the Margraves’ Land and the Breisgau from its hilltop is stunning (and its free to visit, too).

Wait! Don’t leave to hike or cycle around the Schwarzwald just yet. You’ll want to stop in at the City Museum (that tells the tale of Faust) and the Ceramics Museum.

After a day of museum going and all that nature hiking and biking, go relax at the Alemannenbad, Staufen’s outdoor swimming pool — monuments included!

But, I wouldn’t recommend spending the day there during Staufen’s Annafest (last Sunday in July) or the Folk Festival the very next day. Nor, would I want to be anywhere else but at the Markgräfler Weinfest, a Wine Festival held the first weekend of August; or, at the outdoor Medieval Festival in September.

If you think Staufen’s festivals and cultural events end there, you’d be wrong. Kulturwoche (Culture Week) is every October with concert events and lectures, to name a few; and not to be confused with the Musikwoche (Music Week) — that’s a summer event (July/August).

It would be wrong of me to leave out the annual Christmas Market in the Altstadt (Old Town), that takes place in December.

Just do yourself a favor… don’t make any deals with the Devil while you’re here, OK? ;-)