What you’ll find within Radeburg’s nine districts is nothing short of… tiring. I said it, tiring. Exhausting, even.

What else would you expect from a region that’s got everything from hunting, to sightseeing water castles, a number of village churches to see, Gothic chapels to take pictures of, and castle ruins to romanticize about?

Where is this little slice of “you don’t need a sleeping pill tonight” heaven, you ask?

Radeburg is only about 18km north of Dresden, along the A13 Autobahn that connects Dresden to Berlin. Convenient, yes?

So when you’re on a trip to Berlin (or Dresden) make sure to plan a stop here.

Despite having a number of historical sites around the region, it’s the quieter places that will really speak to you. You’ll find a Post Mile Pillar (called Kursächsische Postdistanzsäule, in case you’re asking around) that’s been marking the way for travelers since 1728; and the Royal Saxon Milestone might be more than a hundred years younger — but worth the trek to find, nonetheless.

If you want to see Radeburg’s Stone Cross (a Latin cross from the Middle Ages, making it the oldest memorial in town), you’re going to have to work for it.

I could tell you where to find it, but what fun would that be? If I got to search for it, so do you. ;-)

On your travels you’ll find two War Memorials, one to World War I and the other to World War II. Which aren’t to be confused with the Wetting Column, that was here since 1889 but also honors Nazi Resistance Fighters.

I’d also find my way over to the City Park where there’s a memorial to local boy turned painter & writer, Heinrich Zille.

Tired yet? Of course you can’t sleep yet. Come the Fall when there’s an annual Scarecrow Festival, with prizes being awarded for the best one the townsfolk have created. There’s also a Christmas Market every year, and a number of other events held throughout the year at the Kulturbahnhof (including literary readings, concerts, and plays).

OK, you’ve earned your good night sleep right about now — I know I have. Zzzzz….

On my “bucket list” (as so many of today’s folks eloquently call it — and by the way, I had mine long before it was fashionable, but who’s complaining?) is to see just about every medieval castle and church in Germany.

In order to eventually check that off my list I had to visit the town of Rimpar. Lucky me, I found an early 13th century monastery AND a 14th century castle.

I figured I was already in the Franconian town of Würzburg (located right next door), so it’s not like I had to go far.

Start at the Monastery Maidbronn, which is a former Cistercian convent. It was built in 1232, and used for more than 300 years before it was “dissolved.” Its Lamentation of Christ on the altar of its St. Afra & St. Killian Church is still around after hundreds and hundreds of years.

Its annual Parish Festival every year in July is always a smashing hit, too. Do you understand now why I’m on a quest for the best of Germany’s churches and castles?

Between you & me though, the Summer Festival and Theater Group are also great fun.

Just about a hundred years after the monastery was consecrated the Castle Rimpar was built. If anything, this 14th century moated castle is humongous; and it even has a tower. Today it’s a museum and the site of a number of cultural events.

Some have called Rimpar Castle “one of the most impressive in the south of Germany,” and I’d certainly say that could very well be true. I’m just glad I ain’t the one to have to clean it.

Then again, if you could afford to buy a German castle; you could likely afford the salary of a good housekeeper.

What do I know… I haven’t hit the lottery yet to buy one. But, when I do, maybe I can talk someone into selling me Schloss Rimpar, just so long as I don’t have to clean it — I got more castles and churches to cross off my list. ;-)

I’m jealous. The incredibly picturesque town of Rülzheim was once controlled by the Teutonic Knights.

No, I’m NOT jealous because I’m not a Teutonic Knight. I’m jealous because Rülzheim in the sweet Palatinate is so pretty, I want it to be all mine — just like it was theirs.

Megalomaniacal feelings aside, I would be willing to share Rülzheim with you — you can visit anytime you want. ;-)

But, if you want to have a go at the annual Corn Maze you can only do it from mid-July through late September (Wednesday-Sunday 2pm-8pm). Otherwise, you’re pretty much good to go any other time of the year.

St. Diehardt’s church, called the Dieterskirchel, has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. You see, St. Diehardt (or Theodard Maastricht as he was known before becoming a saint) was murdered here on September 10, 670.

The Dieterskirchel is only a small chapel compared to Rülzheim’s other churches. The spot where you’ll find the 18th century St. Gertrude Church has had a church here since the mid-10th century.

St. Maurice has also been here for hundreds of years, its west tower was built in 1498. Amazing that even that remained standing after the Thirty Years’ War, which destroyed the rest of the church.

Are you starting to see why I like Rülzheim so much?

There’s a Heritage Museum here, in case you’d like to learn more about the town from its Neolithic beginnings, to its location on the Roman Road, right up to days of its famous saintly resident, the Teutonic Knight days, and the more modern times.

Some of its history isn’t all that bright & cheery. Rülzheim once had one of the largest Jewish communities in the region; and its 19th century synagogue was destroyed on Kristallnacht in November 1938.

You can still see the former synagogue (which is now a cultural event center), as well as the 49-acre Jewish cemetery (you need to call ahead for a visit), and a Jewish slaughterhouse.

History isn’t all there is in Rülzheim. The Moby Dick Water Park is around for a splashing good time, and there are a number of Nordic Walking routes.

Hmm, I’m pretty sure the Teutonic Knights didn’t have those when Rülzheim was theirs — but it does now that its mine. Muuaa-ha-ha-ha-ha (sorry, I’m still working on my evil laugh ;-).

If I told you how many places have the name Reichenbach in Germany you’d know why the town of Reichenbach an der Fils in Baden-Württemberg added the suffix to its name.

By the way, there are currently twelve Reichenbachs in Germany. That’s a whole lot, isn’t it?

Whatever their geography, this Reichenbach an der Fils here is found only about 25km east of the city of Stuttgart or about a 25 minute drive from the Stuttgart Airport (and the town is easily reached on the Ulm-Stuttgart Rail Line).

Just so you know, the area of Reichenbach an der Fils has been inhabited since the Stone Age (12,000-5000 B.C.). That’s long before tarmacs and modern aircraft.

Fourteen thousand years ago, the town wasn’t a densely populated area; and still isn’t — Reichenbach is home to a population just shy of 8,000 people.

Its population has made a remarkable recovery since only 50 people lived, er, survived here after the Thirty Years’ War in the mid-17th century.

So, what’s got a person to do here in Reichenbach?

A visit to the Catholic St. Michael’s Church and the Evangelical Church of St. Mauritius (the tower dates to the 1520’s) would be a good start.

I would also suggest a visit to the historic Rathaus. Yeah, this one came from the 20th century, but the original one from 1590 was replaced after the townsfolk moved the river.

Yeah, you read that correctly — they were so cheeky and moved the riverbed!

Reichenbach’s cultural events and many concerts take place in a former beer cellar. I’d bet that the acoustics are great — my singing, however, is certainly not. ;-)

In order not to be hurt by my bad singing voice in the confines of the beer cellar, you might want to bicycle out into the countryside — going over the Otto-Munz-Brücke (don’t worry about a car getting you — it’s a bike and pedestrian only bridge).

There’s also a swimming pool complex, if you’d just rather relax for the day. And I think this Reichenbach an der Fils is a good place to do it.

Sure, places like Stonehedge and Machu Picchu have an aura of mystery and its fair share of legends. So, what if I told you that Burkardroth in Lower Franconia, Germany could be added to the list?

OK, maybe not so much for the mystery part, but certainly for its legend. What legend? What a lovely story, BTW.

Legend says that Countess Beatrix (married to Count Otto II) threw her veil (it was all the fashion back in the early 13th century) to the wind from her castle balcony in nearby Bad Kissingen; offering to build a monastery wherever it landed. It floated some 14km away in the town of Burkardroth. Hence, the founding of the Cistercian Frauenroth Abbey in 1231.

While the abbey was dissolved in 1574, the chapel still remains — and is the final resting place of both Otto and Beatrix.

FYI, the castle that Countess Beatrix flung her veil is Castle Bolenlauben.

Even though the 12th century castle is now in ruins, there’s an annual medieval festival every year in September. And a 14th century manuscript from the Frauenroth Abbey sits in Stuttgart’s Württemberg State Museum.

Wait, shouldn’t it be in a Franconian museum? Nevermind, it doesn’t matter — just as long as it still remains in Germany.

One other church you should see in Burkardroth should be the St. Petrus Church, built in the 17th century.

What else makes Burkardroth wonderful to visit is its location on the edge of the UNESCO Biosphere Rhön. It’s doubtful you’ll get to see the entire area, since it extends from Bavaria to Hesse and Thuringia.

Either way, the Rhön Orchids and all the natural wildlife found within the nature reserve are totally terrific.

Nature reserve aside, there are still a good number of hiking, mountainbiking, and cycling trails throughout this Lower Franconian region, that’ll pass you along many farms, meadows, and hilly countryside.

And don’t let winter keep you away. Burkardroth is great for cross-country or downhill skiing, too.

Maybe while you’re out there you can think of a story that’ll one day be legendary in Burkardroth…

I got an idea. Before you go off exploring the town of Bützow, go see the town of Bützow.

Huh? You think I sometimes make no sense — but, there’s always some method to my madness…

You see, within the town of Bützow, there’s a miniature version that you can visit at one of the town’s parks. So, know before you go. Ha, I’m so funny. :-/

One of the biggest draws to Bützow is its Stiftskirche, a medieval church built in 1250 that’s dedicated to three saints; St. John, St. Mary, and St. Elizabeth.

You’ll also see a good number of other churches in the region if you’re willing to travel a bit. Along the “Warnow River Landscape” you’ll see plenty of medieval monasteries, churches, and chapels.

The town’s Rathaus, or Town Hall, is another attraction that folks come to see. It was built in the mid-19th century, by the way.

Sure, you might be thinking, what’s the big deal about all these buildings. But, just for the fact that many of Germany’s buildings have been standing for so many centuries — and it’s good to see some different architectural styles, no?

Bützow’s Tourist Office (located at Am Markt 1) will be most courteous in helping you find your way around.

Chances are, they’ll tell you to see the Krummes Haus or Crooked House (don’t look at me like that, I was not the one who came up with that name) — which is both the town’s library and a museum.

You’ll also need to visit the house at Lange Strasse 42, the former home of Mr. and Mrs. Horowitz — the town’s two Jewish residents who were deported in the early 1940’s.

Then you’ve got the Rühner See to hang around. It’s a lake and open from May to September for not only swimming, but also has a playground, a volleyball court, and chess area.

Oh, I guess you don’t need the Tourist Office now — I just told you all sorts of things. Just don’t tell them I told you that.

Nah, you’ll need them because that’s where you’ll go to get yourselves all sorts of cycling and hiking maps. You don’t want to get lost now, do you?

But, if you’ve gone to see Bützow before exploring Bützow, you might know where you were. ;-)

Anyplace in the world where you can go ice skating in the dead of summer is A-OK with me.

Oh, I mean OUTDOOR ice skating in the summer is way OK with me.

Where can you do this? Bad Sachsa in Lower Saxony, Germany!

But, I’ll be fair — this town isn’t continuously snow or ice covered during the days between the dog days of summer. I don’t care how exactly they manage to do it; I just know that’s pretty awesome. ;-)

Bad Sachsa’s ice rink isn’t the only sport in town. People from all over come to ski down the Harz Mountains (have you ever gone night skiing?), as well as go tobogganing, snowboarding, and all that fun winter stuff.

As magnificent a winter wonderland as you’ll find in Bad Sachsa, you’ll really enjoy it during the warmer months. The panoramic views of the Weserbergland are totally fantastic, and there are a bunch of mountainbiking trails, bicycle paths, and hiking areas.

There’s a real interesting way to experience the great Lower Saxon outdoors — go visit the Harzfalkenhof, a bird park that’s all about eagles, falcons, and vultures (the park has managed to help breed Himalayan Snow Vultures). This is a good way to spend four Euro, that’s for sure.

Another good way to spend the day (and a few bucks) would be at the Grenzland Museum in the village of Tettenborn. Oh, I didn’t mention the area was once along the GDR border. Within the museum are uniforms and other items from those East German days, so it’s a pretty interesting stop.

Before the area was in a divided Germany (that would be during World War II days, just so you know), Wehrner von Braun’s V1 and V2 rockets were tested right here.

Want to go further back in history? Check out the Church of St. Nicholas, which looks more like an opera theater than a church with Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque highlights.

Sounds good and all, but I want to go back to ice skating in the middle of the summer. I hope you join me — if we get enough of us, we can get a hockey game going. ;-)

It was big news that a new coffee shop opened up in the town of Birkenwerder.

It’s not that the town didn’t have a coffee shop, or other places to grab some delicious German coffee or other goodies. Nope, it’s just that the Coffee House Birkenhead plans all sorts of cultural events on the 2nd Friday of the month.

It’s mostly famous for its marzipan, but its Sunday Brunch is quite popular too.

After you’ve had your Sunday fill, why not head out towards the Rundwanderweg Briesetal. Before you balk, it’s less than seven kilometers long; so just about anyone can do it. It is a loop trail — so you’ve got no worry about how you’re going to get back. ;-)

Another one of Birkenwerder’s walking trails can be reached right from its S-Bahn station. Pack a picnic, because you’ll find quite a few shaded places for a nice lunch or some quiet alone time with your partner.

I’m reminded of this because of the many swans in the area (yeah, I’m having a romantic moment so don’t tease me ’bout it, K?).

As beautiful as you’ll find the countryside of Brandenburg (and Birkenwerder, of course) there’s no reason not to come see its early 20th century Town Hall (known as a Rathaus, in case you’re wondering) and the 19th century Church.

I’m sorry to say, the original late 14th century church is no longer here, but the present-day church is quite lovely.

It’s not a long list of things to do in Birkenwerder is it? No, it’s not — but the town does make up for it with its festivals and other cultural events.

During the colder winter months you’ll have the chance to enjoy operatic, medieval, and jazz musical concerts.

When it gets a bit warmer, everyone knows that it’s time for the Family Forest Festival in April and the Birch Festival in June. Sounds fun AND romantic, doesn’t it?

Oh, forget that… want to go get a coffee?

Wow, I found nature reserves and a Roman Road; a winter sports training center and a castle; churches and lakes all in the town of Bad Endorf in Upper Bavaria, das Tor zum Chiemgau (The Gate To The Chiemgau).

I should add in a thermal spa since the town does proudly have the “Bad” prefix, huh?

There’s a lot of ground to cover, so let me start telling you about it. I’ll go in the order I wrote it, so I don’t leave anything out.

We start at the nature reserves then…

Whether you’re walking or cycling, this natural part of Bavaria is great for checking out all the local flora and fauna. Guided hiking tours and nature walks are available, if you’re interested.

Of course you’re able to see more flora and fauna if you’re on a Roman Road; this one is known as the Via Julia. It was used for moving a large number of Roman troops starting around the late 1st century A.D. — and used until around the 3rd century.

What’s next? Oh, the winter sports training center. It’s more than just a place where the best of the best come to train for ski jumping, Nordic Combined, and Alpine skiing events. The federal police come to train here as well.

What, in case they got to catch a bank robber on skis? I’m just kidding, Mr. Policeman — please don’t pull me over and give me a speeding ticket. ;-)

Quick, on to the castle — before the cops get me for making a really bad joke. You’ll find Schloss Hartmannsberg (believed to have been built before the mid-12th century) right over by the Langenbürger See (a lake).

Also by Hartmannsberg Castle is one of the next things on our list — a church, this one from the 18th century.

There are quite a few more. Let’s see… There’s the Mary Assumption (Baroque, 17th/18th century), Church of the Assumption (Gothic, 15th century), Kreuzbichl Chapel (18th century), Sts. John & Paul (15th century, Gothic), and the part Gothic, Baroque, and Rococo St. James Parish Church that’s famous for its frescoes.

After all that sightseeing, chillin’ out lakeside is just perfect. You’ve got your choice — there’s the Simssee, Pelhamer See, Schlosssee, and again Langbürgner See.

I guess that just leaves us the thermal spa, a place where you’ll do more than relax — you’ll be pampered.

The Opera Festival isn’t on the list, but I just had to throw it out there. Kind of like what I did with that speeding ticket the nice policeman gave me. ;-)

The town of Woltersdorf an der Schleuse, just east of Berlin, used to be inhabited by skippers and farmers. Nowadays, it’s become kinda “famous” for being Germany’s smallest town with an own tram.

So getting around Woltersdorf can be quite fun. That tram will take you just about anywhere you want to go. Nice if you’re going to a restaurant, to your hotel, to the supermarket, or “just” to a date. ;-)

These aren’t the only places you can go in town. There are three lakes around Woltersdorf, but it’s the Flakensee that has a boardwalk, a place to rent a boat, and grab an ice cream cone.

If that isn’t one of the world’s most perfect days if I ever heard one. Don’t ya think?

A day playing miniature golf or letting the kids run off some energy at the playground is just as good, too.

Maybe some of you would rather hit up the 25 meter high observation tower for a grand bird’s eye view.

Hey, is that the Berlin TV Tower over there?

It’s probably just the Church of St. Michael, built in 1855. The original church was built in 1555 — but oops, I should have said rebuilt in 1945 — after it was bombed during World War II.

The reconstructed church isn’t the only remnants of the 20th century, right on Berliner Strasse there’s a Soviet Cemetery and a memorial plaque to the victims of forced labor.

During Woltersdorf’s festivals there’s always a good deal of excitement. Oktoberfest will forever be a fun affair, and the Feuerwehrfest in June can be just as great.

Hmm, what other festivals does this Woltersdorf have?

You’re always welcome to the Summer Festival in August, the Tower Festival in November, Carnival (February), Easter festivities, and the Advent Market (1st Advent).

Just remember not to confuse this Woltersdorf with any other — otherwise you’ll miss out on all the town has to offer.