When people think of all the wonderful things that come out of Germany (cars, beer, Heidi Klum) wine often isn’t one of the first things to pop out of their head. That is until you got to follow along the Saxon Wine Route (Sächsische Weinstraße in German).

The Saxon Wine Route is a pretty small route, only 55km, through the one and only vineyard in Saxony; but, really packs a punch. The route starts in Pirna, a town of about 40,000 residents. This is where you’ll start to get the first glimpses of sloping vineyards, as well as botanical gardens.

If you’re in the museum mood, there’s the Pirna Museum (located at Klosterhof 2) and the DDR Museum, from the days when Pirna was spent behind the Iron Curtain. Just do me a favor, don’t leave before you see Schloss Sonnenstein and Klosterkirche St. Heinrich.

Right before you arrive in Dresden, there’s the suburb of Pillnitz first. Pillnitz is famous for its chateau (funny-french name, Japanese style) and classical music concerts. There’s even a museum of Decorative Arts (a fancy name for an art museum) to see.

Onward to Dresden! Now I know this route is small but, you might want to stay a few nights here — that’s how much there is to see.

Prior to World War II, Dresden was a city of music, architecture, art, and royalty. Sadly it was totally decimated during the last days of the Second World War; but has been lovingly rebuilt over the decades, including the Dresden Synagogue.

The most famous of Dresden’s sights are the Hofkirche and the Frauenkirche. But, there’s also Botanical Gardens, a Hygiene Museum, a Prehistoric Museum, a City Museum, an Opera House, Dresden Castle and Zwinger Palace. There’s no way you could do all this in one day, so don’t even try. ;-)

I don’t know how it’s possible to leave Dresden, but you must press on if you want to continue along the Saxon Wine Route.

Radebeul is the next town with wineries, gardens, and villas. That’s not all there is, there’s also a historic wine press over at Schloss Hoflößnitz.

Traveling through Saxony’s countryside, your next town is Coswig (Saxony). Coswig not only has a few local wineries, but also a three churches and a moated castle. All right, it’s not a castle anymore — just a manor house but, I’m not splitting hairs. ;-)

Weinböhla, though not on the scale of Dresden, is one of the best towns on the Saxon Wine Route. The grapes of the vineyards love the 1700 hours of sunshine a year — so no vampires to be found at the annual Wine Festival in September. ;-)

Classy Meißen is another grand town on the Saxon Wine Route. Again, you might want to spend a night because it wouldn’t be a good idea to rush through. Besides wine, Meißen is also famous for its porcelain — which you can see at the Porcelain Factory.

Meißen also holds a wine festival in September, has monastery ruins, and a Soviet soldiers cemetery. Then add in a visit to the Meißen Cathedral and Frauenkirche. Do you see why you can’t just come blowing through here? You gotta take your time.

After leaving Meißen you’ll find yourself in the village of Zadel (part of Diera-Zehren). What could possibly be here to see after everything you just saw in Meißen? Oh, how about one of the oldest privately owned wine estates in Saxony? Yeah, wine… the reason you’re on this route. The vineyards of Chateau Proschwitz are just picture perfect, and the dry wines produced here are fantastic.

In Diera-Zehren proper is a chance to stretch your legs and walk about the Golkwald before visiting the Baroque Church of St. Michael, the Home & School Museum, and the 16th century Castle Schieritz. The only word I can think of is lovely. Just lovely.

By the time you reach Diesbar-Seußlitz (part of Nünchritz), you’re at the end of the Saxon Wine Route. The wineries found in this little piece of heaven are just grand, as is the Baroque Castle Seußlitz. One of the most popular festivals is the annual Marriage Market, which has been celebrated for the last 500 years.

Before you ask, NO, you can’t buy a brideo or groom. Then again, after all the wine available on the Saxon Wine Route — just about anything is possible.

What is it about windmills? Sure, when you think about them visions of a tulip blanketed countryside of the Netherlands come to mind. Would you believe me if I said you could get the same experience in Germany, just minus the tulips? This might be the reason that Germany created the Westphalian Mills Route (or the Westfälische Mühlenstrasse in German).

More than 43 mills dot the North Rhine-Westphalian countryside, all of which are in its Minden-Lübbecke District. Along this route you’ll see the best of the best of them. You’ll also see some fantastic castles, churches, and enjoy some pretty awesome countryside. Sounds like a plan if I ever heard one.

Start of the Westphalian Mills Route

The Westphalian Mills Route is a 320km (199mi) circular route, so there’s no worry about getting lost. But where to start?

How about Preußisch Oldendorf?

The one reason you’re probably on this route is because of the 43 mills. But, Preußisch Oldendorf has a lot more going on — so hang tight, you’ll see them. First, there’s a Railroad Museum (who doesn’t love trains?) and the St. Dionysis Church is over a thousand years old.

You’ll also find not one, not two, but three castles (and a castle ruin)! Schloss Hüffe (built 13th century) is a lovely manor house with its own mill house. While technically a castle, Schloss Hollwinkel (another 13th century original) looks more like a castle, especially with the moat. Last (but certainly not least) is Schloss Crollage; where you don’t have to be nobility to enjoy the classical music concerts in the courtyard.

All right, enough about that… it’s time for the first windmill.

The most historical windmill on the Westphalian Mills Route is the Water Mill Hudenbeck, built in 1556. (You’ll find it in its Bad Holzhausen district.)

I think we’re off to a fantastic start, aren’t we?

Hüllhorst is next and its motto says it all: Leben in guter Atmosphäre, Live In A Good Atmosphere. If you’re not able to live here, thankfully you can at least visit. I might not be able to help you figure out what to see first. I can at least tell you what to see & do. But, taking a hot air balloon ride over makes an excellent start.

Whether you’re looking at Hüllhorst by air or land, you’ll see many half-timbered houses and the Andreas Church. The tower is the oldest part of the church which has been here since the early 14th century. That’s nothing in terms of age compared to the archaeological finds in the village of Büttendorf dating back to the 3rd to 1st century B.C.

From the air you’ll also get a great view of Hüllhorst’s windmills, like the Windmill Struckhof (built 1799) and even an oldtimee water mill (aren’t they romantic?).

Awesome! Minden, our next stop, got four mills! but its Rodenbecker Mühle from 1821 is very robust. After that head over to the Weser river and inspect its unique Schiffsmühle (Ship Mill).

The town itself dates from the days of Charlemagne filled with little cobblestoned streets. Nice, right? The Dom Cathedral is still beautiful after a millenia. Actually, just like us humans, it gets more beautiful as the years go on. As lovely as the church is, that’s how much fun the Minden Puppet Museum will be.

The Lahde neighborhood of Petershagen has a gorgeous 19th century Dutchman Windmill (it’s called Klostermühle). OK, that might not seem very old, but a windmill has stood on this spot since 1292!

There’s another historical windmill in the other neighborhood of Petershagen, Neuenknick, a village of only about 850 people. The Windmill Neuenknick is not your average looking windmill, but who cares… it’s almost 300 years old. Totally unrelated to windmills, Neuenknick has this Stone Gallery — an array of huge boulders laid out in the neighboring forest.

In Großenheerse, another district of Petershagen, the Westphalian Mills Route meets up with the Weser Cycle Track. You’ll also meet up with a charming octagon windmill and a Dutchman Windmill built in 1863. If you’re hungry, the Miller House is a good cafe an restaurant.

Petershagen proper is pretty awesome with its 19th century glassworks, a local history museum, old mines, Bueckeburg Castle, a Helicopter Museum, Schloss Petershagen, and eleven (yes, 11) windmills. Whewwww! Pretty awesome, no?

Over in Nordhemmern (part of Hille) it’s not the Windmill Nordhemmern that’ll stick in your mind. I know this is the Westphalian Mill Route but, the unassuming 13th century chapel with its white walls & red tile roof will steal the show.

Your second to last town on the Westphalian Mills Route is Rahden. Never heard of it? Too bad, this town pound for pound has the most spectacular sightseeing imaginable with thousands of years of history all in one place.

Don’t believe me? How about we start with the Bronze Age burial mounds? Then we can jump forward more than 15 centuries to the 13th century St. John Church, 14th century Windmill Rahden-Wehe, and 19th century Castle Rahden (now a nursing home). Which shouldn’t be confused with Castle Rahden-Kleinendorf. Built in the 13th century, this castle was destroyed in the winter of 1878.

But if you’re going to see anything it should be the Museumshof Rahden, a “collection” of farm buildings and equipment, as well as a mill. It also has a brick oven from the 16th century.

Rahden is more than just history, though. Many motorcycle enthusiasts enjoy the winding roads in the far north of North Rhine Westphalia — and all sorts of art exhibitions and cultural events are always taking place.

Moreover, in the Tonnenheide district of Rahden, sure you’ll see an awesome 19th century Dutchman Windmill (where you can get married if you like) and a bunch of framework houses. But, you’ll also see a billion year old rock. No, really — the Great Stone is a billion years old (weighing 350 tons) carried here by the last ice age from Scandinavia.

The last stop on the Westphalian Mills Route is set between Opperwehe and Stemwede. Opperwehe is a part of Stemwede, but worth an honorable mention in its own right. Known not only for its mills, Opperwehe is famous for its asparagus and moorlands.

And you’d think that because this is the Mills Route that Opperwehe’s landmark would be, well, its Opperwede Windmill (built 1705). But, it’s not. It is the Oppenweher Klus, a tiny half-timbered chapel from the 13th century. The one standing today is a replica, but the spirit of it is the same as the original.

Moving over to Stemwede, you can end your trek on the Westphalian Mills Route with WINDMILLS and so much more! The Windmill Destel is picture perfect, so remember to snap lots of photos.

The Evangelical Church St. Mary is another photo-op, as will the 15th century Holy Cross Chapel. Save some film for the Schloss Haldem, once used as a school for the Hitler Youth.

With any luck you’ll be here for one of Stemwede’s festivals. One of the most popular is the Stemwede Outdoor Festival where some 20,000 people flock to the town in August. Just as popular is the Waldfried en Wonderland Music Festival.

Well, well, look at that. You came to the Westphalian Mills Route looking for a bunch of mills and you walk away with so much more. It’s so fantastic, you might just want to follow this route twice. ;-)

Located in the gorgeous federal state of Baden-Württemberg, Aspach and its three other villages find themselves centrally located within a beautiful wine making region. No beer here this time, my loyal readers, there’s a more refined palate within Aspach.

But, don’t let me go on about the town’s viticulture before I tell you a bit about its sites. Just like any medieval town, there’s got to be a church, right? In Großaspach St. Juliana’s lower floor is medieval Romanesque, showing this Protestant church’s real age.

Its Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) is also another site to see, if you like half-timbered construction from the 16th century. Even if you don’t, go see it — Aspachers are proud of their ancient Town Hall.

In another one of Aspach’s hamlets (Kleinaspach) you’ll see the Torkelkelter, a wine press that was used for more than four hundred years. Sadly today the Torkelkelter is only used occasionally.

Even if you can’t see an operational wine press, you’re more than welcome to see St. Nicholas; a parish church from the 1460’s.

Nearby is a mid-19th century bakery.

Ohhh, I can smell the strudel baking as I type. Yum, gooey delicious pastries with apple, cheese, and… sorry, I lost myself for a minute. Didn’t realize how hungry I was. Good thing I’m not drinking on an empty stomach. ;-)

So, we’ve talked about old buildings, wine, food; what else is left? Not too much, but as with most German towns there’s always some sport or another going on. It’s your choice whether you want to try bowling, table tennis, swimming, hiking, or cycling.

Too many choices are better than no choices at all, right?

I can only hope you see Aspach as the special German town that I know it to be.

Just a fifteen minute “normal” drive (it’s not like you’re traveling on the Autobahn, right?) from the Baltic Sea is Ahrensbök. This is a place where simple everyday life is the norm; and the place has some pretty amazing countryside to look at while you’re off exploring this part of Schleswig-Holstein.

The most likely place where you’ll meet these regular everyday folks is Ahrensbök’s Weekly Market, a town institution since 1832. Don’t worry… all the market’s produce, cheeses, and flowers are totally fresh.

With your belly full you’re ready to make your way around town.

Everyone stops to see the former Carthusian Monastery which has been a resident here since 1397. Another church you’ll want to see is the old Pilgrimage Chapel that was built in 1280.

You can easily break up your trips around Ahrensbök walking around the forested countryside or hikes passing through rolling fields. Done? Good, now it’s back to the business of more sightseeing.

For you castle loving travelers Ahrensbök’s got them. You’ve got Castle Hoppenbrook and the Rathaus (built 1826) is on the site of a former castle. Then there are the ruins of Turmhügelburg Havekost. I know, it’s a mighty big word, but no need to try and say it, just see it.

I should say, kind of see it because its moat makes it inaccessible. Use a wee bit of imagination to picture how this 13th century castle (built on a site of an even older one) looked before it was totally destroyed in the 15th century. Hey, no one ever said life in the Middle Ages was a walk in the park, did they?

A trip to Ahrensbök’s Local History Museum is also a great way to learn more about the castles and everyday life. There’s an 18th century farm (with carp ponds) that’ll be just as informative.

If you’re on a trip following 20th century history, Ahrensbök was the site of an Auschwitz satellite camp. A memorial stands to those who died in April 1945 during the camp’s death march.

Whatever the reason you’ve chosen to come to Ahrensbök, you’ll love all its history, culture, and castles all the same — even if you had to get here by driving at a normal speed.;-)

Roetgen’s close proximity to Aachen and Belgium made it a perfect stopping point for smugglers. The town embraces this long ago tradition, so you can visit an old Smugglers’ hideout.

Please, we’re talking about smuggling coffee, tobacco, and that kind of stuff — so don’t freak out thinking it’s something totally wretched. ;-)

This Westphalian town’s forests were the perfect hiding places for these smugglers. Today they make great scenery while hiking and biking. The Bleesweg is a highlighted trail between the German-Belgian Forest.

Stop by the Dreilaegerbach Dam, a drinkable water reservoir that’s criss-crossed by many hiking trails within the Eifel area; a region once belonging to the Romans and the Prussians (not at the same time, though ;-).

Other sightseeing around town (other than in the footsteps of the Smugglers) includes the Wild Boar Park, the Old Nagelschmiede (a museum of ironworking in the Eifel through the 18th/19th century), and a Forest Nursery (a kid’s nature experience).

Can’t leave the Lady Chapel, which was part of the original church from the 1630’s. Now the 19th century St. Hubert Catholic Church stands instead alongside it.

Here’s a tip… If you travel to see the Moorlands make sure you stick to the paths. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. OK?

I know I’m flip-flopping between the cultural and the natural; and I’m sorry. But, I got so excited thinking about the Roetgen Therme, a sauna experience with hot tubs and summer garden, a perfect place to relax after running contraband.

Whoops, did I say that out loud? Let’s change the subject, shall we? ;-)

Over at Roetgen’s Rathaus (sounds like the name of a restaurant, doesn’t it?) there’s pretty sculpture to look at while you’re conducting town business.

Then there’s the business of Christmas. Not the overly-commercialized business of Christmas, no this is the charming Christmas Market where you can buy yourself (or those you love) handmade greeting cards and other little odds & ends, all the while drinking mulled wine or hot coffee.

Kind of like an old smuggler, wouldn’t you say? ;-)

Close to the Baltic Sea, right between the Hamburg metropolitan region and Lübeck is Reinfeld (Holstein), a town started by a dozen monks back in the late 12th century. Life was quiet in this Schleswig-Holstein monastery back in the days; and it quickly thrived thanks to fish.

Fish? I guess that’s why Reinfeld is considered a Karpfenstadt or “Carp City” to this very day.

Back to the monastery, if you please. Visitors will love the Baroque Matthias-Claudius Church, built 1636. Yes, I know I said the monastery was much older, but the original church was destroyed in 1635 (those monks worked fast, didn’t they?).

Found within the Kloster complex are the graves of former abbots; and there’s a granite memorial on the bank of the monastery’s pond that was added in 1989.

Also within town is Reinfeld’s Local History Museum, called a Heimatmuseum. Great — even if you don’t speak German you’ll know that when you see one of these — you’re usually in for a true educational (I mean informative) time. Hey, who doesn’t like learning something new?

One thing though, you don’t have to be inside to learn something or see something historic. Reinfeld’s the site of a prehistoric grave in the neighboring forest.

And you don’t need something historic to enjoy the forest. Germany’s great for hiking, bicycling, and plain old walking trails; so just find one with the love of your life or just a good friend.

The only thing missing from Reinfeld is a castle (but, I’m not taking anything away from the place). There used to be one here back when the area was once part of Denmark. Too bad we weren’t here back in 1775 before Reinfelder Schloss was torn down. Its stones still live on, except this time as an administration building.

I’d go out on a limb and say those dozen enterprising monks sure would be proud of how their small monastery town turned out. Wouldn’t you agree?

How many sayings, songs, poems, etc. are there in the world about rain? Let’s see. There’s Phil Collins’ I Wish It Would Rain Down, the Eurythmics with Here Comes the Rain Again…

Oh, this is too much — never mind.

But, when I started thinking about all these rain songs (and stuff) it was because of the town of Rain on the Lech River in Bavaria, Germany. Not, rain as in “rain, rain, go away,” I mean the town of Rain on the Danube Valley Railway between Ulm and Regensburg.

Trust me, you won’t want it to rain in Rain. There’s too much to do here, so you’ll want the sunny weather to guide your way.

The Heritage Museum is a good start, since there’s no place better to explain the town’s local history. Then you’ve got the Schwabtor to see; it’s one of the city’s two 15th century gates. And then there are the fantastic frescoes from the 1480’s at the Gothic St. Johann the Baptist Church.

Add in a trip to the Lieutenant Hill fort from 1632, a stop at the All Saints Chapel with a late-medieval crypt (1471), and a Witches Tower from a castle and you’ve gotten in a full day’s sightseeing.

Stay the night, though, for we got more to do tomorrow.

Let’s start the morning with a trip to the town’s very early 17th century cemetery. What? Like I would suggest tromping around a plague cemetery at night? Wow, you guys give me more credit than I deserve sometimes. ;-)

Great, now I’m creeped out. I guess shopping can take my mind off the heebie-jeebies. And there are plenty of markets throughout the year to keep you busy (and return my blood pressure back to normal).

The May Market is on the last Sunday of April, the Jakobimarkt the last Sunday in July, the Autumn Market is the 2nd Sunday in September, the Martinimarkt is the 2nd Sunday of November, while the Farmer’s Market is held every Friday.

End the year right with the obligatory Christmas Market on the 3rd weekend of Advent.

I got to give the City Festival an honorable mention, held the 2nd weekend of July.

You’re still not done sightseeing in Rain. The Natural Teaching Garden is great for kids and those kids-at-heart with information on all things natural (animals, trees, stuff like that); and the Flower Park is a place of quiet reflection with flowers from all over the world.

Ohhh, now that I think about it I guess we need rain in Rain — otherwise how else are all those lovely flowers going to grow?

If you’re traveling along the A4 Autobahn and come up to an intersection for the A9 Autobahn, this will lead you to the town of Hermsdorf in Thuringia.

Decisions. Decisions. Do you get off of the A4 and end up in the town’s north, or get off the A9 and photograph the south of Hermsdorf first?

Although, Hermsdorf is pretty small with only about 8,000 residents, so it’s a nice place to stop for a few hours before flying back down the best roadway ever.

Hence there’s not a lot of sightseeing, but its festivals are pretty cool. Lucky for me it was the second weekend in September when the Street Festival was going on. The call of the food, beer, and music is too much to ignore.

Great, now I got to stay the night after all the drinking. Good thing there are a few guesthouses in town to accommodate, including the Gasthof zum Schwarzen Bär that’s been around since 1646.

If I had come about two weeks after Pentecost (check the Christian calendar — as it changes) is the Maypole Festival; yet another excuse to drink and dance in the streets.

It’s a bit more subdued during the Christmas Concert, held on the 4th weekend of Advent.

Got to Hermsdorf and no festival going on? Don’t freak, you can find something to do. Depending on the weather, you’ve got football, handball, volleyball, and ice skating to break up the day. Plus, there’s in indoor swimming complex if you want to do that, too.

The more historical side of Hermsdorf can be found by visiting the Schulstraße 19 where you’ll see three crosses. Legend says 3 nuns were struck by lightning here on this very spot.

Over at Eisenberger Straße is a memorial to World War II forced labor workers. And no too far away are the ruins of medieval monastery from 1240.

My trip to Hermsdorf is done so I’m getting back in the Porsche and heading on my way. I wonder where the next interchange will take me; and I’m sure I’ll write all about it when it happens.

Well, I’m back in Bavaria again this time in the town of Hemau and its 12 other hamlets. Hemau is the largest town in the Regensberg District, but you don’t care about that. Or maybe you do, since it means we probably won’t be crowded. Yeah!

Crowded or not, Hemau started out simple enough as two Celtic settlements that pre-date those crazy Romans. Oh, did I just write that? Sorry, I mean pre-dating those fine, polite, well-mannered Romans. ;-)

OK, enough about who founded the place… let’s talk about what’s to see.

Mostly everyone goes up the Eichelberg to see the Holy Trinity Pilgrimage Church. Honestly, it’s hard to miss this Baroque church since it’s painted bright yellow and white. And the view of the Jura from up here is spectacular.

The other outstanding church in Hemau (well, close to Hemau) is the Kloster Prüfening. Built as a Benedictine Abbey in 1119 it was the center of religious life for seven hundred years before it closed in 1803.

Kloster Prüfening’s monastery might be closed, but the church is still used today. I wouldn’t miss it if I were you. Neither would I miss the Brunnhaus, a Romanesque water supply building that still flows water today.

Seen enough? It’s festival time in Hemau! A couple of Hemau’s festivals aren’t easy to pronounce, but they’re great fun for everyone! Carnival kicks off the year, a religious party on the Sunday before Lent begins.

The Spring Market is next; and always on the last Sunday in April. You’ve then got the BürgerFest on the last Saturday of June.

September brings on a few more festivals. The Tangrintel-Fest is a 3-day weekend affair and here’s the kicker — the festival’s Sunday is ALWAYS the 1st Sunday in September. Confusing, right? Just look a calendar and you’ll figure it out.

Then just about a week later is the Michaelimarkt, which falls on the 2nd Sunday after the Nativity of Mary. OK, even I had to look that up on the Christian calendar (please no one tell my mother) — the Nativity of Mary is September 8th.

The year winds down with the Spitzlmarkt on October 31 and the Christmas Market on December 21. Wow, talk about waiting til the last minute for gift buying. Even if you’ve already done your shopping, try the mulled wine.

On Market and Festival days Hemau’s Spielzeugmuseum or Toy Museum in the Old Town Hall is open. OK, it’s open other times of the year, just not so much. The 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month except January, February, and August.

That’s all right, August is when everyone heads to the municipal outdoor pool. The kids can play in the sandbox and everyone get to join in a game of beach volleyball.

Who cares if Hemau is the largest town in the Regensberg District — I’d say it’s probably the most fun, too.

There are three villages that make up Haibach in Lower Franconia. Plus, the town just so happens to be on the western edge of the Spessart, as well.

Now, I know this might mean nothing to some and plenty to others. But, this part of Franconia is exceptionally beautiful and the weather isn’t all that bad, either.

Maybe this is why Bavarians call it “Bayerisch Nizza,” or “Bavarian Nice”? Yeah, don’t look at me like that… some things don’t translate well, but you get my point, don’t you? :-)

I’m not going to bore you with details about churches or castles, framework houses, or former residents this time. Nope, Haibach is a total unabashed outdoor activity town. So who cares if you’re not near the Alps, I know I don’t.

The kids are gonna love this. The Haibacher Wildlife Park is where they’ll see all sorts of animals in a farm-like setting. The best part for you Mom & Dad: it’s FREE.

That’ll save you money for the Kletterwald or Climbing Forest (open April to November). Kids as young as 4-years old can enjoy swinging from the trees for a day of tiring fun. Hey, it’s better than letting them swing from your chandelier at home, isn’t it?

Haibach also offers a 3km Culture Walk around town. This is just a guided tour that’ll take you along the Ketzelburg and through to the Haibacher Schweiz.

You don’t need a tour of the Haibacher Schweiz, it’s a park with BBQ grills and streams, which is perfect for a picnic and letting the kids run around.

You’re not done with the outside yet. There’s swimming and Nordic Walking trails, and a Public Forest Adventure. OK, the kids might not be swinging from the trees here, but it’ll at least keep ’em off your furniture. ;-)

Enough about the kids, it’s grown up time! And the Wheat Beer Festival (June) is the best festival to celebrate that. ;-)

OK, we’ll let the kids come back for all of Haibach’s musical concerts, Maypole Festival (May 1), the Summer Festival (July), Forest Festival (August), and the annual Christmas Market in early December.

I told you there was a lot of outdoor fun to be had in Haibach; and see? I didn’t mention a church or anything else once. Maybe it does feel like Bavarian Nice here, after all. ;-)