I find the town of Bad Schmiedeberg in Saxony-Anhalt a bit odd. Of course, with a “Bad” designation you assume there’s a wonderful spa experience in store, which there is. But, you don’t usually go around thinking about nuclear war.

Yeah, I said it like that for shock value; but the builders of the Bunker Kossa-Söllichau thought that was a real possibility. The bunker was built by the Soviets back in the day when this part of Germany was East Germany to withstand a nuclear blast.

Now that the Cold War is over, the bunker is now a Military Museum; and you can even see a decontamination chamber.

Another reminder of war is the War Memorial to soldiers of World War I, located in the spa gardens. And then there are the graves of forced laborers in the town’s cemetery.

Not everyone is into military history, so I’ll skip on to tell you about the Kaiser Wilhelm Tower in the Dübener Heide (a nature park). The observation tower is only about 30 meters high, but you still get a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside.

You can keep the walking and cycling trails through the nature park, I’ll take the mineral and Kneipp spa instead. Check out the historic Spa House from the early 20th century.

And for any of you else out there that don’t like being too close to nature, I’d suggest you visit the Town Church that was originally a mid-15th century Gothic church, only to be redone in a Baroque style a couple centuries later.

Don’t leave out a visit to the Renaissance style Town Hall, or just walking around looking at all the pretty mansions. The Castle Reinharz isn’t in the mansion category, that’s in a class all its own.

Throw a bunch of concerts, theater performances, and guided tours and walks into the mix, and you’ve got the best time.

Even if it is a bit “odd” to have the topic of nuclear war brought up. But, that’s alright — it’s all part of Bad Schmiedeberg’s charm.

I don’t like to name drop, yet I’m going to anyway. But, I guess the real question to ask is, why am I about to do that?

For centuries the spa town of Bad Ems has been THE place to be for not only the German elite, nobility, and royalty; but for those who were famous and celebrated from foreign lands.

Like who?

Glad you asked.

Bad Ems has hosted the likes of Richard Wagner, King Albert of Saxony, writer Victor Hugo, King Ludwig I, Kaiser Wilhelm I, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Sir William Edward Parry (of England), Belgium’s King Leopold II, England’s King Charles I, and Russia’s Tsar Alexander II. Whew, and that’s not even the half of it!

Have you asked yourself, why have all of these creative and ruling folks made their way to this town on the Lahn River between the Taunus and the Westerwald?

Oh, sweet friends, it’s because of its curative mineral springs.

Sure, you too can soak, swim, and relax in the spas that have treated these most illustrious characters in world history. But, I’ll tell you this: If that’s all you do, you’ll be missing out on a whole lot more.

A fantastic spa experience sure is grand, but Bad Ems gives its visitors and residents the chance to golf, go horseback riding, play miniature golf, mountainbike, bicycle, hike, or park a boat at its marina.

Relaxing at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Park for a picnic is also a good idea. A quiet stroll around the Nassau Nature Park is a brilliant place for some peace & quiet.

I haven’t even gotten to the sightseeing of Bad Ems’ history yet and I’m already tired.

Bad Ems boasts mansions and even castles, like Schloss Balmoral which is now a cultural center. Then there’s Schloss Stolzenfels, Burg Lahneck, and a gorgeous former Baroque palace.

A town that’s been around since Roman times (I guess they wanted the silver deposits & there’s a Roman Tower at nearby Wintersberg) will also have its fair share of medieval sites. The Ehrenbreitstein Fortress is a good start.

Sorry, I made a boo-boo. The fortress wasn’t built until the 16th century, which is technically a full century after the Middle Ages ended. Either way, the view of Bad Ems from this vantage point is something special.

One true medieval site is the Martin Evangelical Church. It was originally a Romanesque church (very popular during the Middle Ages), but this building now is from the 18th century.

Bad Ems’ Catholic Church was built in 1661 and the Church of St. Martin (built 1866) is a right proper venue for organ and choral concerts.

There are even a few museums to see, too. Stop to see Health & City Museum, the Beatles Museum, and the town’s Mining Museum.

After you’ve visited Bad Ems you can add your name to the list of distinguished visitors. It’ll sure be nice to name drop then, wouldn’t it? ;-)

I’m on the P-side. Nope, now I’m on the H-side. P-side. H-side. No clue what I’m talking about, right?

Don’t worry, let me explain…

Bad Laer in Lower Saxony lies along the Das Dreiländereck, the former border between Hanover and Prussia. Along these little landmarks (they look like gravestones) you can still see the “P” and “H” marking the boundary.

Is everyone with me? Good.

Not only is it along the border of North Rhine-Westphalia, but it also sits along the Blomberg (on the edge of the Teutoburg Forest) where you’ll find more than 100km of hiking and biking trails.

The Nature Park Terra Vita is also perfect for hiking, as well as checking out all the local wildlife.

After working those muscles of yours with a day of walking or biking, the best place to go is the Brine Pavillion. The air quality is great for relaxing, and the heated outdoor pool with its brine water is utterly fantastic.

In the historic center of Bad Laer you’ll find lots of local restaurants, quaint guesthouses, and little shops for yummy treats and souvenirs. You’ll also see a few half-timbered houses, one of the oldest dates to 1768.

The oldest site in Bad Laer is the Bell Tower of the Catholic Church St. Mary, which dates to medieval times. How do I know? Because the bell tower is of Romanesque design, which was popular in the late Middle Ages.

See, Art History Professor — I did learn something. ;-)

St. Mary’s is also where you’ll find the Local History Museum (called Heimatmuseum on plates).

Bad Laer also has a few festivals every year. There’s one on the first weekend of August, another on the 1st Wednesday of October, and one on the 1st weekend of Advent.

When you’re having a blast at one of these “Fests” or sitting in a brine pool, you won’t care which side of the “P” or “H” you’re on. I know I don’t.

Here we go again! What is it with German towns that are dominated by a castle long after the Feudal system has ended? Where now? Alsbach-Hähnlein in Hesse.

You see, those noble people (I would say noblemen — but that’s not fair to the ladies) knew that by building these monstrous structures it would strike fear in their enemies, as well as make a display of their wealth and power.

History lesson over, I’ll just get on to tell you about Alsbach-Hähnlein’s Castle Alsbach. It was built around 1230 and is more fortress-like than a palace dwelling. Not too much of the original castle still stands (it was destroyed in the 18th century), but you can still see its “keep” and parts of its outer wall.

The castle ruins host one of the largest Arts & Crafts Markets in the region every Pentecost (sorry, you got to check the Christian calendar for the exact date, cause it changes). It’s also where the annual Wine Festival and Medieval Market are held.

Uh, can you think of a better place for a medieval market (complete with knights and jugglers) than a medieval castle? It wouldn’t be quite the same if they held it as some modern office building, right?

The castle also has its own garden with both roses and many herbs. Oh, the fragrant smells are just heavenly.

It’s easy to lose track of time wandering around Castle Alsbach. Good thing there’s a bronze medieval sundial to let you know the time. It’s thought to be one of the oldest in all of Germany.

You don’t want to be late for your tennis game or anything, right?

Some other sports you can enjoy in Alsbach-Hähnlein are horseback riding and swimming at the outdoor pool on Burkhardtstr.

For a proper museum experience, there’s the Museum Hähnlein at Gernsheimer Straße 36 which is only open by appointment — so call before you get here.

Come to think of it, maybe Alsbach-Hähnlein isn’t dominated by its castle. But, it sure does make for a good time while you’re here.

So, you’re going to see one of the big cities in Germany? Yeah, blah blah. I’m going to Heiligenhafen. Haven’t heard of it? Too bad, this port city in Schleswig-Holstein by the Baltic Sea is nothing short of super fantastic.

There is just about everything and anything you could ask for right here. There’s a fabulous festival, historical sites, and more outdoor activities than should be legal. ;-)

Since I mentioned the festival first, let’s start there. Every July there’s a week long Port Festival with large ships that come to port, a fish market for those who love seafood, and lots of parties (even for the kids).

Speaking of seafood, if you’re an early riser (I mean like 7am-ish) come to Heiligenhafen’s port to watch the daily catch come ashore. Too early for you? How about watching the sun set? Yeah, truly romantic if I do say so myself.

Rather sail the seas than watch fish? You can do that, too. Lots of yachts and smaller vessels are available for rent, so you try fishing out in the Baltic on your own.

Sailing isn’t the only thing you can do out on the water. Try swimming or get yourself a catamaran.

You’ll find out who’s a land lubber. They’ll be bird watching at the Graswarder (usually March to May). From April to October there are guided tours you can take around this nature reserve.

If you’d rather be alone, that’s OK too. Plenty of walking trails will take you along the cliffs and sea. There’s even a lighthouse to be found.

I feel calmer already. Don’t you?

When you’re ready to join civilization again the beach has an event stage, BBQ areas, and a beach volleyball court.

Over at the cobble-stoned Marktplatz there’s Heiligenhafen’s historic Town Hall and the town’s obligatory Local History Museum with all sorts of fossils and art exhibitions. It’s open April to October from Tuesday to Friday. In the colder winter months the museum acts as a culture center as well.

If you’re willing to trek a bit, there are Bronze Age grave hills not too far from town.

Didn’t I tell you that Heiligenhafen has everything you could imagine all in one place? Keep another big city. I’ll take Heiligenhafen anytime.

How many of you out there have a dad, an uncle, or even just yourself that thinks fishing is the ultimate outdoor activity or sport (whatever you want to call it)? How many of you out there just enjoy a good seafood dinner?

Yes, you know I’m leading up to something. Aren’t you clever?

The reason I bring this up is that in the Upper Palatinate area of Bavaria, right next to the Czech Republic, is the town of Tirschenreuth, which was once a town known for fish farming.

Yes, fish farming. I’m not kidding, but I’m also not an expert on fish — otherwise you’d be reading a fishing website.

So, lucky you when you visit Tirschenreuth because the town has the Upper Palatinate Fisheries Museum. It’s not only just about the town’s history of fishing it also has four aquariums with carp & trout. All the better served on a plate with butter and lemon if you ask me, but you didn’t. ;-)

Connected to the Fisheries Museum by an underground tunnel is the City Museum, housed in a former monastery (now a courthouse). Both are located within an area known as the Museum Quarter right off the Marktplatz.

Also within this “historic” area are a tourist office and a monastery garden. This is also where you’ll see the town’s landmark. Folks there say former landmark — but once one, always one, ya know?

Either way, it was built in 1330 increasing in size in the late 16th century. With wall some three feet thick, it’s no wonder it’s still standing — yet sadly it’s all that’s left of the original defense wall (called a Stadtmauer in German).

One last thing to see before it’s time to hike the Palatinate Forest is the Fischhofbrücke, a little romantic stone bridge.

I can’t believe I almost forgot about Tirschenreuth’s churches. You can’t go hike around the Großen Teufelsküche (Great Devil’s Kitchen) to see the Wolfenstein (a rock formation) in the Hohenwald just yet.

One of the oldest of Tirschenreuth’s churches is the Parish Church of the Assumption. It was built in a Gothic style in 1299, but all that remains of that style is the choir — the rest is Baroque.

The Fatima Church is a neo-Gothic church built in the 1850’s. And there are both a new St. Peter’s and Old St. Peter’s Churches (which is actually the oldest one in town).

Sure, this sounds all nice right; but how many of you’d rather be fishing? Might as well be in Tirschenreuth, don’t ya think? ;-)

Brandenburg’s town of Trebbin has been nicknamed Clauertstadt. Now, I know at the moment this doesn’t make much sense. But, give me a few minutes and it’ll all be crystal clear.

Sort of.

Trebbin was the home of Hans Clauert, a Eulenspiegel. Oh yeah, that clears things up, doesn’t it? ;-)

A Eulenspiegel is a trickster or prankster; and good old Hans was up to some 16th century merry making (before dying of the plague in 1566). On the town square is a bronze statue of him, so you can put a face to the story.

Now you know why Trebbin is called Clauertstadt. See, didn’t I tell you all would be revealed?

A full century before Hans was causing a ruckus in Trebbin the St. Anne Chapel was built. St. Anne’s is thought to be one of the oldest buildings in town, and still used today for worship and funeral services.

I’m not going to go too much into the other old buildings, mansions, and churches found within Trebbin’s thirteen villages. You’ll see them as you’re out and about.

Why am I not going to go into detail about some of the16th and 17th century churches, because I want to tell you about the festivals and stuff.

Stuff? What kind of stuff? Oh, how about the guided motorcycle event that kicks off the “cycling” season in May?

Not good enough? How about the annual Mother’s Day Asparagus Buffet? What? It’s the “king’s vegetable.” Or, in this case — the Queen’s vegetable.

Ha-ha, I’m too funny. Maybe I’m channeling Herr Clauert, who knows?

What was I saying? Oh yeah, festivals and stuff. May’s also when Trebbin holds its Children’s Festival; and there are all sorts of musical events going on all summer (called the Musiksommer) long in the village of Blankensee starting in June.

Trebbin also has a wild animal park (with only a nominal entrance fee so it’s affordable for the whole family). There are 5km of hiking trails through the park, so make sure you’ve got your comfy shoes on. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Also, don’t feed the animals — again, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

You don’t want to be considered Trebbin’s new Eulenspiegel, do you? ;-)

The culture of East Frisia in Lower Saxony, where you’ll find the town of Großheide, is unlike other parts of Germany. There aren’t majestic Alps rising above mirror lakes, nor will you find German scenic routes like the Lutherweg that follow along in the footsteps of historic figures.

Großheide, only about 10km from Norden, is a real working class town; a place where the North Sea winds sweep down, folks speak Low German, and just about everyone goes peat bog hiking.

This is my kind of place — charming, rustic, and a place where you don’t mind getting a bit dirty. I sure hope you like it. ;-)

Before you ask, yes, I said peat bog hiking. Sounds kind of odd, doesn’t it.

Well, these wetlands (created thousands of years ago out of plant material) that are famous throughout North Germany are the ultimate in hiking some interesting scenery though the moorlands and the East Frisian Geest.

Großheide’s Forest & Moor Museum is a great place to learn more about the bog. It’s open everyday from June to September and from October to May on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Hey, since you’re so close to the North Sea, you could always go mudflat hiking. Haven’t heard of that either? Oh, that’s when you walk out over the exposed sea floor of the North Sea when the tide goes out — even going all the way over to the Frisian Islands like Langeoog and Spiekeroog.

Hiking through peat bogs and along the mudflats of the sea sure is a lot of fun. But, if you come back to town you’ll see there’s a lot more to town than just its peat — like its 2-story Gallery Dutch Windmill.

For Großheide’s medieval history, there’s a 12th century Romanesque church.

Don’t get too excited thinking Schloss Großheide is a medieval building… it’s not. Now a children’s home, it was originally a farm; and built long (long, long) after the Middle Ages were over. It’s still a beautiful building though. :-)

Another thing you might notice about Großheide is that this is a tea drinking part of the country. As much as I love a good cup of java as the next person, you gotta try the tea sweetened with a rock candy called Kluntjes. For those cold blustery winter days, the tea’s spiked with rum to warm up the insides.

Come Easter when everyone gathers for the annual Easter Bonfire. It’s great fun for everyone — and a great reason to sit around drinking rum laced tea & talking with the neighbors.

I told you this is the kind of place! ;-)

How many of you ever picked a spot to vacation; gotten there and found it wasn’t what you were looking for? When you’ve got an idea of historic Germany (like lots of half-timbered houses and castles) then you might not like Goldenstedt that much.

I’m not saying to not come to Goldenstedt, not at all, but this isn’t “Old World” Germany, if that’s what you’re looking for.

On the other hand, if you’re the bicycling and hiking (or anything outdoorsy) kind of person then this is exactly where you’ll want to be.

Let me start by saying that Goldenstedt isn’t totally devoid of anything historical. There’s the old medieval Stadtmauer (a defense wall) and a museum experience into life during its East German days.

Everything else you’re going to do or see in Goldenstedt you’re going to have to “work” for it. By that I mean get yourself a bicycle and ride through the Herrenholz State Forest or find one along the Hartensbergsee.

I would suggest stopping there for a while since it’s both a swimming lake and offers canoeing. Too tired to keep going? Camping is available right along the lake, so you won’t have to go too far to rest for the night.

Good idea to conserve energy before you’re off to see the Goldenstedter Moors, a bog area that was created from the Ice Age. Take the small “train” throughout this nature protected area for an informative trip around.

It’s back to the bikes or walking if you’re following the Aqua Tour. There are four different routes that vary in length (the shortest is only 1km, the longest 33km) that all have to do about water. Get yourself a map at the Rathaus so you don’t get lost.

There’s something about water that keeps attracting people here. Not only is there swimming and canoeing (did I already say that?), but also fishing and rowing too.

I would say save all that until after Goldenstedt’s Spring Festival (early May) with a flea market and lots of food, dancing, and music.

For as much as I love German castles, I can even overlook that to come to Goldenstedt. It’s worth it for the Moors and the nice people here alone! ;-)

I thought we covered just about every German scenic route imaginable here at MyGermanCity.com. For real, who wouldn’t want to travel on a Mill Route or the forever beautiful Fachwerkstraße with all its gorgeous fairytale half-timbered houses?

Then, lo & behold — BAM, another route pops up! Where & which this time?

Oh, simple, Urbach in Baden-Württemberg just east of Stuttgart. Urbach is so close to Stuttgart that it’s part of its Metropolitan Region.

Silly me, that’s not a scenic route! OK, kidding aside… Urbach falls along the Stromberg-Schwäbischer-Wald-Weg. Oh, man, that’s a sure tongue twister if I ever heard one. ;-)

This is no ordinary scenic route. This is a hiking route through parts of the Swabian-Franconian Forest. Swabia is a totally unique region within Germany with its own special regional food, dialect, and landscape — so it’s totally worth the trek, all 170km of it.

Scenic routes aside, Urbach is pretty cool in its own right with a festival so grand it takes three years to plan. In 2009, the Schnitzfetzede Street Festival brought partiers from all over Baden-Württemberg and other parts of Germany.

At least the Christmas Market is an annual event. As are the outdoor concerts that start off the Summer Holiday season.

Life in Urbach isn’t always a party; it’s a quiet town other times of the year. It’s real quiet in the Nature Reserve where you’ll walk lazy paths passing many of the local wildlife and many indigenous plants.

Another place of quiet reflection is the Protestant Afrakirche, a Gothic church built in 1509 decorated with many Renaissance paintings. Who says you got to go to a museum to see magnificent pieces of art? I know I don’t. I can just come here.

In defense of museums, Urbach does have its own obligatory Local History Museum with exhibits on life around the Swabian Alb. As if the Stromberg-Schwäbischer-Wald-Weg and the Schnitzfetzede isn’t enough?