I have the perfect town for you when you’ve got the itch to see some smashing buildings from the Middle Ages, to the Renaissance and beyond. So where is this place? Germany. State? Brandenburg. Town name? Calau!

Now while Calau’s buildings are a layer-cake of history, that’s not all there is to i. For outdoor fun there’s the Erlebnisbad Calau which has a swimming pool, a waterslide, a volleyball court, and chess area. There’s always a beach party going on, so here’s your chance to mingle with the folks that live here.

When getting your hair wet just won’t do, rent yourself a bicycle and venture out along many of the cycle paths that zigzag around. There is plenty of sculpture around town and biking is a great way to see it all. The nature park and the Spree Forest are also great places to bicycle or hike around, too.

With all that done, it’s time to see Calau’s beautiful historic buildings.

Like German castles? Then you’ll want to see the Schinkel-Schloss von Zinnitz from the 19th century.

A more modest, yet stately, house is the Das grosse Burglehnhaus. Now I know this place doesn’t look like it was built in 1316. That’s because this one wasn’t put here until 400 years later. If you get close enough though, you’ll see a cornerstone inscribed with the house’s original construction date.

Even Calau’s local history museum gets in on the historical action. Housed in a timber framed building from 1789, you can get a look at the inside of one of these fairytale houses.

Not quite as old, but definitely a piece of history, are the two Car Museums, Mobile Welt des Ostens and Technik-Museum Calau. Pretty cool places for the car enthusiast!

End your trip at either the 13th century Gothic Town Church, its totally rebuilt Town Hall, or the romantic windmill.

If you want to see the mill, make sure you remember to call ahead to arrange it. We all know how easy it is to forget when you’re sightseeing all over a town as fantastic as Calau. ;-)

When warm sunshine and cloudless days are your forte, chances are Kirchen (Sieg) in the Rhineland-Palatinate won’t be. GASP! Am I saying there’s something wrong with the place? Oh, no, sweet Germany loving friends, I wouldn’t dream of it.

I’m only saying that this spa resort town gets lots (and lots) of rain every year. But, don’t let some raindrops stop you from getting out to exercise at the Nordic Walking Fitness Park. And don’t let it keep you from horseback riding, hiking, and biking either.

I would recommend waiting for some sunny weather if you want to go swimming at one of Kirchen’s ponds and lakes, or to see the Druidstein, a rock formation standing 450 meters above sea level. Oh, think of the view!

You can save the real rainy days for castle sightseeing.

Kirchen’s landmark is the Freusburg Castle, a Burg built in 913 then again in 1100 (which is pretty much what you see today). Since 1928, Freusburg Castle is one of the most popular youth hostels in all of Germany. Even if you don’t stay here, you can still get some spectacular views of the forest area surrounding the castle.

Another building to enjoy that view is when you climb up the Ottoturm, an observation tower standing 18 meters above the Kahlberg mountain.

There are two other castles around Kirchen, one is the ruins of Wildenburg (built 1230) and its keep which stands 20 meters high. The other is Schloss Crottof, built around the turn of the 13th/14th centuries.

Just as any proper medieval & Renaissance town has its castles, it has its churches too. Let’s see, which one to see first?

There is the late 17th century Rote Kapelle (Red Chapel, which is also called the Anna Chapel), the Evangelical Chapel Freusburg (built 1592), the Gothic Cathedral St. Michael, and the Romanesque Evangelical Luther Church that was built in the 12th century.

Don’t stress too much if you can’t fit all this in. A trip over to Kirchen’s Local History Museum (Heimatmuseum) will give you the “Cliff Notes” version of the town’s long, long history.

But, if you do have a bit more time come see the town’s Mining Museum and the Otto Pfeiffer Museum, filled with works from this late 19th/early 20th century impressionist.

Sounds like Kirchen (Sieg) is indeed befitting for spending either a rainy or sunny afternoon (and more).

I know this is supposed to be about the town of Klingenthal, but the entire region is intriguing. Yes, the entire region.

Klingenthal is found in the Vogtland & the Ore Mountains, as well as near the Czech border town of Kraslice, or Graslitz in German. Its topography and geography are only tidbits of what makes Klingenthal (and the Vogtland) fascinating.

Klingenthal is also a winter sports haven, where the best of the best come to do their ski jumping and Nordic Combined at the Vogtland Arena. Regular old skiing can be super fun, just in case you’re interested in doing instead of watching.

When this winter wonderland starts to melt, and the green starts to show through the snowy white, it’s time to put your hiking boots on, setting out on the 110km of trails through the Vogtland.

Out along one of the hiking trails is the Otto Hermann Böhm Tower. Think of the view from the 32 meter tower, which is 917 meters above sea level! It’s so beautiful out here you might be rendered speechless with just one quick glimpse.

There are tennis courts around Klingenthal if want to do that, too. Seems kind of anti-climatic after the Vogtland — maybe you might want to do that first.

What else Klingenthal is known for is music. And I don’t mean just the symphony or concerts in the park, either. I’m talking about international music competitions and festivals, like the International Accordion Competition in May. Or, the Harmonica Festival which takes place every year on the third weekend of September.

Music is so important to the culture of Klingenthal that there’s a Music Museum, a Harmonica Museum, and, of course, an Accordion Museum. Pretty nifty, right? Yeah, I think so, too.

Even its Rundkirche Zum Friedefürsten gets in on the musical concert action. Whether it’s holding concerts or religious services, the church (with its octagon floorplant) is the largest of its kind in Saxony.

If you get a chance cross over the Svatava River to the historical Czech Republic town of Graslitz, also within the area of the Ore Mountains. What, I’m not crazy (nor have I been drinking) — I know this is MyGermanCity.com. Kraslice is a sister city of Klingenthal — so I guess that makes visiting it all right. ;-)

The name Kabelsketal doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue easily. However, after a few beers you’ll sound like a native of this town of four villages that’s right between the Leipzig/Halle Airport [LEJ] and the city of Halle (Saale). Or, maybe the beer just makes me think that way. ;-)

It doesn’t matter if the name rolls off the tongue easy or not, it’ll sure be easy to knock back a few brews here. Why? Because just about every time you look there’s a fiery festival going on. What kind of festivals?

Well, you got the Winterfeuer (winter bonfire) in mid-January and the Osterfeuer (Easter bonfire) generally in April. And where there is fire, there are firemen… just in case you’re looking for a nice guy, ladies. ;-)

Plus there’s plenty of time to meet up with the Feuerwehr or Fire Brigade again at the many Motorcross events throughout the year and the Dorffest (Village Festival) at the end of May.

Personally, I think the annual summer concerts at the Church of St. Anne (in the village of Dieskau) are just wonderful. If you miss those, there are many choir performances held here, too.

The St. Anne church isn’t the only church in Kabelsketal. In the very residential village of Dölbau you’ll find a fantastic Romanesque church from the Middle Ages that was built around 1220.

There is only one castle, though. Situated right at Schlossplatz 1, Schloss Dieskau is a Renaissance castle that’s now a wonderful restaurant, cafe, and bar. Here’s yet another chance to have a few more drinks — and do it while you’re taking in some culture. Don’t you just love multi-tasking?

Before you head off to nearby Halle or Leipzig, take some quiet time to enjoy Kabelsketal’s parks and ponds (some of which you can swim in).

If swimming isn’t your thing, there are other outdoor activities that you can enjoy like hiking and bicycling.

And yes, scoping out cute firemen counts as sport. ;-)

I think I hit the motherload of all towns when I stumbled upon the town of Keltern. Oh, wait. Maybe stumbled is a bad choice of word since Keltern is a town that really promotes wine drinking.

I’m pretty sure they call it Wine Tourism around here. I heard something to that effect, but I had already started drinking. ;-)

Wine is all over in Keltern. In fact, Keltern somewhat translates to wine making! There are an abundance of fields of grapes that produce the most flavorful Spätburgunder wines. Sounds really foreign, right? Well, it’s not. That’s just German for Pinot Noir.

The best wine time to visit is the third weekend in September. That’s when you’ll find the whole town celebrating the Dietlinger Wine Festival. While there, take the Weinwanderweg (Wine Hiking Trail), which takes you all around to the wineries passing along some of the most beautiful scenery along the way.

Bring your comfy walking shoes… there is NO drinking & driving this route, my friends. ;-)

You don’t have to wait for the Wine Festival to see Keltern’s 16th century wine press, this you can see anytime of the year.

In addition to wine, Keltern is an art loving town. The town’s Heimatmuseum (German for Local History Museum) often holds art exhibitions, as well as its regular exhibits on wine and jewelry making. Not to mention you’ll also find lots of sculpture about town. Even the Rathaus (Town Hall) gets in on art exhibition action.

These art exhibits aren’t the only way to see fantastic art in Keltern. The Dietlinger Church has been here since the Middle Ages (built 1250), the Ellmendingen Church since 1404, and the Pankratiuskapelle since the 15th century. Come inside, churches this old are always filled with the most magnificent works of art.

When you’ve had your fill of wine and art, grab those comfy tennis shoes again so you can hike and bike your way around. There’s an extensive network of trails that meander their way around.

Kenzingen, right within the medieval Breisgau, has four (yes, four) old monasteries AND three castles. That’s quite a lot for a small town of just over 9,000 people. Man, some people just like keeping all the good stuff to themselves. ;-)

Before I get to the monasteries and castles, there is Kenzingen’s beautiful Baroque church with its two towers from 1275 that have survived countless wars. Then there’s the Schwabentor (Swabia Gate) from the 19th century with timber-framed complements and the Üsenbergbrunnen or Usenberg Fountain from the 11th century. Very nice!

The other church to see is the Church & Monastery of St. Barbara. Parts of the church date to the 15th century with additions added on in 1760 and again in 1914.

Kenzingen’s Franciscan Monastery and monastic church wasn’t built until 1659 and used as a hospital from 1889 until 1982. Even older is the Wonnental Monastery, that was a women’s kloster when it was built in 1220. Throughout the centuries it was destroyed in the Farmers War, the Thirty Years’ War, and lastly by the French in 1676.

The Pauliner Monastery was founded in 1360 and was used for that purpose until 1806; and is now used as a retirement home. Now the Johanniter Monastery is the one place you don’t want to see the inside, as much as you’d probably want to see this 15th century monastery. But, it’s a prison today. So the only way you’re getting in is if you’re very, very naughty! ;-)

With the monasteries out of the way, it’s time for the castles. There’s the former castle Hecklingen (built 1776), then there is Kirn Castle, which has been around since 1203 before it was destroyed in 1638; and restored in 1978.

However, it’s the Lichteneck Castle that you’ll really want to see. It was built in the 11th century, destroyed in 1433 and rebuilt again in 1500, only to lie in ruins today. Better do it quick though, the ruins are private property!

It’s a good thing I’m around to tell you about great places like Kenzingen so they don’t keep all this good stuff to themselves. ;-)

If you belong to the “Don’t drag me to another castle or church in Germany” Club, I got to tell you that Altlandsberg in Brandenburg, just a cat jump east of Berlin, might not be the right place to visit.

However, if you can’t get enough of historical churches and get all a tingly when you’ve got a German castle (whether whole or in ruins) in your sights, then you’ve come to the right place.

Altlandsberg belongs to the German Association of Cities with Historic Town Centers. Yeah, that’s a mouthful, but it tells you much more than that.

As with any proper medieval city it has a Stadtmauer — a defense wall that kept residents safe from masked marauders and invaders. The wall’s Berliner Turm (Berlin Tower) and the Strausberger Turm (Strausberg Tower) still stand after all these centuries.

Within Altlandsberg’s six districts there are at least that many beautiful churches to see. The Village Church in Wesendahl, the Village Church Buchholz (later rebuilt in ornate Baroque), the Seeberg-Dorf, Wegendorf Village Church, and the Parish Church of St. Mary were all originally built in the 13th century. All of them, except St. Mary’s, are now Evangelical churches — in case you want to come for Sunday services.

There’s also the Castle Church, which was built in a Baroque style. It’s too bad nothing but the foundations and basement remain of the original schloss, but with a little imagination you can picture the castle as you would have wanted it to look.

Castle Wilkendorf is still here, although you’ll think you’re in the English countryside rather than Germany, since it looks more like an English manor from the late 19th century. With two 18-hole golf course located nearby, you can see it while hittin’ the links.

After you’ve had a few rounds of golf, all that’s left is the Soviet Cemetery over by the Marktplatz and the Old Farmhouse that’s now Altlandberg’s Cultural Center.

I sure hope that you don’t belong to the “not another church or castle” club, because someone would love to see you here. ;-)

Not too far (about 8km to be exact) west of Dessau-Roßlau in Saxony-Anhalt is the town of Aken (Elbe). The name Elbe in the town’s name is quite important, as the town sits along the Biosphere Reserve Middle Elbe. Or, others call it Biosphärenreservat Mittelelbe.

The Biosphere Reserve Middle Elbe is why many outdoorsy type folks come to the area. It stretches for about 430 square kilometers, so unless you’re really physically fit — hiking, walking, or bicycling the entire thing is a major feat.

But, if you manage to just see a little bit of it, you’ll be excited to see over a thousand plant species, more than 200 types of birds, 130 species of bees (I hope you’re not allergic), and more than 50 types of dragonflys.

If you’re not a bug person, this might not be an incentive to come to the biosphere. But, the countryside is just so lovely you might very well overlook the fact that there are creepy crawlies. Oh, sorry, I got away from myself there — too many scary movies on the telly! ;-)

Seriously though, the countryside (including the biosphere) is simply idyllic and worth every minute of every day there.

Yet, people can’t live by nature alone (oh, yes they can, but you got more stuff to see in Aken)

So, time to see the fantastic St. Nicholas and St. Mary Churches. Both are from the medieval period, so you’re sure to see some magnificent stained glass and other artwork.

One house from the Middle Ages is the Steinerne Kemenate. OK, this is a bit confusing. It’s a “Freihaus” (free house) from the 13th century, that was its own entity. Not officially part of the town, although it was “within the town limits.”

The last of the medieval structures within Aken are the Gate Towers, which were part of the town’s original defense wall, called a Stadtmauer.

After a stop to see Aken’s memorial to the town’s 9 Jewish citizens and the beautiful fountain on the Marktplatz; go see the historical Rathaus (not a Rat House — that’s the German name for Town Hall!).

But, after mentioning creepy crawlies, I wouldn’t blame you for thinking that for a minute! ;-)

If you’re confused by the initials in the town of Auerbach’s name, I’ll help you. The entire name of the town is Auerbach in der Oberpfalz, which just means it’s a town in the gorgeous and probably always drunken Upper Palatinate.

Regardless of where you’ll find Auerbach, this is a simple town of cattle ranches and where ore was mined for centuries. But, since this is Bavaria expect to pepper your time of hiking & bicycling with stops at local beer gardens.

Where was I? Oh yes, that’s right, beer.

At the end of March, visitors and locals alike party at the annual Bockbierfest (. Then again, other festivals in Auerbach include imbibing on this most delicious elixir. Which festivals? Oh, there’s the Sommerfest in July and the Burgfest (Castle Festival) also in July. Don’t confuse it with the Bergfest, though, which happens in May.

You might choose to try some mulled wine while shopping at the Advents Market at the end of November, though.

No festival going on in Auerbach while you’re here? Don’t worry, you won’t be without things to do. Stop and see the Schwedenturm (Sweden Tower), which was part of the town’s original Stadtmauer (defense wall) and originally called the Fauler Turm. No, I ain’t gonna translate that one… Whatever you want to call it, though, it doesn’t change the fact that it stands 8 meters high & dates back to the Middle Ages.

Also from medieval times is the Parish Church of St. John, which was built in 1319 in a Gothic style. If you think St. John’s is old, it’s a full two centuries younger than the Monastic Church Michelfeld that was built in 1119. Throughout the centuries, this church has a few facelifts with Baroque, Rococo, and Classicism elements added to it.

With those sites in Auerbach out of the way, time for another beer. Finished? Good, you got more to see.

As I said, mining was done here for centuries so it’s a proper place for the Mining Museum. Well, you can see it if you’re here on the 1st Sunday of the month from 3pm-5pm.

But, anytime is a good time for enjoying the Upper Palatinate scenery. In the Bürgerwald Auerbach Nature Park you’ll find horseback riding, hiking paths, and bike trails. Or just enjoy the peace & tranquility of the Maximilian Grotto.

If you get tired, just sit back somewhere and have a beer. Which is EXACTLY where you’ll find me. ;-)

The town of Aidlingen in Baden Württemberg is known as Die Perle des Heckengäu, which means the Pearl of the Heckengäu.

Whether you call it pearl, diamond, or ruby; Aidlingen is a town with festivals, museums, outdoor activities, and medieval sites.

Well, before you head off to climb the Venusberg for a day of hiking, walking, and for the really ambitious — cycling; you can visit Aidlingen’s museums. The guided winter hike is a good idea, especially if you like the colder weather!

The Museum Dachtal, housed in the 19th century Town Hall, houses many agricultural and craftsman’s tools; as well as a glimpse into a rural farm kitchen (oh, I think I can smell something delicious cooking!) and sleeping arrangements. There’s an exhibit on school life (including books & such). Though I’d bet the kids won’t appreciate that one. ;-)

The Baudenkmal Hopfenhaus is another “museum” filled with farming equipment, on top of looking into German feudal life, and the industry of blacksmithing, shoemaking, and basket making on its three floors.

For another look into feudal life in Germany, look no further than the 14th century Schloss Deufringen. The “castle” you see today though wasn’t built until 1592 and is now used as the town’s community center. Oh, and it’s reportedly haunted by some poor guy stabbed to death by his own friend. How creepy!

A century after the schloss was built (1470, actually) residents of Aidlingen built the Nikolai Church. Old churches are always a great stop for fantastic artwork and architecture.

After you’ve done it all in Aidlingen, how about some shopping. There’s the weekly market held Saturdays 8am-noon and the Christmas Market on the Saturday before 2nd Advent.

And between all the sightseeing, shopping, and everything else are the jazz concerts and the Carnival Parade with all sorts of celebrations held at the Sonnenberghalle.

In my opinion, Aidlingen is more than just the pearl of the Heckengäu — it’s the whole diamond mine of the Heckengäu!