I’ve been thinking quite a bit about what to tell you about the Schleswig Holstein town of Ammersbek. This isn’t your beachside kind of town. Nor is it a town with a centuries old historic Town Hall. So what kind of town is it?

Ammersbek is what is known as a “bedroom community.”

Wait. Before you go off thinking some naughty thoughts, it just means that Ammersbek is a town where everyday Germans come to after a hard day’s work in Hamburg.

This isn’t part of the Hamburg Metropolitan Region for nothing, being that it’s only about a half hour away from its city center and connected to the city by the U1 Subway and various bus lines.

Honestly though, there’s not a whole lot of sightseeing to do here. But, it does have the Heidkoppelmoor. This nature area is the biggest draw to this 17 square kilometer town. Whether you walk or bicycle around, you’ll pass pastures, wetlands, and many different types of plants and animal species.

There are also a number of hiking, walking, and cycling paths in the nearby Wohldorfer Wald, too.

All right, if you prefer nature on the television (this way no bugs can crawl you, right? ;-), you might choose to see Ammersbek’s historic 13th century church and Schlosskirche (castle church) instead. You can always count on medieval and castle churches for great artwork and stained glass. Trust me on this!

So, if you like pastoral silence or are just after a more relaxed atmosphere and short distance to the big city chic of Hamburg, be my guest. :-)

Sometimes your quest through Germany might not be about castles or churches. Sometimes it might all be about beer (and wine, and cars, and…). Then you’ll get a little tickle in the stomach when you get it all in one place, like you’ll do in the town of Landsberg (Saale) in Saxony-Anhalt.

Most people notice Landsberg’s St. Crucis Church first. Might be why officials made it the town’s landmark. Its Doppelkapelle is a 12th century Romanesque “Double Chapel” & part museum; and alongside are the ruins of Landsberg Castle.

Running from May to October the Doppelkapelle has monthly concerts. And during other times of the year it holds special art and history exhibitions. The festivities really are something special on Heritage Day (2nd Sunday in September).

I wouldn’t miss seeing the 13th century St. Nicolai Church or 18th century Town Hall (known as a Rathaus in German) on the Marktplatz, either.

Leaving those beautiful buildings behind, start your quest towards the Landsberger Brauerei, the local brewery. Isn’t it a wonderful experience enjoying a good brew and a concert at Landsberg’s Outdoor Theater?

Shucks, I should have stopped at the Museum Landesberger, or Bernhard Brühl Museum. It’s filled with all sorts of prehistoric, ancient, medieval, and natural history exhibits. Not bad for only a 1€ entrance fee.

The Bernhard Brühl Museum also holds special exhibitions, one being on Martin Luther and his life in Saxony-Anhalt. In regards to the Luther Decade and the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, all sorts of towns like Landsberg are holding special exhibits and symposiums just like this.

If you’ve had enough of the inside, go out enjoy the sunshine; and the Felsenbad is where you might want to get it. Open from May to September, swim the 50m swim lanes, chill out in the shallow part, and do your best impression of Greg Louganis on the diving board. And this all for 3 Euro. Cool.

Maybe the tickle in your stomach wasn’t from all the sightseeing & beer — it might have been from that diving board jump. ;-)

I was debating with my self when it came to the town of Treuen in Saxony. I stared at my computer screen thinking about all the sites there are to see and all the outdoor activities; and yet the words to tell you about it eluded me.

I really don’t know how that happened. Treuen is really a remarkable town with a long history and sits within the wonderful Vogtland. And I’m really glad I eventually got clear to tell you about it.

Treuen has a fantastic castle, a Romanesque church, a nature park, and an adventure park for the kids. See? If you don’t like this kind of stuff, you’ve got to have come from another planet. ;-)

Let’s start at the castle. The Treuener Schloss is in a late Renaissance period design with two floors and a timber-framed front. If you don’t care about its architecture, then maybe you’ll like all the concerts and festivals that go on here.

After leaving the castle, it’s onwards to St. Bartholomäi. It’s an Evangelical Lutheran church now, but not when it was originally built back in the 12th century.

A couple of other historical buildings that you must see is the town’s Rathaus (a.k.a. Town Hall) that was built in the mid-19th century. At least you can see the inside of the Rathaus, because the Herrenhaus des Rittergutes is privately owned, so you only get an outside view of this house that was built in 1800.

After seeing all this, you deserve a break. So, how about climbing the Perlaser Aussichsturm? It’s an observation tower (built 1870) that overlooks the Vogtland. It’s especially pretty out here, so the eagle-eye view is another way to enjoy it.

To stay closer to the ground, there’s a nature park around Treuen with all sorts of local flora & fauna. Look around, you’ll find two ponds that are perfect to sit by for an afternoon lunch.

The kids might prefer forest adventure with three Lehrpfade (“Teaching Trails”), two of which are called Mahnbrück and Am Kreuzstein. Here they can have a few hours of learning about wildlife, trees, and plants in a totally fun environment.

Just don’t tell them that they might actually LEARN something here. Some kids already think parents are from another planet. ;-)

High above the fields of yellow flowers and green pastures are the virgin white snow capped German Alps in the town of Teisendorf.

Now I’m conflicted. What do I do or see here first? That seems to be a reoccurring theme when it comes to most German towns, especially in Bavaria. History? Culture? Nature? Beer? ;-)

For a look at historic Teisendorf there’s the Bergbaumuseum (Mining Museum) and the Klosterkirche (Monastery Church) Höglwörth in the nearby Achthal.

On the town’s Marktplatz you’ll find St. Rupert, the patron saint of the town. Then you’ve got the town’s landmark, the church of St. Andrew whose tower has been visible over the Teisendorf skyline since 1437.

There’s also a memorial plaque in town that mentions Teisendorf’s location on the Old Salt Route (Salzstraße) between Lake Constance and Bad Reichenhall.

The cultural part of Teisendorf is never more evident than at its carnivals and markets. There’s a weekly Farmers Market (with the most excellent fruits, veggies, and cheeses) on Fridays from 8 am-12:30 pm. You’ve also got the Maypole Parade (May 1st), Carnival (usually in February & held right before Lent), an annual “Cattle Drive,” and of course the customary Christmas Market.

If that’s not cultural enough for you, chances are you’ll find quite a few locals dancing in their lederhosen during these festivals & such. Aww, shucks, give me a couple of beers and I’ll throw on a pair of lederhosen and dance the night away. ;-)

A local brand of beer can be found right here in Teisendorf; and it’s been made here since 1600. The Brauerei Wieninger has been family owned for generations and offers tours every Wednesday. Any other day of the week you’ll just have to drink it and wait to get in. ;-)

It’s probably a good idea to hold off on the beer consumption until after you’ve done all the rock climbing, Nordic Walking, bicycling, hiking (this doesn’t even include walking on the St. Jacob’s Way that comes through here), swimming (in the lake & pool), cross country skiing, tobogganing, bobsledding, tennis playing, golfing, and fishing (oh my goodness, I said, err, wrote that all in one breath!).

Oh, that’s a lot of stuff to do, isn’t it? If you managed to do it all, you’ve certainly earned that beer. I think I’ve earned one just writing about it!

Getting to Rheinsberg in the north of Brandenburg might be a bit tricky in the winter. But, for the other three seasons you won’t have any trouble at all. What am I talking about? I guess it would help to start at the beginning.

Rheinsberg lies in a lake district about 100km north of the capital of Berlin, with frequent train service to and from the town. On some train lines, however, service doesn’t run to Rheinsberg in the wintertime. I guess you could always drive — use it as an excuse to rent a fine German car (you know, like an Audi or BMW — you get the picture).

All right, you’ve taken the train or rented a car to come to Rheinsberg. Now what?

Well, the biggest thing to see is the Rheinsberg Castle. Back in the Middle Ages it had a moat (how cliche, right, a castle with a moat). It was heavily damaged during the Thirty Years’ War, then rebuilt in the Renaissance style Burg you see before you.

What you’ll see at the castle is a monument to Crown Prince Frederick, and its gardens, courtyard, and theater are the stie of festivals (including an Opera Festival). Imagine how lovely that would be, listening to an opera in a real-life castle. (For us book reading folks, part of the castle houses a literary museum.)

Another museum in Rheinsberg is a Ceramics Museum. It might not be up your alley, but hey… you might learn something interesting.

Wanna know something else interesting about Rheinsberg? It’s home to the highest inland lighthouse in all of Germany! Interesting fact, yes? Oh, and there’s the 18th century watchtower built by the town’s Prince Henry, called the Wartturm.

As far as festivals go, summer’s the best time to come. The Rheinsberger Fest is on Whitsunday and has been since the town started the annual tradition back in 1948.

Then there are the summer music concerts held at the church of St. Laurentius. Yeah, don’t forget to see that while you’re here, too. Who wouldn’t want to miss seeing a gorgeous 13th century church? Right outside the church is memorial to the fallen soldiers of World War I.

World War II doesn’t go unnoticed here in Rheinsberg, either. There’s a plaque in memory of the dead who died here in town on a death march from the Sachenhausen Concentration Camp in April 1945.

After all that sightseeing and history studying, let’s take a deep breath and relax in one of the numerous saunas and spa centers in town. Yes, Rheinsberg is one of those nationally recognized spa towns without official title (i.e., the “Bad” in the town’s name).

Whatever your reasons for coming to Rheinsberg, and whatever mode of transportation you use to get here, you’re gonna love it. Now if someone could just remind me where I parked my Audi… ;-)

Smack dab in the middle of the Odenwald is a town where fairytales are not only told, but celebrated. Smack dab in the middle of the Odenwald is the town of Reichelsheim, where it all happens and a heck of a lot more.

There’s something magical about fairytales. Stories where everyone lives happily ever after, the girl gets her prince charming, or the mean “beast” is tamed by love. Don’t we all wish this was for real?

Well, on the last weekend in October it can be during the Reichelsheimer Märchen- und Sagentage, or simply the Fairytale Days. It’s where everyone is dressed up in costume and sets are constructed to make it more authentic.

No set is needed at Germany’s oldest framework Town Hall — this building totally embodies the fairytale look. Now it’s a Regional Museum with exhibits on mining, gingerbread baking, and wood carving.

Funny how most of those fairytales involve a castle (where else is Prince Charming going to live). Reichelsheim has one, making those fairytales all the more a reality. OK, one of the them is in ruins, but it doesn’t take much imagination to bring the 13th century Burg Rodenstein back to its former glory.

Schloss Reichenberg is still intact, also dating back to the 13th century. Today it’s a meeting & conference center, but it was the birthplace of German poet Johann Goethe’s friend Christian Gottfried Daniel Nees von Esenbeck (wow, that’s a LONG name).

So, why is he important enough to mention? Because he was a German botanist and zoologist who co-founded the Bonn Botanical Gardens. Living this close to nature in the Odenwald, it’s no wonder he grew up to love it, helping to identify over 7,000 species of plants.

You might not be able to identify that many as you hike or cycle your way around the Oden Forest, but why not go ahead and give it a good try? ;-)

Last up is the Keilvelterhof, part of the UNESCO-Geopark Odenwald-Bergstraße. It’s a farm (more nature!) that’s quite the happening spot for festivals. Isn’t it grand to be smack dab in the middle of the Odenwald?

When is Römerberg not really Römerberg? I swear, it’s not a silly question. The answer is when Römerberg is really the villages of Berghausen, Heiligenstein, and Mechtersheim; which only became the town of Römerberg only about forty years ago. I guess those medieval knights of long ago would be a bit confused today, huh? ;-)

You’ll find Römerberg on the left bank of the majestic River Rhine, only about 5km south of Speyer.

This is a town with little to no sightseeing, but with a good number of beer and wine gardens, and plenty of outdoor activities. You’ll also find yourself centrally located to visit such places as Heidelberg, Mannheim, Ludwigshafen, and Bad Dürkheim. So, staying a few nights at the historic Gasthof zum Engel would be a good idea.

If anything, you’ll enjoy staying at this framework hotel, one of the few 18th century half-timbered buildings around town. Or, just enjoy its beer garden ;-)

You’ll also be centrally located to enjoy the Pfälzer Wald, a forest area with hiking trails and bicycle paths. If you get hungry, pack a lunch and cook some bratwurst at one of the grill hut areas. Then, play a game of tennis or two.

After a forest jaunt, checkout the nearby Straußenfarm Mhou (in Rülzheim) where you’ll see ostriches. Imagine an omelette made from one of those eggs — one is equal to a dozen chicken eggs. Better bring a mighty big appetite!

I think I’d prefer a day at the Aquadrom (in Hockenheim) where you can be pampered with a massage, sweat in a sauna, or swim the day away. Of course, Römerberg has the Hallenbad, but the Aquadrom offers more amenities for you spa lovers.

Just don’t leave without checking out the churches of St. Pankratius in Berghausen, the St. Laurentius Church in Mechtersheim, and St. Sigismund in Heiligenstein.

Stop at a local beer or wine garden along the way between each one and you’ll have a good time in Römerberg.

Most spa towns in Germany have the title of “Bad” preceding its name. But some names can be misleading since the town of Vallendar is a spa town without the official “Bad” title.

Yet, I think that Vallendar, located just 5km north of Koblenz, should be known for other things, not just a spa town. What kind of things? Oh, goody — you asked; saves me the trouble of talking you into it.

It’s only but a minute to realize why I’m so eager to talk about Vallendar. There’s the usual Renaissance stuff I talk about, but some of the later century buildings caught my fancy, as they will yours. :-)

The Saints Petrus & Marzellinus is a good start as it’s one of the oldest churches in town, a 1501 original — although it was redone in the 19th century. St. Lukas’ Church is another 19th century churches in town. I know, I know, it’s not medieval or from the Renaissance, but still a dandy place to see.

If you want to see something medieval, the tower of the Klosterkirche Schönstatt was built when the Romanesque style was popular.

Visits to the Marienburg-Kapelle (1897), the former St. Joseph Hospital (1856), the Kaiser-Friedrich-Turm (1899), and the former synagogue are also on the list of area attractions.

Scattered throughout Vallendar are many of those famous framework houses that Germany’s known for. Although technically not a timber-framed building, Vallendar’s Rathaus (built 1663) is the prettiest building in town, looking like a real life gingerbread house.

So far Vallendar’s gosh-darn awesome and I haven’t even gotten to its festivals yet. The Kirmes (a church festival) falls in June, then there’s the annual Forest Festival, the Spring Festival, and Flea Market. Yes, on top of everything else, Vallendar’s got parties, drinking, and shopping!

Add some walking around the hiking trails and you’ve got a totally well-rounded vacation (both short-term and long-term). Now, where’s that nationally recognized spa center? After all that sightseeing I’ve got to rest a little (again)…

In Lower Saxony is a town that doesn’t have a very long summer. No, Visbek has on average maybe 20 to 25 days of weather where the temperature rises to 25° Celsius or above. Ha, ha, ha the joke’s on us! 25° Celsius is only about 77° Fahrenheit! Doesn’t give you images of a real hot & humid summer, does it?

Well, if you prefer it a bit cooler then Visbek is the right place for you. It’s also a great town if you love history, nature, and festivals.

Don’t fret if you like the weather a bit warmer, like I do. With all the stuff to see and do in Visbek you might not notice the mercury hasn’t risen all that much. So, put a sweater on & let’s go! ;-)

I think the best place to start in Visbeck is to go back in time to around 3,400 B.C. to see what some megalith stones called Die Großsteingräber.

Old stones aside, there’s been a rumor milling around Visbek since the early 19th century. It’s believed that Napoleon stayed here in town; and not in some swanky hotel or even some basic guesthouse. No, it’s said that he stayed the night in a barn. You can see his supposed sleeping quarters when you visit the Schafstall Varnhorn. Whether you believe the diminutive emperor stayed here or not, just come see it anyway.

Other sites to see around town (and in the comfort of cooler weather) is the 16th century Chapel Endel (rebuilt after the 17th century Thirty Years’ War) and the Lourdes Grotto. The Grotto isn’t anywhere near as old as the chapel, built at the turn of the last century by a man who was thankful to God for saving his ill wife. The fact that the stones came from France and the statue from Oberammergau was secondary to this man’s love of his God and his wife.

It seems today there’s always something going on at the Lourdes Grotto, and in Visbek in general. The Beer Festival is in June (oh, so I’m there!), the Folk Festival at the end of April, and of course there’s an Osterfeuer (Easter bonfire).

Hey, I guess residents and visitors got to keep warm somehow since there aren’t too many warm days in Visbek!

Just across from Laufenburg, Switzerland on the River Rhine is the German town of Laufenburg (Baden). It’s home to one of the oldest Carnival celebrations in southern Germany; and the place is an all-around pretty town, if you like that sort of thing.

Of course you like that sort of thing; otherwise you wouldn’t be here (or, have clicked on this page). ;-)

One of the coolest characters you’ll meet in Laufenburg is Hans Graf. Who? Hans Graf is a character who takes visitors along a 2-hour guided tour of Laufenburg’s sites. Well, he does if you’re visiting from May to October. And with tours starting every 15 minutes, you’re pretty much guaranteed not a long wait. Busy guy, right? ;-)

Well, I’ll help good old Hans out and fill you in on some of Laufenburg’s highlights. After we’re done, we’ll all head over to neighboring Bad Säckingen for a massage and dip.

Hans will take you to see the Holy Spirit Church, which has been rebuilt twice (1377 & 1883) since it was built in 1314.

Even older is the Parish Church of St. Oswald and Pelagius. The part Romanesque and Gothic church’s tower stands 38 meters above the town; and on the inside is the charming St. Anne Chapel.

Some of Laufenburg’s other historical buildings can be found in the Old Town at Haupstraße 28 (built 1562) that’s been a hotel since 1933, Haupstraße 14 (built 1565), and the Rathaus (built 1801) at Haupstraße 30. Just about a hundred years later an American couple built the Schlössle, which now belongs to the town.

When Hans’ tour ends it’s time to get out into the Hotzenwald, a forest full of bicycle and walking trails. As lovely as Laufenburg’s buildings are, you sure don’t want to spend all your time inside.

Make sure you’re back in time for Fastnacht (Carnival — usually February right before the start of Lent) where the festivities are full of brightly garbed folks, food, and lots of beer. For which I’m late meeting Hans — excuse me. ;-)