Rutesheim is on a medieval Steinstraße or Stone Route that went from Pforzheim via Rutesheim to today’s Cannstatt district in Stuttgart.

To be honest, it’s not like there’s a lot of sightseeing to do in town. There are only three “tourist attractions,” which is the historical Town Hall, the Evangelical St. Johannes Church, and the town’s white Wasserturm or Water Tower.

Wait, I almost forgot one thing! Rutesheim has the Obstsortenanlage Häsel, a plant with over 190 sorts of fruit! Although technically not necessarily an attraction, it’s where you can come pick all your own apples, pears, and cherries. I’m betting some of those cherries might find their way into a chocolaty Black Forest Cake. :-)

Despite not having a huge “shopping list” of things to see, this town always seems to have a festival or market going on. One of the biggest festivals is Fastnacht, held in February. This is a huge Mardi Gras event before the days of Lent begin. Oh, just consider it a really good reason to go off your diet.

March brings on the Krämermarkt (held at the Marktplatz); and April is when Rutesheim holds its Ostermarkt (this time at the Festhalle). Who cares if you don’t know much German, meet everyone in town at the Osterfrühstück (Easter Breakfast, held at the Markuskirche & also in April).

Then you’ve got the Flohmarkt (Flea Market) in May, the Town Festival (again at the Marktplatz) in June, the Summer Festival in August, and the Autumn Festival in October. Finish out the year at the Christmas Bazaar and Advents Market in November.

Oh well… it might be a good thing that I don’t live here in Rutesheim. With all the awesome food served at these numerous festivals & markets — I’d probably soon weigh more than the town’s bully Water Tower. ;-)

Oh, Wunsiedel. I don’t know what to say about you. Oh, I know. Sometimes you have to take the bad with the good. No, I take that back. You’re not just a good town, you’re a great town — with just a small blemish.

I know you’re thinking, what the hell am I talking about? Bear with me, I’ll get there. In fact, better yet, I’ll start there first.

The Upper Franconian town of Wunsiedel is the burial place of Rudolf Heß, the Nazi Commandant of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. Until it was outlawed, many Neo-Nazis (one year over 4,500 of them showed up) had a parade to his grave site every August 17th (which is the day he died in 1987).

On the flip side to that, in the same cemetery as Mr. Heß are the graves of thirty souls who didn’t survive a World War II death march.

Other than that, Wunsiedel is a most beautiful Franconian town. It offers something for personality type, age group, and physical fitness level. Again, you’re asking what the hell am I talking about?

Well, Wunsiedel has playgrounds for the kids, miniature golf (great for kids of all ages, me included), tennis, and even boating. Climbing up the gorgeous Fichtelgebirge Mountains and the largest Rock Climbing Wall in Bavaria might take a serious fitness level, though.

No physical fitness needed to visit the Fichtelgebirge Museum that has one of the largest collections of minerals and stones. The Stone Archive has over 5000 samples of natural stones from all over the world. Hey, who didn’t have a pet rock when it was all the rage back in the ’60’s & ’70’s? Don’t try to deny it. ;-)

Last, but certainly not least, is a visit to the church ruins of St. Katharina; which has the honor of being the oldest building in the entire town.

Of course, the Cultural Evening (2nd Saturday in May), the Pub Night (in November), and the Music Festival (2nd Sunday in September) sure make for some eating, drinking, singing, and dancing fun.

Hmmm, I guess I did know what to say about Wunsiedel after all. I like it and I hope you do, too.

All right, it’s official. I need a spreadsheet program to keep all of Germany’s tourist and Pilgrimage routes straight. Just when I think I’ve seen or heard of them all — another one catches my attention.

Which one is it this time you ask? Ha ha, the jokes on me, there isn’t an utterly famous one here. It’s just simply the Berlin-Wilsnack Pilgrimage Way, which was a popular route from the 14th through 16th centuries.

You’d probably rather hear what’s to see and do along the route; and not how it fell out of favor after the Reformation swept its way through Germany in the 16th century. Right? Too late. I just told you. ;-)

Technically, this pilgrimage route starts at either the Holy Spirit Hospital or the Marienkirche in Berlin-Mitte and ends at the Miracle of the Blood in Bad Wilsnack (which is just a few kilometers west of Kyritz). The church in Kyritz that the pilgrims were coming to see here is the 10th century church of St. Mary’s (check out the organ!).

The church itself is kinda cool looking and has a Staffelgiebel. Pay attention — you never know when you can answer a Jeopardy question with this. A Staffelgiebel is one of those “step looking things” on the top of medieval and Renaissance style buildings.

Another throwback to the days of the Middle Ages in Kyritz is the Franziskanerkloster (try saying that fast 5 times). The monastery itself was dissolved after the Reformation in the 16th century but, the church still stands. Plus, its monastery garden is where the Kyritz Music Fest is held; along with classical concerts and even book readings.

A little after the end of medieval life, villagers built many of the framework homes that you’ll find right in the City Center. Check out the Kyritz Community Center that’s in one from 1682.

More modern culture can be found at the Lügenmuseum (Lie Museum) with a huge collection of “off the wall” art. You’ll also find lots of folks over at the Kyritzer Seenkette, a chain of lakes that are always great for a good time.

Actually, all of Kyritz is a good time. This is why I’m not holding it against the town that they got me once again with a tourist route.

Giesen in Lower Saxony isn’t anywhere near the same as the Hessian town of Gießen. While that one little “S” makes a world of difference in regard to population (and stuff like that); this Giesen here doesn’t sacrifice on quality.

What I like best about Giesen are all the bicycling trails. There’s something really special about bicycling your way through Lower Saxony. One route is known as the Radweg zur Kunst, which is an art themed route. If you take the Radweg Hildesheim Ring, you’ll connect to some other routes that run through neighboring Hildesheim.

Before you go doing all that, cycle around Giesen’s five villages first. Groß Förste might be the smallest of Giesen’s villages with only about 870 residents, and it has the oldest church in town, built around 1236.

Groß Giesen and Klein Giesen (Large & Small Giesen) each have a beautiful church to see for artwork. But, Groß Giesen’s St. Vitus Church is the older one of the two, it is still more than 400 years younger than Groß Förste’s church.

You’ll also find two Local History Museums, called a Heimatmuseum in Germany — one in Giesen proper (Rathausstr. 42) and one in Ahrbergen at Krugstr. 4.

Emmerke has a couple of churches to see, the Catholic St. Martinus Church and the Lutheran St. Johanes Church. It also houses the town’s archives, in case you’re there to scope out anything historical.

Another place to see the historical side of town is within the Giesener Forest with more than 43 Bronze Age grave hills. That’s pretty cool, if you ask me!

I’m not sure what to think of the huge Potash pile, though, that can be seen from quite a distance. It’s been here for a VERY long time, back when Potash was mined here.

If you’d rather just walk along in a quiet, picturesque nature protected area, the village of Auenwald is where you’ll want to be. Wait! I forgot for a minute, it’s better to cycle around there since that IS the best way to see Lower Saxony. :-)

Bavaria consistently does it over and over again. I don’t know how and I’m certainly not going to argue why. But, you know exactly what I’m talking about when you come to Dießen am Ammersee.

Certainly the best place to start off any stay in Dießen would be right at Bahnhofstr. 12, which is where you’ll find the town’s Tourist Information Center. They’ll hook you up with all the information you need for a fishing license or help enroll you in school.

Enroll in school? That’s right! Not only can you rent a sailboat, you can take classes on how to properly sail them. Pretty cool, yes? Hey, this is the Ammersee!

There are also a bazillion other things you could be doing out on the water; like surfing, swimming, fishing (oh yeah, I said that), and just lounging on the water’s edge catching some rays (don’t forget sunscreen).

That’s only the half of it here in Dießen. You have to (read: HAVE TO, HAVE TO) see the Dießener Marienmünster which will send you into sensory overload. Seriously. The interior of this former monastery church will have you utterly amazed with its painted ceilings and gold & marble accents. I don’t think I can ever get over how much detail was put into this church.

The church was once part of the Augustinerchorherrenstift (that was rough typing it — let alone trying to say it), which originated way back in the 9th century. The monastery once housed both men and women; and really came into its own around 1150.

The monastery might be gone but, the church still hold services, it’s also where the annual obligatory Christmas Market is held on the first weekend of Advent.

Other festivals and markets in town include the Dießener Töpfermarkt on Christ Ascension Day (40 days after Easter), the Well Celebration, and a huge Flea Market on the second Sunday in August. Don’t mix that market with Market Sunday that falls on the third Sunday in September. Every two years in mid-September brings on British Week. Blimey, a bit of Britain in the bosom of Bavaria! :-)

I’m thinking that if you add all the things to see and do in and around Prien am Chiemsee in Upper Bavaria you might be just about equal to all 120,000 books in the Solms Library in the Hessian town of Laubach. Forgive me, that was a shameless plug for you to read that page. ;-)

OK, maybe there isn’t over a 100,000 things to do in Prien, it just looks that way.

Prien is both a Kneipp town and an air health resort. How nice of a town to take your well-being into account. A couple of hours over at the Prienavera Erlebnisbad (Prienavera Adventure Bath) will work wonders on your psyche as well. There’s stuff for the kids to do there, too, so they won’t feel left out.

Prien’s pool isn’t the only place that’s family friendly. Let the kids go out on the Chiemsee on a Pirate Voyage, play at the Adventure Park, or take a Fairytale Walk. They might also like a ride on a cablecar or the Chiemsee Course — a railway line using 19th century cars and locomotive.

Adults will find lots of things to keep them busy (can I take a pirate cruise, too?). Try the Barefoot Path (designed to get your tootsies all a tither), the Climbing Garden, scoping out the artwork at the Altes Rathaus, and Prien’s Local History Museum.

Whewwww, I ain’t even half done yet. :-)

Upper Bavaria really is best enjoyed outside and when you’re out in the Berchtesgaden National Park, the Trim Path, walking trails, cycling paths, tennis courts, or even just playing miniature golf you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. That’s not even mentioning all the boating, sailing, and swimming on the Chiemsee.

Historically, Prien is a history lovers dream. You got the Hohenaschau Castle to see, then there’s the 9th century Benedictine Abbey Fraueninsel that was founded by King Ludwig the German. Seems kind of silly to call him that… after all, this IS Germany!

Can’t skip town without seeing the Maria Himmelfahrt Pilgrimage Church and St. Jacobus. Prien offers a guided church tour which will give you a serious in-depth view of these magnificent churches. Really, it’s Euros well spent.

Don’t miss the late 16th century Kronahaus (built 1598), either.

Don’t you just love little gems like these found around town? I know I do. Call me a silly romantic. Good thing I didn’t start reading all the books in the Solms Library, because when you add in all the things to do in Prien am Chiemsee — I’d be here for two lifetimes…

In 2007 Cadolzburg turned 850 years old, which is probably why you’ll find many remnants of the Middle Ages in town. It somehow all comes together in this Franconian town in Bavaria.

Speaking of Franconia, I found a little talked about tourist route through this outstanding region — and its wonderful! Stay here in Cadolzburg and you’ll be able to see (or eat) a good portion of it.

Like any good medieval village, it has a castle. But, the only way you’re going to be able to see it is getting in on one of its guided tours that meet at the castle’s bridge at 2pm. That, and paying the couple Euro entrance fee which is worth paying to see this 14th century burg and Burgtor (Castle Gate).

You won’t have to pay to see the 18th century Baroque Evangelical Lutheran Parish Church or to climb the Oberservation Tower that looks out in all directions. From this height try to find all the remaining parts of the town’s 15th century fortification wall (called a Stadtmauer). Not all visitors to Cadolzburg were considered friendly tourists — there had to be something to keep out those pesky invaders and mauraders. ;-)

Cadolzburg’s history is explained in more detail at its Local History Museum (called Heimatmuseum on signs), located in a piece of the town’s history itself — a half timbered building built in 1668. That’s not the only one of them here, they are scattered throughout the entire town.

After you’ve got all that covered, it’s time to branch out a bit. Throughout the Romantisches Franken or Romantic Franconia region, you can see the best of the region with theater performances, walking trails (including a part of the pilgrimage route of the St. James’ Way), and horseback riding.

When you’re hungry, there’s never any end to the locally made cheeses, wine, and beer. Don’t be so shocked, Franconia is known for more than just its beer.

Now excuse me, while I go over to Cadolzburg’s Trim Path to work off all those totally delicious and scrumptious calories I just ate… ;-)

I have respect for any town that when something devastating happens somehow comes back better and stronger. Adendorf in Lower Saxony, southeast of Hamburg, has my undying respect; since after being totally leveled and sacked by war in 1374 and the Thirty Years’ War (which started in 1618 and didn’t end until 1648), it totally reinvented itself.

Sadly, many of its oldest buildings (which would be those lovely framework houses that everyone loves) were destroyed by fire not only in 1374; but, in 1627, and 1895. Thankfully, the oldest building in town still stands. It’s the St. Johannes der Täufer Church, built all the way back in 1258.

What else in Adendorf that might interest you is the Heimatmuseum or Local History Museum (thankfully this 1661 building survived the last fire) that houses many prehistoric and early history finds. It also has exhibits on many plants and living a rural life (a foreign concept to many of us city dwellers).

The rest of Adendorf is fantastic to explore outside. If you like playing the links, try either the 18-hole or 9-hole golf course. From May to August, Adendorf’s outdoor swimming pool is open and where many local residents and visitors come for a day of swimming and sun. Summer is also when everyone parties at the Summer Village Celebration.

You might want to save all the cycling (which in my opinion is the BEST way to see Lower Saxony) and walking trails along some of Adendorf’s nature protected areas (camping is allowed) for a day or two when you’re not worn out from swimming.

Maybe some shopping at Adendorf’s Weekly Market on Friday afternoons (2pm-6pm) at the Town Hall Square might interest you? Or you might like to wait for the Nikolausmarkt on the 1st weekend of Advent (about a month before Christmas), it’s always great to find small trinkets that make the best stocking stuffers.

That’s also when the weather starts to get colder and everyone can go ice skating.

Yeah, this is why I totally love and respect Adendorf — out of its ashes came one great town!

FORE! Did you hear me Austria? Be careful when you’re in Ainring playing golf because you hit a ball too hard and some guy in Salzburg might get whacked in the eye. Sorry, I’m chuckling to myself as I write this. ;-)

Seriously, Ainring is an Upper Bavarian town where you can play a good 18-holes under the watchful eye of the Austrian and German Alps. Goodness gracious, I think this is how and why I fell in love with Germany.

Just one thing though, you’ll pay for the experience costing around 50-60 Euro for a tee time. Alternatively, take a “sunset” tee time and pay only half the cost. Even if you don’t play golf, you can stay and eat at the Golf Club’s restaurant and hotel.

Save a few Euro more and just spend a day at the outdoor pool. There’s plenty of space for everyone (and then some) since the pool itself is 25,000 sq. meters. Best of all, it’s only 3.50 Euro for an entire day poolside, playing beach volleyball.

Nordic Walking is quite big around here (duh, the Alps!). Every Wednesday a guided tour departs from the Ainring Tourist Office (which rents poles for only about 3 Euro). If it’s snowing, try snow shoe walking instead. I kind of like the Moorland walking experience that goes along the old Roman Salt Road. But, hey, to each his own.

I also like all the history around the former Ainring Airfield (a.k.a. Reichenhall-Berchtesgaden Airport) out of which the Mitterfelden district had developed, with exhibits on airplanes from World War II. Follow that with a trip along the Cross Way of Ainring that’s dedicated to Pope Benedict XVI. It starts at St. Laurentius Church and ends at the Church of St. Ulrich (with stops at the Antoniuskapelle in the middle).

I’d gather that the Romans that used to trek along through Ainring from Salzburg didn’t have a clue as to how awesome this town would turn out to be. Good thing, we’re not Romans — we would have missed out on so much. Including shopping at the monthly Flea Market that’s held on the 2nd Saturday of the month!

One of the coolest ways to see the majestic Allgäu is by hot air balloon. Well, that is if you’re NOT afraid of heights. If you’ve got a fear of flying I hope you can overcome it because it’s a totally awesome way of seeing the town of Altusried.

But, if you’re going to follow the Upper Swabian Baroque Route through town, you’ll probably be better off doing it from the ground level. It’ll be easier to follow the green & yellow cherub signs though town.

If you’ve chosen the ground version of sightseeing, start in the village of Frauenzell (one of the five that are Altusried) where you’ll find the area known as Gschnaidt that’s a Weiler. Oh, yeah, I was confused, too. I’ll try to explain it though.

A Weiler is a housing development that’s smaller than a village and bigger than a simple farmstead. Within the Gschnaidt are two pilgrimage churches, a Cross Way with the Stations of the Cross, and kilometer upon kilometer of walking trails that streak through the forest.

Altusried has castle ruins, too. Not all that much remains of the 16th century Burg Kalden, only a piece of the Gate Tower. And while there isn’t too much to see of the castle, it does sit in some spectacular countryside — so, it’s all good. :-)

Some visitors to Altusried follow along the famous St. James’ Way and some come once a year in October for the Alternative Market. About 20,000 people converge on Altusried on the 1st Sunday in October to buy leather goods, skin care products, stoneware, and even local Swabian cuisine (that’s only naming a few of the things you can buy here).

That isn’t the only reason to come to Altusried. A good deal of visitors like to come for the skiing in winter, while others like the shows put on at the Outdoor Theater (one of the largest in Germany).

Me? I don’t think it matters when you come, but if you like horseback riding, swimming, bicycling, or want to take that hot air balloon ride I’d gander that you’d better do it when it’s warmer.

Either way, it’s all good. :-)