We got another winner in the health resort town competition in Lower Saxony. OK, I made that competition up; but, Salzhemmendorf would at least be in the “Top 10” if there was one.

There’s more to Salzhemmendorf than just its hot springs. Wait, give me a minute — because those relaxing hot springs always take me to a happy place in my head. They’ll do the same for you, too. Lauenstein is where you’ll go to chill out at the springs, among other types of services that are offered.

So, after you’ve soaked, dunked, and been rubbed down it’s time to see the rest of Salzhemmendorf. There’s a Dino World for the kids, which is a great little place teaching about the long extinct animals.

Those little ones surely aren’t going to want to hike all the trails in the woodlands; nor, will they want to check out the ruins of Burg Lauenstein. Between you and me, the wall shells of the castle’s chapel will leave you speechless — I don’t quite know what to say about it other than it’s amazingly beautiful in its ruined state; and something you won’t ever forget.

If you’re really brave you can go exploring the caves in the Ith, a mountainous region around Salzhemmendorf. Don’t want to do the caves? Rent a bicycle and just ride around the area and stop at the Church of St. Vitus that’s been vital to this town since it was erected in 1166.

In addition to being a spa town Salzhemmendorf was a mining one, as well. On Sundays in the Summer only the Hüttenstollen Osterwald, a mining museum, explains all about the process.

At least the weekly market takes place all year round on Wednesdays right outside the Town Hall.

I told you if there was a top ten list Salzhemmendorf would make the cut.

All of Straubenhardt’s five local municipalities are within the Black Forest area. Oh, how exciting, how exotic — the mystic Black Forest! Land of ham, cake, and other delicious goodies!

Delicious regional cuisine isn’t the only thing of value in Straubenhardt. It’s got a castle, too. Two, actually. Don’t be disappointed when you find out Schloss Rudmersbach isn’t a Frankenstein/Dracula kind of castle. It’s not a dark and foreboding place; and in this case isn’t a bad thing. Although, that kind of castle would fit in here.

Ruine Straubenhardt is exactly what the name says it is, the ruins of Castle Straubenhardt. I would be more surprised if this old burg was still standing — it was built around 1090. Funny, it’s been leveled for more centuries than it stood, destroyed back in the 1380’s.

You know what else makes Straubenhardt unique? No? I’ll tell you. It’s that the town doubles its population with over 10,000 visitors to both the Spring and Autumn Celebrations (in April and September respectively). More than 3,000 visitors come to the Schwanner Warte Run in June.

When you visit the Schwanner Warte any other time of the year, you’re in for a treat. This observation tower’s got the most amazing views to as far away as the Speyer Cathedral, the nuclear power station in Philippsburg, and the Odenwald region.

If you got the time, energy, and stamina why not have a go of bicycle riding through the area. If you don’t want to bike it, bring your comfy cross-trainers and take to the walking paths.

As great as all these sites are in Straubenhardt, there are still more scattered about. The churches of St. Martin (Conweiler), St. Nikolaus (Ottenhausen), and Castle Church (Schwann) are just divine (yell at me about the bad pun later). The Town Hall in the village of Langenalb is a nice stop, too.

When you’re done sightseeing, find a local eating establishment that serves some Black Forest Ham with a slice of Black Forest cake for dessert. After all, you’ve earned it.

Sassnitz just out on the Jasmund Peninsula on the Baltic Sea. While it does have a “resort” feel to the place, it really is a place of some fantastic natural beauty. That it has a submarine (HMS Otus) in the water operating as a floating museum, is an extra added bonus!

The best thing about Sassnitz is that the old fishing port town is STILL an old fishing port town. It’s got that salt air flavor and small colorful fishing boats heading out for a hard day’s work. So important is the Baltic Sea, Sassnitz also has a marina and ferry port.

Of course there’s the Old Town, where you’ll find Town Hall. And out in the Dwasiedener Forest are the ruins of Schloss Dwasieden. It’s too bad about the castle; this fantastic sandstone and marble masterpiece was leveled by the communists in 1948.

What everyone really comes for is the Jasmund National Park and the chalk cliffs (the most famous section of the cliffs is known as the Königsstuhl, or King’s Chair). While it might be one of the smallest parks in the entire country as far as size; but, this park packs a whollop. Rare birds and plants are found within; and just after a storm is the best time to go fossil hunting.

Another type of “nature” site is the Alaris Butterfly Park where you see the little creatures flying around in a “tropical” setting. It only costs a few Euro and the kids are gonna love it.

The whole family will go crazy over all of Sassnitz’s festivals. There’s a Children’s Celebration at the Tierpark (animal park), a Midsummer’s Fire (a Swedish tradition, no less!), and the Main Street Celebration which is on the last weekend in June.

In the third weekend in July is the Sassnitz Sailing Celebration and the Rügener Port Days are the weekend beforehand. August brings on the Summer Celebration and no German town is worth its weight in (sea) salt without the obligatory Christmas Market — which in Sassnitz is on the 1st weekend of Advent on the Christian calendar (or, about 3-4 weeks before Christmas).

It won’t make a world of difference what calendar you use to plan your trip to Sassnitz, the Ice Age inspired landscape will leave you breathless and all the sites around town will leave you happy.

Lößnitz is worth its weight in salt. Oh, I know that’s not a literal truth but, Lößnitz was on the ever important Salt Route (Salzstraße) for years.

Today we’re overflowing with the crystalline white stuff and therefore don’t give it the respect it deserves. Residents of medieval Lößnitz did and the town holds a Salzmarkt (Salt Market) on the third weekend of June every year to pay proper homage. It’s not like its a somber occasion, quite the contrary. Come party, eat, and drink yourself merry!

Same can be said for the annual Dorffest (Village Festival), the Naturmarkt in September (want me to translate that one? — c’mon!), and the Christmas Market that’s held during Advent. Oh heck, you’ll also have a grand time during Lößnitz’s weekly market on Thursdays.

That sure is a whole lot of partying for a farming village that was founded by some Counts back in the 12th century on the western side of the Ore Mountains. Oh, the Ore Mountains is a good clue that Lößnitz was a big mining town, located about 27 km southwest of Chemnitz.

If you’re off thinking that the best of Lößnitz are some festivals and stuff that’s underground, you’d be sadly mistaken. The town has an Old Quarter with parts of the old fortification wall still remaining. Many come to see the old Rösselturm, one of the old military towers; and the Town Hall (b. 1601).

While visiting the ground level of Lößnitz, expect everyday to hear the bells and carillon of St. Johannis Church, located near the Marktplatz. It’s one of the largest Neo-classical churches in the entire Ore Mountains.

The choice is yours, however, if you want to get around Lößnitz by foot or bicycle. If heading out by bicycle, there are a good number of trails that lead around the gorgeous countryside. You’ll find them to be quiet, idyllic, and perfect for escaping the stress of city life.

If that isn’t worth anyone’s weight in salt, I don’t know what is… ;-)

If you read an average of one book per day, it would take you over three hundred years to read all the volumes of books in Castle Solms’ private library.

I don’t know if the scary part is that there are that many books, or the fact that I did the math to figure out how long it would take to read them. Too bad a lifetime isn’t long enough to read them all (unless you know how to photo read).

It’s one of the largest private collections on the entire European continent and is lucky enough to have a 15th century Gutenberg Bible.

Now, before you go thinking BIG STINKIN’ DEAL, wait a minute. The fact the 13th century Castle itself is a piece of Laubach’s history on its own (check out the English Garden); consider how it’s even possible to acquire over a hundred thousand books (120,000 to be exact) AND that Gutenberg Bible is one of the first to be printed by a printing press.

Significant, yes? I’d say so!

Come over to Laubach’s Heimatmuseum for some more local history, created by Count August Solms-Laubach. Hmm, those Laubach Counts sure do like collecting things. ;-)

Two more historical stops and you can run off for the “fun” parts. The Evangelical Lutheran Church (used to be called St. Maria’s) oldest part dates to the 12th century and has a magnificent Baroque Organ. But, if you scope out all the timberframed houses along the way, you’ve done both for the price of one!

OK, I promised — it’s time for the fun. Laubach’s Folk Festival has been going on since around 1540, although the Hessian Blues Festival is a much younger party (but, they’re both fun!). Not your style of music? Try one of the the Schlosspark Concerts instead, where a nice place to sit is right by the lake.

A more cultural activity is La Mansion Cotta, also known as Garden & Country House Day. If hobnobbing with others isn’t for you, trek out into the Laubach Woods which run dead smack into the Vogelsberg Mountains. I guess if you really start walking uphill, you’ve found them!

Now, where’d I put my book — I got reading to do!

Luckau in Brandenburg has been given the name of the “Pearl of Lower Lusatia” because its awfully beautiful, like a pearl. I’m inclined to agree and I think you will, too.

This part of East Germany has survived war (wars, really) dating as far back as the Thirty Years’ War, that started in 1618, and was once occupied by the Swedish. It survived the 2nd World War and many of its old sites still stand today.

Although, it was a fire back in 1644 that destroyed many of the medieval things within the 15th century Lutheran Church of St. Nicholas. It was fixed up in an ornate Baroque style that will impress you.

A few more Baroque buildings can be found along the Market Place and one thing’s for sure, they knew how to decorate with intricate little details. They’re all over by the 17th century Rathaus (Town Hall), so you can’t miss them!

If you rather look for the medieval, then you have to see the Roter Turm (Red Tower) that was once part of the town’s defense system (a Stadtmauer, if you will). They might have called it red because this massively tall tower is made of brick and has stood since the 13th/14th century. No big bad wolf could huff or puff and blow this tower down, could he? ;-)

The Hausmann Tower, with its chapel of St. George, has been around just and long. Although, it’s been used more for secular reasons since the Reformation.

Check out the old Monastery Prison. No, it wasn’t a prison to house monks who weren’t celibate or anything (ha-ha). It was a real working monastery from 1291 to 1546. It wasn’t used as a prison until almost 400 years later during the National Socialist time in the 1940’s when it housed political prisoners.

In 2008 the monastery opened a museum detailing the monastery and prison history.

What I also like about Luckau is that it’s got an Autobahn Church. A what? Really, I know I can be a jokester, but I’m not kidding. Luckau sits right along the A13 Autobahn and the village church in the municipality of Duben is known as the Autobahn Chapel.

Others might call it the Pearl of Lower Lusatia, but I just keep thinking of that church and say it’s Absolution Autobahn Style. ;-)

Lahstedt loves Otto von Bismarck. You might ask yourself, who’s THAT?

For those of you not hip to 19th century German history, he was a statesman who really pushed for a unified Germany and known as the Iron Chancellor.

What does all this have to do with some small town that’s about 20 minutes from Brunswick? Well, there’s a super tall Bismarck Tower in the village of Oberg (one of the five that make up Lahstedt) that was built in 1915; so you might as well now know WHY it’s one of Lahstedt’s attractions.

Over at the Auflandeteich Groß Bülten, which is a large pond created from the mining of iron ore, is a fantastic recreational area for both residents and visitors who want to swim or look for many rare bird species. Alongside the pond are many walking trails that lead off to help you look for them.

Lahstedt’s outdoor pool is another place of old fashioned (read: clean & family friendly) fun. Take a ride down the waterslide or let the kids romp around the playground.

You’ll also be glad you came to Lahstedt when it’s partytime. Germany is famous for Oktoberfest and you’ll find one here (in October); as well as the Harvest Festival, too. There’s a Christmas Market in November and the Advent Bazaar is in December (a bit confusing, no?). There’s even the obligatory Christmas Celebration in December.

Don’t be confused now, there are five villages to Lahstedt so there’s always something going on.

The best is the huge Lafferder Market that’s taken place on the last Wednesday and Thursday in September since 1787. That’s right, this market has been an annual event for more than 220 years. Come join the hundreds of people walking the streets of Lahstedt and party with a unified Germany. Otto would be so proud!

Every summer from June to August the Middle Franconian town of Langenzenn gets its Shakespeare on. The Klosterhofspiele Langenzenn perform many of the English author’s work like the Taming of the Shrew and the Merry Wives of Windsor in the courtyard of the medieval monastery.

Why am I telling you this? Simple. Because while the performances are in German, you can brush up on his works in English — and then know what’s going on.

This annual cultural event isn’t all that Langenzenn offers visitors (and residents), although the themes of Shakespeare’s Middle Ages fit nicely with the Prinzregentenplatz medieval market place and the Linden Tower (that was an original part of the town’s defense system).

The Heimatmuseum or Local History Museum has been open since 1957, but houses exhibits on the town’s prehistoric beginnings. It’s here that you’ll find out about the Stone Age arrowheads and tools; and the thirteen burial mounds that date back to 1200 B.C.

No where near as old is the town’s indoor pool which has only been around since the late 1970’s. That’s a mere drop in time compared to Langenzenn’s old hospital that took care of the city’s sick since 1382 before closing its doors in 2007.

It might be a good idea to save the sightseeing for a day when there isn’t a festival going on. On the first weekend after Pentecost (think 50 days after Easter) is the Kirchweih, a church festival. For something a bit more pagan (but, fun nonetheless) is the Summer Solstice Festival at the Swan Pond.

Langenzenn’s Old Town Festival always falls on the 2nd Saturday in September and come the 3rd weekend of Advent (about a week before Christmas) is the Christmas Market.

It’ll be summer again before you know it and the works of Mr. Shakespeare (and others) will be playing again at the monastery soon enough. Someone let me know if they’re playing A Midsummer Night’s Dream, it seems an appropriate play in the still summer air of Langenzenn.

A town that celebrates viticulture is all right in my eyes. Viticulture? That’s wine making; and many of us don’t have a clue how the drink of the Gods is made. All we know is it tastes awfully good.

More than 60% of the grapes grown in Leingarten are made into red wine. I hope you don’t mind me enjoying a glass of it while I write this. Oh, this would be good with a steak.

You’ll work up the appetite, too, when you’re visiting Leingarten. There’s more than 7,000 years of history to see, going back to the Stone Age. Only the name was different before 1970 when the villages of Großgartach and Schluchtern were united.

Whatever name it chooses to use, the town’s Lorenz Church is one of its most visited places. It’s 1913 birthday belies the fact the church is really much older. Parts of the outlying cemetery date to around 1577 if that’s any indication of how much older.

St. Pankratius is another grand religious site to see, as is the remainder of Leingarten’s synagogue that ceased to exist after the early 1940’s.

While you’re out navigating your way around the town’s streets you’ll be passing many sculpture works of art. With names like Europe & the Bull, Utopia in Stone, and History & Presence you’ll find the themes are varied and unique. Quite like the residents of Leingarten themselves.

The Gassenfescht (that’s slang) on the last weekend in June is a superb way of meeting these local residents. Just as the Kids Flea Market and Homeland Celebration (which is held every three years in the Autumn, these festivals are a spectacular success!

You won’t find Leingarten to be a big city by any stretch of the imagination; but, if you want to find something a bit more remote look no further than the outlying forest. The Württemberger Weinstraße, a tourist route that highlights the best of Leingarten and the surrounding region, is a must-explore when you’re here.

The Heuchelberger Warte is one of the best ways to see the area. Built more than 600 years ago, this observation tower is a great stop no matter the weather; although, it’s really popular when the weather’s nice.

If the weather’s a bit cold, a nice glass of a local wine will warm you up. Don’t forget the steak! ;-)

The Stuttgart suburb of Leutenbach might not ever be confused with the considerably smaller Bavarian town of the same name. However, this diminutive town is quite memorable because of its location on the edge of the Swabian Forest. What does that mean?

It means that when you come to Leutenbach you’ll be close to the countryside that Germany’s famous for! Hiking, cycling, or horseback riding are all acceptable forms of transportation through the Forest; and by going such a slow pace — you won’t miss a thing.

It’s here that you’re able to follow some of the same routes as the roaming Romans did 2000 years ago. Enjoy a round of golf, or just find and climb an observation tower for an eagle-eye view of all the natural wonders surrounding you. The forest is actually 904 square kilometers, so you better pack your most comfortable shoes. ;-)

Not only is Leutenbach great for its natural beauty; but it’s quite historical, too. Close to the old cemetery and open from April to October is the Leutenbach Local History Museum (Heimatmuseum). Well, what’s inside that would make you want to come in from the Swabian Forest fresh air?

Ah, don’t look at it that way — the museum is quite interesting with exhibits on daily life, including a pub, schooling, and how a typical German living room looked in the 1920’s and 1950’s. What? Don’t look at me like that — you might get some decorating ideas. ;-)

Oh, speaking of decorating — some great gifts can be bought at Leutenbach’s Christmas Market which comes on the 2nd weekend of Advent (about 2 weeks before Christmas). Other festivals include the traditional May Celebration (on/around May 1) and the Leutenbacher Hocketse, a Street Festival on the 1st weekend of July.

When you rather have sports than shopping, Leutenbach can do that. Try your hand (no pun intended) at the shooting range or on the tennis courts (located at Lehenstr. 24). Then again, you can pretty much do that all within the Swabian Forest.

Ahhh, there’s no way you’ll confuse this Leutenbach with that OTHER ONE in Bavaria!