Anröchte is a small town in North Rhine-Westphalia where you won’t have to worry about any witch hunts; like you would have, had you come visited the place back in the 1630’s.

Oh, c’mon, don’t look at me like that — this wasn’t the Europe of today we’re talking about! As much as we can all sit and dream that it was knights of the roundtable and chivalry — we know it wasn’t always the case. ;-)

Had you come to Anröchte about 450 years before the witch hunts, you would have seen the construction of St. Pankratius and its towers. The Parish Church in Erwitte is almost a hundred years older than St. Pankratius, so that’s most definitely worth the time and effort to see.

Trust me, anything that old is worth it; and it’s amazing what the stone masons built from what was quarried on the outskirts of town.

You also would have seen the construction of Schloss Eggeringhausen, too, in the late 12th century. This Wasserschloss has a lovely English Garden Park and hosts many meetings throughout the year.

Other festivities in Anröchte can be found at the local Community Center (for the annual Folk Festival). But, the Herbstkermes in October is an all-go out festival with lots of food, attractions for the kids, and carnival rides.

Also great for the whole family is the Wald-Freibad. Besides swimming, diving, and riding down the waterslide; there’s a children’s pool, a beach volleyball court, table tennis, a basketball court, and a sandbox. Wow, that really is a lot to keep everyone busy for MORE than just a day.

Then when you add in the few art galleries that can be found in town, you’ll find there’s even more to do. I’m pretty sure the kids might put up a wee bit of resistance to leaving the pool complex, though.

But, better to an art gallery than a witch hunt! ;-)

I keep hearing myself answering the Jeopardy “question” from the German History category for a $1000 — From the U.S. Captiol Building & Baltimore Basilica, to the streets of Niesky. Who is Benjamin Latrobe, Alex?

That’s right, the great American architect Benjamin Latrobe who designed the United States Capitol Building and Baltimore Basilica went to school right here in Niesky, close to the Polish border in Saxony.

For other little “tidbits” of German history, or just some fun in the area you got to head to the Niesky Tourist Info Center. It’s open Monday thru Saturday and can help the Jeopardy enthusiast (or, in this case — a regular tourist) with hiking maps, get you set up with a bicycle rental, or getting a fishing license.

Yeah, you need one of those to go fishing — don’t get caught without one.

Niesky’s Tourist Office is the best place to also find out about many of the goings on in this relatively small town. They’ll tell you all about the Christmas Market that takes place in the beginning of December, or the cabaret shows or other types of entertainment. Who cares if they’re not speaking your language, just go and enjoy yourself, anyhow!

When you’re not taking in a theater performance or out fishing, go visit the Evangelical Church of the Moravian Church. While that might be a mouthful to say, the church, simply put, is beautiful.

There’s also an obelisk at the Neusärichener Cemetery dedicated to the Franco-Prussian War. A few of Niesky’s memorial markers came later on, after the 2nd World War. There’s a memorial at the subcamp of the Groß-Rosen Concentration Camp that had been opened here; and a memorial on Herbert Balzer Street to Herbert Balzer, a Nazi resistance fighter. Look for another one that’s dedicated to a man by the name of Fritz Thiele.

After a visit to the town of Niesky, you might be more confident in answering some more of those Jeopardy questions. ;-)

It’s possible that Nußloch in the Baden region is one of the best dressed towns in all of Germany. Well, if you’re going to travel on the Bergstrasse or the Bertha Benz Memorial Route (both of which come right through here), you SHOULD look good while you’re doing it.

The very first place to come in Nußloch is the Betty Barclay Outlet on Max-Berk-Straße. Betty Barclay has been around dressing brides and formal events for decades. I’d like to think that Mrs. Benz would have shopped at Betty Barclay, but the company wasn’t founded until 1938. They even dressed the German Women’s Olympic Team in 2008. So, do you see why you need to go their first? ;-)

Getting here is easy enough, just follow the signs from Heidelberg (about 10 km north) on either the Bergstrasse or the Bertha Benz Memorial Route.

If you choose the Bergstraße, you’ll be traveling on an old Roman Road that goes on from the Odenwald, down into the wine growing region of Baden and Hesse. Wine is real serious business here and the countryside with all the grapes ripening on the vines is more than stunning.

The Bertha Benz Memorial Route follows the historical route that Mrs. Benz took with her husband Karl’s prototype car in 1888. I’m sure the name Benz sounds familiar within the automobile industry — yeah, this was where the world’s love of the German automobile started.

Either route is nice to take and leads you right into the heart of town. The old Lutheran Church is now the town’s library, but the St. Laurentius Church is still holding services since 1756.

When you’re in Nußloch, make sure you look up. Look up? Yes, there’s an aerial track that’s bringing material to and from the Heidelberg Cement Company. Now you’ll know what it is, when you see it.

The aerial track isn’t the only modern thing working in town, there’s the modern City Hall that works, too. The much older one that preceded it was destroyed in 1945.

Nußloch is a remarkable blending of old and new, historical and modern; and better yet, is easily reached though some of the best wine growing parts of Germany (again, Baden).

Oh, maybe you better not do that if you’re driving on the Bertha Benz Route — so stay a while and sample some of the best of the local wineries and shop ’til you can’t shop any more!

The Eifel region always finds a way to surprise people and Nideggen is the place that does the same. Not so much that it has lots of museums about town or anything — no, it’s for many (MANY) markets and festivals that are held in the town’s nine small villages throughout the year.

What? Like you’re gonna tell me that a place that likes to throw a party isn’t a good thing?

You might notice Burg Nideggen before you’ve seen anything else. The castle sits high on the countryside in the Eifel Hills and overlooks some wonderful countryside. Burg Nideggen’s donjon has stood guard over the hillside since it was built in 1177. Today there’s a castle museum inside where you’ll love the full medieval armor regalia.

Also within the castle complex area is the 14th century Burgtor (Castle Gate), the gatekeeper’s house.

Nideggen is where you’ll come to party like a medieval rock star. OK, I know that’s not possible; but, the Middle Ages Market and Knights Camp (held in June) is really popular at the castle. Also in June is the local Town Celebration.

Other festivals and markets include the Autumn Market, Rocktoberfest, and Kirmes (a church festival) all held in October, three Christmas Markets (November/December), and there’s a Carnival in February.

When you want something a bit more cultural, it’s the Dürener Tor you want because that’s where the town art exhibits are held.

But, if you rather be out and about in the countryside, there’s plenty to keep you active. Go canoeing, fishing, swimming (at the Rursee), and biking or walking on the nature trails. When you’re camping out here, there are many sites that will give you awesome views of the castle.

Frankly, it’s the castle AND all the festivals in Nideggen that surprised me this time. Just as it’ll do the same to you!

You might wonder to yourself, what makes the town of Ostbevern in the Münsterland different? Sure, it’s got a historic church and a castle like so many other places. It’s got camping and festivals, like so many other places. It’s got a few museums, just like so many other places; but, what does it have different?

I’ll tell you. It’s not one thing that makes Ostbevern so special, it’s the perfect combination of it all that makes it special. It’s like a dessert made by your grandmom; totally made with love, making it taste better than anyone else could have.

This is a town to see if you’re a horse lover. Along the Warendorfer Riding Route you can follow the whole 190 km path, or only ride portions of it. Slowly clopping along by horseback is a tranquil way of seeing the countryside. Want to smell the flowers? Just tell Black Beauty or Secretariat (what? they’re both famous horse names) to whoa and hop off.

I’m glad you mentioned flowers, there’s an English garden at the 13th century Wasserschloss Loburg. Don’t look so shocked, I told you there was a castle. What I didn’t mention, was that it’s now a boarding school. And a lot of activity (besides tests & boring homework) goes on at the Schloss. I mean school. Whatever…

Throughout the school year many concerts and theater performances take place in the Knights Hall. There’s also an Advent Bazaar on the 1st weekend of Advent (just about a month before Christmas), the Lorburger Forest Run, and the Summer Celebration takes place just as the school year ends.

Most of Ostbevern’s history isn’t found in the castle, it’s found at the Homeland House; the birthplace of a local bishop that’s now the Local History Museum. There’s also a museum with exhibits on washing machines.

Isn’t the whole point of a vacation to get away from the cooking and cleaning? Ah, what do I know? Oh, that’s right — two famous horse names and that Ostbevern is pretty special. ;-)

Welcome to Ostrhauderfehn in East Frisia! This is a place where tea rules the clock Lake IDA rules recreational fun, and you might not understand a word that’s being said.

What does that mean to you? My best professional opinion is Ostrhauderfehn is a dandy town with lots of fun festivals and good food. My personal opinion? This place is so wonderful — you’ll have a blast!

Being so north in Germany, if you come in the winter you can expect to find some colder weather. Great if you like it and a bit bone chilling if you prefer it warmer. Drinking tea throughout the day will certainly warm you up when that winter chill has gotten into your bones. OK, the tea is usually spiked with some rum this time of year to warm up the insides.

I told you tea rules the clock — tea is the beverage of choice around here and is enjoyed for breakfast, in the afternoon (sounds a bit British if you ask me), and in the mid-evening; sweetened with a rock candy (called Kluntje) and heavy cream. You won’t find anything like this anywhere else in Germany.

Traditional sightseeing around Ostrhauderfehn won’t take too long with a visit to the old Dutchman Windmill, the Gulf House farm, and an air-lock at Hauptfehnkanal. Stop at the Tourist Information Center (Hauptstraße 115) for directions to all to these sites.

Cycling is always a brilliant idea and the 100 kilometer Moorland Experience Route comes right through town, winding its way through East Frisia and the Oldenburg Münsterland. You’ll find walking paths along this route, too.

You’ll also find that East Frisian is spoken these parts. OK, it’s actually East Frisian Low Saxon spoken here; and even if you don’t speak the lingo you’ll still be just fine. Sitting around IDA Lake doesn’t take any foreign language skills — just sit in your speedo or bikini and look pretty.

Better find out the German or East Frisian word for STOP if you’re water skiing out on Lake IDA. The June Run around IDA Lake is one of the most popular festivals and you don’t have to actually RUN. Any mode of transport around the lake is acceptable, including Nordic Walking and cycling.

Come to the lake in August for the Grill Evening, where campfires and music are the main attraction. September brings campers from as far as the Netherlands for the Campers Weekend.

But, it’s the Stutenkerl that’s everyone comes for at the Stutenkerlmarkt on the 1st weekend of Advent (about 4 weeks before Christmas). Have some tea with the Stutenkerl (a cookie in the shape of a gingerbread man) freshly made by the local bakery.

Don’t confuse the Stutenkernmarkt with the annual Christmas Market in December where the wine flows and Santa makes an appearance.

I think Ho-Ho-Ho translates in any language; and wonder if Santa spikes his tea with rum?

Try saying this five times real fast “Cistercian monks have a secret of Silver in Saxony.” OK, I made that up; but, it does sum up Olbernhau quite nicely (and has some ring to it).

Olbernhau credits Cistercian monks with the founding of this Saxonian town somewhere back in the 13th century. That’s just about when “ore” was discovered. Hmm, I guess they don’t call them the Ore Mountains (that surround the area) for nothing.

Mining was huge to Olbernhau’s local economy for many centuries after that. The fact that it also lied on the trading “Silver Route” also helped, I’m sure.

Monies from all the commerce helped to fund the building of the Olbernhauer Church on the Market Square — which still stands today. It’s a somber looking building with gray walls and black roof and “onion” dome — but, doesn’t look out of place on the cobblestone street for some reason.

Also not out of place is Olbernhau’s Local History Museum (Heimatmuseum). It’s more like a local tradition museum, though, with stories of life in and around town. It’s worth the 3 Euro entrance fee to see what life was like in this small mining community. The museum is quite family friendly and offers a “family” admittance price.

Life in Olbernhau is more than just its mining roots and an outdoor craft museum. They got sports here, too, with miniature golfing, bowling, tennis, and skiing (yes, it snows here in the winter). The walking and cycling paths through the mountain countryside might be a challenge; but, OH SO gorgeous. Don’t go too far, you’ll overshoot Germany completely & wind up in the neighboring Czech Republic (only a few kilometers away).

August brings on the Olbernhauer Radtour, a bicycling event that’s a big hit with locals and visitors alike. And if you’re here in December, join in the Christmas festivities with a carol sing-along.

For any other kind of sightseeing or cultural activity the local tourism office is a mighty big help. Ask them for help getting your fishing license, so you can sit by the crystal waters in the City of Seven Valleys or Stadt der sieben Täler, which Olbernhau is also called.

Now, that has some ring to it! ;-)

You’ll find Oberkrämer in the Oberhavel District of Brandenburg. But, that means nothing if you don’t know why you would ever want to come here.

I can come up with at least four reasons, Burg Vehlefanz, Burg Botscheberg, Schloss Schwante, and Schloss Sommerwalde, all of which are registered monuments. Mix that with an old church, a romantic windmill, and an Buddhist retreat and the list of reasons for wanting to come gets longer and longer.

Oberkrämer is only 10 km northwest from the continental city of Berlin and as close as you are; you might as well be a galaxy away. It would be hard pressed to imagine the ruins of Castle Vehlefanz in the big city. Seems more appropriate out here in a country setting since all that remains is a mound of earth and a small section of bricks.

There isn’t all that much over Castle Botscheberg, either. And Schloss Schwante is a mighty big structure that was once used as a typhoid fever hospital. It’s a beautiful place, even though it sits empty today.

Hear me out before you go off thinking I’m a wee bit bonkers for wanting to come see the ruins of two castles and a abandoned third. All this leads up to the Schloss Sommerwalde.

Since 2008, Sommerwalde Castle has been the site of many meetings and Buddhist retreats. For real? Yes, for real and it’s easy to find your “zen” wandering around the grounds of this magnificent building — a cross between Tara of Gone With The Wind fame and the United States White House. At least that’s the way I see it. You might have your own comparison so let me know what you think.

The Brandenburg countryside is really pretty and you’ll notice a lot of it when you’re off visiting the Windmill in the village of Vehlefanz. Oh, the Vehlefanz Church is really gorgeous out there; so be sure to stop and visit — you’ll be welcomed with open arms.

Warm and welcoming is how it’ll be at the Village Celebration in June, too.

Sounds like there’s yet another thing to add to a long list of reasons for visiting Oberkrämer. ;-)

There’s no tourism in Boizenburg (Elbe) in Mecklenburg Western Pomerania? No, that can’t be true!

Well, it would have been if we were having this conversation more than twenty years ago. What has changed over the last two decades? Easy. Boizenburg and its nine municipalities belonged to the former German Democratic Republic.

Boizenburg’s Old Town Center survived World War II, survived the Cold War, and is now welcoming tourists back to see her.

Visitors can now come see its Town Hall and St. Marien Church; both of which are quite lovely, without having to cross a border checkpoint straight from a 1960’s spy flick. ;-)

In the more “modern” residential neighborhood of Boizenburg, there are many reminders of life during the communism days with utilitarian housing, as well as the propaganda of how great communist rule was.

Boizenburg is a great spot to learn more of 20th century history; and the town was home to a subcamp of the Neuengamme Concentration Camp from 1944 to 1945.

That’s not totally fair to think of Boizenburg in historical terms only, since there are many outdoor activities to keep even a large family busy. Within the Naturerlebnisbad or Nature Experience Bath you can swim outdoors among all the trees, and try the waterslide, while the babies enjoy the Infant Pond and the kids are off running around the playground.

Don’t go thinking that the place is open during the winter (it gets cold here that time of year) — swimming season runs only from May to September. But, you do got all day to do it, the bath’s open from 10am-8pm.

Close to the Nature Experience Bath are camping facilities that add rock climbing, volleyball, and football (soccer, for my American friends) to the “things to do in Boizenburg” list.

You’ll also find a Tile Museum, the Eggenberg Museum, and a Local History Museum.

From the looks of it, Boizenburgers knew the tourists would be back; and you’ll be happy when you’re one of ’em!

To the far east of Germany only a stone’s throw from the border of the Czech Republic is the mining town of Bannewitz, just south of Dresden.

Bannewitz in some ways has changed considerably from when only eleven people called this place home in 1552, to now where around 11,000 people live in the town’s eleven local parts. In other ways, the town hasn’t changed too much.

It’s still a place where hard working people get and set about their day, like they have for hundreds of years. They might pass the old farmhouse in the village of Bodenritz on their way to work. Or, they might climb up the Malakowturm with its Marienschacht in order to see the Ore Mountains in the distance.

The Mala-what of the Marien-what? Residents of Bannewitz will know what it is, but I’ll tell you — so you know to come see it when you’re in town. Since Bannewitz was a mining town, both the Malakowturm (tower) and the Marienschacht are now a mining and regional museum that’s open from March to November on the last Sunday of the month (10am-4pm).

Some local residents of Bannewitz are lucky enough to see the old Dutchman Windmill that still stands here, or the Possendorfer Church that is the landmark of the place. Its two towers stand 57 meters into the heavens and have since the church was built in 1521.

Speaking of being high up, you can also see the Triangulationssäule up on the Gohlig. Before you ask, it’s an old mile column on the area known as the Goldene Höhe or Golden Height. It’s historical, it’s significant, and it’s really pretty up here — so make the effort to come. You won’t be sorry, believe me.

When you come back down from the “Golden Height,” go see the Renaissance style Schloss Nöthnitz, which was built in 1635, then had a makeover in 1870. The castle once housed over 42,000 volumes of books and the famous 18th century German archaeologist, Johann Joachim Winckelmanns, who once worked here.

Herr Winckelmanns probably didn’t get to party at the Fire Brigade Celebration at the end of April, or cheer the runners on at the annual Eutschützer Run (beginning of June), or enjoy the Bannewitzer Cultural Days at the end of June.

He probably did celebrate the Oktoberfest (beginning of October — this isn’t Munich where it’s held in September) and shopped the Christmas Markets (1st and 2nd Advent weekend). If you’re here the week before Christmas there’s an annual Christmas concert to attend.

Like I said, some things have changed over the years and some haven’t; but, you’ll enjoy Bannewitz all the same.