Follow the Deutsche Fachwerkstraße (German Framework Route) until it leads you to Bad Gandersheim in Lower Saxony. Oh, sure, she might have had a few rough edges here and there through the centuries; but, isn’t that part of the charm?

The first thing you’ll find out about the place is that Stiftes Gandersheim Church (that was first consecrated in 881 A.D.) isn’t a cathedral church; but, is where the Cathedral Festival takes place.

And, right at the start of the Cathedral Festival is the town’s Theater Festival (1st weekend in September). Oh, two festivals at the same time — how awesome is that? Yeah, I’m in for a good time and I’ll be looking for you.

Since Bad Gandersheim is on the German Framework Route, you know you’re getting the very best of the fairytale houses. Lots of ’em can be found within the historical Old Town. I can never get over how sturdy these houses are built — having stood for centuries.

And, nothing compliments the half timbered gems than a medieval abbey which is exactly what the Stift Gandersheim is. Oh yeah, Bad Gandersheim’s abbey has a gorgeous Emperor’s Hall and Chapel to see, too.

I would say that a castle would be the ultimate compliment, but the old Burg in Bad Gandersheim is now a district court and prison. So, no, I don’t think you’ll be wanting to come here. ;-)

Shopping and playing at the Bad Gandersheim Farmer’s Market, Christmas Market, or Spring Festival is always a good time for everyone, no matter your age.

The days of the Middle Ages and Renaissance and some festivals aren’t all of Bad Gandersheims. The town was the site of a subcamp of the Buchenwald Concentration Camp that was opened here produce aircraft parts from October 1944 to April 1945.

But, we won’t hold a small piece of 20th century history against this beautiful and charming town. No, it’s more like a small chapter of her story. After a whole bunch of centuries, you can just imagine the tale she’d tell.

What’s so special about the Hessian town of Hüttenberg? It’s got four (4) cheese factories. Please don’t think I’m a bit loopy and think — OH YEAH, CHEESE!

This cheese is special, made only in this area of Hesse, which is found right at the foot of the Taunus Mountains (which are amazingly beautiful in their own right). Handkäse is a yellow cheese with a real pungent odor that some don’t find all that appealing.

They’ve been making the stuff around here forever, so it can’t be all that bad. It’s usually served with apple wine or spiced with Kümmel and eaten with bread.

Other pieces of Hüttenberg’s history can’t be eaten, but found at the old Goethe House (that’s in an old half timbered building) that doubles as a Local History Museum (called Heimatmuseum on signs). It’s only open on the 2nd Sunday of the month from 2pm to 6pm, so plan this particular trip accordingly.

Another local history museum is in the next village over at the Gottfried House.

When you’ve got the urge to see an old church (or two) then go visit the 13th/14th century Volpertshausen Old Church which sits so peacefully within an open meadow. Additionally, there’s a 13th century church in the neighboring Reiskirchen that shouldn’t be skipped past.

This only leaves us to visit the fantastically famous nearby Taunus Mountains. There are plenty of forest paths that lead around little babbling brooks; with a chance to see some pretty rare plants. Within the forest area are quite a few farms, so make nice with the farmers and maybe they’ll let you try some of the freshest veggies you’ll ever wrap your lips around.

Don’t tell them I told you — we’ll keep that a secret between us because all that walking and cycling works up a mighty appetite. I bet you won’t turn your nose up at that stinky cheese now, will you?

Herzberg (Elster) is a town in the south of Brandenburg that’s pretty awesome. It has an old historical town center, but also has a lot of fun things to do for the entire family.

Within the historical center of town is the town’s City Hall that’s close to the Marienkirche. The old church’s ceiling paintings are considered to be some seriously valuable artwork. And the Villa Marx (or, Mansion Marx) is a piece of architectural art onto itself.

Herzberg is lucky enough to have its own castle, too. Schloss Grochwitz was built at the end of the 15th century. Lucky for us, it’s now used for many meetings, concerts, and the Schlossnacht (Castle Night) in September so we all get to enjoy it. Quite different from it’s original use as just some baron’s house, huh?

From “Heart Mountain,” as Herzberg literally translates to English, you can look to the celestial heavens at the Zeiss Planetarium. If you’re visiting in September get in on one of the Planetarium’s telescope meetings.

If you prefer looking to the Earth, the Herzberg Botanical Gardens would be a good idea or just a stroll in the City Park, too.

The Tierpark (an animal park) is another way of enjoying what our planet has to offer. On the 1st weekend in May, come for all the festivities at the Herzberger Tierpark Celebration.

But, to me the Nature Park Niederlausitzer Heide is the best example of the Earth’s natural history. Forged from the last ice age over 184,000 years ago, the heath can be enjoyed by both walking and cycling.

If there’s one place in Germany that’s a must see, other than the Black Forest, it’s got to be the Swabian Alb. Life wasn’t always easy on the Alb, but you could always count on the region being more than gorgeous.

Haigerloch is lucky enough to be located within the Swabian Alb, so you know from the start that the town’s surrounded by amazing countryside.

All the better to get yourself a bicycle and cycle your way along the cycle tracks. There are a few different courses you’re able to follow along. On a bicycle a 7km ride is nothing! Mountain biking and regular old walking paths are in abundance here, too.

The walking and biking trails will take you past many of Haigerloch’s sites. You will have to leave your bike above ground when you go down to the atomic cellar. Don’t worry about any radioactivity, I promise you won’t sprout a third eye and a tail. ;-)

Ride along past the old Römerturm (Roman Tower — those guys really got around, didn’t they?) and you’ll see many framework buildings that are scattered around.

Don’t miss a visit to St. Anna’s Pilgrimage Church which is a fine example of a Baroque church; built here in the 1750’s.

Haigerloch Castle is another definite must-see. Built around 1580, this old Burg has some of the most beautiful artwork of the period.

Haigerloch’s former synagogue (built 1783, destroyed November 1938) is now a museum of Jewish life in the region and a memorial to the town’s Jewish residents who were deported during the war years.

With all this wandering around, you’ve earned yourself the right to relax at Laconia, the town’s wellness center. Take in a massage or just sit and enjoy a dip in the pool.

The Swabian Alb might be downright pretty, but you can’t come by in life with just a pretty face. Good thing Haigerloch’s got more going on than that!

The presence of Roland in a medieval town was symbolic that the place was considered to be a “free town.” Calbe (Saale) in very center of Saxony-Anhalt was lucky enough to have its own Roland.

Sir Roland that you see today sadly isn’t the original. It was made of wood back in the 1380’s and suffered severely through the years of weather and war. Another Roland was placed here at the Marktplatz; and that too, had to be replaced. So, I’d like to introduce you to Roland III (my words, not the town’s).

June is when Calbe holds it Roland Festival — come join the fun.

Being a free town was a good thing, and free you were to go about your daily medieval business. Unless you were considered to be a witch. You can still see Calbe’s Hexenturm (Witches Tower) where those considered to be heretics were imprisoned. A few centuries later, the Hexenturm is now the City Archives and Urban History Museum.

Also from the town’s original defense walls, the Blaue Turm (Blue Tower) still stands. It was so named because it was made from blue slate. So refreshing from the usual grey stone that seems to have been real popular back then.

Older than just about anything you’ll find in Calbe is the church of St. Stephani. Oh sure, the original church that was built in the 10th century is long gone, but this one was put on the same spot in 1494.

On the west side of the church you’ll get a great view of the tall twin towers and the south side has the Wrangel Chapel. It can also boast it’s the largest church in the entire Salzlandkreis.

Calbe has a few memorials in town, too. The Stone Cross at Nienburger Str. 89 was put here in the 15th century and thought to be a memorial to a murder victim. Other memorials can be found at the entrance to the Urban Cemetery in memorial to forced laborers of World War II.

Just when you think you’re done in Calbe, there’s more. Don’t miss the 11th century former Monastery Gottesgnaden, or the Bollenfest on the 1st weekend in September (they crown a queen and her court), and the Christmas Market on the 3rd weekend of Advent (about 2 weeks before Christmas).

When you’re ready to go home, don’t forget to stop back by Roland and let him know how much you enjoyed his town. ;-)

Germany takes its football quite seriously. I’m sorry, that would be soccer for my friends from the US. Nowhere is this more evident than in the town of Malente, where the German National Soccer Team trains.

Besides being a town where players learn tricks on how not to get a yellow foul card (or, the worse dreaded red card), Malente is a genuinely awesome town close to the Baltic Sea.

Swimming on the shores of the Baltic isn’t the only thing you’ll be wanting to do while you’re here. Swimming in the Kellersee is another option. Just as even dipping your feet in the little Kneipp pool. No matter if you choose to do one or all, you’ll just feel all around better.

If you really want to find out more about what a family (a couple, an independent traveler) can do around these parts, right across from the train station at Bahnhofstr. 3 is the local Tourist Office. The information you’ll find here can keep you busy for days.

They’ll probably tell you not to miss the ancient grave chamber (but, you heard it from me first ;-). This old grave site was found back in the 1920’s, amazing since someone’s burial spot remained unnoticed and undisturbed for 4000 years.

Nowhere near as old as the grave chamber is Malente’s Wasserturm (Water Tower). It’s a modern addition to the town, put here only since a century ago. Even the Tews-Kate doesn’t even come close to the old grave site. It is, however, the oldest Räucherkate type of building in all of Ostholstein.

What is it, you ask? This old building was used as a smoke house. Not the smoking that’s bad for your lungs — more like the smoking that’s good for your stomach. It was used to smoke meat like ham and sausage.

As far as events are concerned, summer is the best time to visit Malente because that’s when the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival is held. You never know where you’ll find a classical concert being held, since they take place in all sorts of venues like churches and barns.

So, the way I see it, Malente doesn’t just take football seriously — music is just as serious business, too.

It’s always challenging to summarize more than a milennia of history and eight local villages. Of course, I’ll give it my best go and hope that I can do the Hessian town of Reiskirchen honorable justice.

Just to make things easier about what to see, I’ll break it down by village. There are eight of them, although most of the sightseeing is concentrated into three of her hamlets.

Bersrod is small with only about 770 full-time residents. It sits right on the western rim of the Vogelberg where you can either walk or cycle around. It’s Village Square has one of the best preserved framework centers in all of Germany.

Ettingshausen has been an active busy place, having been around from the Bronze Age. It’s got an awesome military church from the 13th century and an outdoor pool with beach volleyball, a playground for the kids, and table tennis.

The old monastery yard of Wirberg around Saasen is an excellent example of monastic life in the 12th century. The historic church is still used for special occasions like weddings and baptisms; and the fields are used by campers and scouts.

To see Reiskirchen’s history as a whole head over to the Hirtenhaus, which is now the Local History Museum (Heimatmuseum). More than a thousand years of history is all under one roof with a special emphasis on farming life in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Don’t let the winter snow stop you from coming to Reiskirchen, there’s something peaceful that settles over the place when the white fluffy stuff falls. If you’re lucky, the snow will have fallen right before the annual Christmas Market — seems appropriate enough.

Though a hike through the surrounding forest in the Autumn (with all the gold, red, and orange leaves on the trees) is my personal favorite. Maybe a visit in the Spring, with all those blooming flowers and trees around town, will be yours.

Send me a note and let me know which season YOU have fallen in love with in Reiskirchen. ;-)

Long (and I mean LONG) before tourists came to Rehburg-Loccum, the dinosaurs liked to call it home.

Oh, what makes me so smart? How do I know the dinosaurs roamed the land around here? Fine, I’ll tell you — it’s the footprints…

Over at the dinosaur park are footprints made by these extinct behemoth giants over 130 million years ago. The 150 life sized models, however, might spook the kids. On second thought, kids LOVE dinosaurs and they’ll be loving it at the park.

Adults might prefer the spa services, though. One of Rehburg-Loccum’s villages (there are five) is Bad Rehburg (Bad = spa!) and the village was like the official spa town of the Hanover royalty.

Thank the heavens you won’t need a title before your name to enjoy the joint or the Hydrotherapy Museum.

And, while the dinosaurs might be extinct; the Monastery Loccum is still going strong. It was built back over 700 years ago, the Monastery Loccum still has an active community. The Church of Sts. Mary & George is a must-see part of the monastery experience, a beauty built around 1230.

For something a wee bit more simple, go see the 19th century Friederike Chapel. But, remember — I said simple, I didn’t say it wasn’t pretty.

Oh, thinking about pretty, I’m reminded of the Steinhuder Meer that borders the edge of town. Only the quiet walking paths and bicycle trails through the forest and fields might rival its natural beauty.

It’s naturally pretty over at the ruins of Luccaburg, a castle built and used from around the 9th to 12th centuries. But, there is a grave monument to a Prior of the Monastery Loccum, dating back only to around 1818.

Wouldn’t it be a good idea to brush up on a historical glossary before coming out to these parts. ;-)

When the modern instead of the historical is your thing, Rehburg-Loccum’s got you covered. Come to the local Town Hall for many social and cultural events. Or, get in on a tennis match, take in a game on the links with 18-holes, and swim in the town’s two municipal swimming pools.

If you want to look me up, I’ll be waiting for you — third dinosaur from the left. ;-)

Thirty kilometers east of Bonn is a town known as Ruppichteroth — which is hard to say, I know, but easy enough to get around in; and pretty lovely at that!

One thing you should know about Ruppichteroth is that while it has a most amazing 14th century castle, you can only get in to see it on the 1st Sunday of the month at 11am. We Germans are known for being prompt, so make sure you are too.

It is possible to see the ruins of 13th century Castle Herrenbröl anytime. Even though the building is in ruins and only a stump of the tower still exists, the place is still beautiful.

At Rennenburg you’ll find more castle ruins. No one is quite sure exactly when a castle was put here, but it’s thought to be somewhere between the 9th and 10th centuries. Iron Age and Roman artifacts were found on the site, so it is known more than just castle building went on here.

Ruppichteroth has a few lookout vantage points that overlook the town’s gardens and meadows. If you’re going to see anything in the countryside it’s got to be the Teufelskiste, or Devil’s Crate. A few legends are associated with this gigantic slate rock, one being there’s buried treasure.

Don’t come to Ruppichteroth looking to find that buried treasure, come for the Autumn and Spring Concerts, or the two Kirmes (church festivals), or the Fußhollener Martinsmarkt (don’t ask me to translate that, please).

Come to see Burgstraße where there are a few timber framed houses with the spire of St. Severin keeping guard over the town. You should also see the Rennenbergkreuz (Rennenberg Cross) that’s been here since 1788 and there’s also an old Jewish Cemetery, too.

If you like art, then the Town Hall is where you need to be; as that’s where you’ll find art exhibits by many local artists.

Maybe someone at the Rathaus can tell you how to properly pronounce the town’s name. But, remember, you don’t have to say it to enjoy it! ;-)

There are three local villages that make up Rosendahl in the western Münsterland, not all that far from the Netherlands. There’s a fun legend that’s told around these parts. For you skeptics — you’re free to think what you like. ;-)

Being this close to the Netherlands, it’s not out of the ordinary to see windmills; and, this town has one of its own — the 300 year old Windmühle Höpingen.

One of the most visited of all the sites in Rosendahl is the Wasserschloss Darfeld. This early 17th century castle was built on top of the original 13th century foundations. But, unfortunately, that’s all you’re gonna get to see of the Schloss because it’s private property.

Schloss Varlar is another one of Rosendahl’s castles; this one was originally a monastery built in 1123. It are the ruins of Barenborg that’s the real winner in town. The original burg goes all the way back to the 10th century (yeah, that’s around 900 A.D.) and the forested area is a haven for rare birds.

Most castles, since they were built for defense purposes, had a Torhaus; otherwise known as a gatehouse for guards. Check out the Torhaus von Haus Holtwick; it’s one the whole town is quite proud of.

More of Rosendahl’s history is learned over at the Local History Museum (Heimatmuseum) and Community Center. And, another place to see what it’s really like around walk or cycle along through the nature areas.

There are a few nature area leisure riding (or, walking) routes that you can follow along through the forested area around Rosendahl. One of them takes you along past a few local breweries. Hmm, maybe you better save that one for when you’re walking.

Speaking of nature, you gotta (MUST) see the Holtwicker Ei (which is NOT an egg). Legend tells the devil threw this 30 ton stone at Rosendahl’s church (and missed!). Scientists believe this granite stone is more than 200,000 years old, left from the last ice age.

Debate all you want about Rosendahl’s legend — in fact, do it while sitting at one of the town’s beer gardens for some great conversation with the locals.