Only but a few kilometers south of Augsburg is the Swabian town of Kissing. It’s a town with many historical buildings and seems like its always got a festival going on. Oh, then there’s the German Robin Hood.

There must be something about the Swabian air as people have lived here for millennia. You’ll find a few prehistoric grave hills in town and the remainder of what was once a 10th century castle.

Kissing does have two landmarks; and, no, they aren’t two lips. I know, that was an awful joke. They’re the 13th century St. Stefan Church (its pulpit dates back to 1660) and castle stable.

Other than visiting the Schloss Mergenthau (not to be confused with the castle ruins, the Burg) is a real beauty of a Baroque castle, the Pilgrimage Chapel at the Castle Stable, the Chapel of St. Peter, and the little Bavarian Hiasl Museum (a museum dedicated to the German Robin Hood) most of Kissing is enjoyed outside.

Alright, Bavarian beer tents during Oktoberfest (which is held mid September) doesn’t count as being indoors. As do the Summer Celebration (end of July), the Garden Celebration (mid August), and the Weinfest (Wine Festival) in October give you more chances to take in the fresh Swabian air (and beer).

Seriously though, Kissing is a really beautiful land and you’ll really notice it in the Kissinger Heide (its Heath). Just whatever you do, don’t leave the footpaths, this is a delicate nature preserved area with many rare plants and orchids.

You got more leeway for frolicking around at Kissing’s swimming lake. Besides swimming, you can play a game of beach volleyball or let the kids enjoy the playground. There’s also a restaurant, in case you get hungry.

There’s no reason not to pretend you’re Robin Hood (or, Maid Marian) while out on any one of Kissing’s walking, hiking, or horseback riding trails. It’ll make you feel like a kid again! :-)

For the strictly German town of Isselburg you’ll find it to be quite continental. What does that mean? Let me explain…

In the Game Park Anholt Switzerland (in German: Biotopwildpark Anholter Schweiz), you’ll find an English style landscape with a Swiss Chalet right in the middle. You’ll also find forty species of animal, including black and brown bears.

At the museum in the water castle Anholt (built in 1169) there’s a HUGE collection of art from some of the best Dutch masters. The Dutch border is only a few kilometers away, so it’s only fitting that there would be some influence. This large moated castle has timber flooring that’s over 400 years old and a library with books from the 1400’s. Its Baroque Garden is more than quiet and serene.

So, in the course of only a few of Isselburg’s attractions you have English, Dutch, and Swiss influences. See, continental (mixed with the medieval).

Another medieval attraction is the 15th century military tower and a 16th century medieval City Hall in the village of Werth (one of Isselburg’s seven hamlets).

It’ll be easy to spend a few hours in Anholt Castle (OK, it’ll be easy to spend a few DAYS in here — it’s that awesome!) but, don’t miss seeing the St. Pankratius Church or the town’s romantic windmill (the Netherlands isn’t the only place with them ;-).

Isselburg has so much to see and do that staying more than a night is a good idea. Over at the Hotel Krauseman they’ll even pick you up from the train station. Don’t go expecting large chain hotels in town, though, Krauseman only has ten rooms and offers loaner bikes for guests.

Who knew that in Isselburg in the Münsterland was such an international town. Get lost in her gigantic castle art museum and visit the days of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

Just don’t feed the bears. ;-)

I wonder how much the town of Steinau an der Straße played a vital role in the lives of the Brothers Grimm? Probably a lot since this is their boyhood home.

Their house, which was built in the 1560’s, still stands to this very day; and is now a museum dedicated to their work. Just in case you haven’t heard of the Grimm brothers yet, think Hansel & Gretel, Cinderella, Snow White, and the Frog Prince. Yes, Disney would have nothing if weren’t for Jacob and Wilhelm.

Steinau looks just like a scene from one of Brothers Grimm books, complete with a 13th century castle, known as Schloss Steinau. The impressive castle is more of a Renaissance style than medieval, housing a local history museum and memorial to the two brothers. Its tower and inner courtyard would make for a great movie set.

The town’s military towers and old defense walls could also work for a movie backdrop.

Go see the Town Hall with its fairytale well and the Fairytale painted house (which is actually pretty cool looking). Steinau likes to keep the fairytale theme going with Fairytale Sunday Festival.

Non-fairytale sites around town include the Katharinenkirche which was built in the 13th century. Like a true lady, she’s older than she lets on as her foundations date back even further.

Another one of the town’s festivals is the Katharinenmarkt, which is a big festival with carnival rides and a chance to eat and drink some good Hessian food and wine.

If you get a chance to shop at the town’s Christmas Market at the end of the year, you’ll find some wonderful crafts to bring home.

When you’re done sightseeing for the day, how about some fishing or swimming at Steinau’s artificial lake? There’s an outdoor pool if you don’t want to swim with the fishes. ;-)

It’s not going to take much to see how great Steinau an der Straße really is; and think of it as your own fairytale vacation.

Around the same time the Puritans were making one Salem famous (the Salem Witch Trials in 1692), in what became known as the New World, some monks were already famous in a town called Salem in the Old one.

Really, this Salem’s been around a lot longer. People have lived in this part of Germany, that’s only a few kilometers from the Bodensee (better known by my English speaking friends as Lake Constance), since the Bronze Age.

One of the greatest places to visit in Salem (Baden) is the Salem Abbey. This gigantic complex was founded here way back in the 1130’s and prospered for centuries. A fire ravaged the medieval complex in the 1690’s (see, right around the same time), and the town was rebuilt in the Baroque style that was popular of the time around three squares.

The castle of the Abbey was even used by Württemberg Grand Dukes and its library once housed over 30,000 books. Since part of the castle is now a boarding school, it’s now filled with different sorts of books. It’s too bad that what was once one of the wealthiest abbeys in all of Germany closed its doors in the very early 19th century.

Oh, maybe not, since now you don’t have to join a religious order to see it all. No vocation is necessary to see the incredibly ornate Gothic church known as the Salem Münster, either.

Also within Salem and the complex of the Abbey you’ll find 700 years worth of art, an old distillery, and a richly decorated chapel to St. Stefan.

From reading all this, you’d think that Salem is all religious sites and art. But, that’s not the case. Summer brings on the Schlossseefest, an outdoor festival with lots of music and fireworks. And, since Salem sits within a heavily forested area of Baden means the walking trails are nice and shaded.

Now this Salem is famous for more than just its Abbey and not known at all for witch trials. I’d say that was a good thing and believe you’ll think so, too.

Sinzheim is a picturesque town in the far west of South Germany, almost on the French border. It’s not a place that’s tucked away in the Black Forest, nor is it a Swabian village. No, this is an average German town that likes to have a good time during their festivals and markets.

Oh, I’m sorry; that’s not fair to say about Sinzheim. A town this charming with a romantic countryside and outdoorsy fun is not average.

To see the beautiful Baden countryside you can do it one of two ways; choosing either to walk or bicycle ride the untold number of trails through the area. FYI — the Trim Path is meant to be walked; just as the Fremersbergturm was mean to be climbed (the views from atop the mountain tower are worth the effort).

The Walknecksee (one of the town’s two lakes) is one of the best places in town to sit and enjoy a family picnic.

Sinzheim’s Bergsee has the Mariengrotte (or, Maria Grotto) which is a place of meditation and silence. It was created here after the 2nd World War and around the Sunday of August 15th (Maria Ascension Day) there’s a solemn morning service that attracts hundreds of worshippers.

Sorry, there’s no swimming in the Bergsee; it’s a fishing lake and the place for the town’s annual Fishing Celebration.

There are few other festivals and markets in Sinzheim. Since there isn’t a whole lot of sightseeing, you’ll have more time to shop, eat, and dance.

The town’s weekly market is held every Friday from 7am-1pm (good for you morning birds!) and the town’s Christmas Market is a weekend event about two weeks before Christmas. The Spring Market falls on the 2nd Sunday after Easter and October (3rd Sunday) brings on the Kirchweihmarkt. That’s a church festival and market all rolled into one.

Sinzheim doesn’t sound so average to me. If you agree, look me up. I’ll be at a streetside cafe with a healthy glass of local wine. The town’s motto of “Municipality Between Wine And Rhine” isn’t lost on me!

It might always be fair that you’re sometimes judged by the company you keep; sometimes getting a bad rap. Then, you’ve got places like the Hessian spa town of Schotten; surrounded by some other gorgeous German towns (Fulda, Gießen, etc). What can I tell you? The good, the bad, it works both ways.

You’ll find Schotten on the western slope of the Vogelsberg Mountains, perfect for you winter loving folks that can’t wait to ski, snowboard, or whatever else you can do when the temperature drops and the snow is done falling. Well, it snows a lot here in Schotten so you might think the snow is never done falling. ;-)

Summer is just as awesome and you’ll find plenty of hikers; well, hiking. There’s also plenty of watersport activities going on at the Nidda Reservoir, a local swimming lake.

Of course, being a spa town no one can resist a day (OK, maybe more) alternating between massages, time in the sauna, and dips in a whirlpool.

Schotten is pretty famous for its racing, too. Grab your earplugs and have fun watching any one of the Schotten Ring Races that go on.

Sports and spa trips aren’t the only thing that goes on in Schotten. How could a town reportedly founded by medieval Irish-Scottish monks not have SOME sites to see from their time? Oh, Schotten itself translates to Scot City, how interesting is that?

Just don’t tell them that the Stone Age men were actually the ones who “founded” Schotten.

Just they weren’t the ones who built the few castles and/or manor houses. One is the Schloss Eppsteiner; its tiny tower is dwarfed by the sheer size of the 15th century castle.

But, the castle has nothing on the pride of Schotten, the 14th century Liebfrauenkirche does; where its alter dates back to 1385.

With a town as pretty awesome as Schotten, if we’re judged by the company we keep, I wouldn’t mind being acquainted; and neither will you.

Who new the little white granular substance of salt was so important? Zschopau did; as it was once on the old Salt Road. Today it’s known for its motorcycles.

Over at its Schloss Wildeck you’ll even find a motorcycle museum. A lot is crammed into this massive 12th century castle, including a printing museum and an urban history museum. There’s also a library and a Baroque garden which can bee seen from the castle’s tower.

From the castle you can see clear over to the town’s St. Martin’s Church. The church overlooks the Marktplatz which is a blend of Old World Europe (think framework buildings) and modern day living.

In this part of Saxony, there are many cycling and hiking trails to get away from the hustle of modern living. Just in case you WANT to get away. Just in case ANY of MY READERS would EVER want to get away from it.

Ever told you I’m excited about this utterly beautiful town? :-)

If you want to join in on any one of Zschopau’s many festivals, you’ll be more than welcome. Party Middle Ages style at the beginning of April for the town’s Medieval Pagent, the City Celebration is at the end of August, and July has the Castle Run & Boat House Celebration (as usual, that’s a freakin’ long title in German: Landschafts- Burgenlauf, Bootshausfest)

Oh, even better is the Wine and Old Town Celebration in September, the Autumn Festival in October, and the Christmas Market in December.

Hey, all these festivals are just an excuse to eat, drink, and be merry. Oh, not that I’m complaining and neither will you when you try a few delicious Saxon specialties.

Try the Quarkkeulchen that’s made with potatoes, eggs, flour, sugar, and quark (a cheese curd). It’s topped with cinnamon and served with coffee.

The Saxons were onto something when they started serving coffee with their cakes. Oh yeah, it tastes good and they were the first ones to do it in all of Germany. Good thinking, Smart Saxons!

Rodenbach, a Hessian town just east of Frankfurt and close to Hanau, is both historical and sporty. The town itself has only two hamlets, Oberrodenbach and Niederrodenbach, so it’ll be easy to find your way around.

Niederrodenbach has a bit more of the historical than her sister village. You’ll find many (no, LOTS of) framework homes from the 17th and 18th centuries. This is also where you’ll find the town’s Heimatmuseum (Local History Museum), the historic Old Town Hall, and the town’s Protestant Church which was built in the 1760’s.

This area also has the monastery ruins of St. Wolfgang. The place is hidden within the surrounding forest with a stone tower standing a couple meters above the forest floor. You’ll also be able to see parts of the original sacristy and the church section can now be rented out for barbecues.

I can’t think of a better place for an outdoor picnic than right next to medieval ruins shaded by tall trees. Can you? :-)

Oberrodenbach isn’t as historic, although Stone and Bronze Age men & women wandered about. Its Church of Saints Peter and Paul, which was built in the 1830’s, is worth the time to visit.

So is the local swimming lake. Besides letting the kids splash around until they’re tuckered out, they can enjoy a game of beach volleyball or table tennis. Or, let them run around on the lake’s playground.

If you want to spend the night, there are a few comfortable Rodenbach guesthouses and inns at reasonable rates. One is right on the Marktplatz, where you’ll catch plenty of action going on.

For something more quiet, try just a simple jog, hike or bicycle ride on any one of the local paths that criss-cross around the countryside. Haven’t been on a bicycle in a while? Don’t worry, the old saying about never forgetting how to ride a bike is true. ;-)

Now, don’t forget to invite me to your forest barbecue; I’m looking forward to it!

Near the German Alps and on the Inn River is Raubling.

People have lived in this part of Upper Bavaria, just south of Rosenheim, since around 2500 B.C. and for a strict German town there was large Celtic influence.

Most of that is gone now. What you’ll find throughout Raubling (and its 34 villages) are farmhouses (some quite old), a few historic churches, and delicious traditional food.

A couple examples? Here ya go…

In Großholzhausen there’s a farmhouse that dates back to around 1800 and the gorgeous 16th/17th century Gothic church of St. George. In Kleinholzhausen is the early 18th century St. Johannes Baptist church.

Pfaudorf has the oldest church in town. St. Nikolaus is a Gothic style church from the 15th century, but the center part dates back to the 1200’s.

There isn’t a local history museum in Raubling, but at the Urweltmuseum Neiderhell you’ll see a great dinosaur exhibit.

With all the farms around Raubling, you’re eating the freshest of ingredients in great Upper Bavarian cooking. Try the dumplings known as Knödel and for a hearty breakfast try the world famous Weißwurst.

Yes, wurst for breakfast. Bavaria is known for its Weißwurst and it’s never eaten after noon. It’s also never eaten with fork & knife, generally served with a pretzel or on a roll with sweet (only) mustard. The best thing about Bavarian cooking is that it takes the most simple ingredients and transforms them into the gourmet.

If you like what you see around Raubling (how could you not with the Alps in the background), think about staying a few nights in any of the local guesthouses or farmhouse inns.

Who would have thought that a town that was once the stomping grounds of the Celts would turn out to be so traditionally German? One bite of the Weißwurst or Knödel and your tastebuds will be really glad.

Hasbergen is where residents ride the tram to work and go to church on Sundays. It’s a town only a few kilometers west of Osnabrück; and where you’ll find the most delicious local food made with locally grown ingredients.

Food isn’t the only reason to visit Hasbergen. No, there’s always the Teutoburg Forest (which Hasbergen sits right in) and its Nature Park Terra Vita to get lost in.

There must be something magical and creative (and altogether beautiful) in the Teutoburg Forest. Maybe that’s why Johannes Brahms liked to walk along the forest’s trails. Perhaps you’ll hear some of his compositions in your head while you do the same thing? :-)

One of the most popular spots in town is the Naturbad Hasbergen, the town’s municipal pool. Swimming season in this part of Germany is relatively short, only from May to September. Don’t worry about chlorine messing with your hair color, the pool is filtered naturally (think environmentally friendly).

All that walking and swimming works up quite an appetite. Good thing Lower Saxony is known as one big orchard, growing both apples and cherries.

Fruit isn’t Hasbergen’s (or, Lower Saxony’s for that matter) only culinary contribution. Pumpernickel bread is big around here. Eat it with a locally made cheese known as Harzer Käse. There are two varieties of the cheese, with the red being the spicer of the two. It also tastes good with mustard and pickles, but could be considered a dessert cheese.

It’s all right that Hasbergen doesn’t have much sightseeing in a traditional sense. It doesn’t mean that you won’t (or, can’t) have a pretty awesome time. Food is often a bridge between cultures and I can’t think of a better way to soak in Harbergen’s than in a rustic restaurant and eating yourself right into what makes this place worth a trip.