Wilkau Haßlau, also known as the Gateway to the Ore Mountains, is a rustic and traditional town in the far east of Germany.

It’s a town that’s easily accessible, with more than eight bus lines coming through the place, and it’s on the Zwickau-Aue regional train line; but there really isn’t a whole lot to do here.

Don’t get me wrong, Wilkau-Haßlau has SOME sightseeing and sits just outside of a nature protected area, but that’s about it. Nothing more. Nothing less.

It appears that if you want to visit any museums you’ll have to do it in nearby Zwickau, there aren’t any in town.

It does have a pedestrian suspension bridge that connects Wilkau to Haßlau, though, and it’s quite proud of its City Hall, a large green building built just over eighty years ago.

Wilkau-Haßlau also has three churches in each one of its hamlets. Both Michaeliskirche in Wilkau and the Luther Church in Haßlau look almost identical in design, but the grey stoned Laurentiuskirche in the village of Culitzsch is the best example of an old “little town” church; call me a romantic?

You can also call me hungry. Saxony has some delicious regional dishes and in tiny “out of the way” places like this town is where you’ll usually find the best eats.

Wilkau-Haßlau only has a handful of restaurants and when you find one that serves Quarkkeulchen, order it. Made with potatoes and Quark (cheese curd) the dough is fried, sprinkled with sugar & cinnamon, then served with applesauce.

With all that fried carbohydrate goodness, you better get to swimming! Wilkau-Haßlau’s outdoor swimming pool, has not only a water slide, but the complex has table tennis, a sandbox for the little ones, and two volleyball courts.

While there might not be a whole lot going in Wilkau-Haßlau, the town’s pool will at least keep you busy for a while. ;-)

As the name implies Weinsberg is a wine making town in a mountainous, vineyardish region of wine making Baden-Württemberg.

The drink of the gods has been made around this region for hundreds of years, so they’ve had ample time to get the grape growing right. Maybe the grapes thrive on the mild climate and the 1600 hours of sunshine a year here? Who knows, but a good German wine is quite delicious.

Besides grapes, the region itself, however, has seen the likes of at least Bronze Age man (think tumuli grave hills), the Celts (coins from their day have been found here), and the Romans who built one of their many roads. They also built castellets and a Villa Rustica which was destroyed sometime in the mid 3rd century A.D.

Also destroyed (but at a much later date) was the Burgruine Weibertreu. You can visit the medieval castle ruins and you’ll get a great panoramic view of the vineyards. Sorry, even though the view is great snow covered, the castle’s closed when the white stuff comes.

Also from the Middle Ages is the old Johanniskirche and the remnants of the town’s original defense wall (called a Stadtmauer).

The town was again destroyed in April 1945, this time by aerial bombings by the Allies in World War II. Weinsberg was known for its prison camp for French and British officers.

Today, the town’s a place with many framework buildings, a museum dedicated to the women of Weinsberg, and the Kernerhaus; once the home of a local poet.

Of course, with all the wine making going on you’ll have to take time to go wine tasting (not to mention buying some to take home with you). There are a few rustic style hotels in Weinsberg, so you won’t have to go too far if you’ve had a bit too much sampling of the Wein. ;-)

You gotta admit Lower Saxony has some pretty cool places to visit and Emstek is one of them. Found only a few kilometers east of Cloppenburg, Emstek is a right fit if you love the outdoors. Couch potatoes, this town isn’t your kind of place. ;-)

Emstek is lucky enough to have its own jungle. Really, it does. Known as the Baumweg or Tree Way, you can walk for a good hour and still be shaded by tall oversized trees and runaway vines.

If you rather be out in the bright sunshine, then the Halener Badesee is perfect. Its sandy beaches attracts not only locals, but sunbathers from all over the region. C’mon, grab your sunscreen and splash away!

For a blend of water and forest come see the Ahlhorner Fischteiche. What? Look, you don’t have to pronounce it, just follow the map that will take you along the many walking trails past some forty lakes and ponds. This is an awesome place to forget about everyday stress, spending quality time with yourself.

While you’re out and about, look for the Kokenmühle, used as far back as 1540 as a corn mill. It’s right by the Seerosenschlatt (again, don’t have to say it, just see it). This little piece of natural made moorlands was created from the last ice age and is now a protected area for plants and animals.

Another outdoor place is the Gogericht auf dem Desum. It was used as some kind of 17th century court and now you’ll find all sorts of outdoor activities going on instead.

If you want to come inside, then visit both the church of St. Johannes (built 1616) or the even older St. Margaretha. OK, technically she’s not as old but, the original church was put here in 855, then she was rebuilt in 1159, and again in the 1860’s. Her last facelift created a basilica style church with lots of stained glass.

There are a few other old churches that are worth seeing just for their artwork alone. Then get right back outside for a horseback ride.

Can you think of a better way to end the day?

On the A9 motorway that runs from Munich to Berlin is the town of Eisenberg (Thuringia).

It’s a place where on a crisp Christmas Eve you’ll find residents enjoying live holiday music from the City Hall Tower on the Marktplatz. You surely won’t find that going on in most cities across the globe. I guess that’s one of the things that makes the town of Eisenberg so special.

City Hall on Christmas Eve isn’t the only place you’re able to take in a music concert. The Castle Church, the largest Baroque church in Thuringia, also holds regular concerts; besides holding normal church services.

Also on the Marktplatz is a lovely Renaissance style building that’s now used as Eisenberg’s Community Center. Good place to mingle with the locals and good spot to find out about some of Eisenberg’s goings on; like the Summer Celebration held in the beginning of August.

If you want to see a look into medieval life in town; there’s the 13th century Monastery Camburg nearby.

Eisenberg also has the smaller church of St. Peter, which is beautiful in its own right. Right between the Town Hall and the church is the Friedenspark or Peace Park, perfect to sit and enjoy peace & quiet. Or, letting the kids run around a bit. ;-)

Another place for quiet reflection is the Eisenberg Cemetery. Inside the cemetery you’ll find a memorial stone the children of World War 2.

The kids will, no doubt, love the Eisenberg Zoo; filled with small cuddly domestic animals and ones from as far away as Australia and Africa.

Little ones might not be so happy to visit Eisenberg’s City Museum (open seven days a week), but it’s a nice stop for the older ones and grownups of us.

Take them over to the town’s municipal swimming pool with waterslide and they’ll forgive you for dragging them to any museum or, anywhere else for that matter.

Ergolding doesn’t have a whole lot of sightseeing to do. But, this is Lower Bavaria and Ergolding has 24 hamlets, so you’re more than likely gonna find something to tickle your fancy.

The town has come a long way from the days when Stone Age man used to call this place home. It’s much more modern than when an old Roman Road came through here and from the days on the old medieval Salt Route.

That said, what’s a person to do around here? Well, a visit to the Parish Church Mariä Heimsuchung is a good idea. The stunning statue of the Madonna from 1510 is worth alone, but there are more gorgeous pieces of art inside.

The Church of St. Peter is another site worth visiting. This is a great example of a Gothic church with lots of Gothic pieces of art, including a painting of Mary with Child that was done in 1460.

Something else to tickle your fancy is food. Don’t be labeled a “foreigner” (meaning non-Bavarian, like me ;-) by not following the proper etiquette on eating Weißwurst. It’s NEVER eaten after 12 noon, always eaten “halved” on a roll or pretzel and dipped in sweet mustard only. If you even attempt to cut and eat the sausage with a fork and knife (like me), locals will know you’re not from around these parts. ;-)

Walking off all those calories by the lake and the forest areas of Ergolding is a good idea. You can always join in on a basketball or hockey game; depending on the season.

Warm weather, cold weather; makes no difference at the Ergomar Ergolding — the town’s indoor swimming complex. It’s ultra modern and also has a sauna.

With this much to keep you busy, why not stay in one of Ergolding’s historic inns. Gasthof Ulrich Meyer has been welcoming visitors for 160 years and the Pension Paula is a small rustic place decorated with colorful flowerboxes.

Take your time to get to know this town; you’ll find something to tickle your fancy.

26 km or 16 miles west of Munich on the Lindau-Munich railway line is the tiny town of Eichenau.

Small is probably the best word for the place since there isn’t much sightseeing. Plus, it only has three small guesthouses for any of her overnight visitors.

Every summer in July at the Friesenhalle, Eichenau has a “Cultural Weekend” with bands playing and story time for the kids. It’s a good time for both the young and the not so young.

Also during the summer everyone heads out to the Badesee. In 1962 this man made lake was created out of an old gravel pit. Now it’s got a playground and a beach volleyball court; as well as many swimmer or sunbather.

After a day of all that activity, you’re bound to get hungry. Luckily, Eichenau has a variety of restaurants from local pubs, to pizzerias, and other international cuisines.

Sightseeing around Eichenau can be a bit tricky. The Hoflacher Chapel was built as a heavenly thank you from some duke back in 1422. Its artwork is simply divine, but it’s only open from 1pm to 5pm on the 1st Saturday of the month from May to October.

So, is the Chapel of St. George; that used to belong to a castle that once stood here. The chapel is a late 15th century architectural masterpiece and its artwork, too, is just heavenly. This chapel is open to the public from 3pm to 5pm on the 1st Sunday of the month from May to October.

At least the Pfefferminzmuseum is open EVERY Sunday (2pm-4pm) with exhibits on Bavarian agricultural life.

There aren’t any time limits on any of the many walking, hiking, and cycling paths that cross through Eichenau. Although, winter can be a bit cold around these parts; so they’re probably best enjoyed from April to October.

You just better book your accommodations early, with only three little inns they’re bound to book up fast!

Erkner is a very close suburb of Berlin, located just southeast of the city on the Spree River. With such close proximity to the capital, Erkner is easily accessible via public transport.

The town of Erkner today has rebuilt itself (over a thousand homes were destroyed in the 1940’s) to a fine bedroom community with a few hotels for the tourists that come to hike or bicycle around the forested areas of town. Just as they come to go canoeing, or just about anything else you can do outside in the fresh air of Brandenburg.

Erkner’s hotels range from the Bildungszentrum, a large 250-room spa facility to smaller rustic guesthouses, like the Waldhotel Erkner. Most include traditional German breakfast including bread, jam, coffee, eggs, ham, and yogurt. Can you think of any better way to start your day? Me either.

But, you won’t get that kind of grub if you decide to camp out instead or, you’ll pay a lot more by staying in one of the higher priced Berlin hotels.

After a hearty meal, head over to Villa Lassen on Gerhart Hauptmannstraße 1–2; a museum dedicated to the life’s work of Nobel Prize winning poet Gerhart Hauptmann. The site of the museum is rightly appropriate since Herr Hauptmann used to live in the mansion.

Other sightseeing adventures would include a visit to the Erkner Heimatmuseum (Local History Museum), a Fascist Victims Memorial, and the Genezareth Church. The church was built in a Neo-Gothic style, giving it a much older look than when it was built in 1896.

Of course, if you can tear yourself away from this quaint old town you could hop the train over to Berlin and do a bit of sightseeing there.

One thing’s for sure; in Erkner you might only be right next door to Berlin but, you’ll feel like you’re a world away.

Castles. Medieval churches. A nature park. Wine. Hmm, these are pretty good things; best part is you don’t have to choose just one. You’ll find them all in the town of Ammerbuch.

So, first one — castles. Schloss Hohenentringen now doubles as a local restaurant, but before it catered to the John Q. Public; it catered to the German aristocracy. There’s been a castle on this spot since at least the 12th century, but the pretty white Schloss you see today didn’t come along until around the 15th or 16th century.

That’s long after Burg Müneck was destroyed in the 14th century. The ruins of this early 12th century castle are lucky enough to sit in a nature protected area. There is even less that remains of Burg Kräheneck, a castle built around the year 1037.

Then there are Ammerbuch’s churches. There are six local districts of Ammerbuch, but there are seven historical churches. The youngest of them wasn’t built until 1575 (the Evangelical City Church), the oldest being St. Stephanus in 1191. Don’t be confused though, there are two churches dedicated to St. Michael.

OK, now we got the Schönbuch Nature Park, a forested area southwest of Stuttgart. It’s a pretty large area (for us Germans!) with approx. 156 square kilometers or 97 square miles, but even in the Ammerbuch neck of the woods (pardon the pun) you’ll find plenty of walking and hiking trails.

Many Stone and Bronze Age artifacts (including tools and huts) have been found in the Schönbuch and in the area of Ammerbuch. Stone Age graves dating back over 6000 years, as well as a Celtic cemetery (approx 500 B.C.) were also found in the Schönbuch.

That leaves us just wine, the drink of the Gods! Viticulture is huge to the local economy (and surrounding area) for centuries and you’re sure to enjoy a good bottle of Riesling while you’re here.

Oh, go ahead and splurge — have two bottles! ;-)

You’ll find all seventeen local villages of the town of Aerzen in the Weserbergland region of Lower Saxony; sitting right between the more popular destinations of Hamelin and Bad Pyrmont.

Geography aside, Aerzen is one of those towns where castles are king (no pun intended). It’s “domain castle,” known as Domänenburg Aerzen, is where everyone meets for just about all sorts of cultural events.

This IS Germany, so expect the theater performances and cabaret to be in German. But, at least you won’t have to worry about a language barrier for any jazz concert or art exhibition.

Don’t have to worry about it over at Schloss Hämelschenburg (in nearby Emmerthal), an absolute stunning castle built in 1588. It’s got a museum, walking paths, a tranquil garden, and a beer garden; just remember “bier” equals “beer” and all will be good. :-)

If you prefer to spend a few nights in a castle, then Schloss Schwöbber. Oh, I’m sorry — it’s now known as Schloss Münchhausen. The name change signifies the change from its original use for some old “Baron” to a true “royal hotel experience.” It’s got a spa, golf, and its gardens are just simply lovely.

The castle was more than good enough for the 2006 “fussy” French World Soccer Team. I’m guessing any prayers said at the castle’s small simple stone chapel went answered, since they didn’t win in the final.

Maybe they would have had better luck if they went to visit the Marienkirche instead? But, don’t you miss it, it’s a true pious beauty built in 1153 in a cross shaped basilica style.

After some vacation time visiting the castles and churches, remember the Weserbergland offers lots of hiking, walking, and biking trails. You’ll find that the natural beauty of the mountains is truly a calming (yet invigorating) experience.

Remember, Bad Pyrmont might have music playing streets; but, after some time in Aerzen you’ll have a song in your heart.

Saxony-Anhalt might not be as popular as Bavaria or Lower Saxony in terms of visitors. But, between us, they don’t know what they’re missing when they don’t come see Gommern.

The town is only a few kilometers southeast of religious Magdeburg and is easily reached in only minutes. What might surprise you once you arrive is the town has a variety of gardens. No, before you ask, they aren’t your everyday run of the mill gardens. Gommern has its own rock garden, made with quartz stones weighing up to three tons.

Gommern’s Rose Garden is a delight to both the eyes and nose; and anything found in the Herb Garden will tempt the palatte. A Heath Garden, with more flowers and plants, is close to the Rock Garden and the Exhibition at the Kulk.

Not only does the Exhibition at the Kulk have an outdoor theater for concerts and other performances, it’s like an outdoor museum detailing some of the more important points in Gommern history. One is a replica of a prehistoric Teuton grave from 5000 years ago.

The real Teuton grave was found in the 1990’s with household items that date to the 3rd century B.C.

That’s much older than the 10th century Wasserschloss Gommern. OK, the original is long gone; but, a castle has stood on the spot for that long. It’s been used over the years as a detention center, a hotel, and a brewery (which it is to this day).

Gommern does have a party side, too. One of the more interesting one is the Cucumber Market in August, a Village Celebration in July, an Oktoberfest (in October, this isn’t Munich) and a Christmas Market in December.

When the great outdoors calls you, there’s a forested recreational area in town with a few walking trails; and the Quarry Lake (once a quartz quarry) is frequented by local residents.

Without so many visitors, it’ll seem like you’ve almost got the place to yourself. Or, at best, it’ll seem like you’re a local yourself. ;-)