Überherrn and its six local parts can be found in the Saarlouis District in the Saarland, only a stone’s throw from the French border. It’s a typical German town (with a French flair) with some old churches, some Roman ruins, and a haunted castle.

Now come to think of it, any place with a haunted castle isn’t all that typical, or is it?

The majority of what you’ll find to visit in Überherrn are her churches. Each of the town’s hamlets has its own. Some are a bit more historic than other, but each village is rightly proud of their own.

In Berus, there is the St. Oranna Chapel and late 16th century church of St. Martin. Ah, Berus does have a bit more than just its churches. There’s also an old fortification wall from the 16th century and a tall monument from the 20th century known as the European Monument. If you climb up on the platform you’ll see clear into France.

In the villages of Bisten and Altforweiler you’ll find two 18th century churches (St. Peters and St. Matthias, respectively), each worth at least a short visit. Longer if you like the art found in old churches.

But, it’s in the village of Felsberg that you’ll find the town’s haunted castle. It’s known as the Teufelsburg (Devil’s Castle) and the ruins of this 14th century Burg replaced the original one built three hundred years before it (it also went by a different name).

Teufelsburg is so called because legend tells that a knight sold his soul to the devil at this castle. It’s reported to be haunted because the knight’s cries are said to still be heard to this day. Creepy, but oh so worth the visit.

Überherrn is a wonderful town to visit, with beautiful countryside, great food, and delicious wine (which might just give you the courage to stop and see that haunted castle). Just don’t go making any deals with the devil while you’re there. ;-)

Jork lies in the contrasting Altes Land, a region of fruit plantations in North Germany just southwest of Hamburg. And I’m not just talking about one kind of fruit; it’s lots of different kinds depending on the season. Think bright red cherries in the spring, dark plums in the summer, with apples and pears in the autumn.

So, it’s just expected that the town would hold quite a few market days throughout the year, as well as Obstbautage (Fruit Days) in February. Jork’s Blütenfest or Bloom Festival (1st weekend in May) is another celebration of color, flowers, and food. Right before that is the Osterfeuer, or Easter Sunday bonfire that’s another celebration of life and springtime.

As much as you could eat your way through this town, there’s a bit more depth to the place. It does have a castle, but the only way you can see this late Renaissance Schloss (once a water castle) is from the outside; it’s privately owned. Just an FYI, the castle really isn’t a castle; it’s more of a manor house but somehow the moniker stuck.

In addition to the abundance of fruit, there’s an abundance of art. You’ll find lots of little art galleries by local artists throughout the place. It’ll be a nice tour about town looking for them all but a stop at Jork’s tourist information center might cut down the search some. They’ll probably direct you right to the Museum Altes Land, as well.

Though, to meander along little walkways that run along the canals looking for things might just be fun in itself. When you want a few good snapshots for your album at home, then get one of the Borsteler Mühle (a gorgeous windmill).

Jork is a fabulous destination when you’ve got a hankering for the most delicious produce or scout out local artists. With all the bright colors of the countryside and plantations, it’s not hard to see where the artists get their inspiration.

Neuenburg am Rhein is one of those towns that couldn’t dream to be in a more beautiful place located between the Black Forest (think yummy delicious food) and the Vogesen (a low mountain range in France) — right in the elegant Margraves’ Land. It’s a place that could give the Alps a proverbial run for their money.

There are only a few things historical to see here, mostly the area is known for its cultural and nature activities. Neuenburg’s tourist office is the best place to start (located at Rathausplatz 5). Though, the Urban Museum is just as good as any.

The museum is great at explaining the town’s 800+ year history, though the area has been around much longer than its official birthday says. You can’t miss the museum, it’s a large pink building with neatly painted shutters on tidy cobblestoned street.

When a place pays this much attention to small details, you know you’ve got a winner. You’ll see what I’m talking about when you catch all the artwork sculpture throughout town.

The other most visited historical site in town is the Liebfrauenkirche, a 13th century monastic church.

With all things historical out of the way, it’s time to play. This is a serious wine making area, so taking a wine tasting tour is a good idea. So is shopping at the town’s Farmers Market (tip: there are 2, the German side’s is held in June and France’s in September). Come July, Neuenburg holds a super fun Summer Festival.

Eco tourism has even found its way to town with protected nature areas and perfect for camping. In case roughing it isn’t your idea of a good time, there are many hotels, guesthouses, and vacation homes to let.

That’s a good idea to stay the night because with all the golfing, canoeing, Nordic Walking, and regular walking & cycling trails you’ll never get it all done in one day.

Within the rustic Swabian Alb is Gerstetten. It’s a town of history, of a proud culture, and some pretty good eats. OK, that’s a misnomer — it’s a place of really great eats! ;-)

The largest of Gerstetten’s sixteen villages is Gerstetten Proper itself, the other villages combined barely equal the population of just that one village alone. But, not all of what’s to see can be found there. All the better to get out and see them.

Believe it or not, Gerstetten lies on what was once a prehistoric seabed (pretty cool, huh?). At the Geo Park Swabian Alb, you’ll learn plenty about the region’s geological history.

A really fun way to see the town is to hop on the Long Local Railway that runs from Gerstetten to Amstetten. What kid doesn’t love a train ride? During certain times of the year, the Ulmer Railway Friends get together and have everyone take rides on old historical railway cars.

For a further back period of history, you can always visit the ruins of Burg Falkenstein (not Frankenstein ;-) in the hamlet of Dettingen. The castle had a good run, it was built in the 12th century and used for more than 400 years before it was destroyed in 1634.

Just about a century and a half later, the town of Gerstetten built the gorgeous St. Michael’s Church.

Now, it’s time to eat. Sure, the typical Swabian Alb food tastes really yummy and is something not to be missed.

When you’ve had your fill of everything else, go over to the Hungerbrunnen and relax in the warm thermal waters (given they do spring). As if the food isn’t reason enough to come to the Alb region.

Sometimes you like to get away from without feeling like a tourist. It’s then that you find a local town with some sightseeing, but has more of a “real” local feel. Gärtringen is that kind of place.

It’s only about half an hour southwest of Stuttgart, yet doesn’t have an urban feel. The Schwarzwald is just to the northwest of the town, and it maintains a tad slower paced feel.

In keeping with the slower pace, take your time looking at the Town Hall’s art gallery, just filled with works by local artists.

One of the local places that you should visit is the old sand mill that started operations in 1799. Its museum opened back in the ’80’s (the 1980’s) and gives a real good look into how hard the guys worked back in the day.

On the opposite end of spectrum, there’s a museum with the works of Friederich Sieburg; a German writer and literary critic. The museum is only open a few times a year, but if you call ahead and make other arrangements something can be worked out.

Gärtringen even has a castle, the Schloss for the Baron von Gärtringen and it was built (only) in 1728. However, to go further back in history, you need to see the St. Veit Church. The church was built more than 700 years ago in 1275. Craftsmen sure knew how to build things that lasted back then.

To really mingle with the local population, Gärtringen’s outdoor swimming pool will do the trick. Just being outside by the water that overlooks a sloping meadow with large towering trees can do wonders for the body and soul. It’s also good for the pocketbook, costing only a few Euro for an entire day’s fun.

Mingle more with the local folk at Gärtringen’s Summer Festival in July or at the annual Christmas Market at the end of November. You’ll enjoy all the food, music, shopping, and merriment.

Either way, just enjoy yourself while you’re here and you’ll feel like you’ve lived here your whole life.

Only a few minutes northeast from the city of Kassel on the Fulda River and bordering the Reinhard Forest is the Hessian town of Fuldatal. There are six villages that make up the town and not one is less than 600 years old.

But, that’s not reason alone to visit Fuldatal. The Reinhard Forest is though. This densely forested mountainous area once belonged to Heinrich II and now holds all sorts of goodies for anyone willing to trek through it. It’s the place of legends, it’s the place of the Brother Grimm, and it’s fabulous.

And the forest borders the state of Lower Saxony so you might find yourself there if you hike far enough.

Nature lovers will get the most out of the Reinhard Forest and so will the kids. It’s home to the Tierpark Sababurg, the largest and oldest nature game park in all of Europe with many domestic, endangered, and threatened species of animals. At the Tierpark Sababurg twice a year is a medieval market (late summer and before Christmas).

Also in the Reinhard Forest is the Sababurg Jungle. No, not the tropical rainforest kind, but this is where you’ll find the a heavily protected area of the forest, dense with red beeches and oak trees. One oak tree is 700 years old!

Then there are the ruins of the Burg Knickhagen. Not much remains of this medieval castle and for some reason or another no one knows when it was deserted.

You can learn more at the Fuldatal Local History Museum, which is in the village of Simmershausen. That’s where you’ll also find many timber framed houses. And there’s a gorgeous basilica church in Wilhelmshausen, too.

So, come to Fuldatal and camp out in the forest, learn its history and legends, shop a medieval market, and spend a day with the animals. Sounds like a good plan. :-)

Röthenbach an der Pegnitz is a great family friendly Franconian town with a Flower Celebration (called the Blumenfest and held in August) that could give the Parade of Roses a run for the money. It’s been held for more than 80 years with just more than some pretty flowers growing in pots, they have a wonderful parade of floats all made with flowers.

Add in some delicious Franconian goodies to eat and beer to drink while you’re there; and you’ve got yourself one heck of a good time.

You’ll find more beautiful flowers at the Sky Garden, once an old convent in a charming timber framed house from the 17th century. The Sky Garden is a bit (ok, a lot) more subdued than the ruckus of the Blumenfest.

Röthenbach’s Flower Celebration and Sky Garden isn’t the only one way that the town celebrates the arts. The Schnackenhof is another. This meeting place is where all sorts of artisans, philosophers, and authors (to name a few) come together to display works of art, talk “shop,” and listen to literary meetings. Think of all the creative minds all under one roof!

Really, though, Röthenbach does have more than just some blooms around town. You’ll find an early 16th century castle (Schloss Haimendorf), a 14th century castle tower at Renzenhof, and over at St. Mauritius the choir tower is almost 600 years old. Another great church is the Protestant Church Holy Cross which was built in a Neo-Gothic style (makes it look older than it is).

The town’s churches host a great Kirchweih (church festival) at the beginning of July. Here’s another reason to party like a Franconain. ;-)

When you’re not eating, drinking, or partying make sure you see the town’s landmark, the Moritzberg. This observation tower overlooks the majestic countryside.

When you finally decide to come back down, enjoy a family game of miniature golf or take a dip in the town’s community outdoor swimming pool.

Add that to some great affordable accommodations and there’s just a few more reasons that makes Röthenbach an der Pegnitz a wonderful family friendly town.

Now, don’t forget to pack your Lederhosen! :-)

You’ll find Altenstadt (Hesse) in the Nidder Valley, but that’s not what makes this place popular. Could it be it’s historic hotel? Nope, that’s not it. Maybe it’s the Kloster Engelthal? Close, but no cigar.

Many cycling enthusiasts come to Altenstadt to ride along the Volcanic Cycle Track in the Vogelsberg Mountains. We’ve probably all heard about the “Ring of Fire,” but volcanoes in Germany? Yes, about 19 million years ago and now you can take a bike and ride along a group of extinct volcanoes, German style. This is what makes this place popular.

Don’t think you can do it? Most of it is layed out with asphalt, so it’s not all riding on dirt paths. The volcano route stretches through a few other towns besides Altenstadt and there’s rail and bus service along the way to take further along the route, or back where you came from.

If riding in a car is more your taste, then you can follow the Limesradweg, instead. The Limes follows a historical route of the Romans, but does intersect with the Volcano Route (just in case you wanna see it — just not have to ride it).

This route follows along through the Hessian town of Altenstadt, as well as going all the way into Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Whoa, those Romans really got around!

Within Altenstadt proper, you can visit (requires walking around, no driving or biking) the Kloster Engelthal. The convent was created in 1268 and existed for almost 600 years, before being disbanded in 1803.

If you do prefer some sports, you’ll find tennis, Nordic walking, and an 18-hole golf course here. When you’re done doing all that activity, no place is better kick up your heels and relax than one of the town’s small guesthouses. One of the oldest is the Schwarzer Adler in a historic timber framed building.

Sounds like there’s more to making Altenstadt popular than just volcanoes and Romans.

Schöneiche bei Berlin is what it’s name says, a suburb of Berlin close to the Berlin City Forest. The town itself better have more than just pretty countryside to steal you away from one of the most famous cities in all the world. And it does.

Schöneiche’s history goes back to the Stone Age and it’s been inhabited ever since. If it looked then, pretty much what it looks like now — it’s no wonder.

Schöneiche is relatively famous in the area for its music school and puts on a few concerts throughout the year. More artistic talent can be found at the cultural KuKI, where you’ll find art, theater, music, and films.

In addition to the many arts, Schöneiche does have a few famous buildings to see. One such place is the Lützowhaus, an 18th century hunter’s house. You can only get pictures of the outside though since it’s private property (hey, someone’s gotta live in it).

At the address Dorfaue 8 is Schöneiche’s Local History Museum. It’s kind of a fitting setting because the house was (is?) an 18th century framework farmhouse. The Raufutterspeicher is another such place (much bigger than the the farmhouse) with three floors built back in 1749.

That’s still not as old as the former Castle Church which is more than 500 years old. Oh, speaking of castles, make sure to see Schloss Schöneiche!

For something a bit more modern, but historic nonetheless, is the Schöneiche Tram. At the turn of the 20th century, the streetcar changed the way folks got around. They’re not used anymore, but still a cool little piece of history.

If you rather get in touch with nature there’s no place better than the Kleiner Spreewald Park. You’ll find little bridges over the creek and tree shaded paths. This place used to be real popular with the city folk and had its own outdoor swimming pool.

Well, I guess it’s safe to say that Schöneiche bei Berlin does have something special to steal you away from the big city chic.

Kall is pretty gosh-darn interesting. It’s not its 23 villages that makes it anymore unique than someplace else. No, it’s more what you’ll find out and about around the place that will do it.

This cute town can be found in the Eifel Nature Park and along the Roman Canal Route, close to Cologne. The Roman what? Oh, not another touristy route? Yes, but that’s all right; gives the place some more historical flavor.

Summer is a great time to visit the place and that’s when the Oleftalbahn runs. The kids will love this! It’s a historical train ride through the Eifel (which is also great for hiking and biking).

Before you go running off through the Eifel, there’s sightseeing to be done. Kloster Steinfeld is a most remarkable monastery built over a millenia ago. The basilica and its six chapels is a century younger and runs the gamut of architectural styles ranging from Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque.

Inside the church is the burial place of a 12th/13th century priest. Hermann Joseph’s grave is a pilgrimage place for mothers and children (many of whom leave him apples) due to a legend that’s been told for centuries.

You’d think that Kall’s 13th century St. Nikolaus Church would pale in comparison to the monastery’s basilica. But, there’s no comparing the two; each are lovely in their own right.

Now, there’s time to follow a bit along the Roman Canal Route. Those rascally Romans didn’t just build castellets (or wage war), they needed water and Roman engineers designed a way to get it. The Roman Canal Route follows along where the the Roman aquaduct used to be. These Roman remains make for good take home photos, but it’s still an interesting piece “before indoor plumbing” history.

So, if you find yourself in Cologne follow the Roman Canal Route to Kall. You won’t get lost that way and you’ll be more than happy you came.