There are many different types of people in the world. Cat people vs. dog people, introverted vs. extroverted, science vs. history people, and so on. For those science types who think history’s boring, you’ve never seen it come alive as in the case of Feuchtwangen.

This Middle Franconian town has given rise to not one, but two Grand Masters of the Teutonic Knights. Oh, don’t act like you’ve never heard of them; you probably know them by their other name; the Crusaders.

They’re the knights in shining armor with the red cross tunic who protected pilgrims on their way to the Holy Land. They’re also responsible for the world’s first known “traveller’s cheques.” Yeah, those guys and the town makes all that history gobbledegook really come alive instead of just words on an old musty history book!

Not much has changed over the centuries in Feuchtwangen and an old knight would recognize a lot of it, including the imposing grey stone Stiftskirche, the remnants of the old Benedictine Monastery, and the craftsman’s workshop at the Romanesque Cloister. (He would have to enter the old town via the Upper Gate, it’s the only one left from the original three.)

The timber-framed Town Hall was built after the days of the medieval knight and was once used as a chapel.

Although today, the city of Feuchtwangen is comprised of 87 (yes, 87) villages; Feuchtwangen’s Local History Museum does an excellent job of explaining off of the area’s history.

If you want a bit of modernity, Feuchtwangen has that too. Besides a Franconian Museum, there’s a fun German Singers League Museum.

That isn’t Feuchtwangen’s only claim to culture. If you’re lucky enough to visit between mid-June through mid-August, take in a show at the Theater Festival with classic and modern plays at the outdoor theater.

This most fascinating city really makes history come alive. It’s so great that it just might make one of those science people a history lover after all!

If you look for Dautphetal on a map it would seem like a lesson in geography. It’s located west of Marburg, between the rusty Rothaargebirge and the refreshing Westerwald.

There’s an extensive train network to bring you to this delicate and pretty area. Most trains allow bicycles, so grab one from where ever you’re coming from and ride to your heart’s content. Dautphetal sits along a huge network of walking and biking trails, so it’s only a guess where you might wind up.

Dautphetal isn’t an all outdoors experience kind of place, it does have some historical and cultural things to do. One of the more interesting places is the Mini Museum with a look into daily 12th century living. Don’t romanticize too much, though, they had it rough in the Middle Ages. ;-)

At the Local History Museum you’ll jump ahead eight centuries with a look at early to mid 20th century living. That’s right, you’ll find yourself right in a German kitchen from 1920.

In the village of Buchenau (more specifically in the Old Town of Buchenau) is where you’ll find something from between those two eras. There are plenty of half timbered buildings, giving it a real Old World feel. The Alte Kirche is another great source of the area’s history with an archive, photos, and special exhibitions held throughout the year.

Nothing like that over at the Wehrkirche, a military church in Buchenau that can stand on its own historic laurels.

Buchenau is also where the Grenzgangfest is held once every seven years. The one in 2006 brought thousands of partygoers from all over the area for revelry, food, and an all around good time. Dautphetal’s Christmas Market is another big hit with both resident and visitor alike.

It’s probably a good reason that so many trains and trails run through the area; it’s a great living history and geography lesson.

People are peculiar creatures. We like to think that we’re so much more civilized than out brethren from centuries past. But, for real, we’re not any smarter because the Bronze Age man knew a good thing when they saw it. And Durmersheim in the Upper Rhine Valley was it.

People have lived in the village of Durmersheim (including the villages of Bickersheim & Würmersheim) since around 1300 B.C. Who can fault them, the area sits along the mystic Black Forest. If given the choice, you’d might want to live here, too.

Durmersheim isn’t all old buildings from the Middle Ages, nor is it all a modern metropolis. It has found a perfect combo of the old mixed with the new. It’s also a place with no bus service to outlying areas on the weekends, so plan accordingly. ;-) (Don’t worry… it does have its own train station!)

If you want old, then Durmersheim can accommodate. There’s an old monastery in Bickersheim known as the Monastery Maria Bickersheim. And a Frankish grave field (approx. 600 A.D.) was found around here. We can’t leave out the 13th century pilgrimage church of St. Dionysis, either.

Durmersheim’s local history museum does a splendid job of explaining the region’s long history, in case I’ve missed something.

When you want new, Durmersheim can do that, too. Many modern restaurants can be found along Hauptstraße or on Zeppelinstraße, including an American Diner.

But, this is so close to the Black Forest! Eat your way through town trying Black Forest Ham or Black Forest Cake and a few other local specialties. Really, I’m not kidding. Eat. You won’t be sorry, the stuff just tastes “oh so good.”

Just as people have lived here for centuries, people have been making the most delicious food here for centuries. Yeah, we think we’re smarter; they’re the ones who came up with this stuff! So, who’s the true smart one? ;-)

You’d think being this far north in Lower Saxony that Drochtersen would have an East Frisian feel. In a way, you’d be right. Drochtersen does have that “port” city feel like so many there, but it’s still part of the beer and coffee drinking society like the rest of the country (East Frisians LOVE their tea).

Drochtersen, a town only about 45 km northeast of Hamburg, doesn’t have too many old buildings or museums to visit. But, it does have some pretty awesome countryside; perfect for boat rides along the river, long walks, or bicycle rides. Most of the countryside is a nature protected area making it perfect for seeing local wildlife.

While you’re out and about in Drochtersen you’ll notice is the old Schrotturm or Pellet Tower (it’s so big at 42 meters high — it’ll be hard to miss); once used to make well, pellets. The tower still stands, but it’s now abandoned.

Over by Drochtersen’s Town Church (did you really think this place WOULDN’T have one?) is the town’s local history museum. It got exhibits on daily life from a times long gone. Being so close to the North Sea, you’ll learn about how fishing and the water contributed to the town’s economy.

Spring is probably the best time to visit — it’s when over 10,000 partyers converge on this little hamlet for the Ascension Day Weekend Celebration (approx 40 days after Easter). Spring also brings on the Crocus Bloom Celebration when the town really comes alive with color.

Summer’s not without anything in Drochtersen, place a bet during one of the many horse races and eat a local specialty at the City Celebration.

However, winter has got to have one of the most interesting of festivals. Well, not a festival per se, but every New Year’s Eve residents meet by the dozens for the annual 10km run.

After running 10km in the cold winter of North Germany, a cup of good ol’ coffee sure sounds like a good idea (to me anyway :-).

What could a town that’s covered by 40% forest possibly have for the average Joe (or, Jane)? Oh, you have no idea in the case of Drolshagen. Don’t let the heavily wooded mountainous Sauerland background fool you, because this place ROCKS! Figuratively and literally.

The literally falls into the Drolhagen Blow Music Fest. Held every three years, thousands from all over gather at the Marktplatz to sit at umbrella shaded tables listening to some great tunes; the last one was held in 2010.

That’s not Drolhagen’s only claim to festive fame. Join all of town’s locals (from its 58 hamlets) on the 3rd weekend in September for its annual Harvest & Animal Celebration. Let the kids pet the little baby calfs while mom & dad can enjoy a good beer.

After a few brewskis, give a go at the Drolshagener Labyrinth. It’s winding, twisting, and will make for quite a few laughs.

You might want to be a bit more somber (oh, maybe sober) when you visit the ruins of the old 13th century Drolshagen Monastery or St. Clements Romanesque Church.

The church itself is a pretty interesting piece of town history. It was consecrated by the Archbishop Anno, who later went on to become St. Anno II, somewhere between 1050 and 1075. Its famous bells were added in 1491 and its baptismal font has been baptizing babies since the 13th century.

And the Mary’s Chapel has been a place of pilgrimage for years, where the devout come once a year in May to pray.

Sorry, you can’t visit the old Eichener Mühle, though. The mill has been around since 1512, but now it’s on private property. Although, there are a few places where you’re able to grab at least a snapshot of it.

Make sure your camera has lots of memory, you’re gonna need it around these parts. Oh, and don’t forget some really comfy walking shoes! :-)

What can you possibly say about a town in Baden-Württemberg that’s been around since the Stone Age; has seen invaders from the Celts, the Romans, the Alemannics, and that pesky Napoleon? It’s a place that has seen countless wars, bouts of the plague (known as the Black Death), and the turbulent years of the Reformation.

Well, as gracious and beautiful as you’ll find Holzgerlingen, so you might never give its dark and tumultuous history a second thought. What you’ll really find is that Holzgerlingen is quite modern and located on a high elevation within a forest clearing. What you’ll think is: this place has got to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Holzgerlingen is easy enough to get to, just hop aboard the Schönbuchbahn, the ultra quick train that runs from Böblingen to Stuttgart. If you drive, take the Federal Highway B 464 from Reutlingen.

Whether you drive or taken the rails to get here, start at the beautiful St. Mauritius Church. Its tower was built over a millenia ago and remains under monument protection.

People from all over also come to see Burg Kalteneck, another throwback from the 11th century. You can’t go sightseeing at the castle in the traditional sense; it’s now available to rent for events and weddings. It’s perfect for the girl who has always dreamed of getting married in a beautiful old castle.

What’s also great about a place like Holzgerlingen is that you’re able to enjoy it, not just by car, but by the power of your own two feet (i.e., walking or bicycling). Renting a bicycle really is the best idea to meander along little tree-lined paths past emerald green meadows (Ireland isn’t the only place that’s just so GREEN! ;-).

Holzgerlingen is a town with a quiet grace with an amazingly long history. No wonder just about every invader under the sun has wanted to come here. Good thing you won’t have to go to that extreme to visit. ;-)

Hemsbach lies on the Bergstrasse that runs from the northern edge of the Odenwald through the northern wine growing region of Baden-Württemberg. This little town of only about 12,000 residents (and only about half an hour northeast of Mannheim) has plenty to keep its visitors quite busy.

By following along the Hemsbacher City Course (that outlines all of its sites) you’ll get to see it all. Just a tip though, forget about the car keys, Hemsbach is meant to be explored by foot.

Start your sightseeing at the new City Hall. It’s historic in its own right; once an 18th century manor house belonging to the Baron von Rothschild. Next is the Old City Hall. That one was originally built in 1618 with improvements made in 1698 and 1852 due to fire.

From there you’re able to see the beautiful Baroque church of St. Laurentius and the town’s Protestant Church. The latter is a much younger addition to the town, built only in 1936.

One of the more solemn sites is Hemsbach’s restored 17th century synagogue. Amazingly, it still stands having been spared the burning of the pogroms in 1938 thanks to the town’s residents. Rarer still is that the synagogue even has its own “mikvah,” a Jewish ritual bath. The building now serves as an interdenominational meeting and cultural center. Also, the town’s 17th century Jewish cemetery is still here.

Just when you think that Hemsbach is just some old city with only old buildings to see, you find out otherwise. After walking around all day the best place to cool off is at the Hemsbacher See, a lake great for frolicking and swimming (and folks from all over flock here).

If you visit at the end of April, you’ll be here for the Wine & Bloom celebration. Vino, flowers, food, music — life just doesn’t get any better than that. Expect a good bit of the same on the 1st Sunday in August for the Hemsbacher Kerwe festival.

From the looks of Hemsbach you can’t go wrong on having a grand time.

One thing for sure about Bavaria is that it never seems to disappoint. No matter where you are exactly within the state, you’ll have a hellava good time. So, Hauzenberg in Lower Bavaria is no exception.

It’s considered to be an air health resort, so first off — you’ll be breathin’ easier. Good thing, you’ll need the lung power to do so serious sightseeing and play just about every sport under the sun.

The historical side of Hauzenberg reads from the pages of a book on the Middle Ages. Many visitors come to see the neo-Gothic St. Vitus Church, a place of worship that’s been in use since the 15th century (St. Simon’s is another pretty cool church and so is the Grace Chapel).

Only Burg Freudensee is older and you’ll probably be thinking about how you’re walking the same streets as the ancient Celts and Romans who called this place home for years.

Castles and churches aren’t the only places to visit around Hauzenberg. This is Bavaria for crying out loud and that can only mean one thing, BEER! There’s a fun brewery museum to see, but there’s also Bavaria’s first liquor museum.

Bavarian beer and “spirits,” can it get any better than that?

I didn’t think so, either. ;-)

However, before imbibing on any adult beverage you might want to get in all your sporting activities first. And you can do just about it all here. Over at Freudensee (Lake Joy), there’s beach volleyball and tennis. While the Rocco Park is great for kids of all ages with skating, biking, and an all around fun playground.

Oh, the kids (or the kid in you ;-) will just love the Hauzenberger Tiermuseum, a museum totally dedicated to animals.

We can’t leave out all the fishing, archery, swimming, and skiing. Yeah, skiing. Hauzenberg doesn’t roll up its sidewalks come wintertime. No, that’s when it opens its ski school!

I told you that you’d have a great time in Hauzenberg — with all this, how could you not? ;-)

Ever heard of the Hessian town Hadamar? No? You don’t know what you’re missing.

The eight local villages that make up Hadamar are conveniently located in the fresh Westerwald and just a stone’s throw north of the high-speed ICE train city of Limburg an der Lahn.

You’ll feel as if you went back in time when you enter the city via the medieval Limburg Gate or when you’re standing in front of the charming town hall that’s been here since 1639 (it replaced an even older one after a fire ravaged the town).

If you’re touring along the touristy German Framework Road a.k.a. Deutsche Fachwerkstraße, you’ll find yourself going right through it. What’s the German Framework Road? It’s a route following along through many small German towns that offer the best look at those historical timber framed buildings. You know the ones — they look like they’re straight from the pages of a fairytale.

And no fairytale town goes without its own fairytale castle. Sadly, not too much of Schloss Hadamar remains, but its stable now houses the town’s local history museum.

A personal favorite is the Gothic Liebfrauenkirche. It was built over 700 years ago and its bells were cast some time during the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648), making them some of the oldest bells still used in the entire country.

If you like the Baroque, then a visit to the ornate church of St. Johannes Nepomuk will do justice.

However, it’s the St. Gile’s Church and the Herzenbergkapelle that have the most interestingly morbid history. While more than fifteen members of the House of Nassau are interred at St. Giles, the hearts of the Hadamar princes rest at the chapel.

Tip: There’s a beautiful rose garden planted over by the Herzenbergkapelle with over 160 varieties of the beautiful pungent flower!

Hadamar is also home to an old Jewish synagogue, sadly destroyed in the 1930’s. It’s now a museum with exhibitions on Jewish life.

Hadamar is captivating, charming, historical (ok, I know… you get the point) town that’s just perfect for the history lover. It’s also got some lovely walking and cycling paths through the Hessian countryside to keep the whole family busy.

I guess it doesn’t get any better than that.

Some places in Germany will keep you busy for a month of Sundays and you still won’t get to see everything. Not so in the case of Niefern-Öschelbronn, but there’s enough to keep you busy for at least one Sunday (or two).

If you decide to stay longer than just a day there are a few little hotels and even one large chain brand for any overnight accommodation.

What you’ll probably notice first about this town in Baden-Württemberg (just northeast of Pforzheim) is just how neat and tidy it is, right down to the colorful flower boxes that adorn just about every window. There are also quite a few half timbered houses lining the city streets and those flower boxes only add to their beauty.

A great way to see just how picturesque Niefern-Öschelbronn really is, climb one of the two observation towers at the edge of town.

Most visitors come to see the stunning Evangelical City Church. It might be an original 14th century Gothic church, but the artwork that has been added through the years makes this place utterly amazing. Pay extra attention to the choir paintings, they’re nothing short of fabulous and certainly painted with love of the divine.

Niefern-Öschelbronn at one time did have the requisite medieval castle, though today it’s used as a child welfare office. If you want to learn more of its history (and the town as a whole) then visit the Kirnbach Museum, which has exhibits on all of the town’s history.

Niefern-Öschelbronn is also a cultural city; with all kinds of classical music concerts, plays, and art exhibits. There’s usually something going on so you’ll never know what you’ll be treated to. But, in June the town hosts the annual Sommerfest and the Kastanienfest.

Come to think of it, maybe in Niefern-Öschelbronn you got more at your disposal than just for one Sunday alone? ;-)