Think of Straelen as a lady that doesn’t reveal her true age.

She says her birthday was almost thousand years ago in 1065, but in reality she’s much older (6th century grave hills have been found here). She’s also magnificently located close to the border of the Netherlands and its city of Venlo. In fact, the ruins of the old World War II Luftwaffe Air Base lies between the two countries and Venlo counts as Straelen’s closest railway station.

A day trip to Straelen is about all that’s needed to really see everything. Unless you’re headed over to the famous European Translator Kollegium, then you’ll be here a while!

Opened in 1978, it houses more than 110,000 volumes of literature, books, dictionaries, and reference guides in 275 languages and dialects and remains home to some 750 people (from 50 countries) a year. Oh, if you’re a bookworm then Straelen could be your Nirvana. ;-)

In a city that was once under French rule (sometime in the 19th century), the town really does retain an utter German flair. And, that can be found in the many grand old manor houses here like the Haus Coull, Haus Eyll, and the Haus Vlassrath.

But, the most unique and historical is the Haus Caen. Built in 1451, its watermill is the oldest in all of the Niederrhein. It is protected by water on two sides, so technically it doesn’t have a moat. It does have, believe it or not, an English garden and a pigeon tower, once used for carrier pigeons, long before the days of DHL!

What Straelen lacks on certain “objects of interest” around town, it makes up for it with heart. The largest flower auction in all of Germany is held here daily. The scents of all those flowers has just got to be considered heavenly!

And, Straelen hosts a Spring and Autumn Festival, A Christmas Market, and a RockMusicFest, so the town can seriously get down to party.

It doesn’t matter why you’re coming to Straelen, be it for the books, the flowers, the festivals, or the history and culture. You will surely love this lovely lady, no matter how old she really is.

Marbach am Neckar is a pleasant little town and a perfect place to spend a day (or, two) wandering around the old medieval streets and the lush green countryside, or sampling many of the local wines that are produced here.

Marbach, only about 20 km northeast of Stuttgart, is the birthplace of the famous German poet, Friedrich Schiller, and his celebrity is really felt all around town. Especially now the house he was born in is a small museum dedicated to his life’s work.

You’ll learn more about his literary writings at the palatial looking Schiller Nationalmuseum und Deutches Literaturarchiv, one of the main archives of literature in all of Germany.

Another museum to visit is the Village Museum, housed one of the town’s many historic old buildings. It’s here that you’ll learn what life was like here in Marbach through the ages and all about the region’s viticulture (a glass of wine, anyone?).

Since Marbach is an old town from the Middle Ages, you’ll find some old churches like the Spiral Chapel built in 1433. Also visit the Alexanderkirche anytime, but a few times a year there are guided tours for a more in-depth look and the intricate artwork.

Another reminder of the Middle Ages is the remaining remnant of the old stadtmauer and the menacing towers. With a little ambition you can climb all 95 steps of the Upper Gate Tower, that stands some 40 meters high. Your exercise is richly rewarded with grand views of Marbach and the Marbacher City Castle.

After that, you’ll need a glass of wine to relax. Viticulture has been around for centuries and the town’s wine co-op is the place to go for some serious wine tasting. Take the wine out to forest for a picnic and unwind by the rolling hills and tree lined paths.

There are also many hiking, biking, and running tracks for traversing the countryside. Some of the cycle tracks carry on for some 20 to 40km. Marbach’s also very proud of its Sculpture Path, made by a few local artists.

You’ll no doubt fall in love with this little town that’s been around for centuries. Like one of the many fine wines found here, Marbach am Neckar has only gotten better with age.

In Lower Saxony there’s an old potash salt mining town known as Uslar.

It is where you’ll find fresh mountain woodland air, plenty of outdoor activities, tiny museums, and old historic buildings. There are nineteen local districts so everyone’s bound to find something to get excited about.

The Museum Uslar is a great place to start your trip that explains the town’s social and political life through the years. Since mining was huge to the economy there’s a potash mining museum, with a salt mineral collection. It’s a fantastic way to learn about some of Germany’s natural history.

While in the Delliehausen District there’s another kind of “natural history” since it has a protected nature area filled with lots of local flora and fauna. And, Eschershausen is conveniently located right in the middle of the Sollinger Vogler Nature Park.

A large part of life here revolves around the forest. The town even has its very own treehouse hotel with cabins hidden within the trees. A nearby Butterfly Park has 120 species of these beautiful insects including ones only found within a tropical rainforest.

For camping, hiking, and miniature golf, check out Schönhagen. But, quite a few of Uslar’s other villages also have plenty of hiking, biking, and Nordic Walking trails.

Religion was important here, too. So, it’s no wonder that you’ll find some beautiful historic military churches scattered throughout the town, that were built from the 11th through 13th centuries.

Vahle, one of Uslar’s smallest districts, sits at the foot of the mountainside. Its local history museum houses a (morbid) collection of Totenkronen or Death Crowns that were popular when burying young unmarried people in the 16th century.

And, while you’ll find some historical stuff in the neighborhood of Schlarpe, it also hosts the famous Heidelbeerfest every May.

Fürstenhagen is a small hamlet boasting plenty of half timbered houses, two great hotels, and the yummiest of bakeries.

With everything that Uslar has to offer, expect to spend some time here so you can fully appreciate all of its secrets. Do yourself a favor, grab your camera, your good walking shoes, and make the best of it.

Spend some time in Bad Bentheim and you’ll discover that it’s home to some wonderful museums, a historical castle, decorative churches, and one heck of a great spa.

If you love small spa towns, then Bad Bentheim in Lower Saxony is the place for you. Bordering the country of the Netherlands, this town is centrally located within some of the prettiest countryside you will ever find in the North.

What you’ll probably notice first is the town’s most famous landmark, Schloss Bentheim. The castle’s museum is quite educational in learning about its 700 year history. Not everyone can live in a castle, but everyone and anyone can enjoy the large Schlosspark. There’s even a playground for the kiddies to run around.

One way to explore Bad Bentheim is the Nightwatchman Tour a.k.a. Bergfried or Pulverturm. It’s a wonderful way to see the town, hear its urban history, and all the stories and legends of the city and castle. You’ll hear stories about the Protestant Church, burial place of Bentheim’s Counts (those lucky guys that actually got to live in the castle) and why it had to be rebuilt in the late 1600’s.

The Catholic Parish Church Johannes was built in 1670 from the famous Bentheimer sandstone. So famous and beautiful was the sandstone found here, it was used to build the royal palace in Amsterdam and many other historical buildings throughout Germany.

Besides sandstone, sulfur was discovered here in the early 18th century forever changing Bentheim to a health spa town, adding the word “Bad” to the town name. The Bentheimer Hot Mineral Springs is a great place to unwind and destress. Relax in the pool, the salt bath, or in any of the three whirlpools! :-)

It’s the little things here that make all the difference, down to the underwater music that’s pumped in to enhance the senses. You can enjoy some great music at what is called the Frenchman Ravine, too. Come summer the three unused quarries are the stage for some great classical music concerts.

Bad Bentheim has some beautiful countryside and a great way to enjoy it is on any number of bicycle or walking routes that stretch for over 500 km. For you castle lovers, the 100-Schlösser-Route connects all the beautiful castles and ruins in the area (if Schloss Bentheim isn’t enough).

If you’re lucky enough to be here on the last Saturday in August Bad Bentheim hosts a huge Flea Market attended by what seems like everyone in town.

Also, whether you’re a local or visitor it’s hard not to get into the Christmas Spirit at the annual Christmas Market held in December. It’s here where you’ll get to try that special cookie is made here around here called the Bentheimer Moppen. It’s made with a local spice called Kümmel and simply delicious.

Bad Bentheim has exactly what you need for a great time: history, a place to relax, shopping, and good food. So, get here and just enjoy it all! :-)

Olsberg in the Sauerland region is known for its beautiful countryside since it’s also near the Arsberger Forest and the Diemelsee Nature Park.

Once an ancient mining town (check out the mining museum), it’s now a great spa town known for the Bruchhauser Stones, a natural rock formation that’s older than the days of the dinosaurs. A trip over to the Local History Museum, housed in the Old Mill, explains the natural and cultural history of Olsberg.

Another way to see that is to visit one of the five castles nearby.The Schloss Gevelinghausen, Schloss Wildenberg, and Schloss Schellenstein were all built in the 13th century and Schellenstein’s palace gardens are particularly striking. The Rose Village in the Assinghausen District has some 130 varieties of roses and has the most amazing smell with all those flowers in bloom!

For those who prefer a different approach to culture, check out some of the local breweries like Grevenstein, Krombach, and Warstein.

To head off some of those free-radicals, a trip to the AquaOlsberg is a must! Here’s where healthy living and modern science coexist perfectly. There are indoor and outdoor pools (fresh water and saltwater) and saunas to delight the senses. There’s the underground rock cave sauna, the Panorama sauna with large windows to take in the natural scenery, and the aromatherapy sauna.

The spa offers special family discounts on “family days” providing one more reason to visit it.

There’s more fun to be had here during Olsburg’s many festivals. Besides the Music Fest held in the Fall, the town also hosts a motorcycle “Bike Weekend Festival.” Even if it’s not festival weekend, you can rent yourself a motorcycle (or a tamer bicycle) right here in town. Wonderful, because there are plenty of scenic and racing courses around the countryside.

All in all, Olsberg is such a family friendly town and host to festivals, many local breweries, cultural museums, castles, and a most relaxing spa. Don’t let winter stop you from coming to this town because it also hosts some serious skiing!

Only a few kilometers north of Lübeck lies the little, gorgeous town of Ratekau, a stone’s throw from dazzling Timmendorfer Strand and the opulent Baltic Coast.

While the town’s been around for around a thousand years, the area itself has been inhabited for much longer, making for some great historical sites to visit.

The grave hills from around the Bronze Age shouldn’t be missed. The stone rock formations date from even further back. From a more modern time in history there are still remnants of a divided Germany found on both sides of the A1 Motorway that runs through the middle of the town.

One of the most beautiful sites in all of Ratekau is the 12th century Feldsteinkirche (Field Stone Church). This Roman style church is one of the best kept in all of Schleswig-Holstein. It looks more like a military fortification than a place of worship with its soaring round tower.

For a bit of ghoulish history, the nearby Church of St. Lawrence has a 17th century cemetery for victims of the plague.

Another gem is the Ruppersdorfer Lake. Its Observation Tower gives a great view of the town. It also is a great place for bird watching and a haven for some endangered species. The castle ruins only add to the natural beauty of the area on the small island in the center. That’s one effective castle moat! The 13th century Castle Gosevelde, near the Hemelsdorfer Lake, also lies in ruins here in Ratekau.

Speaking of beauty, the town’s Garden Museum is filled with not only wonderful smelling flowers but lots of period history. You’ll find appliances, crafts, and everything for daily life from the 1880’s to cooking in a German kitchen in the 1940’s. Yum!

Bad Essen lies on the famous German Framework Road and the TerraVita Nature Reserve, making it both romantic and historical.

Besides many half timbered buildings and medieval sights around town, there’s a history here that goes back much further (and the kids will LOVE it). The Saurierfährten is where you’ll see dinosaur tracks some 150 million years old!

Coming from a much more modern time period are the neighboring castles and ruins. The Hünnefeld Castle has stood here from the 12th century, but the manor house and pigeon tower date from some 300 years later. It has a private museum explaining the history of the building and previous owners.

Then the 17th century Schloss Ippenburg (built in a Neo-Gothic style) holds the most beautiful garden exhibitions every year, while the Wittlage Castle (and Watermill) just celebrated its 700th birthday, though only the tower and entry gate of the castle are from the 1310 original.

A few things to add to your “must see” tour would be the Labyrinth in the city park. Designed to enhance all five senses (most fitting since this is a spa town), it’s a purely unique experience. The Sheep Stable, built in 1795, is now a meeting place for musical concerts and literary readings while the Small House is now a tea house and cafe. You’re just delighting your senses here, too! :-)

Again, Bad Essen is a spa town and you’ll be more than happy with all the spas you can find here. The Waldsauna in the Forest Hotelis is just lovely and offers many services including relaxing massages and a Finnish sauna. The Aktivita Spa is charming in that old half timbered building offering everything from yoga to Nordic Walking. And the Lacuna Spa is the most upscale spa where you’ll be pampered and massaged right down to your fingernails.

Now, that’s a delight to the senses!

Leer in German means “empty,” and the city of Weener in the Leer District of Lower Saxony is hardly empty. It’s filled with history and East Frisian culture since it sits on the southern edge of that German region.

Once you’re in Weener you’re also among East Frisian tea drinkers. Most of Germany is of the coffee drinking sort, but be prepared to have tea served here for breakfast, and in mid afternoon and evening, and within most homes. It’s served with Kluntje, a rock candy, and/or heavy cream served with small cookies (cake for special occasions).

Weener offers a tea seminar with tips on the proper way to serve and drink this healthy beverage.

Tea’s not the only reason to see Weener, though. Come also for the history as the town was founded in 951 A.D. A couple of examples?

The Parish Church dates back to the 13th century, there are plenty of windmills (it IS so close to the Netherlands!), and there’s one of the oldest inhabited buildings in all of Germany (1449). The Fronehaus’s inscription dates to 1660 but it’s believed to be a hundred years older.

There’s plenty to learn about Weener and the surrounding countryside at the Local History Museum (it’s housed in a former poorhouse). There’s also the Organ Museum and the Parish Church George has a famous Arp Schnitger organ (a famous regional organ maker).

For only 2 Euro, the town offers guided tours showcasing all main attractions of the city (May thru September).

Since Weener is so close to the North Sea, you’re bound to enjoy endless hours fishing or perhaps, a boat rental? There are also many hiking and biking trails of the moorland countryside, or the outdoor pool at the Friesenbad for those who prefer different pursuits.

No matter what you choose to do here, you’re gonna love it!

It must be difficult to live in the shadow of one of the greatest cities in the world, Berlin (which is just a few kilometers away), but Rüdersdorf (and surrounding three villages) in Brandenburg manages to do so quite nicely.

Although, much of the sightseeing to be done is in the surrounding countryside or in the city itself. But, check out the local history museum filled with prehistoric and handicraft exhibits. There’s also a lot of information on how agriculture was important to the region and a look at historic life here in Rüdersdorf.

However, mining was such a huge boon to the economy through the centuries and today the town capitalizes on this. The Museumpark Rüdersdorf, once part of a working mine, is now a museum dedicated to the industry.

The “Lime Cathedral” at the quarry holds many musical concerts and is often used as a movie backdrop. The limestone that was found here was considered to be first rate and used to build (and rebuild) the city of Berlin. It was this limestone that was used to build Berlin’s impressive Brandenburg Gate. The same limestone built the 19th century church in the Rüdersdorf’s Kalkberger neighborhood.

One of Rüdersdorf’s main attractions is the Quail Tower. It’s not that old, only having been built in 1938, but the view of the town is fantastic. Another attraction (and quite old) is the the Church of Hope, or Hoffnungskirche, built in the 14th century. The 15th century Kirche Lichtenow now hosts many cultural functions in town. The Parish Church Heilige Familie is only a few hundred years younger than some of the other churches in the area, but is worth a look, too.

What’s great about Rüdersdorf is all the outside activities to be found in the countryside. Many of the old mines have flooded out over the years creating many new lakes for canoeing or other watersports. There are also plenty of jogging, hiking, and biking trails for the entire family, especially around Lime Lake.

But, best of all is the annual Rüdersdorf Mountain Celebration held on the first weekend of July. So some will say, “Forget about Berlin and just enjoy Rüdersdorf!” :-)

Ebersbach an der Fils, an old market town, is one of those South Germany gems that attracts visitors and residents over and over.

The town once sat on a popular Roman Route between Italy and the Netherlands and sits at the northern foothills of the very popular Swabian Alb.

Ebersbach’s central location along the mountain region of the Alb makes for some great outdoor activities and dramatic settings for castles high on the mountaintops. Come see the storybook castles like Lichtenstein Castle and the Sigmaringen Castle.

There are waterfalls, volcanic lakes, and natural rock formations, not to mention some great hiking & biking trails through unspoiled landscape. In the peaceful quiet, you’re bound to hear yourself think again.

The Swabian Alb is also a scenic backdrop when you’re out at the Ebersbach outdoor pool. Don’t let the cooler weather stop you, this pool is heated. There’s also table tennis, basketball, and volleyball for plenty more fun in the outdoors.

The little towns that encompass Ebersbach are definitely worth getting to know. Büchenbronn is one of the smallest with only 350 residents. Krapfenreut, established in 1362, is a quiet residential neighborhood with only 103 residents. For sure, this is a place where everybody knows your name! ;-) Roßwälden was established in 1073 and its 13th century Parish Church Peter (with its medieval artwork) is worth a visit. Sulpach’s early 17th century church (built on earlier church foundations) are worth a trip, too.

There’s much to learn about the area and the best place to do it is the City Museum at the Alte Post (Old Post).

By the way, Ebersbach an der Fils was home to the famous German painter, Jacob Grünenwald. You know what that means… The town has a memorial dedicated to this 19th century artist. You can see some of his work at the Grünenwald’s gallery. There are also many other art exhibitions of local artists at the Town Hall.

Maybe the next Grünenwald is hanging there now? :-)