Bad Segeberg is a 875 year old health resort town that has much to see for everyone.

The kids are sure to love NOCTALIS, the world of bats. Head over to the Kalkberg, where the caves have beautiful rock formations and 17 species of indigenous bats. The kids are also gonna love the local game park — home to over 700 animals.

For a “bat’s-eye” view of the town take a stop up Limestone Hill, standing some 91 meters above town. Maybe you’ll find some geocaching treasure up there since it’s becoming quite popular here (GPS device rentals are available around town).

Instead of geocaching, there are also guided bus tours around the forest with local tour guides. Maybe you can get some fishing in, or rent a boat for a bit of leisure time out on the huge Segeberger See lake.

Bad Segeberg is more than just forest, bats and water, though. The town just loves to party with everything from folk, to classical, to jazz concerts. Plus, the town is host to the Schleswig-Holstein Horse Show.

Bad Segeberg also holds the exceptionally popular Karl May Festival (a.k.a. Karl-May-Spiele). Karl May was one of the most popular German authors of all time (whereas he set many of his novels in the American West).

As for some natural shopping, besides its weekly market (held on Wednesdays and Saturdays) the town also holds a Spring and Fall Fair in May and September.

You’ll definitely learn more at the town’s Local History Museum, which is housed in the town’s oldest building, as well as at the local Folk Museum.

There you’ll learn that Bad Segeberg has a medieval history as the Marienkirche was built in 1156 and its alter dates to the 16th century. (BTW, the church hosts the annual Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival — oh dear, just in case we haven’t gotten enough of Segeberg’s events yet… ;-)

After all that strolling and touring, since Bad Segeberg is a spa town you’ll love the saltwater and regular swimming pools at AquaFun, all designed to get rid of life’s stresses!

Now, who can say no to that! ;-)

Near the Salzach River and only a few kilometers from Salzburg, Austria is the bewitching town of Freilassing. It’s here, high in the Bavarian Alps, where you’re going to find historic castles, wonderful museums, and stunning scenery.

Some of the wonderful castles here in the Berchtesgadener Land are privately own, like the Gruttenstein, originally built around the year 800, but what stands today mainly comes from the 13th century. So is the Schloss Marzoll, a white fairy tale Renaissance castle from the 16th century with four commanding towers.

Or the Staufeneck, a 12th century fortress, while now in privately owned, was once a museum in the early 20th century.

Schloss Berchtesgaden is filled with opulent artwork. Music is big here at the castle, considering this is the land of Mozart (he was born only a few kilometers away in Salzburg). There’s the ruins of the 12th century Castle Karlstein and the 12th century Raschenberg Castle to visit too.

Even though these castles are only a shadow of their once former grandeur, there’s still something peaceful and serene to be found here.

Not to be overshadowed by the big city, Freilassing has a great pedestrian district filled with outstanding shopping, mouth-watering beer gardens, and the parking is free around town. And speaking of shopping, the town’s Farmer’s Market is held on Wednesdays and Saturdays and the smaller Green Market is on Thursdays.

When not shopping (or drinking) hop on a bicycle and scope out the countryside on any of its countless biking trails here. Don’t worry… there’s something for everyone, from easy family trails to more severe for serious bikers. :-)

And speaking of rolling, Freilassing has a lovely Railroad Museum, making it a remarkable stop for kids of all ages who just love trains!

After all that sightseeing, shopping and touring, you may wanna take a breather at Freilassing’s Badylon, a great spa for a massage and relaxing by the spa’s waterfall. The spa is set amid lush untouched landscape, and the view from the outdoor pool is extraordinary!

In the land of Lederhosen in Middle Franconia is Wendelstein, a market town that just celebrated its 750th birthday.

Wendelstein was built over settlements that reach as far back as around 1300 B.C., and it’s located only a few kilometers from Nuremberg.

The regional parts of Wendelstein are really what makes up the town’s local character, most retaining their medieval flair. For example, the Großschwarzenlohe neighborhood is just your typical farm town, while Kleinschwarzenlohe was once a 16th century mill town and close to the Monastery Ebrach.

Wendelstein proper has a brilliant 14th century military church, the Parish Church George, that’s definitely worth a visit. And the small stone church perched atop Wendelstein Mountain makes for a fabulous photo-op, especially in white winter with freshly fallen snow.

More “must sees” are the 14th century Schloss Kugelhammer, the 15th century Wolfgang Church, and many of the historic half timbered buildings in the Röthenbach district.

Bees must like the countryside since beekeeping has been a tradition in Röthenbach for a few hundred years, and you’re sure to love it too. In fact, the rustic Franconian countryside is both scenic and tranquil, and it seems the proper place for the German National Museum (in Nuremberg).

As far as events, come the first week of May as it’s the background for Wendelstein’s New Orleans Music Festival (or, Blues & Jazz Open).

For lovers of parks and nature, here’s an abundance of local paths that are great for hiking or cycling through the forest. The lakes found here in Wendelstein are pristine and most allow swimming, so take a jump in and enjoy. When winter comes the King Ludwig Channel freezes over for some great outdoor ice skating.

Even if all you’re doing is sitting in one of the many beer gardens, you’re treated to a phenomenal view. Try the anniversary brew from the local brewery and celebrate Wendelstein!

Not by any stretch of the imagination could Großenhain in Saxony be considered just any ordinary city.

Großenhain is a city of contraction, a place of style and grace, yet knows how to let it’s hair down. It’s a city that’s steeped in history yet embraces the modern. It’s a city that runs the gamut from airplanes and motorcycles to the more genteel pursuits of hiking and gardening.

Frankly, it’s a city that’s worth getting to know. :-)

Großenhain has officially been around since the days of the Middle Ages. A few of the buildings of that time still remain in a place that was once an important stop on the pilgrimage road to Santiago de Compostella in Spain.

Its medieval monastery may be in ruins, but St. Mary’s Church still stands. The medieval church has undergone a few facelifts over the centuries and truly is the Grand Dame of the town that overlooks the market square.

Right behind St. Mary’s is the Old Latin School. It’s now a local history museum detailing the bygone times and culture of the city to as far back as the days of the Bronze Age.

The castle here in Großenhain, built in 1289, was a military stronghold for a few hundred years. By the 1960’s, the castle had fallen into disrepair and was saved by the local community and is now known as the Community Center Castle, or Kulturschloss. Once a place only a few could enjoy, today the castle is a splendid community center for book readings, concerts, and dances.

The castle wasn’t Großenhain’s only claim to fame for military action. The city, once a strategic military garrisson town, is home to one of the first airfields ever. Probably the most famous pilot of all time, Manfred von Richthofen, was trained here around 1914. You may know him simply as the Red Baron and World War I flying Ace.

It’s hard to imagine motorcycles when thinking of an airfield, but thousands of bikers come for the annual Moto Race held here on the Großenhain Airfield. That’s not the only time and reason for you to go visit that place, though. It’s an ancient airfield that was built in 1914 and used as a military base that time!

For a pursuit a bit on the quieter side, Großenhain has the Garden Culture Path, a serene tour of the loveliest gardens and parks in the city. The Kleinraschützer Heide is a nature reserve that’s now popular for hiking, biking, and jogging — a far cry from the days where the land was used for growing grapes for wine.

No matter your reason for coming to Großenhain, you most certainly won’t be disappointed. This marvelous city will have you absolutely enchanted!

Oschatz is much more than the medieval village it once was. It’s a world class town that loves to party, especially with all things outdoors.

Oschatz was host to the 2006 Horticultural Show and every September hosts 10,000 revelers at the Harvest Celebration, as well as the Autumn Music Fest and yearly Flower Festival.

That’s not to say that Oschatz forgets is medieval roots and has found a balance from its history to its future.

The best place to start is the Oschatzer Leisure Center located at New Market 2. Here’s where you’ll find wonderful tourist information to plan your trip.

To learn a bit about Oschatz’s history, head over to the Urban and Balance Museum. The “Balance” part of the museum is a large collection of scales. The museum owns an amazingly accurate medieval salt scale, as salt was quite a valuable commodity of the time.

Located near the museum is the town’s watchtower, standing some 25 meters high. Tower guards used to live here through the years from 1377 when the tower was built until the 1970’s. Hopefully, the tower watchman gained respect through the centuries since in medieval times, it was considered an honorless position.

One position of honor in town was held by no other than Martin Luther, when he brought the Reformation to Oschatz in the 1530’s. Letters by Luther and his followers, Melanchthon and Justus Jones, are housed in Oschatz’s archives.

The New Market Well was here in the time of Luther as it’s been here since 1539. The town has also been in possession of one of the most important medieval books called the Saxonian Mirrors (written in the 1300’s). The City Museum, located near the New Market Well, explains so much of the town’s history, it even includes a torture chamber from the 1570’s.

Without a doubt, Schloss Osterland in its day had its own dungeon and torture chamber, but now the 13th century castle lies in ruins. You’ll be able to see these ruins on one of the town’s many walking and cycling tracks.

In a more modern period of history, Oschatz is the final resting place of 19 Jewish women who died on a “death march” in April 1945 along with Erich Vogel, a famous resistance fighter. A monument in their memory stands in the cemetery where they’re buried.

Last but not least, a visit to the Homeland Zoo, which the city opened in 1989, will complete a wonderful stay in Oschatz. In fact, it must be on purpose that “Oschatz” translates to “Oh Dear”! ;-)

Rahden is the northern most town of North Rhine-Westphalia. It just celebrated its 975th birthday but yet is still modern with prime fashion shops and cafes.

Everything here just screams for you to get outside and enjoy the countryside especially at the Museum Yard, a real working 19th century farm. Don’t forget to try some of the scrumptious butter cake baked in the old stone furnace.

You’ll need all that energy when you travel around town on the hand trolley. Using old railways tracks, you can “cycle” yourself around to some of Rahden’s area attractions (the tracks go on all the way to Lower Saxony).

Pedal past the “Large Stone,” a 350 ton rock from the days of the last Ice Age. There are even castle ruins to explore along the trolley route.

Rahdener Castle, a 14th century fortress, somehow managed to survive countless wars, but was leveled by a fire in 1878. The best part of the ruins (besides the incredible workout!) is that it’s something the entire family can enjoy since trolleys hold from four to twelve people.

A more simple walking path on the city’s “round course #11” will take you through the countryside, past half timbered houses, and past the town’s most famous windmill. Built in 1650, it worked for 300 years before it was shut down in 1953 (and restored to its former glory in 1983).

The Round Course also takes you to the Parish Church Johannes built in 1353, becoming Protestant in the 16th century during the Reformation. It received a more ornate “Baroque” facelift in 1789, while the modern “facelift” takes place annually, during the Church Festival held every March.

Rahden also hosts the Prussian Ströhen Market (held in September), the extra large (and obligatory ;-) Christmas Market, and the “Rahden Steams” Festival (German: Rahden kocht über). Can you think of a more delicious way of enjoying some great local cuisine? :-)

When modern day moviemakers of Hollywood make period pieces of days of the Middle Ages and Renaissance Europe they must use Lohr as their muse.

Lohr am Main is a land of fairytale castles, tall foreboding towers, and stunning churches for the devout in the countryside of Bavaria. The town’s center is filled with many half timbered buildings built in the 16th and 17th centuries and squares decorated with sandstone fountains. There are small shops, bistros, and the chance for beer and wine sampling.

Much of the surrounding forest is protected and offers many hiking and cycling trails for everyone of all ages and fitness levels to enjoy.

Lohr makes great use of the fantasyland that is their history. Though touristy, here’s where you’ll have your very own Lohrer Bakery Master dressed in period garb taking you around town for life in the 17th century. Not completely romanticized, this tour touches on the dark days of witch hunts that were prevalent at the time.

Life was hard here a few centuries ago, but for the aristocracy they didn’t have it as bad off as the rest. If you follow “Countess Margarethe,” wife of the last Lohr count, she’ll give you a guided tour of the castle and a history of Renaissance life. The castle, built in the mid 1300’s, also doubles as the town’s history museum, though the moat is gone today.

Over the course of several centuries from the Middle Ages until 1933, the night watchman made his daily rounds securing the city. Today, you can follow the night watchman for a guided nighttime tour around town.

A view from the Bavarian Tower in the center of town will give you a wonderful birds-eye view around town and the background mountains since it stands some 40 meters high. Built in the 14th century, it’s the last of the towers that were attached to the Stadtmauer (or fortification walls) that surrounded the original town. These embankment walls once stood some 6 meters (around 18 feet) high and while most of the walls no longer stand some pieces still remain around town.

The Bavarian Tower (Bayersturm) also overlooks the pilgrimage church and monastery of Maria Buchen (built in 1395) as well as the 13th century Parish Church Michael whose tower stand some 62 meters — standing on 9th century foundations.

The Valentinuskapelle was rebuilt in 1660, as it was destroyed in the Thirty Years’ War. The religious, thinking the town was spared the plague by praying here, now celebrate August 16 with a procession dedicated to the town’s patron saint.

Lohr am Main knows it has something special here and makes the most of its historical town, especially with the theatrical guided tours available around town. Many of us through the modern medium of movies and television are able to see a fantasy world in medieval times and Renaissance life, Lohr lives it!

When thinking of all things German there are a few things that come to mind like towering castles, Bratwurst (German sausage) and beer.

Well, Ginsheim-Gustavsburg really doesn’t have any castles, but it does have its fair share of beer gardens for a pint to wash down the yummy Bratwurst because you’ll certainly be famished after a day of sightseeing here.

A place called the Kleine Hexe (Small Witch) is a great place to start. This small beer garden is tucked neatly away in the old 18th century post office building — only steps away from the River Rhine that runs alongside town.

The Ratskeller Ginsheim and its terraced beer garden has been in the owner’s family for 145 years and offers clean affordable overnight accommodation. Look forward to specialties served here depending on the season, like goose in the late autumn or Hausmacher sausage served from September through March.

For you veggie lovers, asparagus season is in the late spring. Plus, there are plenty more chances for eating and drinking tasty local treats at the Castle Celebration, Folk Festival, and the super large Christmas Market.

Now for us history buffs… Gustavsburg, named for the Swedish King Gustva Adolf, once had a castle here. While it no longer stands, there’s a reproduction of it in the Castle Park.

The Romans were also here, and a Roman horseman’s gravestone was found during excavations of the area. A copy of the soldier’s tombstone sits in the town hall lobby.

More of Ginsheim-Gustavsburg’s history can be better explained at the Local History Museum.

Then after all that eating, drinking and history, you may wanna take a water ride on the Old Rhine Ferry or rent a boat. For land lubbers, there are plenty of cycle tracks around town, many are of the European Union’s world class circuit track, ensuring countless visitors to the town.

To only consider Baiersbronn just another medieval city would do it considerable injustice. Baiersbronn is not only a crown jewel within the Black Forest, but a crown jewel within the country of Germany itself.

Of course, there are the more traditional sites to see here, since the town was “born” in 1292.

And to only visit the Klosterreichenbach, a 15th century monastery, and its medieval church would be a travesty since there’s so much more to explore within the heart of the Black Forest, where mountain peaks meet billowy white clouds against an azure sky that seems to go on for eternity.

One of the best features of Baiersbronn is how family friendly it is. For instance, the town gives the little tykes the chance to enjoy a “farm holiday.” There are quite a few bed & breakfasts located near some of the prettiest working farms — where kids can feed chickens, see cows, rabbits, and goats.

The kids may even get a kick at the Fairy Tale Museum here in town or even dancing at the Black Forest Music Festival. And, not to break the budget there are plenty of family restaurants around for great food at a decent price.

For something a bit more upscale for you gourmands, Baiersbronn boasts six (yes, six!) coveted Michelin-star restaurants — including one at the Kneipp Health Resort along with some great spa treatments.

All that great food will certainly energize you to hike up any one of the many hiking trails since there are over 500 km of them around. It may not be for you nature lovers only — those crystal lakes, bright flowers, and rolling meadows are heaven on Earth, aren’t they?

Don’t think for one second that this incredible town rolls up the sidewalks when the first winter snow falls. There are many enjoyable winter activities here too, including cross country skiing, ice skating, and regular skiing that we all know from TV.

With all that Baiersbronn has to offer you’ll realize that it’s a very magical place. Most if not all who come here remember it for a lifetime and want to return again and again.

On what was once the “Bronze Road” lies Wardenburg, a 700+ year old town in Lower Saxony, only 9 km or 6 miles south of the larger city of Oldenburg.

Most of the sites here in Wardenburg date from days of the Middle Ages, but there are a few modern ones as well.

The Grain Mill, built in the 16th century, was a gift to the Countess Elizabeth, the mother of the most revered Count Anton Günther. It’s now the host to many concerts.

It was Count Anton Günther who bred a special breed of war horses here in the Oldenburg region. These horses were instrumental to the officers of the Thirty Years’ War (1618-164).

The Oldenburg Castle is nearby and now a museum with “period rooms,” paintings, and artwork. The museum also preserves the region’s cultural history and tells more of the story of Anton Günther and his prized horses. There are also art objects scattered throughout the parks of Wardenburg, so you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what you find.

Trips to the Brickyard Museum (which was going to originally be a distillery) and the Moorland Farmer’s Museum will be like stepping through a time machine.

The Marienkirche, dating from 1278, was once a pilgrimage church and for the art lover, displays many wonderful paintings. Besides, its Bell Tower is Wardenburg’s most notable landmark so that’s what you’ll see on first sight upon your arrival.

Wardenburg sits on the Wildeshausen Geest Nature Park, so the outside landscape is just picture perfect. Here you’ll be able to hire a personal hiking guide to take you around the many trails within the park. Or, just sit back with your rod and reel for some old fashioned fishing in Tillysee.

Sorry, there’s no swimming within that lake since it’s a “protected” area. You’ll just have to head over to Everkamp, the town’s indoor pool for that. Everkamp is the place most of the town’s sporting activities take place, including skating and tennis.