Donaueschingen is a rustic small German town in the Black Forest area of Baden Württemberg. It is a host to a famous cycling circuit along the wooded hillsides of the Black Forest, the source of the famous Danube River, and historic collections of art.

Of course, the town wouldn’t be complete without its very own castle a.k.a. Schloss… ;-)

Donaueschingen doesn’t have too many museums or what you might consider typical touristy spots, but the one you will see surely won’t disappoint. The Princely Collection at the Donaueschingen Palace and the Fürstenberg Collection has artwork dating from the 15th and 16th centuries.

The Schloss dates back to the late 18th century and is open from Easter thru October. Although the real source of the Danube River (called Donau in German) is where the Breg and Brigach Rivers come together in Donaueschingen, but the traditional site is in the garden fountain of the Schloss.

If you’re the more athletic type, ride with your bike along the start of the Danube and through the forested hills for which the area is famous. The Danube Cycle Trail that begins in Donaueschingen is very well-known and the longest in Europe. The best time of the year is usually in the early summer when it isn’t too humid. These trails are well-marked and the bicycle lanes are mostly paved.

When you’re finished all the hiking, biking, and sightseeing for the day, make a stop at the 725 year old Fürstenberg Brauerei (yes, a brewery!). Donaueschingen was once the feudal lands of Heinrich von Fürstenberg in 1283. With this feudal contact came the right to brew beer, thus opening the first source of the Royal Fürstenberg Brauerei. The original manuscript granting this feudal land is in the brewery archives.

Tours of the brewery are available, you can have a nosh in their restaurant, or head right over to the Bar/Tasting Room and try the Fürstenberg Salvator — originally made in the late 1800s. It was liked so much by the last German Kaiser, Willhelm II, that he declared it the “Table Drink of His Majesty the Kaiser.”

Doesn’t matter if you’re feel like pretending you’re royalty while you drink it, just drink and “Prost” (Cheers!) to Donaueschingen — so do I. :-)

Bad Pyrmont is an attractive endearing town in Lower Saxony. Only a place that puts such a high regard to detail would have music that plays from sculptures along the Main Street.

The spa town is built on thermal springs; and while you’re shopping along you’ll find fountains flowing with natural mineral water, each with a specific purpose (for heart or joint problems, etc) on the aptly named Fountain Street.

A top attraction in Bad Pyrmont is Hylliger Born, or the Holy Fountain, because it’s said to help folks with their ailments. Many residents and visitors like to see the Kurpark, the historical spa gardens with its palms and water features. Some of the earliest walkways date back to the 1600s — Bad Pyrmont was already popular then. Don’t forget to stop at the Kurpark’s tea house for a relaxing afternoon tea.

There’s so much more to this town than just the spas that it had become so famous for. Bad Pyrmont hosts the annual Asparagus Festival every May with fresh flowers, food, New Orleans’ style jazz music, and the guest of honor: asparagus. Another festival that is a grand old time is the Historischer Fürstentreff, a free festival for everyone celebrating the town’s history from the 17th and 18th centuries.

If festivals are not your cup of tea, then maybe a carriage ride around the main areas and some of the older spa gardens is in order.

About 15 minutes drive from this thermal spring oasis is one of the greatest examples of Renaissance architecture in Germany, the Hämelschen. You shouldn’t miss the tour as it’s quite detailed on the castle’s historic rooms & cellars, service quarters, gardens, church, or Renaissance art.

If the proof of anything is in the details, you’ll be more than pleasantly surprised by Bad Pyrmont.

To experience the real Germany you need look no further than Überlingen. It’s a place where you’ll find an eclectic blend of history and hot springs, saunas and sites centuries old.

Besides being on the original route for Pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostella in Spain, its been a real friendly city to painters, poets, and writers over the years. Sitting on the picturesque Lake Constance, you’ll be able to understand those artists’ inspiration when you’re in a city with history that’s over 1,000 years old.

First you need to look around to some of the highlights of the history of this charming town. St. Nicholas Minister has a high wood alter carved by a local artist in the early 17th century and took over 200 years to build its five nave interior, now that’s endurance.

The Franciscan Church was built between the 14th and 15th centuries and was redone into a baroque style in the 18th but still has two of the original statues by one of the most famous artists of hist time, Joseph Anton Feuchtmayer.

The St. John’s Towers were also built in the 1500s and was increased to reach a whopping 37 meters (approx 111 feet) to help keep out the invading Swedes in the middle 1600s. It’s the Middle Age version of the skyscraper!

The Zeughaus is where the old medieval world meets the modern one. Once a 16th century armory, its now a modern day restaurant.

Another contemporary creation is the promenade,where you’re able to enjoy the fresh air along Lake Constance. Maybe you’ll get a chance to see one of the many boating regattas that the Lake hosts.

The Town Garden is a pure botanical treat with its rose, cactus, and exotic plant gardens, the scent is just delightful. Make sure to get your visitor’s card upon arrival, riding the bus around town is free and you can’t beat the discounts for admission into all the great things in Überlingen.

When all that sightseeing is done, the place to relax is the Bodensee-Therme. Aaahh… take a look at its Überlingen webcam — it’s a hot spring spa where water from the Earth rises to soothe and relax you — not too bad for only a few Euros! Take some time in the Japanese Rose Sauna or you have a choice of the indoor or outdoor sauna. The Relaxation House has two floors with panoramic views of Lake Constance. There’s even a kids area to keep them occupied. What else more can you ask for?

Sure you can head out to places like Munich or Frankfurt. But why bother? With everything to do and see in Überlingen, you’ll know you found the place that has it all. ;-)