How hard could it possibly be to find the town of Neuhausen? Isn’t this the day and age of instantaneous maps on mobile devices? Tell me why then, is it so hard to find the right one?

Oh, there are at least five of them in Germany.

I could make you guess to which one I’m supposed to telling you about, but that’s not my style — this is supposed to be about Neuhausen (Enzkreis), bordering the ever lovely Bad Liebenzell, Pforzheim, and Weil der Stadt.

Everyone know where we are now? Good, ’cause I’m still lost. ;-)

There is certainly far worse places to lose yourself, the pretty countryside will take you along to so many of Neuhausen’s charming little chapels. Many of them have been around for centuries, like the steep red-roofed St. Wendelin Chapel. You’d never know it was severely damaged from bombing during World War II.

The Kapelle St. Wolfgang (that’s a fine German name, isn’t it), is another good one — built in 1748. The Marienkapelle is quite a bit older, from around 1685; while the Dreifaltigkeitskapelle is just over three hundred years old.

Probably nothing is much older than the Pfarrkirche St. Maria Magdalena, a 12th century Parish Church. That’s even older than the Pfarrkirche St. Urban & Vitus, that’s only a measly 500 years old.

What’s with all these churches? Nothing but heavenly art and architecture.

Ok, how about a castle then? Burg Steinegg isn’t a castle in the traditional sense anymore, it’s a Christian Youth Center these days — but it used to be back when they built it in the 15th century. Right behind the castle is the famous Waldkapelle Hamberg, another graceful looking chapel here in Neuhausen.

Now that I think about it, this isn’t a place to spend all your times indoors. Best to head out to the Ferienpark Schwarzwald in the Schellbronn district. That’s right, you’re in the Black Forest. This has to be one of the best places to go hiking, cycling, swimming, or whatever else you think of doing in the great outdoors.

To continue the whole outdoor experience, why not give roughing it a go at the town’s campsite?

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go find me a nice place to stay… ;-)

It’s always good to learn something new everyday. Today’s lesson came from the town of Neuhausen (Spree) in the state of Brandenburg, or as it’s called in Lower Sorbian, Kopańce. Again, whatever you call it, I’ve learned to appreciate the wonders within this amazing federal state.

Do you know where else you can learn something? Surf school. That’s right, surf school.

In Germany? Yes, you can — and you’re also able to rent everything from rowboats to surfboards, bicycles to sailboats. Sounds fun, no wonder camping is a big deal around here — everyone’s too tired to go home. ;-)

And as much as sailing around the Spreewald, you can also fly over it. Oh fun, a helicopter tour is a great way to see the surrounding countryside.

If you’d much rather be on terra firma, then I’d have to suggest visiting the cute Freizeitpark (Theme Park) in the village of Klein Döbbern. Here you can do everything from BBQ to bratwurst, or play miniature golf and table tennis. The high ropes course is a bit more strenuous, of course.

Neuhausen isn’t without any historical sites, by the way. In fact, five prehistoric graves were found here a few decades ago — but many of the town’s other historical sites come from many centuries later. Take the Village Church, for example, it wasn’t built until sometime in the 1400s, or the Manor House — only from the 1700s.

In between those centuries, the Village Church in Groß Döbbern was built — a charming church, I must say.

There’s 20th century history, too. You’ll find Soviet War Memorials, a Soviet War Cemetery, and a World War I Memorial.

As for the 21st century, Neuhausen knows how to party in style. The Village Festival is a big beach party, and the Easter bonfires are a real crowd pleaser. Then again, so are the Maypole celebrations, Carnival, and the Park Festival.

You know what else I’ve learned? That Neuhausen (Spree) is a modern town that embraces its past, but also offers the best of Brandenburg in one tidy package.

Just between Landshut and Altötting lies Bodenkirchen, and its handful of villages.

People have lived here for thousands of years, but what it’s really famous for are its Baroque Pilgrimage Church and Michaeliumritt.

This latter one might be more than a mouthful to say, but every two years (odd-numbered years to be precise) is a huge event to honor St. Michael who helped this tiny Lower Bavarian town a few centuries ago.

Thankfully, Bodenkirchen isn’t a one-party town, so even if you’re not able to visit during its Michaeliumritt, you could come for October’s Wine Festival. Or, you could visit during the Maypole Celebrations, its Herbstmarkt (Autumn Market, October), or the Advent Market in early December.

While many people come to Bodenkirchen for its fantastic festivals, for centuries people came the village of Binabiburg on their pilgrimage to the St. Salvator Church. Its dazzling Baroque art and architecture (as beautiful as it is) belies the church’s medieval beginnings. And while you’re in Binabiburg, come see Schloss Binabiburg — another Baroque gem.

Bodenkirchen’s pilgrimage church isn’t the only one worth seeing either. Over at the Church of the Assumption you can see a blend of original Gothic and Neo-Gothic architecture; while the Church of St. Giles, St. Ulrich, and St. John the Baptist have been tending to the spiritual needs of its people as far back as the 1400s. St. Simon & St. Jude church is one of the younger ones — built in the early 16th century.

Holy mackerel, that’s still a whole bunch of Sunday sermons. ;-)

Far be it from me to suggest spending all your time indoors when you’re in Lower Bavaria, so it’s best to find a bike trail or hiking path to spend your day. Ok, maybe two days, as Bodenkirchen lies around the feet of the Alps.

Didn’t I tell you it was pretty? Ohh, I told you it was famous — and now you see why. ;-)

Blah, another blank page for what seems like an eternity. Writer’s block has struck — and it appears the Hessian town of Waldems might suffer for it.

Really, how can this be? You’d think with six districts, each of them unique in their own way, that something like this wouldn’t happen (again).

Maybe it’s sensory overload? It’s possible, ya know, because there was a whole lot to absorb in just 36 square kilometers. The views of the Feldberg here in the Taunus are exceptional. Who can think clearly when it seems like you can see forever? Perhaps a shorter walk along a hiking trail might help in clearing up scattered thoughts.

No, it might just be best to tackle each hamlet individually instead. Yeah, sounds good, let’s try that… ;-)

Bermbach is one of the most populated of Waldems’ villages, and quite close to the Kastell Alteburg — the old outreaches of the Limes. So, as you’re strolling along the lanes of this village, think about how many Romans were here all those centuries ago.

What’s nice about Esch is how it sits right in the Rhein-Taunus Nature Park. As if the idyllic scenery isn’t enough to keep you happy, you’ll find little streets (like the Kirchgasse) framed beautifully with charming half-timbered houses.

Niederems and Reinborn are together, a blend of villages with everything from a pretty Baroque cemetery church to a tree that’s over a thousand years old. This is also where you’ll find the Meditationsrundweg, a trail that follows the Canticle of the Sun, written by St. Francis of Assisi, who praises God for all of creation.

Reichenbach is one of the oldest of Waldems’ villages, inhabited in what’s called pre-Christian times. Today it’s a place of quaint old buildings, its own village church, and friendly faces on its 500+ residents.

Plan to be in the town of Steinfischbach for a while. It, too, lies within the Rhein-Taunus Nature Park, giving you excellent panoramic views of the Upper Taunus. Charming and graceful would best describe this town of just over 1,200 people — it’s got so many half-timbered buildings, it’s almost hard to keep track.

The Rathaus (Town Hall) might be plastered, but it’s still a framework building at heart from 1781. And out on Camberger Straße is an old Jewish Cemetery that hasn’t been used since before the turn of the last century. Just be sure to leave enough time on the agenda for a trip over the Museum Steinfischbach, a museum of local history from its humble 12th century beginnings.

Wüstems is the place to be if you want to see what’s now called the Ringwall Waldems. Scholars debate the exact age of this long-gone castle (some say the area was originally used by the Celts, other say a castle didn’t come along until the 9th/10th century); what can’t be debated is the area’s protected by the Hessian conservation law — so please tread lightly.

Hmm, it appears by giving you the best of Waldems individually, it really shines as a whole; and the writer’s block is long gone. ;-)

Life in the Westerwald is good. Mighty good, I should say, especially in towns like Wirges.

Not only is the town of Wirges itself great, but you’ll find plenty more to see and do if you venture out into the smaller towns within the Verbandsgemeinde Wirges, or Collective Municipality.

Confusing? Maybe. But, don’t let that stop you from enjoying this town in the northern Rhineland-Palatinate — and its surrounding independent villages.

Wirges itself is quite small, just over 10 square kilometers, and home to the Westerwälder Dom. This beautifully decorated church looks much older than it really is (built 1885), but it makes a wonderful venue for local concerts.

The town of Dernbach has the other must-see church of Wirges, St. Mary of the Assumption. Don’t let it’s Baroque details fool you, the church dates back to the Middle Ages — right down to its Romanesque tower. No wonder the place is the town’s landmark.

There’s more to Wirges than just its churches… Take the Tonbergbaumuseum in Siershahn, for instance. The region surrounding Wirges is world-famous for its clay, so it seems the perfect place for mining operations. You can even see the mining in action — so long as you arrange a visit beforehand. It’s also why the region is known as the Kannenbäckerland — stretching all the way to the Middle Rhine Valley.

I appreciate the finer points of industry, but I appreciate a good party even more. I love how Wirges finds all kinds of events to celebrate, like its Dancing into May celebrations, its Spring Festival, the Summer Market and Summer Festival, and its Waldfest (Forest Festival) — all held between May and July.

Don’t be fooled into thinking the latter half of the year isn’t packed full of stuff to do. Heck no, the Kirmesmarkt is an annual September event, along with the Apfelfest (Apple Festival) takes place in October, and there’s both an Advent Bazaar and Nicholas Market in November and December.

I told you life was good in the Westerwald, but with all this fun I’ll change that to life’s great here in Wirges and the Westerwald. ;-)

It’s always a pleasure to spend a day or two in Bavaria, especially when you’re in towns like Erbendorf. While many of you loyal readers may never have heard of it, you’ll find it full of delightful outdoorsy stuff to do, as well as offering history lovers something to talk about for months.

The hardest thing to do in this Upper Palatinate town is deciding whether to do all the outdoor recreational stuff, or visiting the many churches and chapels dotting the countryside.

You’re even able to see what’s below the surface, so maybe it’s best to start there. Centuries before there was refrigeration, Erbendorf townsfolk used the rock cellars below ground to keep food and beer fresh.

Nothing like a cold brew to get you through the day, right? Just remember to bring along a flashlight on this subterranean tour, OK?

Carving out rock was done in other ways around here, as mining was once Big Business. The history of the town’s mining is found at exhibits at the Mining & Heritage Museum — as well as tanning, weaving, and even shoemaking.

As for shoes, remember to pack some comfy ones because you’re gonna need them to hike, cycle, or e-bike through the Steinwald. Better bring warm clothes, too, if you’re here during the winter. How else are you going to tackle the cross-country ski trails, or do the night runs down the slopes?

If you get cold, that’s a right proper time to come inside to see the Pfarrkirche Mariä Himmelfahrt. The church’s marble and ornately decorate main altar is a stunning example of Baroque art, even though the church is more than 700 years old.

A simple, but beautiful, church is the Peterskirche in Wäldern. It might look totally nondescript from the outside, but its interior is bright, light, and airy.

Braving the cold is a good idea if you want to experience a true Bavarian Christmas Market. There’s even one at Schloss Wildenreuth. Great, a market held at a castle — how perfect is that?

However, if warm weather events are what you want, then come for the Starkbierfest (March), the Maifest (May), the Hofffest (June), and/or the Dorffest (August). I’d best say you’ll need a warm jacket for November’s Martinimarkt.

Ahh, a small price to pay for the splendors of Erbendorf, wouldn’t you say? ;-)

Belonging to the Samtgemeinde Nordhümmling, the town of Esterwegen these days are quite different from what you would have found during the turbulent years of the 1930s. And while many of these pages of German towns are supposed to be about all its wonderful things to see & do, and not a history lesson, sometimes they’re one in the same.

For a dozen years, Esterwegen was the location of a notorious concentration camp, housing a number of political prisoners. One such prisoner being Carl von Ossietzky, a handsome man whose only crime was to “expose” Germany’s re-armament.

During Hitler’s Germany, this was a treasonous offense, but eventually earning Mr. von Ossietzky a Nobel Prize.

Think of him as you walk along the former road leading up to where the camp stood — and now where a memorial stands in his (and so many others) honor. The natural greenery where the old barracks stood is a wonderful way to bring beauty and peace to the horror of what was once here.

Now that I think about it, there are many areas in (and around) Esterwegen that invoke quiet reflection. The Franciscan Monastery’s “room of speechlessness” in the chapel is but just one of them. I’d say the Leegmoor Nature Reserve is another, and also quite vital to many an endangered species.

As thought-provoking and historical as you’ll find Esterwegen at this point, don’t let it escape you that it’s also quite lively. The Erikasee is great for all kinds of fun — great for swimming, campfires, miniature golfing, fishing, and even a BBQ.

Ha, I haven’t even mentioned all the festivals yet, either. Ohhh, I’d never forgive myself for leaving one out — so let me double check everything…

Ok, so here’s the goods on what Esterwegen has going on: May brings the Frühlingsfest (Spring Festival) and Maypole celebrations, June’s the month for the Harbour Festival and Corpus Christi Processions, while September’s when the combined Kirmes/Autumn Market take place, followed up by Reformation Day events in October, the Winterfest in November, and the Nikolausmarkt and Christmas Market in December.

While you might get a history lesson (or two) in Esterwegen, I sure hope you’ll stay for everything else you’ll find in this wonderful northern German town.

Over the years I haven’t heard too many people say: I want to vacation in Saxony. That’s too bad, because if all you do is visit Germany’s bigger cities, you’re missing out on way too much. And a good central location to see some of the best parts of the state would be the town of Callenberg, right in the heart of the Zwickau Region.

These days Callenberg is most famous for being close to the Sachsenring, where every year they hold a motorcycle Grand Prix. Which, conveniently enough, is close to the Motor Racing Museum in nearby Hohenstein-Ernstthal.

However, I’m here to tell you there’s more to this small town…

One of Callenberg’s other famous places is the Oberwald, a 16-acre lake that has a 64-foot waterslide; a super-fun toboggan track in the summer; many camping sites; an outdoor theater; and a nudist beach. Ok, this last one is optional, but I’d say the rest of it is mandatory for a good time. ;-)

From a more historical visit, it would be off to the 450 year old mill in Langenchursdorf (one of Callenberg’s seven villages).

Or, you could wander out into the Saxon countryside to see the 14th century pottery at the Waldenburg, which also offers workshops and guided tours of the castle. Don’t let its Classical architecture fool you, the original castle dates back to the 1100s.

It is, however, the nearby Hinterglauchau Castle and Forderglauchau Castle (over in Glauchau) that are the show-stoppers. Housed within these medieval walls are exquisite art collections, a library, and a Local History Museum. Not exactly what the nobility had in mind when they built them, huh?

Just the thought of being stuck in a medieval prison will make you appreciate the great outdoors. So, no time like the present to ramble along any one of the six marked hiking and cycling routes. You’ve got your choice to pass along idyllic country lanes, along ponds, or seek out some rare plants and animals.

No wonder Callenberg is the heart of the Zwickau Region — and it’s a wonder why more people don’t come to visit.

Welcome to the Hohenloher Ebene, an area of Württemberg (which is also part of Franconia) known as the “Land der Burgen und Schlösser,” or Land of Castles.

Excuse me, technically I’m supposed to be talking about Rot am See, a town found within the Hohenloher Ebene. Sorry, I got all excited about the umpteen number of castles and castle ruins found within the region; I kinda lost myself for a minute there. ;-)

Well, I guess that means if you’re itching to go castle sightseeing then you’ve absolutely come to the right place. It’s also the right place if you want to combine said castle visits with some great cultural events and fantastic outdoor recreational fun, too.

You know what? You can blend the castle visits with the outdoor stuff — ’cause that’s where you’ll find them — outside. At the moment I’ve counted no less than seven castles close to Rot am See, and it’s really hard to pick a favorite.

Sorry, Burgruine Werdeck, there’s not much left of your 13th century beginnings to say you’re my favorite; nor is there anything left of Burg Roßbürg — a castle destroyed more than 500 years ago.

Of all the ruins, I’d have to say Ruine Bebenburg would be the best, even if all that’s left are the craggy grey stones of its keep.

Hey, at least Schloss Kirchberg and Schloss Hornberg (both in Kirchberg an der Jagst) are still standing. The former is now a Renaissance castle, even though it has medieval beginnings. and the latter’s builders sure picked a prime strategic location. You’d never know Hornberg was damaged by bombing during World War II.

Oh yeah, I’d say Schloss Morstein (part of Gerabronn) is my favorite intact castle — probably because it once had a drawbridge.

Obviously you can’t see all this in one day, and you haven’t even gotten to the parties yet; best to stick around for a while. Rot am See is a place where you’ll find art exhibitions at the local Community Center, but also festivals like the Spring Festival (March); the Hauptfest (June); a Kirchweih (June); a Waldfest (Forest Festival, July); and great markets like the Martinsmarkt in November, the twice yearly Cattle Market in March and December; or the Bartholomämarkt every August.

While Rot am See might fall within the Land of Castles, it could also be called the “land of cycling routes,” since there are seventeen trails through the Franconian countryside. Don’t worry about getting lost, you can easily get a route map over at the Rathaus (Town Hall).

Oh yeah, don’t forget to visit Rot am See’s Local History Museum while you’re over there, too.

I might’ve lost myself in the beginning, but now that I got it altogether, I’ve found Rot am See to be a wonderful place to explore the most amazing castles, the prettiest countryside, and the most fun festivals — and I think you will too.

If you’re in or near Bad Birnbach you’ll find the town of Triftern within reach to visit.

Before you’re jumping the gun asking why should anyone want to come, stick around for a few minutes, and I’ll tell ya.

Triftern is an exceptionally fun party town, full of festivals and cultural events almost all year-round. Thinking of the law of averages, it’s no wonder since there are some 95 villages that comprise the town itself.

Winter is the time for all the Carnival celebrations, which is just a warm-up for what’s coming later in the year. The Maibaumfest is a really good one, followed by the Spring Festival (May), with the Pfarrfest in June, and the Dorffest (Village Festival) in July. But, if you want a party that’ll last for days, you’ve got the 3-day Inselfest (Island Festival) to look forward to.

Those wishing more quieter pursuits, then maybe a trip over to see the Kaser Steinstube is for you. These rock blocks measure some 100 by 20 meters — offering a stunning place to ponder the wonders of Mother Nature.

Another great way to experience the natural side of Triftern (mixed with a bit of action) is by taking a hot air balloon ride, or sledding and skiing until your bone-weary. This isn’t even the half of it, there are two marked bike trails (32.6 km and 27.7 km), tennis courts, an outdoor swimming pool, and 65 kilometers of hiking trails through Lower Bavaria.

I haven’t even gotten to the historical and architectural side of things in Triftern. So, for you folks who love the old churches you got to come see the Church of St. Stephen, and the very pretty St. Laurentius Church in the village of Anzenkirchen. The St. Kolomon Church is a great one if you’re into whole Gothic and Baroque thing.

In between all the sports and churches, you’ll find charming farmhouses and little chapels scattered throughout Triftern’s rolling hills and flowery meadows.

Didn’t I tell ya you’d want to stick around for a while? And aren’t you glad you did? ;-)