Along the Rhine, and close to the French border, lies the combined towns of Kappel-Grafenhausen. I found it to be a beautiful place where you’ll want to spend just about every waking hour outdoors.

Ok, not all of Kappel-Grafenhausen is meant to be enjoyed outside, as how else are you going to see the gorgeous church of Saints Cyprian & Justin (built 1737)? You can’t miss its onion dome, and its grand beauty belies its destruction during World War II.

Also the Church of St. James comes from around the same time (all right, it was built 50 years later), and its Baroque beauty offers a dainty clock tower.

Last, but not least, for any indoor enjoyment — head to the Old Mill in Grafenhausen proper that’s now a museum.

Oops, I was about to forget telling you about the model of a local Celtic grave found nearby at Kappel’s Rathaus (Town Hall). Plus, the Town Hall itself is a beautiful building you’ll want to take home.

All right, now we’re “done” with the indoorsy stuff — it’s off to the 1,600 hectares Taubergießen Nature Reserve. Bird lovers will no doubt be in Heaven here, as some 200 species call it home. Plus, the orchids that grow here are simply stunning. Some call this area “Europe’s Last Jungle Paradise.”

Kappel-Grafenhausen also lies around an “unincorporated” area of the Rheinau — and there are some lovely hiking trails to be found around here. Don’t worry, they aren’t too arduous with a 2km Butterfly Trail and a 6.5km trail known as the Orchideenweg.

I’m sure my nice friends at the Tourist Offices (yes, there are two) can give you a much better idea of what’s to see around their town, so please visit them first before running around town on your own.

Better yet, let them tell you all about their cultural events held throughout the year. So far I’ve managed to find out about the Carnival Events, the Spring Concerts & Spring Festival, the Summer Festival, Oktoberfest, and the Advent Market.

And for some silly fun for the whole family come to Funny World. It’s a small amusement park for little kids, and kids at heart, in Kappel. It’s a good way to spend time as a family for some wholesome fun. If you want to venture out a bit, the huge Europa-Park is only some 5km away.

Didn’t I tell you this was a great place to spend outside? There’s no way I could truly describe Kappel-Grafenhausen’s scenic beauty — but I believe once you see it you’ll fall in love with it as I have. Good thing there are a good number of guesthouses and inns around town to spend a few nights because you’re gonna want to stay.

Too bad for me I can’t stick around any longer, but I’ll be back — sooner rather than later. ;-)

Those who first hear about the town of Iffezheim usually don’t know what to expect. Like, how do you manage to shine when your neighbors are places like Baden-Baden and Karlsruhe in Germany, or The Style Outlets over in Roppenheim, France?

I’ll tell you how you shine, you hold not one, not two, but three outstanding racing events every year. That’s right, Iffezheim is home to the internationally renowned Galopprennbahn Iffezheim. Since the year 1858 horse racing has been a big part of the local culture.

The first of Iffezheim’s racing events is the Frühjahrs-Meeting, held at the end of May. This is followed by Große Woche, or Great Week, held at the end of August/beginning of September where you’ll find celebrities, women in beautiful hats, and genteel men fashionably dressed. However, the highlight of this racing week is the Großer Preis von Baden, the Grand Prix of world-wide attraction.

The last of Iffezheim’s racing highlight is the Sales & Racing Festival in October. And let’s supposed you’re not really into horse racing, you can still visit the track this time of year — it’s got great places to eat, or just people (and horses!) watch.

In between racing events this town does have other places to see, and things to do. Iffezheim is part of the PAMINA Rheinpark, an affiliation of 31+ French and German municipalities along the Rhine — from Lichtenau (Baden) to Leimersheim — with museums, nature conversation centers, and a multitude of informative “stations” along the way.

And for a grand example of good, old-fashioned German (and French) efficiency — go see the Schleuse. This extraordinary lock/sluice is quite busy. It includes a Kraftwerk (Power Plant) that produces about 750 million kilowatts of hydroelectricity that supplies around 150,000 people — and this since 1978 already — all the while having a “fish pass” for the local salmon to get by.

Of course if you want something a tad more, ahhh what’s the word, serene — then go explore the Black Forest.

Long before Iffezheim became an international horse racing star, it was once a small town with Stone Age roots — and was once a place of religious pilgrimage in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Speaking of religious history, while you’re here go visit the Church of St. Birgitta. While the church you see today might have been built in what was once the Weinbrenner style, its tower dates back more than 500 years.

And when you consider Iffezheim also hosts such popular events like a Oktoberfest (in September), a Töpfermarkt (Pottery Market, June), and a Blütenfest (Blossom Festival, in May), it’s apparent how easily the town sparkles brightly among its more famous neighbors.

Especially when it’s so easy to get here as the Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport [FKB] is just one town over in the southwest.

I wish I could have met Michael Hardt. And before you ask who Mr. Hardt was, I’ll tell you. Michael lived here in the town of Altenstadt an der Waldnaab, but not all his life. He was born in Leuchtenberg back in 1878, but he moved here and became a celebrated historian.

You’ll even find a street named for him here — seems only right since the town of Altenstadt gave him honorary citizenship. And he wasn’t the only celebrated son of the town, either. This is the hometown of Anton Wurzer, born in 1893. He was a wounded vet from World War I, but he went on to become a teacher and writer. Altenstadt does have a plaque in his honor, and he is buried here despite having died in Amberg in 1955.

I know, I know, this sounds more like a history lesson than an overview of an Upper Palatinate Forest Nature Park town, doesn’t it? But, having just mentioned that — for sure you’ll love the colorful countryside. I know if you bike along the Naabtal Radweg you won’t be disappointed.

Just like I know if you visit the nice people at the Tourist Office (located at the Rathaus at Hauptstraße 6), they’ll send you off on a number of directions to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

In my not-so-humble opinion, the beauty of Altenstadt is seen from a distance — a blend of the 20th century and historical tidy homes, and rolling hills, charming farms, and church steeples.

As for churches, it’s the Church of the Assumption you need to see. While some might appreciate its Gothic and Baroque art and architecture, the church itself is a Romanesque one, built around the year 1150.

Hmm, I bet if Herr Hardt was around he could tell us.

As if any of this wasn’t enough to keep you happy, Altenstadt also gets to boast a few scenic routes, too. That’s right, the town falls on the old Glass Route, and along the Goldenen Straße (Golden Road) that goes from Nuremberg to Prague, Czech Republic.

And let’s remember the cultural events you’ll get to enjoy around here. In addition to the Weekly Market (held on Wednesday afternoons), and during the summer months there are musical serenades at the Rathaus (Town Hall), and come November when it’s time for the Hobbykünstlermarkt (Hobby Crafts Market).

No wonder Michael Hardt stuck around. ;-)

Germany is a weird place. I say this because the town of Frankenhardt wasn’t actually “created” until 1975, but with a number of medieval churches — it’s a whole lot older than it admits to.

Before I go off about all the (gorgeous) churches found around town, its countryside in the Hohenlohe area is nothing short of spectacular. You’ll find six circular hiking trails (relatively short, only 6-10 kilometers), and a few easy enough bike trails (15-22 kilometers), that’ll give you an excellent chance of seeing it. You can also join in on one of the community bike rides, too.

Now that I think about it, climbing the Burgbergturm, a 28-meter high observation tower from the mid-1800’s, is a great way to appreciate the glorious countryside. Another way is to take a carriage ride, which sounds like a good idea to me.

And while we Germans often have a reputation for being a tad standoffish (which is sooo untrue), we sure do know how to have a good time — and Frankenhardt doesn’t disappoint. Not only can you enjoy stuff like the Moonlight Bazaar, but also things like their Oktoberfest and Volksfest.

In between festivals and events, you can visit those churches I mentioned earlier. Wait, start at the castle first.

The Wasserschloss Honhardt is a real moated castle, whose original parts date back to some time in the 11th century. Yup, this partially half-timbered castle is a bona-fide medieval one. It’s even better that, while the castle is privately owned, you can see it if you make proper arrangements.

Ok, now on to the churches of Frankenhardt — and with some 39 villages and hamlets, there are quite a few. Believe it, or not, I don’t really have a favorite, but the Church of Saints Peter & Paul is a medieval one from the mid-1100’s — although it did get a renovation about six centuries later.

The Church of St. Martin is also more than five hundred years old, and had to be rebuilt a few centuries later, only to be destroyed in World War II.

All right, maybe the St. Lukas Kapelle is my favorite, probably because of its Romanesque and Gothic architecture blended with its half-timbered construction; although some have said the Lauentius Chapel is the “most beautiful in all of the Hohenlohe area.” You might prefer the Chapel of St. Dionysius, a small church with an old fashioned sundial instead.

Speaking of time, it’s time for me to leave Frankenhardt — but I sure did love it here. So will you.

Let’s say you find yourself in the town of Vilshofen — which is beautiful in itself — but you’re right next door to the 77 districts municipality of Windorf, a charming small town on the romantic Danube. This is a nationally recognized resort town, full of hotels and inns, private rooms and pensions.

Perfect, since you’ll need to rest up to see all (or almost all) of it.

For me, one of the best things about old villages are its old churches. Oh, c’mon, like you don’t know this about me by now? Anyway, in the village of Windorf itself is the Church of St. James — and you can’t miss it, it’s right on the Marktplatz.

The Church of St. George, originally a Gothic design, is found in Gaishofen. And over in Otterskirchen, you’ll find the Pestsäule (Plague Column) dedicated to 482 humans that died in 1649. Plus, there’s a church dedicated to St. Michael — whose beginnings were originally Romanesque. That’s right, that makes it a proper medieval church. Its golden Akanthusaltar will make you speechless.

Ratmannsdorf also boasts a gorgeous church, an onion domed one, making it seem not all that old — but its a Gothic original, so its facelift belies its real age.

All right, in all fairness, this is Lower Bavaria — so it isn’t fair to spend all your time in and out of churches all gosh-darn day. So, you’re best off visiting the Tourist Office (located at Marktplatz 23) to find all the finer details of what else there is to do here in Windorf.

Sorry, I can give you an overview — but the folks there are the most qualified. ;-)

Anyway, I can tell you about Windorf’s Observation Tower in the village of Ebersdorf. And with its height of 27-meters, it offers up the best views to see not only the Bavarian Forest, but also Bohemian Forest and the Alps.

Not only is Lower Bavaria known for its outstanding natural beauty, it’s also known for its cultural celebrations — and Windorf really knows how to show someone a good time. The cooler Autumn weather is perfect for a Wine Festival, and luckily if you can’t make the one September, there’s another in October.

November is also a good time to come, that’s when Windorf hosts its St. Martin’s Fest, and then later on comes the Christmas Market — in addition to all the other obligatory Advent and Christmas celebrations.

As much as I love Vilshofen, I’m sure glad I ventured over to Windorf — just like you will, too.

Think about this for a minute… If you were standing within the Naturpark Hoher Vogelsberg, you’re standing on a volcano. A volcano. Intriguing, fascinating, and scary all at the same time, wouldn’t you say? Where can you get this kind of thrill?

Easy. In the Hessian climatic air resort town of Herbstein.

In all fairness, the volcano is extinct — but the waters bubbling at the Vulkantherme are at a balmy 32.6 degree Celsius (90.7°F). Sweet. Therapeutic waters with a sauna to boot? I’m never leaving.

Ok, yes I am, because there’s some 750+ years of history to educate myself with. And a 90-minute city tour (Saturdays, starting at the Marktplatz) is one of the best ways to get an overview.

Just remember to leave yourself ample time to go back to places like the Church of St. James — and Herbstein is conveniently located along the Way of St. James. And for good measure, the town is also on the German Fairy Tale Road, too.

Ohh, Herbstein is also located along the Vulkanradweg, a cycle trail that runs for 94km. E-bikes are available, so no worries if you don’t have your own.

Volcanoes, history, and scenic routes? Do the wonders of Herbstein ever cease? Nope, there’s more.

Those of you out there who appreciate the finer points of old architecture, let me tell you you’ll find some half-timbered houses around Herbstein, giving the town an Old World vibe. There are even old medieval fortifications, if you’re interested — and let’s not forget about the Kreuzekapelle, a structure only built sometime in the 1800s, but the site of the chapel has been used since even before Christianity.

While those who like museums can learn all sorts of new things at the Fastnachtmuseum und Stadtmuseum. They are, however, only open on Sundays (afternoon), or by appointment — choice is yours.

The choice is yours of which festival or cultural event you’d like to attend. It starts off with the Schützenkönigsball in June, surrounded by a handful of Summer Festivals, crowned by the Herbsteiner Ferienspiele — a multi-day family-friendly party in July.

The Kirmes Lanzenhain is an August affair with fireworks on Saturday. The Wurstkirmes, that coincides with the Andreas Market, is in early November — but there’s also an Oktoberfest, and even mulled wine evenings on chilly December evenings.

What’s to choose — do them all. And just in case I missed something, there’s a tourist office here in Herbstein, located at Marktplatz 7.

Don’t look at me… I’ll be enjoying those balmy waters. ;-)

Wow, it’s been a long hiatus for me since having the opportunity to yet again bum around Saxony. The break might have done me good because I’m getting to see dazzling resort towns like Augustusburg with fresh eyes. And what a sight to behold this place is, by the way.

Located in both the Zschopautal Region and the Ore Mountains, including an area of hot springs, Augustusburg is an outdoor lover’s dream come true. You could spend countless hours just riding on the cycling trails alone — not to mention the snapshot opportunities along the old covered bridge.

Don’t you just love those?

You don’t have to bicycle if you don’t want to, hiking is another one of Augustusburg’s many activities. The Naturlehrpfad, or Nature Trail, is relatively short — a mere six kilometers — but it’s got information boards so you can learn all about the conservation area.

Don’t let some winter weather stop you, either. Augustusburg has ski lifts for those willing to careen downhill — and there’s a ski school in the area if you want to learn. What’s truly remarkable about the ski school, they’re even equipped to assist those with disabilities.

Don’t you just love that?

I can tell you something else I love… wait for it… it’s a castle. Ahh, you knew I was going to say that, didn’t you? Please, who can’t appreciate the architectural splendor of a proper castle — especially one with a beer garden, as well as other kinds of events held there?

The castle’s beer garden isn’t the only one in town, you’ll find another one at the Leisure Center, plus the chance to golf or give tobogganing 577-meters downhill.

There’s a lot more to see and do in Augustusburg, and the folks at its Tourist Office are just the ones you need to see gather more information. Hey, they’re German, they’ll help you plan out the best way to accomplish everything. You’ll find them on the first floor of the Rathaus (Town Hall, right on Marienberger Straße). Just don’t go between noon and 1pm, they’re closed for lunch.

Hey, maybe if you get there early enough, they’ll give you some great ideas for places to eat around town.

They will surely propose to take a tour with their historic Drahtseilbahn (Cable Railway) running for 100+ years from Augustusburg proper to its Erdmannsdorf district.

As for me, I’ll take my fresh eyes back over to Schloss Augustusburg while eating yummy Erzgebirgische Quarkkeulchen along the way. ;-)

Here it is, a very early mid-spring Thursday morning, the sun barely breaking the horizon — and here I am behind the computer screen thinking of the wonders of Emmelshausen in the wonderful Hunsrück. That would be both the town itself and the Verbansgemeinde (Collective Municipality) of the same name, mind you.

The town itself, a climatic spa, doesn’t even measure eight square kilometers. But, when added in with its 24 other districts, it grows quite exponentially. And if you wanted to see all of it — you’re gonna need more than just one quiet morning.

That being said, there’s a serene beauty in the crumbly walls of the Rauschenburg in the morning light. But, any time of day is good to see a ruin of a medieval castle that’s been overtaken by vegetation.

Mornings make a good time to hike the many trails in the Heilbrünnchen area, or cycle around the Schinderhannes Radweg. Even better that some 38 kilometers runs along what was once the Hunsrückbahn Route, wouldn’t you say?

Now I get that not everyone is a morning person, so take leisurely time to visit the Villa Rustica in Lingerhahn, or its St. Sebastian Church. And the Agrarhistorisches Museum (an agricultural museum) isn’t open in the wee hours of the day — but when it is open you’ll find exhibits dating back to the Stone Age.

All right, I know by now not everyone is into the whole history thing, but who isn’t into a party? It’s a big one during the Kirmes, a 4-day affair in July. And the Weinmarkt comes in August, and the Christkindelmarkt in November. Let’s not forget about the Hexennacht (Witches Night) celebrations, or the Corpus Christi Processions either.

If you’re really lucky, you’ll be here for one of the musicals, concerts and theaters held at the Zentrum am Park (ZAP).

With all this going on you’d never suspect Emmelshausen was pretty much uninhabited around 500 years ago.

Oooh, did I just sneak in a tidbit of history again? Let’s blame it on the early hour, I’m not awake yet. ;-)

On a quest to learn more about Germany’s “Sustainable Tourism,” I found Lower Saxony is one of the best places for this kind of thing — kind of making it my newest favorite place in Germany. That sentiment is further enhanced by towns like Kutenholz (excuse me, in Low German it’s Kutenholt), which is actually part of the Samtgemeinde Fredenbeck.

Wow, that was a mouthful.

Speaking of mouthfuls, eating is something to definitely enjoy around these parts. Oh yeah, think of all the delightful ways you can enjoy the King’s Veg (a.k.a. asparagus), fresh strawberries, and plenty of other farm fresh goodies.

Now before you go off saying to yourself, “I didn’t come all this way to just eat,” know that Kutenholz also has its festive side. But, would you look at that — more opportunities to eat at the Village Festival in June, or the Asparagus Festival, and there’s even a Potato Festival in October.

Also in October is the Oktoberfest celebration, and come November when it’s all about crafts at the Hobbykünstlemarkt. See, there’s more to do than eat. Besides, you need to be well fed if you’re gonna have the energy to take on the countryside. There are quite a number of hiking trails and bike paths in the surrounding area, like the Elberadweg.

You’ll even find a peat bog and a few nature reserves, plus community bike tours, and even a lake. Don’t forget this is northern Germany, so swimming isn’t a year-round event — the lake’s only open from May to the end of September.

That’s all right, use the cooler weather to come indoors to see the small museum with the big name, the Deutsches Feld- und Kleinbahnmuseum in the village of Deinste. Plus, did you know there were prehistoric grave mounds found here?

I guess you do now. ;-)

In the village of Mulsum there’s the Mühle Anna-Maria, and the Church of St. Petri — you can’t miss it, it’s got a black steeple atop this squat tower. Don’t you just love old buildings?

Maybe it’s this kind of thing that inspired local boy Hinrich Braasch, a Low German writer from the late 19th century. I sure know Kutenholz has inspired me.

Right between Munich and Rosenheim, under the watchful eye of the Bavarian Alps, is the health resort town of Glonn. Which, by the way, is the “Seat” of the Verwaltungsgemeinschaft Glonn.

Do you care? Of course you do, because it increases its awesomeness.

From what the town looks like today, you’d never guess Celts and Prehistoric man used to call Glonn home. More of what life was like back then can be learned at its Heimatmuseum, or Local History Museum. You’re just gonna have to do it on the first Sunday of the month, ’cause that’s when it opens.

The chances a town this old is going to have a castle is pretty high — and guess what? It does. Schloss Zinneberg is believed to have originally been built in the 11th century. Yup, that makes it like a thousand years old.

As much as scoping every nook and cranny of a medieval castle would be loads of fun, there’s no time. The hiking and biking trails through the Glonntal and Kupferbachtal aren’t going to come to you, ya know.

Ambitious types might want to do the 21km Kloster Altenburg Trail, only because of its “hefty” climb. Die Loibersdorf Trail is more kid friendly, but the beer garden along the 10km route makes it grown-up friendly too.

Both kids and adults will have fun at one of Glonn’s lakes. The Kastensee, in my humble opinion, is a little more subdued, with just a cafe and restaurant. The Steinsee has a beer garden and tends to be quite family friendly — it even doubles as an ice rink in the winter.

Sounds fun, but many of Glonn’s Markets take place in the warmer months — with the only exception being the Christmas Market and Fastenmarkt (third Sunday of Lent). The second Saturday of the month between May and October is time for the Farmer’s Market, while the Michaelimarkt shines up on the first Sunday of October.

July is a good month for this kind of thing, with the Graf Arco Market on the first Sunday, and the Nachflohmarkt on the month’s second Saturday. Oh it’s a hoot, with all kinds of music and food going on til midnight. That’s way past my bedtime, but well worth staying up for.

For the most part, so is all of Glonn.