Germany is not exactly known for being a fly-off-the-cuff kind of country. Things take time, planning, that kind of thing. So it isn’t anything out of the ordinary that it took eighteen years to make the Biosphere Reserve Swabian Alb a UNESCO site in 2009 after the idea was initiated back in 1991.

UNESCO is not exactly a quick decision maker, either. But, once it does, you’re happy to have their designation.

There are quite a few romantic towns within the Biosphere Reserve Swabian Alb, or Biosphärenreservat Schwäbische Alb as it’s called in German (or Biosphärengebiet Schwäbische Alb, same thing), which is 40% forest — mostly the deciduous trees, which are the ones every ooh & ahh over during Fall Foliage, with the rest being a variety of grasslands, orchards, and meadows.

It doesn’t matter that only 2.6 hectares are totally (100%) protected. You know, in order to keep the UNESCO Biosphere title, you have to have a balance of ecology and social awareness. Not only do you gotta keep the people happy, you gotta keep the birds, orchids, and trees (like beech, oak, and maple) happy too.

The Biosphere Reserve Swabian Alb extends for just about 200km along a low mountain range in, well, the Swabian Alb — in the central part of the region. The southern boundary of the Biosphere is the Danube River.

Working counter-clockwise through the Biosphere Reserve Swabian Alb, let’s start in Schelklingen — home to the Spring of the Urspring River, where the old Benedictine Monastery was built.

After you go there (as well as the half-timbered Rathaus, the castle ruins, and the 14th century St. Afra Chapel), go see the Hohle Fels — a natural area created from limestone.

Actually, much of the Biosphere was created because of volcanoes. Don’t worry, they’re extinct now.

I hope… ;-)

95% of Münsingen, once a military training area, lies within the Biosphere. I can’t even begin to think about how they did military maneuvers around the six castles (some in ruins), the St. Stephen Church, all the timber-framed houses, and the Jewish cemetery.

No time to think about such things, Münsingen is where you’ll find the Center for Nature & Tourism within the Biosphere Reserve Swabian Alb.

Ain’t no time to consider much else in Bad Urach. Why? Uhhh, it’s a spa town.

What’s totally cool about Bad Urach (besides a good spa treatment), there is a waterfall and a volcanic area that heats a spring to a whopping 61°C (142°F)!

I’m staying outta there — going to the Amanduskirchturm & Schloss, the Zeughausturm (Armoury Tower), and fortress ruins instead.

Best to go to the Royal Palace Museum and City Museum for good measure too.

Almost the entire shopping town of Metzingen lies within the Biosphere. This town is also known for its vineyards (yeah, wine), its old Wine Press, Art Market at Pentecost, its Christmas Fair, and its volcano.

Yeah, volcano — Metzingen and its many half-timbered houses lie on top of the Swabian Volcano. Again, its extinct — so no worries.

It’s also a good place to go fossil hunting. There are plenty to be found in the Swabian Alb.

You’re going to have to go cave-exploring in Grabenstetten. This is where you’ll find the Falkensteiner Cave and the Gustav Jacob Cave, which is found underneath the ruins of the 13th century Burgruine Hofen.

For a look at the Biosphere’s history in the days of the Celts, look no further than the Heidengraben — a 1st century Celtic Oppidum (a big word for settlement).

And the Grabhügel is a natural area where you can contemplate such a big word. ;-)

It’s back underground in Westerheim (Württemberg), where you’ll see the 212 meter cave, Schertelshöhle. Just don’t touch the stalactites — that’s a big no-no. And then there’s the Steinerne Haus, or the Stoned House, with 55 meter cave too.

Westerheim has also stuff above ground, like the Church of St. Stephen, and a Christmas Market. If you’ve decided to travel along the Schwäbische Albstraße (Swabian Alb Road), you’ll be coming through Westerheim anyway.

In the grand scheme of things, eighteen years to officially name the Biosphere Reserve Swabian Alb is nothing compared to the thousands (and thousands) of years it took to create this natural landscape of canyons and caves. Please… Germany is totally spontaneous compared to the workings of Mother Nature!

Then again, all good things are worth waiting for.

Guten tag. Bon jour. Yes, the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park falls within three countries: Germany (in the Rhineland-Palatinate & Saarland), France, and Luxembourg.

What to expect? The Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park is 1,938 square kilometers of deciduous trees (those awesome color-changing ones), rock formations, and the old stomping grounds of Celts and Romans.

Of all the nature parks in Germany, this one has to be one of my favorites. It’s got history and castles, it has rivers (the Saar and the Moselle, for example), and a variety of wildlife including deer, beavers, and wildcats. OK, it’s got wild boar, but I’m trying to forget that. ;-)

And what kind of writer would I be if I didn’t mention that you’d find a bunch of scenic routes along the way?

I’m not, however, going to worry about the French or Luxembourg portion of the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park, only Germany. Deal?

Live and learn, I tell you.

Let’s start off our trip through the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park in Mettlach, famous for its Saarschleife. This is the sharp curve of the Saar River that you see on many postcards, and the vistas from atop are breathtaking. So go visit Mettlach so you can say, “Been there, done that.”

A visit of its three castles (Montclair, Ziegelberg, Saareck) is in order too, as is its spa center to receive some well deserved treatments and relaxation.

Once we’re pampered, we’re ready to tackle a portion of the Saar-Hunsrück-Steig premium trail — leading us to Losheim am See. Its historical Dampflok (a steam locomotive; and yes, we can drive with it!) and the Eisenbahnmuseum (Railway Museum) are on our itinerary, as is the Stausee (a Reservoir, incl. a recreation center) and the 50,000 sqm large Park der Vierjahreszeiten, or Park of Four Seasons.

The Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park has its own Information Center, found in the center of the nature park in Hermeskeil.

Besides that, it’s got a pedestrian zone with nice small shops and cafes, and the Rheinland-Pfälzische Feuerwehrmuseum (Rhineland-Palatinate Fire Department Museum). And speaking of museums, we also need to visit the Flugausstellung Hermeskeil, Europe’s largest private airplane exhibition.

From here we’re on to Idar-Oberstein. While famous for its Church of the Rock (built straight into the cliffside) and its location on the German Gemstone Route, the town falls on the eastern edge of the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park.

Wait ’til you hear this… Birkenfeld (Nahe), our next town, has at least four cycling routes and trails (Glockenweg (Bells Trail), Mausweg (Mouse Trail), Mühlenweg (Mills Trail), Rehweg (Deer Trail)), 60km of hiking trails (what’s a nature park for if you’re not going to visit it), a Local History Museum, a former medieval monastery, and a castle. Please… you know we have to at least see one on our travels.

I could stay here forever. Too bad I can’t — time to move on.

We’re going to Sankt Wendel next, that’s mostly famous for its former resident (St. Wendel) and its pilgrimage every October to his gravesite. Pay a visit to the Wendalinus Basilica, the Jewish cemetery, the Heritage Museum, City Museum, and the Straße der Skulpturen (Street of Sculptures) before going on to Neunkirchen.

You can’t tell today that most of Neunkirchen (Saar) was destroyed in 1945, could you? No, I didn’t think so either — but then again, I was enamoured with the architecture of the Stummsche Chapel (1846).

All right, Oktoberfest kind of helped too. The other festivals here in Neunkirchen are the huge Rosenmontagsumzug (Rose Monday Parade, right before Ash Wednesday), the City Festival in June, and the Christmas Market.

Wow, I didn’t realize how much Neunkirchen had in common with Saarlouis until right now. Saarlouis has an Oktoberfest, a Christmas Market, and an Altstadt (Old Town) Festival.

The city also has a City Museum, and Art Museum, and the 17th century Parish Church of St. Ludwig (or, Louis if you’re speaking French) for more intellectual pursuits.

You might start to hear French since that’s one of the languages spoken in Luxembourg — which borders our next town of Merzig. Well, the Saar River is the official border.

Merzig is a member town of Gärten ohne Grenzen (Gardens Without Borders), has a Heritage Museum, a Railway Museum, and prehistoric grave mounds in its 21,000 hectare forest.

Speaking of forest, the last place I’m heading to is Waldweiler (and its Gothic St. Willibrord Church) in the Schwarzwälder Hochwald (Black Forest High Forest; a strange name, I know), a place of just around 850 people. The Teufelskopf (Devil’s Head) mountain attracted me — another place for breathtaking vistas over the stunning Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park.

I guess I should now pick the winner of this tour — the Saarschleife or the Teufelskopf?

Germany is a country that no matter how long you’ve been here, how long you’ve lived here, and no matter how oblivious you are to anything shocking — you’ll be, well, shocked.

Here I am, minding my own business ready to tackle the Aukrug Nature Park, or Naturpark Aukrug, in Schleswig-Holstein — only to find out there are 42 villages and towns, and five (yeah, 5) nature parks within the 380 square kilometer Aukrug Nature Park.

The Tönsheide Forest located within the park, by the way, is only 50 square kilometers of it. Still leaves a whole lot to see, doesn’t it?

As much as Schleswig-Holstein holds a special place in my heart, I don’t have that kind of time to amble all over the place; so I’m following a sort of clockwise direction around.

I wish, because I wouldn’t mind seeing all the ponds & streams — and for the chance to find an endangered species or two (Holy cow, did that eagle just try to steal my bratwurst?). You can, however, keep the bats for yourself. ;-)

The Aukrug Nature Park is found just about 35km southwest of Kiel and 40km north of Hamburg, mostly in the Rendsburg-Eckernförde District and the Steinburg District, between the A7 and A23 Autobahns. The landscape is relatively flat, and even with its undulating hills it’s still kind of easy to make your way around by bicycle.

The first town we’re going to along the Aukrug Nature Park isn’t very big (but does lie totally within the nature park).

OK, yes it is — but Wiedenborstel has only nine residents. I think they’re outnumbered by different species of plants.

It’s a little more populated in the town of Aukrug, a place found along the Lübsche Trade and the Oxen Trail. The cattle and Vikings have left, but the prehistoric graves are still here — and the old Water Mill is a must-see.

Rade bei Hohenwestedt isn’t all that populated either, with just 89 people calling this place home. Those lucky ducks get to keep the boggy meadows to themselves most of the time.

The town of Hohenwestedt is worth stopping to see; and you’ll find it along the eastern edge of the Aukrug Nature Park. It’s been inhabited for over 5,000 years, but the Shell House (totally decorated using shells) isn’t anywhere near that old. The huge boulders found around the countryside are a lot older than five millennia.

There isn’t a local history museum, nor is there a medieval castle in the next village of Peissen. Nope, it’s a sinkhole (with salt dome) and a circular stone fortress that awaits you here.

Really, did you think the Aukrug Nature Park was just going to be towns and trees? Hell no. ;-)

I think I just spoke too soon, because Meezen is heavily forested. Ask one of the 380 or so local residents to point out the Waldhütten — little wood huts found in the woods.

Done with owl watching? Good, because it’s history that awaits you in Lockstedt. The Catholic League leader, Wallenstein, used this area as his HQ during the Thirty Years War.

The burial mounds found here in Lockstedt aren’t from the 17th century war, they’re prehistoric.

I’ve chosen to end my trip along the Aukrug Nature Park in Hennstedt (Steinburg). This is one of the few places where you can actually swim in the Aukrug Nature Park, and it’s where you’ll find the highest elevation in the district (known as the Itzespitze, merely 83 meters high).

Don’t freak out if you can’t swim throughout most of the Aukrug Nature Park. With all the hiking and cycling your way around, who’s got the energy?

It’s interesting how the Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park, or Naturpark Lauenburgische Seen in German, in the southestern section of Schleswig-Holstein was once a German border. More specifically, the inner German border as it sits right up against Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

Long before there was the Cold War, and an East & West Germany, the Lauenburg Lakes area was here. Heck, it was here before there was an official Germany since it was created from the last Ice Age.

At some 470 square kilometers, the Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park is pretty big too. Most of it is forested, but there are also 40 lakes within its “borders,” one of which is the famed Ratzeburger See.

The Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park is not only a haven for all sorts of wild animals and birds (like heron and kingfishers), but it has a couple of scenic routes (the Naturparkweg (Nature Park Trail) and the Old Salt Road).

Animals and forest make the Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park a partial biosphere, yet that didn’t stop anyone from settling down and making a village or two.

OK, it’s a lot more than two. And all the people that live here now (not to mention all the ones that visit) love the area for all its hiking, bicycling, fishing, sailing, and horseback riding.

And I haven’t even gotten to the festivals within the nature park yet. ;-)

Going counter-clockwise around the park, let’s start in Salem (Lauenburg). Lake Salem is one of those 40 lakes I mentioned, but it’s also got a wonderful church to see and an old granite retaining wall.

German engineering at its best, I would say.

The town of Ziethen (Lauenburg) is the one that was occupied by the British after World War II, but the Village Church (built 1591) has been here much longer than they were.

Do yourself a favor at this point. Go find yourself a quiet inn or guesthouse in Ratzeburg. You’re going to need it, because you’ll be here on this island city for a while.

Ratzborg, as its called in Low German, is a medieval town lovers dream city. If you think its 12th century Cathedral is old, the St. George Church is even older. And there are a number of museums (like the A.-Paul-Weber-Museum), plus this town too was once an inner German border town in a divided Germany.

From here it’s on to the bison enclosure in Fredeburg, on the Old Salt Road, and to yet another one of the lakes in the Lauenburg Lakes, the Pinnsee.

Bordering Fredeburg is Mölln. Not only is this place on the Old Salt Road too, but it’s a Kneipp spa town (great, cause my feet are killing me) and along the Ziegelsee. Yup, another lake.

I gotta tell ya, the fact that Mölln has a medieval Altstadt, spa gardens, and a bunch of festivals (like the bi-annual Folk Festival) — it’s the Eulenspiegel Festival that got my attention.

Every three years, Mölln holds this huge festival about this Lower Saxon medieval story (it’s been translated into a number of languages, so no excuse not to read it).

Hard as it is to leave, it’s time to head toward Lehmrade, which is a little to the south of the Oldenburger See.

As if all these lakes aren’t enough, the Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park also finds itself along the North/Baltic Seas Watershed.

The last town we’re heading to is Sterley, an old farming town. I’m sorry — but once I saw Sterley’s stone and wood St. Johannis Church, I just couldn’t go any further.

You can feel free to stop anywhere you like though — it’s not like you’ll go wrong.

I’m fully aware that I’m a Math/English person. Science, not much.

I can figure out that the 72% forest and 13% lake area of the Müritz National Park doesn’t equal 100% of its 318 square kilometers. Only comes to 85%, right? So, what’s up with the other 15%?

Well, it’s a whole mixture of meadows, marshes, bogs, and grasslands — rising to an elevation of only 100 meters above sea level in southern Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

Again, science — not paying too much attention. I’m sure my Environmental Science professor in college is having a fit if she reads this. ;-)

Of course I’m joking around, and I wouldn’t dream of not taking the Müritz National Park serious.

Listen, someone had to ’cause otherwise how did someone figure out there were 54 species of mammal living here including deer, reindeer, and wolves.

Wait, it gets better… Almost 600 varieties of fungi are found in the Müritz National Park; over 60 kinds of spiders; over two dozen reptiles and fish respectively; and almost 700 kinds of butterflies.

All that’s nothing compared to the 859 kinds of beetles. I can’t figure out what’s worse — that someone counted all those species, or that there are that many species.

I’ll take comfort in the 900+ species of plants, and look for all 214 kinds of birds (warblers, black storks, eagles, osprey, etc.) instead.

Where do all of these critters live? At the eastern shore of Lake Müritz, which lies between Berlin and Rostock.

Despite the predominant nature, there are a few towns and villages within the Müritz National Park, and I think you’ll really enjoy them.

Dead center within the National Park is Kratzeburg. Camping is a big activity here, but you won’t appreciate it fully unless you see the Bronze Age Burgwall, or the half-timbered church with an altar from 1450, and the beautiful brownish church in the village of Granzin.

Working outwards to the north is Waren (Müritz), located on a former trade route. One side of the town sits along Lake Müritz, and in the middle of the city is the Herrensee.

All that water, and there’s still more — since Waren has a salt brine spa and beach resorts. After refreshing yourself, it’s on to the 14th century Gothic Church of St. Georgen.

How do you like the land so far? Created 15,000 years ago, the landscape has been fine tuned for everyone to enjoy.

The Havel River makes its start here in the park in the village of Ankershagen. A bunch of megalithic tombs are found here, as is the Heinrich Schliemann Museum.

Who’s that? Herr Schliemann was the man who discovered the city of Troy (a.k.a. Troja). Yeah, the ancient story with the Trojan Horse, Troy.

While there might not be any ancient stories in Neustrelitz, there is the Zierker See (one of the hundred lakes), a port, a Soviet War cemetery, a Jewish cemetery, and a Castle Garden Festival.

There isn’t a castle, however. The Royal Palace was utterly destroyed by bombing in World War II.

Camping in Userin is a good idea, and there are plenty of places to do it along the town’s forest, lakes, and river. Pay a visit to its half-timbered church (1778) too.

Too bad our time in the Müritz National Park is at an end, but I got one more village for you. Roggentin (Neustrelitz) might be small in population (less than 700 people), but it’s got a big heart, two lakes (Jäthensee & Zotzensee), and four cute Village Churches.

Hate to rush off, and I can’t get the 859 kinds of beetles out of my mind…

The Upper Palatinate Forest, or Oberpfälzer Wald in German, is found along the border of Germany and the Czech Republic. For about 100 km (62 mi), it’s like the same church, different pew. Right?

Its name doesn’t change the fact that the Upper Palatinate Forest occupies 1,380 square kilometers with its actual real highest point reaching 1042 meters, which is found on the Czech side.

I’ll get to the highest point on the Upper Palatinate side, but give me a minute to get there, OK?

Too bad I couldn’t make it to all 100 or so German towns in the Upper Palatinate Forest, let alone what’s found across the border, but I’m going to kick it off in Tirschenreuth.

Along the Naab River, Tirschenreuth has the Oberpfälzer Fischereimuseum, or Upper Palatinate Fishing Museum (with an aquarium), and a beautiful 11th century church. After getting yourself stuff for a picnic at the Weekly Market (on Thursday), have a picnic over at what’s called the Große Teufelsküche (Great Devil’s Kitchen) in the forest itself.

Next to Tirschenreuth is the village of Falkenberg (Oberpfalz). This small town’s got an 11th castle that’s built right over a rocky outcrop. One former owner was Friedrich Werner von der Schulenberg, a diplomat who was executed for his role in the famous von Stauffenberg plot to kill Hitler.

World War II history continues in Flossenbürg, our next town. This is where the infamous Flossenbürg Concentration Camp was located (did you know Queen Victoria’s great-grandson was imprisoned here?). Today the site is a Holocaust Museum.

Flossenbürg is also where you’ll find the Entenbühl, the highest point of the Upper Palatinate Forest on the German side, reaching 901 meters above sea level.

From this vantage point, I think it’s possible to see all the castle ruins in the region. There are quite a lot of them, not just in and around Flossenbürg, but scattered throughout the Oberpfälzer Wald.

It is believed that the ruins of the Burgruine Leuchtenberg are one of the best preserved; and on top of that high praise, you should make sure to see its St. Margaret Church and its Teufels Butterfass.

We’re just about half-way done, so once I get to the 20 village town of Waldthurn, I’m taking a rest. How else am I supposed to enjoy all the coniferous and deciduous trees?

I say it like I know what I’m talking about… ;-)

OK, I read about it — coniferous trees are like pine trees with cones on them. Deciduous trees are the ones that change colors in the fall.

Best to stick to what I know, castles. Good thing I’ve found a pretty Gothic/Renaissance style one in Vohenstrauß known as Friedrichsburg Castle. Oh, and a medieval one named Burg Waldau.

In Pleystein’s 29 districts aren’t any castles, but there’s a great City Museum and a Baroque Pilgrimage Church, in addition to lots of little roadside chapels.

The 38 meter high Rosenquarzfelsen in the forest are famous, and said to be one of the most beautiful rose quartz rock formations anywhere.

Who am I to disagree? Good thing there’s the Bavarian-Bohemian Culture Center, the E6 European Walking Route, spa facilities, an RV park, and lace making to keep me going.

On a personal note, the lace made in this area is world famous, and just simply beautiful.

You can send me some, for telling you all about the Oberpfälzer Wald. Hey, I gotta flit off to somewhere else in Germany for you, so it’s not like I got time to shop. ;-)

The town of Bardowick doesn’t sound very German, does it? No, to me it sounds kinda British. Even how it’s been spelled over the centuries (Bardewyk, Bardewyck, etc.) seems more British Empire than German Empire. Maybe it’s just me.

Either way, you’ll find it just north of Lüneburg, in the Lüneburg Heath.

Bardowick was once a thriving commercial town. That is, until Henry the Lion came along in the 12th century and totally destroyed it. Nothing of this Bardowick remained after Henry has his way — except the medieval church.

You can see the spared Dom St. Petri et Pauli, a cathedral that was built in 1146 with Lüneburg limestone. It is thought that it was built over an 8th century one — and the detail put into this church is found right down to the smallest objects. Check out the door handles, if you don’t believe me.

Speaking of the 8th century for a moment, Bardowick was the hometown of St. Marian of Bardowick (b. 732), a martyr whose relics remained here until the Reformation in the 16th century.

I know that’s far back in history, but you know the best of German history is found in little Local History Museums, like the Gildehaus here in Bardowick.

If you’d rather be outdoors than in, head to the Barumer See lake (there’s a youth hostel nearby if you want to spend the night), or walk around the Gallery Dutch Windmill that was built in 1813.

A walk around the St. Nikolaihof is nice, too. It has buildings going back to the 14th century, and even has a Gothic Chapel.

Forget neighboring Lüneburg… this town along the Ilmenau River is wonderful to see. If Henry came to town today, I think he’d like it. Even if it doesn’t have a totally German sounding name. ;-)

If any place in Germany is worth coming back time and time again, it would be Ruhpolding. Actually, you could live here the rest of your life and still not manage to do or see everything this family-friendly town has to offer.

It is both a summer and winter sports paradise — and offers all sorts of festivals, cultural activities, historic old buildings, and a few museums. Yeah, try doing that on a week’s vacation. ;-)

Because Ruhpolding lies along the Bavarian Alps, the winter activities are wonderful. Try some cross-country skiing, regular skiing, or whatever else you can possibly think of when the white powder arrives.

Don’t like it cold? It’s OK, some people don’t. So, when the weather’s warm you can head to the Vita Alpina, an Adventure Park that has a Wave Pool. There’s also a regular Outdoor swimming pool, if you’re interested.

What else is there to do in Ruhpolding? Try paragliding, miniature golfing, fly fishing, mountain biking, tennis, archery, or riding the cable car to the 1,671 meter high Rauschenberg mountain.

Forget neighboring Austria, I think I can see Africa from here… ;-)

No matter the season, Ruhpolding has something going on. The Village Festival is held in August, while the Oberkrainer Festival is in early June. Same month as the Corpus Christi Procession, come to think of it. September has the St. George Ride, and during Advent there are all sorts of activities at the Holzknechtmuseum (Woodcutter Museum).

That’s just one of the museums in Ruhpolding. There’s also a Heritage Museum, a Motorcycle Museum, and the Glockenschmiede Museum (about church bells and stuff).

On top of everything else, Ruhpolding has some beautiful old buildings. The former Jagdschloss (Hunting Lodge) dates to around 1587; then there’s the Our Lady of Snow in the village of Urschlau (one of its 73 hamlets). The St. George Church is really popular — I guess everyone wants to see its Romanesque Madonna.

No, I think they come to see the richly decorated Rathaus (Town Hall). You ain’t never seen a government building this beautiful with its painted windows, flowers, balcony.

No wonder people spend more than one million “nights” in Ruhpolding every year — and why it has earned a spot on the German Alpine Road, a scenic route of epic proportions.

This has to be one of the best places in not just the Chiemgau, but in all of Upper Bavaria. No wonder it would take a lifetime to see and do it all.

Amidst fields of yellow flowers and bright green trees lies the town of Wolfschlugen. The only bad thing I can think about this place is that it isn’t very big, just seven square kilometers.

But, Wolfschlugen lies within the Swabian Alb. Great — who wouldn’t want to hike the Swabian Alb?

Do it, then head off to the Dorfbrunnen and drink a good beer. You’ve earned it. ;-)

Since Wolfschlugen is so small, don’t expect too much in the sightseeing department. But, I wouldn’t miss a stop to the local Evangelical Church, or the Rathaus (Town Hall) that has a stone inscription dating back over 400 years.

A number of hiking “paths” will take you all around the region, venturing as far as bordering Nürtingen and Filderstadt (yeah, including the Stuttgart Airport (STR)!).

No need to go that far, though, you could always just sit at a table outside the ice cream parlor, or head for some Chinese food.

Nevermind, why do Chinese when there are a few places that serve up regional cuisine, like the Hexenbanner-Stuben or the Restaurant Sonne?

During one of Wolfschlugen’s festivals, you can sample all kinds of regional dishes too. The Summer Festival in June is a biggie, and there’s yet another big festival in September. The Community Festival is held in between in July.

These are all in addition to the Weekly Market (Wednesdays 8am – noon), held right next to the Rathaus selling all sorts of fruit, veggies, and even plants & flowers.

It’s the same location for the Krämermarkt in November, which sells even more goods like jewelry and clothing. The Christmas Market is one of the biggest, held on the 1st Advent. Here’s your chance to buy a handmade Christmas wreath or other handicrafts.

Speaking of handicrafts, Wolfschlugen is known for its embroidery. The Strickereimuseum (Embroidery Museum) tells the story of its history since the 19th century, and children are still taught the craft.

Great shopping, family friendly, awesome scenery, delicious food, international airport — what else do you even need? Nothing… Wolfschlugen has it all.

Goodness, gracious, mercy sakes alive. I can’t believe this is happening yet again. I’m all prepared to find the town of Nienhagen (Celle), only to find out there exist thirteen Nienhagens in Germany, two of which are still political towns in their own right.

To make matters worse, these two are vying for your attention. Speaking of the Ostseebad Nienhagen (yes, a spa town) with its haunted forest, and this Nienhagen here, which is located just south of Celle, trying to attract you with its festivals and natural landscape.

Oh well, that narrows it down some. Sweet — I can find that. ;-)

You can find it too, but don’t go expecting it to be all that big. It’s just over 17.5 square kilometers, made of three villages.

This isn’t a big sightseeing town, it just got a Local History Museum housed in an old school, and the former Erdölbohrturm, which is part & in memory of a 19th century oil rig. Oh yes, and the Turm der St. Laurentius Kirche, or Tower of the Church of St. Lawrence.

Old building tour ends here. But, don’t leave yet. I said it wasn’t big on sightseeing. I never said it wasn’t big on partying. Or, outdoor recreation, for that matter.

Nienhagen (Celle) has some wonderful hiking paths. Look for the storks that make their home here, or just marvel at the beautiful Lower Saxon countryside. There’s also a heated outdoor swimming pool, 3 indoor & 6 outdoor tennis courts, and 3 beach volleyball courts.

The fresh air feels great during one of Nienhagen’s Summer Concerts. I’m thinking this is why the local church holds outdoor Mass. Come October when Nienhagen hosts a Music Festival. Come Easter when there’s an Easter Market; while Christmas is the time for the annual Christmas Market.

In between is the Hagenmarkt, Wine Festival, Park Festival, and the traditional 3-day Hachefest in September.

OK, so what if the Ostseebad Nienhagen has a creepy, haunted forest. This Nienhagen near Celle knows how to throw a party. Which one would you rather have?