We live in a world of vanilla and chocolate (Rocky Road and Cookie Dough, too). What fits for one person, might not necessarily be right for the next guy or gal.

And while some German towns will offer something for everyone, the town of Niedergörsdorf is the perfect fit for anyone on a quest to see the best medieval stone churches just about anywhere.

The amazing part is, there aren’t just one or two. Oh, no. There are 22 districts in Niedergörsdorf, with just about as many village churches! I’ve made a list — and no, I’m not Santa so I didn’t check it twice. I’m German, that means I checked it three times. At least. ;-)

Let me see… We’ve got the Village Church in Bochow that’s a Gothic one from the 14th century, followed by the one in Dalichow that was built around the year 1300. Yes, the one in Danna looks like a medieval Romanesque one, but it didn’t come along until 1884.

Eckmannsdorf’s Village Church is the real Romanesque deal, built in the 1100s; although it did see some updating in the 19th century. Gölsdorf isn’t to be outdone. It too has a 13th century Village Church — and a windmill to boot.

The 13th century was really popular for building these stone structures. That’s when the churches in the villages of Kaltenborn, Kurzlipsdorf, Lindow, and Oehna came along. The church in Rohrbeck is younger, built in the 1400s; while the one in Wergzahna is older — built in the 12th century.

Three of the most famous of Niedergörsdorf’s churches are the ones in Mellnsdorf, Blönsdorf, and Seehausen.

Ahh, I’m wiped out now — I’m not even sure if I can tackle the Fläming-Skate. No, it isn’t another church — but a 210km rollerblading, bicycling trail of glacier valley landscape with picnic areas.

The Fläming-Skate didn’t come along until 2001; and before that the area was once under Soviet occupation. They used the old Technical School for their own purposes, which you can see — as well as some 19th century barracks.

I’ll meet you over there — as there are still more of Niedergörsdorf’ Village Churches I haven’t seen yet.

I was stunned when I found out there were 56 villages to the town of Neustadt (Wied) in the Rhineland-Palatinate; located within the Westerwald along the Wied River (which is a tributary of the Rhine).

Fifty-six? How the hell was I supposed to do all this? Well, as you know, Germans like to plan. Then plan some more. Heck, if planning was an Olympic sport, we’d win the gold every time. ;-)

So, I put on my thinking cap, and figured out what there was to see…

I started off like any normal person, visiting the Heimatmuseum (Local History Museum). They’ve got exhibits within their half-timbered building showing what it was like in a kitchen and simple bedroom from long-ago.

Want to see what was from a real long time ago? Go see the Burgruine Ehrenstein, a castle from the 1300s; and the Kloster — a monastery where the stained glass has survived since the 15th century.

As if a monastery isn’t quiet enough, the Westerwald Nature Park is even quieter. Ever hear the sound of silence? Oh, in this case it’d be the sound of nature.

Maybe this is why there are so many churches in Germany, they’re quiet too.

Hey, it’s just a theory, but take a visit over to the Herz-Jesu-Kapelle (built 1938) in Rahms; the St. Margarita Church (19th century); the Antoniuskapelle (1680) in Etscheid; or the Rochus-Kapelle (1761) in Ehrenstein, then tell me if I’m on to something here.

You know what else there are a lot of in Germany? No, not Germans. Well, that too, but you’ll find a lot of those timber-framed houses that were so popular back through the 15th to 18th centuries. Just about each one of Neustadt’s villages has some, like the Quereinhaus in Brüchen, and along Hauptstraße in Neustadt Proper.

The last stop in Neustadt is Burg Altenwied. Too bad that all you can do is look at the outside since it’s privately owned. Shoot, if I owned a castle from around 1100 A.D. I’d let everyone in to see. ;-)

Before you tell me, I already know that Burg Altenwied doesn’t look all that medieval — it did have to be rebuilt after the Spanish trashed it back during the Thirty Years’ War.

Hmm, I guess I wasn’t the only one they wouldn’t let in. ;-)

Have you ever gone to a place wondering what, and where, everything is? OK, maybe not so much today since we live in a world with Google Maps and GPS. Before the advent of all this technology, suppose you had come to the town of Lambsheim — then what?

Would you have known that on the Bahnhofstraße is a restaurant and hotel from the 1880s that’s known for its stucco work?

Would you know that along the Hauptstraße (check out #2 to #7 especially) you’ll find a Baroque House, a 19th century Parsonage, a Protestant Church, and the St. Stephen Church that was built in 1785 in both a Baroque and Classicism style?

Further along Hauptstraße is full of Baroque courtyards and houses, many from the 18th century.

Aren’t you glad I’m here to tell you this? There isn’t an “App” for that (yet). ;-)

You can go back a little further in time on the Hinterstraße, where you’ll find some 16th and 17th century houses. And even more found on the Marktstraße. At Mühltorstraße 33, you’ll find a beautiful villa to look at. Too bad it isn’t for sale — I’d love to have one of these babies.

I wouldn’t mind having the Meckenheimersches Schloss, either. This castle originally dates to around the year 1400; and while a school on the upper floors — its vast cellar is rented out for events.

The town of Lambsheim beat me to the punch to buy the former Jagdschloss, or Hunting Lodge, as it now acts as the town’s Rathaus (Town Hall). Doesn’t matter what it’s used for, it’s still a splendid example of Baroque architecture.

The best piece of architecture in Lambsheim has to be the remnants of the 14th century fortification and its Neutorturm (right, that’s a tower). Even if you don’t agree, it’s still a magnificent piece of work from the Middle Ages.

How about we discuss it over a glass of wine at one of Lambheim’s three wineries? A nice discussion with friends over a vino — thank Heaven there ain’t no “App” for that!

The town of Ladbergen is kind of a misnomer. You see, bergen in German means mountains. Yet, there isn’t a mountain to be found in this town of around 6,500 people that’s about 20km north of Münster. Heck, there ain’t even any big hills around here.

Oh, goody, I won’t have to break into singing “Ain’t no mountain high enough.” ;-)

While some German towns are overloaded with half-timbered houses, medieval churches, festivals and markets — Ladbergen’s claim to fame is food.

Great, I love food. Wait, let me be more specific. I love most food. There’s just no way I’m gonna try the Töttchen. Don’t let me stop you if you’re on some culinary adventure (or got a cast-iron stomach), ’cause the stuff is made with calf tongue, and all the other… Nevermind, let’s just say it originally was a “poor man’s dish,” which usually didn’t include more expensive T-bone cuts.

I will, however, take the Eisenkuchen. Yummy cookies and/or wafer sticks that look like an Italian pizzelle. When you roll them right they make a great ice cream cone.

After eating a good walk around Ladbergen is in order. On the Marktplatz is the 19th century Lutheran Church; and there is a Local History Museum in town too.

From here you can visit the Schuhmachermuseum (Shoemaker Museum), the Galerie Strathworks with paintings & sculptures, the Volkstheater offering all sorts of performances, and the Königs Backes, which is the oldest building in Ladbergen, built in 1624. The Getreidemühle (Grain Mill) Erpenbeck is much younger, built in 1840.

Still need more exercise to work off those cookies? The Waldsee is a swimming lake, with camping, a tennis court, and soccer field. The lake is the venue for the big Pentecost/Whit Monday celebration.

Sometimes it’s best to feed others instead of yourself, the Wildfreigehege Nöttle Berg has a feeding zoo, and gives you a chance to see wild animals like wolves and bison. Seems like the perfect place to hold the Bärenfest (Bear Festival) every summer.

No exotic animals are found in Ladbergen’s Friedenspark (Peace Park), just the human and canine variety. Doesn’t matter to me, so long as I don’t have to share my Eisenkuchen. ;-)

We all know the stereotype that Germans like to work. Hard. Imagine my surprise in the Bavarian town of Leinburg where they have so many festivals that even I have to scratch my head wondering how the hell does anyone gets any work done.

Truth is, that as hard as the everyday German works, that’s how hard they like to play. You gotta blow off some steam somehow, right?

Before even I get distracted by what’s in store for the year in terms of festivals, let me tell you about the sightseeing in Leinburg.

You can’t miss the Moritzberg, a huge mountain overlooking town. The closest village is Diepersdorf, if you really wanna get up close & personal with it.

Isn’t it pretty here in the Franconian Jura? I think so too. How could you not when Leinburg’s village of Gersberg is all meadows of color and thick forest?

This is also where you’ll find the Burgstall Ödes Schloss. Ha, no wonder all that remains is what used to be a moat — its name means Dreary Castle. Wait… weren’t most medieval castles dreary to begin with?

Nevermind, there’s no time to ponder this stuff… Gotta head to Entenberg to take a ski lift up the mountainside. Better yet, time to visit the Brauerei Bub.

Can’t make it? Don’t worry, plenty of chances to drink a pint at one of the five Kircheweih celebrations at the end of May, the end of June, the middle of July, early August, and one at the end of August.

Please, I haven’t even told you about the Pfarrfest in July, the Leinburger Fair (Kirwa), the Maibierfest (May Beer Festival), the Summer Festival in July, the Roßeichenfest on the 3rd weekend of July, the Marktplatzfest in early September, and I damn well almost forgot about the Village Festival at the end of April.

What’s worse, is that I got so wrapped up with all this partying I forgot all about the Evangelical St. Leonhard Church that was built in 1386.

See, even I can’t manage to get any work done in Leinburg. They sure are a bad influence around here — but Leinburgers sure as heck know how to have a good time. :-)

If you count Unterwellenborn proper in the town of the same name, you’d find there were nine villages that make up the town. While all united under one banner (and settled by people around 10,000 years ago), so to speak, they are each unique.

Birkigt (yes, that’s spelled right) is one of Unterwellenborn’s forested villages. Add in that it’s got five (5) lakes, lovely orchards, and a 12th century church — it’s even better.

If you head to Goßwitz, you must see its 16th century St. Nicholas Church. Same is true if you’re in Lausnitz in Pößneck, as it too has a wonderful Dorfkirche (village church). And the Dorfkirche in Oberwellenborn that was put here in the 15th century was built over an older one. Not to be outdone, Könitz (a village settled by Sorbs back around the 7th century) has its own Village Church.

Oberwellenborn is great if you love the outdoors, as it has many nature trails located within a nature area.

Langenschade is also great for outdoor activities, and it too has its own Dorfkirche (this one with a clock tower).

The village of Röblitz lies within an area known as the Uhlstädter Heath, so any hiking trail you find will be a good one.

Like to camp? Head to Bucha, a village with a campground for anyone who likes to rough it. Yeah, perhaps the Waldhotel am Stausee is a better choice for those of us who don’t do the whole tent thing. ;-)

I do the whole swimming pool thing, and Unterwellenborn has a nice one. It’s open from May to September, and it has all sorts of cool features like underwater lighting, a waterslide, and massage jets.

Ahhh, that feels good…

Sheessh, I got so wrapped up that I forgot all about the Mining and Heritage Museum; and the old gas engines from the 1920s — a feat of precise German engineering from Maxhütte Steel.

And I almost left out the village of Dorfkulm, the smallest of all Unterwellenborn’s villages at just over 65 residents. I guess as it lies within a wildlife protected area, not too many people can live here. You can, however, hike it all you want.

Aren’t you glad you stayed around to hear about all of Unterwellenborn? Yes, of course you are. :-)

I was reading a book the other day whose main idea centered around Goethe’s Faust. Historians and book lovers around the world might consider this story of a guy who sells his soul to the devil “the best piece of German literature ever.”

Honestly, I wouldn’t know about all that since I’m not a historian. But, I do know where you can walk in the footsteps of the world’s most famous German writer, right here in the Thuringian town of Uhlstädt-Kirchhasel.

To say you’ll find an extensive network of hiking trails is an understatement. The one that has the Goethe theme leads you to Schloss Kochberg; a white and red Renaissance castle that was a medieval one from 1125. Goethe stayed here, met his buddy Friedrich Schiller (another one of Germany’s famous writers) here, and he met his muse and friend, Charlotte von Stein.

Don’t be confused… Schliller’s wife’s name was also Charlotte — but she was Charlotte von Lengefeld.

Anyway, Schloss Kochberg isn’t the only castle around; nor is it the only one Goethe visited as he used to frequent Burg Weißenburg. It had to be rebuilt in the 1790s, so it looks a tad different from when it was originally constructed in the 1300s. Today you can spend the night, grab a bite at the restaurant, or even get married if so inclined.

The last castle in Uhlstädt-Kirchhasel doesn’t have anything to do with Goethe, but I think you’ll appreciate the Burgruine Schauenforst anyway (Rödelwitz district). No one knows exactly when it was built (some think around 1222), but over the centuries it was repeatedly sacked, and eventually destroyed a couple of centuries ago.

One other ruin to see in Uhlstädt-Kirchhasel is the Kircheruine Töpfersdorf. You gotta hike to see it, but well worth the effort.

Another effort that’s worth it is at the Luisenturm, an observation tower that overlooks the mountainous terrain in this part of Thuringia.

I’m starting to see how Goethe could be so inspired. But, my little scribbles don’t even hold a candle to his work. Maybe I can come up with something while out in the 1000+ acre nature reserve in the Saale Valley.

Nah, I got nothin’… best to leave it up to the professionals.

To try and say the name Untermeitingen is more than a mouthful. Forget it, it doesn’t flow off the keyboard quite so easy either. It is, however, quite easy on the eyes.

How could it not? It is in the Bavarian Swabian region.

So it makes total sense to find a Military History Museum (open the 1st Sunday of the month) with exhibits dating back to the days of the Royal Bavarian Military, as well as early aviation, and going right up to present day.

As fun as Untermeitingen is in modern day with all its festivals, it is also a historical town. Before partying the day and night away make sure you go to see the Kirche St. Stephen that was originally built back in 1158 — although the current building didn’t come along until 1677.

A town like this wouldn’t quite be the same if it didn’t have a castle, which thankfully it does. Built in 1592, Schloss Untermeitingen is filled with Baroque art and ceiling stuccoes, and it’s also yummy since it houses an elegant restaurant.

It isn’t quite so grand at the Imhof Haus, originally a hospital from the 1730s, but grand enough to act as the local library and a wedding venue.

A wedding is just another kind of festive event — so it reminds me to tell you about Untermeitingen’s other festivals that I mentioned earlier. The Wine Festival is a good one, but you gotta wait until October for it.

At least the Grillfest in June, the two Bürgerfeste (June and July), and the Pfarrfest and Sommerfest (both in July) come much sooner in the year. The guided mountain biking and hikes are always a good bet too.

Still got more time to kill in Untermeitingen? Good, ’cause you still haven’t seen the Ulrich Chapel (1733), or the Kloster Lechfeld (in use since the early 1600s) that’s nearby.

I’m going to stand by what I said about Untermeitingen not being easy to say or spell, but I got it right when I tell you that you’ll love it. ;-)

It’s happened again… I’m starving and lo and behold, what do I find in the town of Zellingen? Lots and lots of food. Well, more wine than food, considering that Zellingen lies in the Lower Franconian region — so they’re growing and fermenting some of the tastiest grapes.

However, it’s a beer that goes great with all the bratwurst at Zellingen’s October Bratwurst Festival. Go ahead, try it with both — and don’t say I didn’t tell ya. ;-)

Now that the hunger has subsided, it’s time to go off on one of the vineyard hikes. I sure wish I could be here during one of Zellingen’s two Wine Festivals, held in June and August.

August is also the month for the annual Makaronenfest, or Macaroon Festival. Yeah, more food! And there’s plenty more to eat at Zellingen’s Pfarrfest (May), Straßenfest (June), Margarethenfest (July), Summer Festival (mid-August), as well as plenty at the Spring Market (March), Maimarkt (May), Autumn Market (October), and the Winter Market in November.

There are almost as many hiking trails in Zellingen as there are festivals. They’re all well-marked, and some even have themes like the Wine & Nature Trail (a 7km circular route), and the Forest Route that’s great for reflecting on nature along many unpaved lanes.

The Marienweg is a doozy at just over 137km, but not all of it in Zellingen in case you’re wondering.

You can’t leave ’cause you haven’t seen the Mariahilfkapelle yet, built in 1678. Or the Alte Rathaus (Old Town Hall, built 1609), or the other Alte Rathaus over in Retzbach (one of three villages of Zellingen) that’s a half-timbered building from 1576.

Yeah, they’re all pretty old, but it seems to be the St. Margaretha Kirche is the oldest building in town; built in Duttenbrunn back in the 12th century. Yup, that makes it older than the Wallfahrtskirche Maria im grünen Tal that was built in 1229.

Would you look at that… My tummy’s well fed, my brain is well fed, and all I need now is some sleep. Camping or staying the night at the RV Park is an option for some but, this time, I’d rather spend the night at one of the local guesthouses.

Do you think I can get room service to bring me more of that delicious wurst? :-)

Wow, was I totally flabbergasted when I heard that there are some 280 Kirchweihfeste (Parish Fairs) a year in and around the town of Eggolsheim. With only 365 days in a year, that sure is a whole lot of partying going on. Wait, maybe they somehow manage to get them all in between May and October?

How the heck anyone manages to get any work done is totally beyond me. Maybe everyone works doubly hard between November and April? Oh, forget the questions — we’ve got some sightseeing and partying to do…

Eggolsheim lies on the western edge of the great Franconian Switzerland — right between Nuremberg and Bamberg. So this means you’ll find lots of hiking and biking trails through the natural landscape.

One of the longest trails is some 45km long (known as the Roter Ring, or Red Ring), while others are much more manageable with average lengths of 7-12km (known as Gelbringwege or Yellow Ring Trails).

Don’t want to follow a trail? It’s all right, you can pick and choose if you want to head to the village of Kauernhofen (population 500) to see its Bergkapelle — a beautiful reward for hiking the steep incline. And Weigelshofen, a village of around 300 people, has the pretty St. George Church. Nothing compares to the St. Martin Church whose Gothic tower (1305) steals the show.

Yet, nothing is as old as the 1200 B.C. graves that were found back in the 1980s. If you head to the Archaeology Museum of Upper Franconia (in Forchheim) you can see some of the artifacts that were found.

Wait, that’s not entirely true, is it? I mean the landscape is older — and you can become intimately acquainted with the countryside if you give rock climbing a shot.

You go on ahead, I’m rather partial to making a spectacle of myself at the Medieval Market every May. I’d like to think that I’d at least be a little more reserved at Eggolsheim’s Christmas Market, Advent Market, and at the Summer Concerts.

I was duly impressed with the Kunst im Rathaus, which is art in the Town Hall. Maybe it was the oversized beer barrel… ;-)

One last stop before moving on, Die Schleuse 94. Die what? This is the 94th lock (out of 100) found along the Ludwig-Donau-Main Canal. If you’re following along the Regnitz Radweg, you’ll come right past it.

But, with all the Fairs going on, how you’ll manage to get it all in is totally beyond me. ;-)