Wismar Bay Map

We can learn a lot from the Wismar Bay, or Wismarer Bucht in German, an area that’s part of the Mecklenburg Bay. How? Glad you asked, because a lot of underwater archaeology is taking place underneath its water? Not only that; along its banks is a bird sanctuary.

It doesn’t end there. You’ll find excellent towns and islands within the Bay of Wismar, like the town of Wismar itself.

Wismar gained wealth because of its inclusion into the Hanseatic League, which you can easily see by taking the train from Schwerin.

For something a little more intimate, how about finding your way to Poel Island that sits along the northern part of the bay? This place doesn’t even have 2,700 residents — perfectly quiet to see its Village Church from the 13th century, frolic at its beach (there’s a lighthouse here, too), or throw caution to the wind at the nude beach in the district of Wangern.

Not all islands found in the Wismar Bay are inhabited. The island of Walfisch might have been during the Thirty Years’ War at its fortress (it’s underwater now); and now no one lives here except the geese, ducks, and swans.

Ahrendsberg is another small island in the bay that isn’t inhabited. But, the birds love the grasslands and salty marshes.

Come to think of it, they like the tidal flats of Wohlenberg Wiek, a bay within the Bay (within the other bay ;-). Bird watchers, you’ll want to come here to see the grey goose (not the vodka, BTW), the ducks, swans, and other water birds.

Eggers Wiek is another bay located inside Wismar Bay. Just 6km northwest of Wismar, you’ll find an excellent beach area, a golf course, and a marina here (in case you’ve boated in).

Sound like your kind of place? Yeah, it does. So no matter which way you’ve decided to get here (oh, yeah, another way is along the Kiel-Baltic Federal Waterway Route) you’re in for a treat.

Dollart Map

I’m not going to split hairs or anything, but from here on out you won’t ever hear the word Dollard come from my keyboard. It’s the Dollart. Dollard is the Dutch name for this bay found along the German/Netherland border around the Ems Estuary.

Does the name Dollard (Dollart, Dollert) sound familiar? It should, the Dollard Route follows along the Dollart and its awesomely fantastic.

What created the Dollard Bay in the first place? It’s believed that it wasn’t a natural occurrence, happening when Frisian fighting factions ruined the dikes that protected the waterway in the Middle Ages.

One of the biggest towns that benefited from this 100 square kilometer bay was the seaport of Emden. Curious how a fishing village like this is more famous for its Pinkel, a kale dish served with bacon and smoked pork.

Emden, BTW, is one of the last towns along the Dollard Route; and where the Dollart meets the North Sea.

After some time scoping out all the windmills, the Maritime Museum, and the East Frisian State Museum, maybe you’d like to visit the Tea Museum in Leer — the heart of East Frisia.

A Tea Museum awaits you here. And yes, I’m aware this isn’t the famous tea drinking country of England, but that’s the beverage of choice up in these parts of Germany.

You know what else is famous up here? That’s right, bird watching (a variety of species of goose like the salty marshes and brackish water, I guess).Plus, the area where you’ll find the Dollart technically belongs to the Wadden Sea National Park (the Lower Saxony section).

Totally cool, ’cause that means mudflat hiking. What’s really awesome about that is more than three-quarters of the Dollart goes dry during low tide. Plenty of room to explore, just be quick about it since the tide will roll back in quick enough.

If you’re tired from hiking around (and in) the Dollart, there are places called Melkhuske — a great place to grab a cold glass of milk that’ll recharge your nature loving batteries.

You could also take a Bike Taxi around the Dollart, which is perfect in case you’re too tired after cycling around it. Not sure why you’d be, the ground is really level.

Oh, who am I kidding. I’m not biking my way back — and I gotta get to Bunde somehow.

Bunde has a Dollart Museum, so if you want to learn all about the local flora & fauna, as well as its legends and mysteries, this is the best place to do it.

You go ahead, I’ll enjoy that cup of tea while I wait for that bike taxi to show up. ;-)

Breidenbach is such a German name, isn’t it? I’d say, and you might not know that there’s a small village in France with the same name.

There’s not comparing the two. This German speaking one lies within the Lahn-Dill-Bergland Nature Park.

Most of the activities in Breidenbach revolve around the nature park. Hiking is a big one, and there’s an 86 kilometer trail that’ll take you around to see plenty of it.

There is a “Hikers Headquarters” if you’re interested in getting a guide to take you around the many trails, or if you just want to meet up with others like yourself if you don’t like hiking alone.

Not an option for you moms out there who don’t get five minutes peace & quiet, huh? ;-)

A number of specific hiking trails bring you through Breidenbach’s region of the Lahn-Dill-Bergland, including the Westerwaldsteig. Nordic Walking around here is a fun activity, and so is all the skiing that goes on here during the snowy winter.

Too cold for you? No biggie, just wait for it all to melt to see the nearby Landgrafenschloss Biedenkopf’s museum and restaurant. Wait, you gotta see it during the non-winter months, the medieval castle is only open from April to November.

Come to think of it, you can’t enjoy the outdoor pool in the village of Niederdieten when its cold either; even if it is heated.

Some weather here in Breidenbach might make you want to come indoors, but so will the artwork found in the 19th century Evangelical Church in the village of Achenbach, and the Protestant Church over in Wolzhausen.

Take that, Breidenbach, France… this German one here is really great. And I won’t ever let anyone forget it. ;-)

It was funny to hear that not all that much is known about the history of the Lower Franconian town of Bad Brückenau. I mean, how could anyone say that when it’s been a spa town for the last (at least) five centuries, and long before that Charlmagne knew about the place.

Oh yeah, and there used to be like four castles here at one point.

Make sense? Yeah, I thought so. ;-)

Look, I’m certainly not complaining about this Bavarian town. Nothing could be further from the truth. How could I? Hello, spa treatments!

King Ludwig I understood the importance of the spa experience. This is why he built the Große Kursaal, because it sure helps to look at something pretty while being pampered.

Along the Kurpark (Spa Park) is a beautifully decorated Baroque covered walkway, again commissioned by Ludwig. I can certainly see why he loved it here — and fitting townspeople named one of the many “source wells” after him.

One of the other mineral water sources is the Siebener Sprudel, coming out at a refreshing 18-degrees Celsius. The temp doesn’t make it curative — it’s the high mineral content.

Because Bad Brückenau has been a spa town for more than 500 years, people had to have some place to stay. In the Altstadt (Old Town) you’ll see the old buildings that used to be inns, and the pubs where they got to drink 16th century style. The bulk of all the hotels, however, didn’t come along until the 18th century.

The best way to see what life was like here back then, is pay a visit to the Heimatmuseum (Local History Museum). They’ll give you a good look at life here right up until the 19th century.

At this point of Bad Brückenau’s history, the town had a vibrant Jewish community — lasting right up until the 20th century. A memorial to the long-gone community at the Jewish cemetery exists today.

Also long gone is what used to be a 17th century Franciscan Monastery, known as Kloster Volkersberg.

The more I learn, the more I’m still confused on how anyone doesn’t know much about this place’s history.

Have I missed something? Oh yeah, the Church of St. Bartholomew (1783), and to mention the City Festival, the Park Festival (every July), and the Mantelsonntag — a Catholic festival that’s held on the Sunday before All Saints Day (November 1st).

I’m thinking that everyone just got all wrapped up in the whole spa experience to pay too much attention to Bad Brückenau’s history. Hey, it almost happened to me too. ;-)

On my epic trek to see and experience all of Germany (for you readers, of course) I’ve learned all sorts of scientific and historical things. I got both at the same time in the Hessian town of Volkmarsen.

It’s actually a mixture of the two around the countryside, BTW. The Hollenkammer is a cave of red and white sandstone that’s home to a large bat colony (yeah, that’s the science); but it was once a Pagan worship site. So, there’s the history part.

I ain’t done yet. ;-)

Volkmarsen can be found near the Habichtswald Nature Park. And along the southern part of the Kugelsburg Castle is a mineral water spring, the Sauerbrunnen. See, more science.

For historical side of the early 13th century Kugelsburg Castle, it’s now in ruins after the Seven Years War (in the mid-18th century) — after somehow surviving the 17th century Thirty Years’ War pretty much intact. Not all that much is here after almost 300 years of the elements going at it — but maybe this is why it’s a popular hiking spot in Volkmarsen.

There’s another castle ruin, if you’re interested. Burg Fürstenstein was built in 1269, and no one cared to rebuild it after an 18th century fire. Why? Because, get this, its location wasn’t “strategic” enough.

What? Built me a castle on top of an active volcano — then I’d say the location wasn’t quite right. ;-)

One of the oldest sites in Volkmarsen is the Wittmarkapelle. The original church was built here around 930 A.D., on top of yet another Pagan worship site. Every Thursday during the summer, events are held at the Chapel, and there’s a big procession on Ascension Day.

The last of the Vokmarsen’s historical sites include a visit to the Heimatmuseum (Local History Museum), which you’ll find at Kasseler Straße 6; and the two watchtowers (the Scheidwarte and Judenwarte), and last but not least — the St. Mary Church (built 1260).

I’m really glad I got to experience the historical and scientific side of Volkmarsen. Can’t wait to see what I learn next.

Nuthe-Urstromtal is where you can really (really, really) stretch out. How could you not, there are less than 7,000 people living in over 337 square kilometers in 23 districts!

Fourteen of those, BTW, are totally within the Nuthe Nieplitz Nature Park. And what a nature park it is — a glacial valley created by the last Ice Age.

Aren’t all the hiking trails and walking paths along the orchards and bogs beautiful? One of the longest in the country is the Fläming Walk, which is 190km of bike trails and 12 Nordic Walking paths.

There’s even an area for inline skating; and if you get hungry or want to rest along the way it’s no problem. An array of eateries and other comfort stops can be found along the way.

Don’t walk or skate too fast, you might miss a chance to see storks or osprey. Is that a wolf? Hurry up, walk faster! ;-)

Best to head into the Oskar-Barnack-Haus, at Oskar-Barnack-Straße 7. Herr Barnack was an inventor of sorts, and here’s where you can see his handy work.

And you know a town with this many villages that’s this old is going to have churches. The one in the village of Dümde is a half-timbered constructed one, but it’s all stone for the 16th century church in Stülpe and the one in Dobbrikow.

One of the most beautiful churches in Nuthe-Urstromtal isn’t a village church at all. It’s found at the Kloster Zinna, a Cistercian monastery with a Romanesque and Gothic Monastic Church. You’ll find some wonderful medieval frescoes at the “New Abbey,” and a monument to Frederick the Great in the courtyard.

With everything there is to see and do in Nuthe-Urstromtal, I’m really surprised the city without the official city status isn’t more populated. It’s all good though — we get to keep this between us…

Amazing how Germany’s got everything you could possibly ask for. Beer, wine, rivers and lakes, right down to volcanoes. Inden is one of those lucky towns not all that far from the volcanic area of the Eifel.

Long ago volcanic activity asides, Inden does have a bit more to offer than that. However, the countryside is worth it along — which you’ll see what I’m talking about when you climb the 36-meter high observation tower on the 143.5 meter high Goltsteinkuppe. Wow, that’s a combined 179.5 meter high view.

This observation tower is Inden’s “new” landmark. However, I’m not at all sure what the old one was. ;-)

As a MyGermanCity.com visitor & fan you know that the Heimatmuseum (Local History Museum) is a good place to find things out, and here you’ll find it in the village of Lucherberg. It’s filled with prehistoric archaeology finds and the history of lignite mining in the area.

Mining was the reason that a good portion of Inden had to be resettled. The museum explains all that too.

Inden had a castle at one point too. It was in the village of Frenz, but was razed after this 14th century castle was destroyed in World War II. It wasn’t the first time that it happened, the one that’s gone now had replaced an even earlier one.

Frenz might not have a castle now, but it does have a Jewish cemetery.

What other treasures does Inden have? Well, the village of Pier has a medieval church, and medieval King Lothar II visited the village of Lamersdorf. Schophoven also retains its medieval flavor, and has a pretty 19th century Lady Chapel (called Barbarakapelle).

The other must-see churches in Inden is St. Nicholas in Frenz, as well as the one dedicated to St. Cornelius, and the one to St. Clement.

I told you there was more to Inden than just its nearby volcanoes. We can’t forget about its “new” landmark, can we?

Great. If I wasn’t hungry before getting to the town of Sinzing I sure am now. This isn’t even a normal “I need to nosh on something quick” hungry. No, this is a bring on the heavily laden “I need food to stick to my ribs” hungry.

I’m so glad that the Röhrl Restaurant can be of help. And this isn’t your average, run of the mill, rustic cuisine fare either. This place is a Guinness Book of World Records holder, for being the oldest restaurant in the world — owned by the same family for more than 300 years (uh, Germans like to stick to tradition, don’t they?).

If all you want is a drink, they can help you there too. There’s a 400-seat beer garden.

Now that everyone’s well-fed and watered, time to go sightseeing. Start at the Wallfahrtskirche, built in 1020 then again in 1192. Oh yeah, and again after it was heavily damaged during WWII.

War did more damage to Sinzing, the Niederviehhuausen Castle was totally destroyed by the Swedes during the Thirty Years’ War, leaving only the 22-meter tower standing.

Schloss Oberviehhausen saw its fair share of problems during the Thirty Years’ War too, but was able to be rebuilt — this time in a Baroque style instead of keeping its medieval origins.

The town’s Alte Kirche (Old Church) is a medieval building, built in 1145. And the Middle Ages wasn’t just about building castles and churches — wine making was done too. Sinzing was doing it right up until around the 17th century.

Too bad they stopped, but then again — the Röhrl Restaurant used to be a brewery, so they got beer instead. ;-)

You know what else Sinzing’s got? Awesome rock formations since this is part of the Franconian Jura. I know, means nothing to some — but trust me, the countryside is just beautiful, so find yourself a hiking trail and just walk.

And if you get hungry, remember you can always come to the Röhrl Restaurant — they’re definitely not going anywhere.

Get this. A train will take you every half-hour from either Kiel or Lübeck to the town of Schwentinental in Schleswig-Holstein.

Yes, I’m aware that you might be thinking — what’s the big deal? And deal is the right word to use, just so you know.

Schwentinental is home to a 90-thousand square meter shopping center, known as the Ostseepark with like 700 stores.

Getting here is easy. But then that means you might miss out on seeing the town itself. Which was created, by the way, by merging the towns of Raisdorf and Klausdorf back in 2008.

Klausdorf is the smaller of the two towns, with just around 6,000 people living here. And it’s where you’ll find what was once the Preetz Monastery, founded in 1224.

Raisdorf, the bigger sister town, managed to rebuild itself after being bombed during World War II. Why here? Because of its close proximity to the city of Kiel.

Today people from all over can come to Schwentinental to enjoy its Schwentinepark, a 40 acre outdoor recreational park. Not only can you go swimming (the Rosensee also acts a power plant giving Raisdorf electricity), but there’s a wild game park, and during the Fall a “scary maze” is built to get your heart racing as you find your way out.

This isn’t the only way to enjoy the Baltic Sea and Northern German air, ya know. The nature area surrounding Schwentinental (and the Schwentine River) has a number of biking paths and hiking trails, including the E1 European Hiking Route.

I think if you follow it far enough you’ll see the Kiel Fjord and the Kiel Bay. Oh, you’ll see that anyway since Schwentinental is close enough to it on its own.

All this clean air and activity (shopping can be hard work) can make you tired — so spending the night at one of the guesthouses or inns is always an option. You couldn’t have hit all 700 stores in one day — so, yeah, best to stay & do it all over again.

Jade Bay Map

On the North Sea Coast, and part of the Wadden Sea National Park, is Jade Bay. You might hear it called by other names, like Jade Bight, Jade Estuary, or, more likely, Jadebusen (German).

No matter how many names it goes by, this 190 square kilometer bay (created by storm floods in the Middle Ages) is lined by a few great seafaring towns, lighthouses, and even a saltwater bog.

Other than the North Sea, where do you find this slice of aquatic heaven?

Easy, right between the Weser Estuary and the East Frisian Islands. In case you’re looking on a map, find Wilhelmshaven — and you’re right there.

Interestingly enough, the Jade Bay was said not to be a good natural harbor, but the High Seas Fleet of the Imperial German Navy was based here in Wilhelmshaven. Maybe they fell in love with the swampy area. It’s where you’ll find the only saltwater bog in all of Europe.

Forget the big city right now, Varel is where you’ll want to go along the Jadebusen too. It’s 32 districts are mainly for agriculture — yet it’s big on fishing and lobster because of its location along the water.

Varel’s got a 5-story high 19th century windmill, a 9th century church, and a nature reserve that’s a sanctuary for orchids. Yes, they need one — they’re quite delicate, ya know.

It’s also where you’ll find the Lighthouse Arngast. This totally cool lighthouse is 36.9 meters tall, and totally out of the water come low tide. So, that’s how they built it over the site of a former church. ;-)

You can get to the lighthouse from the town of Sande, too. But, you might be a bit busy traveling along the Frisian Army Way that’s 400km long. As pretty as you’ll find Jade Bay, Sande’s art sculpture trail is lovely in its own right.

From Sande you can choose to leave the Jade Bay, this is where you can pick up the Ems-Jade Canal that’ll take you towards Emden and the Dollard Route.

Bockhorn also lies along Jade Bay, and the town’s most famous for its annual Classic Car Show in June (we Germans love cars, don’t we?), and the Soapbox Derby that’s held the second weekend of every September (we Germans love tradition too, don’t we? ;-).

The Jade Bay of today might not look like it once did even just a few hundred years ago (with all the peat harvesting, it’s bound to happen), but it’s still a cute body of water (surrounded by some great towns) no matter what anyone chooses to call it.