Oh yeah, it’s happening again. Those little tingles that somehow manage to creep up my spine everytime I get to the Swabian Alb. What town was it that did it to me this time? Well, none other than the long named Dettingen an der Erms (FYI, that’s just to distinguish it from the other two Dettingens).
Not only is Dettingen within the Alb itself, it lies within a 40km area known as the Biosphärengebiet Schwäbische Alb, which is a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Within the biosphere you’ll find everything from falcons to buzzards, orchids to grasslands.
If you’re the type of person whose idea is that nature is best kept to the Discovery Channel, then maybe the Biosphärengebiet Schwäbische Alb isn’t for you. But, you’ve come this far; so how about giving it a go? ;-)
All right, if I haven’t talked you into doing that, then perhaps visiting any one of Dettingen’s City Parks instead. I think that’s a good compromise between city life and the big, bad, wilderness. Yes, I’m just exaggerating — the biosphere isn’t bad at all. ;-)
And if youre idea of a good time is shopping, then you’ve found the right place. No, there aren’t any super huge Kaufhof chain type stores. This is where you’ll find little goodies and trinkets at the Handicraft Market (1st weekend of October) and the Christmas Market on the 1st weekend of Advent.
At the Christmas Market between shopping at the little stalls, try some mulled wine to warm you up. Have some other types of wine (or beer, or whatever your poison) at the Kirschenfest (Cherry Festival), the Town Fair (one in June, one in August), or the Pasture Fest.
Do you like museums? If yes, you’ll like the one here, it’s a look into rural life of blacksmiths and farmers.
The only thing left is stopping to see the Rathaus Schlössle and the Dettingen Evangelical Church.
Oh, it’s time to leave Dettingen an der Erms — too bad that tingly feeling is leaving. Stick around here at MyGermanCity.com and take a peek at some of the other towns of the majestic Swabian Alb!
