Someone once wrote to me in regard to travel writing “…that not every view is a vista,” or something to that effect. Um, excuse me, this is my beloved Germany — so I beg to differ; and places like Nattheim in Baden-Württemberg are the reason why.
Here’s a chance to hike the Swabian Alb. Vista views for everyone. :-)
The love of the outdoors is felt just about everywhere in Nattheim; doesn’t matter the season, either. There are certainly lovely enough cycle routes, going all the way to some 43km through Demmingen and Katzenstein (both part of Dischingen); to a 35km route that runs through Nattheim and its village of Fleinheim.
Can’t ride a bike? No big deal, take the hiking trails instead — some with names like the Shepards Trail. And Old Man Winter doesn’t keep people away — winter sports are popular, mostly cross-country skiing.
As pretty as Nattheim is, you can’t live by outdoors alone; so go visit the Coral Museum (open Sundays 2pm-5pm), where one piece is over 130 million years old.
It’s hard to think that Nattheim’s medieval Martinskirche as old after that, but it is. As is the yellow painted Evangelical Petruskirche in Fleinheim, and the onion-domed St. George Church.
Just so you know, Nattheim isn’t all old buildings and outdoor stuff. This is a good party town, too, offering two Wine Festivals (both in September); an Oktoberfest that’s really in October; an Autumn Celebration (also in October); and a Gemeindefest & Parish Festival — also in October.
Wow, Nattheim really comes alive in the Autumn, don’t you think? Maybe that’s because during the Summer everyone’s at the Ramsteinbad, the local swimming pool (naturism included) with a beach volleyball and picnic area.
Family fun for everyone, right? Even better that Nattheim’s got those vista views, too…
