It’s true that you can go swimming and shopping just about anywhere. However, maybe not as in such a pretty locale as in the town of Ransbach-Baumbach.
Ransbach-Baumbach lies along the Westerwald, just about 20km northeast of Koblenz. Hmm, I guess that makes you close enough to enjoy the city without having to stay there.
This small town will get a bit crowded on the first weekend of October, that’s when the annual Töpfermarkt or Pottery Market is held.
Ransbach-Baumbach is known for its pottery, and tens of thousands of shoppers come to buy themselves some of the prettiest pottery around. So even if it’s not the Töpfermarkt, you’ll have many local pottery shops to purchase the proper souvenir or gift.
The yearly market isn’t the only market in Ransbach-Baumbach, it’s got an Advent Baazar and a Christmas Market; an Oktoberfest (the end of Oct); and a Kirchweihfest in August.
If you’re going to be trekking around the Westerwald (and not shopping for a loved one or partying yourself silly), you’ll need to see the Dornburg (a Celtic ruin), and the mid-13th century Castle Stolzenfels (which doesn’t look like a medieval castle — as it was rebuilt in the 1800s after being destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War).
Go climb the 40-meter high on the Koppel, you’ll have an excellent view of everything. And while you might not have an eagle’s eye view at the BBQ grillhut areas, the scenery is also lovely.
Ransbach-Baumbach’s sightseeing and recreation doesn’t end there. You’ll want to see the town’s 12th century church (now Lutheran), and its 18th century farms.
No, what you’ll really want is to swim at either its swimming lake (the Erlenhofsee); its outdoor pool (with a 50-meter waterslide, springboards, and volleyball court); and its indoor pool (open Oct/Apr).
It sounds like Ransbach-Baumbach’s got everything to keep you happy, right? Not yet, as I haven’t told you about the 17th century brewery.
OK, I just did — so now you know that it has everything.
