Print Reporting from Monschau Germany &#8212; — A few years ago I got lost in the woods near the eastern border of Belgium I was looking for Battle of the Bulge sites and before I knew it I had crossed into Germany The little road I was on rounded a bend and came into a clearing where I saw The sign said “Einruhr.” I stopped for tea in a waterfront cafe where I watched people board an excursion boat and wished I could join them A traveler passes many places that cannot be explored and eventually it’s as if the places you missed never existed After my sister Martha and I decided to spend Easter at La Gaichel she dug deep into a drawer and pulled out the brochures I’d gathered at the lost village by the lake In a little-known pocket of Europe where Belgium the hamlet of Einruhr looks north and east over an upland forest region known as the Schnee Eifel impounded north of Einruhr to create Lake Obersee Germany made part of the Schnee Eifel a national park returning the region to its primeval beech woods and endangered wildcats Visitors are welcome at efficient park gateways providing ranger-led programs and information on hiking paths village-to-village wilderness trail that takes four days to complete and a shorter walk to remaining parts of the West Wall built during the Third Reich I got directions from Luxembourg to the Schnee Eifel by logging onto https://www.viamichelin.com which proposed an immensely complicated route we wouldn’t have been able to follow if it weren’t for Martha’s GPS But who wants superhighways on a spring morning that smells of lilacs On the way we passed through the High Fens with boardwalks across wild subalpine bogs I could hardly believe were a part of densely populated Belgium where untried Americans fought for their lives against crack Panzer divisions during a German counteroffensive in the bitter Battle of the Bulge winter of 1944 I’d booked rooms at the Hotel Restaurant Graf Rolshausen in Monschau tucked deep in the Rur River Valley near the national park a mustard museum and flower-decked market square As clean as a German pin and so quaint you can hardly believe it isn’t a theme park the old cloth-weaving town is popular with tourists leaving Monschau to overnighters like Martha and me The Graf Rolshausen turned out to be a cheerful old-fashioned place with a restaurant in the cellar but reaching it was a logistical problem because vehicles are generally prohibited on town streets We were given rooms underneath the eaves on the top floor of the hotel climbing with luggage from the lobby to my door with floral wallpaper and a dormer window that let in the sound of bonging church bells and the smell of roasting coffee from a shop below That night Martha and I wandered to the market square where we found Rur-Café a cozy second-floor restaurant that serves hearty regional fare such as medallions of pork and roast leg of lamb We were there at just the right moment to try the delicious white asparagus menu Breakfast in the hotel the next morning was a buffet with platters of German cheese and cold cuts so we made sandwiches to take on a hike through meadows of wild daffodils The path started at an old mill near the village of Hofen following a brook lined by the delicate yellow flowers I’m fairly sure we went astray because the trail markers were in German but it didn’t matter because we found a logging road back to the mill where we had our picnic as clouds scudded across the sun Afterward we drove around the park to an eastern gateway The dour gray stone complex was easy to find but hard to comprehend stretching almost a mile from an Eifel meadow to the lip of a steep ravine One of several similar academies meant to mold the bodies and souls of future National Socialist leaders Vogelsang had sports facilities worthy of an Olympic village where cadets attended National Socialist Party ceremonies After the war Vogelsang was occupied by the U.S when it became an extra-territorial Belgian military camp it now attracts mostly German sightseers who want their children to know about the Third Reich It seems to me that in Germany you always travel through light and shadow risen from the ashes of a World War II firestorm vibrant Berlin with its landmark Jewish Museum and the bucolic Bavarian Alps where Hitler loved to summer I was not surprised to reemerge from Vogelsang’s darkness into the sunshine of Einruhr on Lake Obersee where Martha and I cruised with pallid excursion-boat passengers who eagerly had stripped down to sleeveless Ts We saw only sunlight scenes: backpackers along the trail that circles the lake It could have been Brigadoon — only I know for sure that it does exist because this time I did not pass it by travel@latimes.com Travel & Experiences California Subscribe for unlimited accessSite Map The Bulldogs family will continue to grow in 2025 with the inaugural NRLW squad given another boost as aunty-niece duo Shaniece Monschau and Shaquaylah Mahakitau-Monschau put pen to paper Mainstays in the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership campaign this year Shaquaylah – signed until the end of 2026 - and Shaniece – signed until the end of 2025 - were both key figures for the Bulldogs playing vital roles in the side’s late charge towards the finals a young half with the ability to play hooker She has since ascended through the Club’s pathways system after starting the season in the Tarsha Gale Cup a forward with the ability to play anywhere in the pack was a constant in the Bulldogs’ starting side in her first year at the Club impressing high-performance staff with her work ethic both on and off the field The acquisitions are another nod to the Bulldogs’ proud reputation as The Family Club with the pair also joined by Shaquaylah’s younger sister Lahnayah Daniel having been elevated from the Lisa Fiaola Cup to the Tarsha Gale Cup for 2025 NRLW Head Coach Blake Cavallaro says he is looking forward to overseeing the pair’s development as they continue their ascension alongside one another We have seen over the Club’s proud history how much of an impact family ties have had and it’s really pleasing to see another family sign on for our inaugural NRLW squad “Shaquaylah handled the open-age competition with distinction and she will have a great opportunity to learn her trade under Tayla Preston and Ash Quinlan over the next few years which will be great for her progression in our program “Shaniece has shown plenty of resilience after overcoming injuries to cement a spot in our Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership side and showed plenty of consistency at that level “She has the ability to play both in the middle and out wide which is going to help the balance of our squad and bring further competition for those starting positions.”  which saw the trio relocate from New Zealand Shaniece expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to don the Blue and White at NRLW level “The Bulldogs have offered so much support,” she said “We came here last November and the support they gave to help house us has been incredible They’ve been so amazing and I’m so grateful for the opportunity.”  the chance to play alongside her aunty in the top-grade is what has her excited most for 2025 “We’ve had heaps of support from the Club; access to the facilities we’ve played a heap of home games at Belmore and got to experience the crowds It’s been great at the Bulldogs so far,” she said The possibility of being able to debut alongside each other too The Bulldogs would like to congratulate both Shaniece and Shaquaylah on their elevation into the NRLW squad in 2025 and look forward to their continued progression in the Blue and White for the coming season Senior Pathways Wrap Round 9: Flegg Wallop Roosters Wochenspiegel Team Monschau (WTM Racing) has confirmed a move to collaborate with Phoenix Racing for the 2021 motorsport season with both GT3 and LMP3 programmes the combined squad targeting the LMP3 class in the ELMS and/ or Michelin Le Mans Cup alongside the already announced intention of Phoenix to contest LMP2 in the Asian Le Mans Series and ELMS under their own banner “We are very happy to work with such a professional and renowned team” our goal is to build on our previous successes with the Ferrari 488 GT3 we’re breaking new ground in prototype racing together I think it’s very beneficial to have a successful team like Phoenix Racing by your side I would like to thank our previous partner Rinaldi Racing for the efforts over the past four years Phoenix Racing is has scored victories and championship titles in the Nürburgring 24 Hours with three different brands in the DTM and in other global GT racing series “Of course we know WTM Racing as a strong competitor from our Nordschleife operations,” says Ernst Moser “Georg Weiss and his team showed impressive performances there as a private team with both Porsche and Ferrari We’re really excited to be working with a team that has so many fans WTM Racing will compete with the Ferrari 488 GT3 in international races with entries in various championships currently under evaluation including a return to the Nürburgring-Nordschleife in the 24-hour race and in the Nürburgring endurance series “A lot has happened in the Nürburgring endurance series in the last two years “We look forward to being back on our home track more often.” The team though will add a significant programme in LMP3 to their plans for 2021 with the Duqueine D08 The team is currently evaluating both the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) and the Michelin Le Mans Cup for potential 2021 programmes with Leonard Weiss already confirmed as the first driver “We completed several Track Days this year so I’m looking forward to the season I’m also looking forward to an exciting collaboration with my future team-mate,” says Leonard Weiss Rather ironically they are set to join previous service provider Rinaldi racing in the ELMS/ MLMC paddock here the team began an LMP3 campaign in 20-20 Due to the current uncertainties inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic WTM Racing will announce its complete racing calendar at a later date WTM Racing and Rinaldi Racing have competed in several racing series with two Ferrari 488 GT3s “Luigi” and “Guido” since 2016 with successes including three top 10 finishings in a row at the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring an overall victory in the then VLN endurance championship and several podium places in the 24h series powered by Hankook Georg Weiss (team owner WTM Racing): “Of course concrete planning is difficult in times of pandemics A lot of flexibility is required from everyone We are sure that we will have this with our new partner Phoenix Racing Over the winter we have a few small tasks to solve Ernst Moser (Team Principal Phoenix Racing): “In winter we will thoroughly familiarize ourselves with the Ferrari 488 GT3 and experience the Ferrari myth first hand And we are used to professionally separating the Audi factory engagement from customer assignments “With the LMP3 program we will use our know-how from the DTM a Le Mans prototype and a DTM class 1 car have similar downforce values I am sure that this partnership will be successful Author: © 2023 dailysportscar.com. All Rights Reserved. Link Digital Aris Setya is a photographer and influencer He is an official Huawei Ambassador for Belgium since 2018 His work is mainly as a freelance photographer he went to school for photography in Jakarta Aris Setya can be followed on Instagram and Twitter Monschau is a small town located in the Eifel region of Western Germany you can see beautiful and popular houses with timber frame There is a river that divides the city in 2 and it adds a certain cachet and some fresh air during the hot summer The Red House – Foundation-Scheibler Museum shows the civil living culture between the 18th and 19th centuries Discover the quality and variety of the best top coffees the great-great-grandfather of the Maaßen brothers who operate the roasting house today had already improved the roasting process of selected raw coffees to its finest in 1862 the gentlemen of the Maaßen House have felt committed to this philosophy The hand-picked Arabica coffees are an incomparable pleasure – whether as the whole bean or ground immerse yourself in the world of coffees and discover the difference!You can also visit the famous “Monschau Castle” This 150-year-old brewery welcomes beer lovers from all over the world A must-visit for those who fancy German beer This nearly impregnable fortress of the powerful Jülich Counts was besieged with heavy artillery by Emperor Charles V in 1543 and was ultimately overtaken; the town was looted The castle was only repaired to extend the fortifications of the lower castle the inner courtyard of the castle is the atmospheric scenery for the “Monschau Festival”.  From the smallest mouse up to bears and lions the visitor can undertake an exploratory expedition and experience a tour through our nature as it once was or still is today The Experience Museum Nature Learning Centre exhibits more than 1000 specimens on approximately 200 square metres don’t forget to go to see the city from the higher place: the viewpoint not far from the city center Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website Statistics cookies collect information anonymously This information helps us to understand how our visitors use our website The third round of the 2017 VLN season saw the Ferrari 488 GT3 trio of Georg Weiss Jochen Krumbach and Oliver Kainz holding up their upward trend from the Nürburgring 24 Hours four weeks ago Through clever strategy with team owner Weiss only turning in the final three race laps as well as a fault-free race with fast lap times Wochenspiegel Team Monschau secured its first overall VLN victory “At the beginning of my stint we had about two minutes over our nearest competitor and when I got into the car which very much suits the Ferrari to drive home our victory,” said Georg Weiss after the race “I’m really happy about the win especially since I’ve been racing on the Nordschleife for over ten years and have finally got my first overall win today.” Matthieu Jaminet and Otto Klohs in the Porsche 911 GT3 R from Manthey Racing The 911 crew found themselves in the top group over the entire race distance of the 49th ADAC ACAS H&R Cup losing out on an overall victory by about 50 seconds Unlike the winning Wochenspiegel Ferrari Manthey Racing decided to give Otto Klohs a full eight lap stint which left them with a disadvantage towards the end of the race “I’m satisfied with second place the performance during my stint was quite good I hope we can go to the podium more often in the future the next time we’ll attack will be 6 hour race The Renault RS.01 GT3 of mcchip.dkr showed the most surprising performance of the race holding the provisional pole position for a long time Heiko Hammel and Michele di Martino stayed in contention for the lead throughout the four hour race After crossing the line in third the team was given a time penalty for a yellow flag infringement This enabled Michael Ammermüller and Jeffrey Schmidt to take third place in the Audi R8 LMS from Land-Motorsport so we lost valuable ground on our competitors,” Ammermüller said “Therefore an attack on second place was not possible Fourth place went to the Manthey Racing Porsche of Sven Müller “Steve Smith” and “Randy Walls” Fifth went Markus Schmickler and Kai Riemer in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 from Landgraf Motorsport Alex Lambertz and Claudia Hürtgen were sixth in their BMW Z4 GT3 Marc Gindorf and Christopher Brück were ranked eighth Ninth was the Porsche crew of Mies / Jans / Scheerbarth in front of another 911 duo in Menzel / Lukovnikov The next round of the VLN will take place on July 8th Author: Most of them can be found in these 10 towns rows of these colorful buildings stand closely side by side as a testimony to civic pride and prosperity in times gone by Quedlinburg's old town center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site rows of timber frame houses line the streets like pearls on a necklace Celle boasts more than 500 elaborately restored and historically listed buildings Some of these old houses still have passages to their courtyards through which the town's farmers could bring their harvest Fritzlar's appearance hasn't changed much in the last centuries narrow lanes and intricate details everywhere ice cream parlors and cafes create a tranquil atmosphere The jewel in this Hessian town's crown is the old market square with its glorious ensemble of individually configured timber frame houses Monschau is called the "Pearl of the Eifel" thanks to its rich cultural treasures quaint timber frame houses alternate with magnificent dwellings there are some 300 historically listed buildings The facades along the narrow cobblestone lanes hide small art galleries and boutiques Bernkastel lies nestled between the Moselle and vineyards It was united with Kues on the opposite river bank in 1905 densely built-up lanes lead to the market square which is surrounded by magnificent timber frame buildings Esslingen lies in the Neckar valley and is surrounded by vineyards It boasts more than 200 timber frame houses which date from the 13th to the 16th centuries It also has the oldest connected row of half-timbered houses in Germany former monastic administrative buildings where the cloisters stored their wine Medieval half-timbered houses in all shapes and colors authentically preserved streets and narrow lanes make Tübingen at the edge of the Swabian Jura in southwestern Germany It's a hilly climb from the Neckar River up to Hohentübingen Castle Tübingen's residents are young: About a third of them are university students Rothenburg ob der Tauber epitomizes German romanticism It is arguably the best-known half-timbered town in Germany and convoluted alleyways and timber frame houses the medieval town wall with its 42 gates and towers has been preserved in its entirety There are a whopping 2,400 listed buildings in Bamberg Its medieval center is the largest in Germany to have survived intact and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993 Bamberg's town hall is a popular photographic subject It was built on an artificial island in the middle of the Regnitz River Behind it are rows of small timber frame houses in which fishermen once lived Not far from Hamburg lies the half-timbered town of Stade it is located on the German Timber Frame Route It covers a total of 3,500 kilometers (2,174 miles) and runs from the Elbe River in the north to Lake Constance in the south The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are pleased to announce the signing of rugby test player Moana Courtenay to the Club’s inaugural NRLW squad for the 2025 season Arriving to the 13-a-side game with an impressive résumé Courtenay has extensive experience which has seen her represent Tonga in both the 15s and 7s formats while playing in the North Harbour Hibiscus’ Farah-Palmer Cup side as well as for Penina Pasifika The 24-year-old is yet another proud New Zealander who will join the Bulldogs in the Club’s very first NRLW campaign alongside fellow Kiwis Alexis Tauaneai Shaquaylah Mahakitau-Monschau and Shaniece Monschau NRLW Head Coach Blake Cavallaro believes Courtenay represents the next generation of players looking to make the transition to rugby league “Moana has shown her talents in rugby and I’m very excited to work alongside her as she makes the leap to rugby league in Bulldogs colours,” he said “She has impressed in the outside backs in rugby and I’m looking forward to see how she transfers her skillset into the NRLW There are a number of ways we can implement her style of play into the side and she will join the rest of the squad as a pioneer ahead of this Club’s historic 2025 season The Bulldogs congratulate Moana on her achievement and look forward to welcoming her to the Club for the 2025 pre-season Rinaldi Racing will race a Ferrari 488 GT3 in the VLN and at the Nürburgring 24 Hours this year as Wochenspiegel Team Monschau Driving the team’s 488 in the Nürburgring-based programme will be Georg Weiß Oliver Kainz and Jochen Krumbach with Mike Stursberg set to support the trio at select rounds It marks the team’s return to the VLN after racing in VLN 8 last year It will race in SP9 in the Pro-Am class as #22 It’s also an additional effort to its previously announced full Blancpain GT programme “VLN 8 was a very good test for everybody There the drivers adapted themselves to the car very well and managed the car at the first attempt Therefore that they have never been behind the steering wheel of the Ferrari 488 GT3 it was a successful result for the whole team,” said team principal Michele Rinaldi In the VLN Wochenspiegel Team Monschau will also run a Porsche Cayman 981 Clubsport GT4 in the SP10 class with Rene Offermann and Dirk Riebensahm Previously the Wochenspiegel brand was associated with Manthey Racing which competed in both the VLN and N24 with a GT3 Porsche in SP9 Wochenspiegel Team Monschau also plan to participate in the 24 hours Series from Creventic at the end of August “We are very pleased to work together with the Wochenspiegel Team Monschau,” added Rinaldi “It will be a challenge for everybody The driver lineup around Georg Weiß is promising and we will see where we will be ranked in the new Pro-Am class Many thanks to Georg Weiß to trust in Ferrari and in Rinaldi Racing for the 2017 VLN season.” Ferrari entries in the Nurburgring 24 Hours have been thus far notable for their rarity Farnbacher Racing competed in 2010 and 2011 Hankook backed cars the GT2 spec F430 GTC (above) winning SP7 in 2010 and finishing second overall the replacement F458 GTC taking an SP8 class win the following year after setting pole position in the hands of Allan Simonsen eighth overall after a suspension issue dropped them out of a potentially race winning position More recently Rinaldi fielded a GT3 version of the 458 before the GT Corse by Rinaldi branded entry retiring late in the race Mention too should go to the efforts of Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus with its P4/5 which has raced in the 24 Hours three times,with a best finish of 12th overall in 2012 Author: , .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Justin Engel | MLive 2013View full sizeSean MonschauELBA TWP -- A 39-year-old man who died of an "accidental shooting" while duck hunting in the Thumb was killed by his 10-year-old son Sean Monschau of Elba Township died Thursday morning when his son accidentally fired at Monschau with a shotgun while the two were at Fish Point State Wildlife Area in Unionville State police with the Caro Post report the shooting was accidental "He was an awesome dad and a wonderful husband and he was just a very good person," Monschau's wife She said her husband and son began hunting together this year for the first time who also leaves behind a 9-year-old daughter was a FedEx employee and a 1990 graduate of Lapeer East High School Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and 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All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices Volume 11 - 2023 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2023.1278910 Non-typhoidal Salmonella infections (NTSI) can cause bacterial diarrhea mostly leading to self-limiting gastroenteritis As transmission is most commonly foodborne infection is rare in the breast- or bottle-fed very young in newborns and infants especially: Contact with reptiles and amphibians We describe infection with Salmonella enterica subsp on the next morning deterioration was dramatic Gram-negative sepsis was documented on day 2 His case prompted a review of published instances of reptile- and amphibian-associated salmonellosis (RAAS) Monschaui infection with exposure to reptiles and amphibians prompted inquiry into household pets The parents had kept bearded dragons (Pogona sp.) the last of which died two weeks before the patient was born; confirmation of colonization with S Among 63 reports (−5,000 cases) of RAAS or S and 53 were original articles with −5,000 cases; vectors included turtles but its incidence recently has risen due to the increased popularity of reptiles and amphibians as non-traditional pets posing a risk particularly to infants and other vulnerable persons Risk mitigation requires that those bringing such pets into the home be informed of dangers associated with reptile and amphibian contact; that those selling reptiles and amphibians be mandated to inform customers comprehensively may be in order Non-typhoidal Salmonella infections (NTSI) are a common cause of bacterial diarrhea (1, 2). In most cases, NTSI lead to a self-limiting gastroenteritis; however, in populations such as the immunocompromised, the elderly, and infants, NTSI can have severe complications. Most transmission is foodborne, particularly via undercooked or un-cooked meat and eggs. This is why, in general, the infection rate increases after the first year of life (3) Another route is increasingly implicated in newborns and infants: Contact with reptiles and amphibians born at 38 wk gestation (birth weight 3,360 g/50th percentile) brought him to our pediatric emergency department because he had become irritable He had been weaned from the breast one week before The boy appeared generally well on initial examination Repeated examination again found no abnormalities analyzed by point-of-care-testing (HORIBA EU Group companies Microsemi CRP) revealed as sole finding of note a leukopenia (3,200/µl the C-reactive protein (CRP) value was unremarkable at 0.5 mg/dl (expected 0–0.5 mg/dl) Leukopenia and the parents' report of apnea with cyanosis prompted hospital admission during the late evening On the morning following admission, in suspicion of a late-onset sepsis, we commenced a comprehensive diagnostic assessment (Figure 1) and established venous access. Blood studies revealed biomarker values indicative of inflammation (Figure 2) and the blood counts were as follows: 4,900/µl for white blood cells AGES (Austrian Health and Food Safety Agency) Principial lab results and therapy-timeline CRP (C-reactive protein) expected 0–0 IL-6 (interleukin-6) expected 0–50 ng/L PcT (procalcitonin) expected 0–0.5 µg/L with negative results for leukocyte esterase and glucose levels were within the normal range revealing clear cerebrospinal fluid with the following chemical results: glucose 59 mg/dl We suspected a late-onset sepsis, urosepsis or meningitis. An empiric antibiotic therapy was initiated immediately following the diagnostic procedures (see Figure 2) The antibiotic selection was based on our patient's age and the potential spectrum of microorganisms We decided to use cefotaxime as broad-spectrum antibiotic and to close potential gaps with ampicillin (Gram-positive spectrum especially Enterococci) and gentamicin (Listeria monocytogenes) Gram-negative sepsis was documented on hospital day 2 when rod-shaped bacteria Time to positivity was 8.42 h and the sample was subsequently sent to the Austrian Salmonella reference laboratory for further analysis and serotyping (Austrian Health and Food Safety Agency Legal requirements prompted us to report the infection to the health authorities. Simultaneously, fecal samples were collected from the parents and our patient. Pathogenic microorganisms, particularly Salmonellae, were not detected in the fecal samples from the parents. However, Salmonellae were subsequently detected in our patient's stool (see Figure 1) with no other pathogenic microorganisms identified Serotyping of stool samples was not performed we decided to continue the dual antibiotic therapy for a total duration of three weeks The patient responded well to treatment and recovered rapidly and showed only mild indications of gastrointestinal distress Abdominal sonography found only intraluminal bowel gas in possibly excessive quantities Cerebral sonography and electroencephalography at the end of antibiotic therapy found no abnormalities; neurologic status and overall condition were unremarkable was no longer detectable in feces on the day of discharge or in a follow-up specimen 2 week later The route of infection was obscure for some time was found neither in parental feces nor in the formula milk given the patient The formula milk was analyzed before by the Austrian Health and Food Safety Agency The parents denied feeding the patient meat or dairy products The solution came only with the result from the reference laboratory. The sample was serotyped using the White-Kauffmann-Le Minor Schema and revealed a Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica ser. Monschaui (35:m, t:-). S. Monschaui is a rare infective agent and is associated with exposure to reptiles and amphibians (8) although they had no pets when their son fell ill the father before had earlier kept goliath spiders and most recently two bearded dragons (Pogona sp) the second 2 week before the patient was born and their bodies had been discarded (making them not available for further analyses) Thereafter the father had disinfected all accessible surfaces of the apartment and sterilized the terrarium and its decorations with boiling water Given that the parents had previously owned bearded dragons which is primarily associated with reptiles the fact that the infant formula was pathogen-free and the negative stool samples from the parents implicated fomitic transmission from a colonized surface to the infant further check-ups could be carried out by the pediatrician in the outpatient setting after discharge the patient was hospitalized for assessment of gastroesophageal reflux disease with age-appropriate developmental and neurologic status was intermittently detected in fecal samples (further serotyping was not performed) during his first postnatal year but not thereafter: After the first year of life several consecutive stool samples had remained free from Salmonella in an excellent general state of health and with an age-appropriate neurological development No instance of a newborn infant infected by Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica ser. Monschaui transmitted from bearded dragons was discovered in a computerized search of PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) and Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.com/) using the terms “reptile- and amphibian-associated salmonellosis” “reptile associated salmonellosis” “amphibian associated salmonellosis” “reptile-associated salmonellosis” and “Salmonella Monschaui” Newborns infected by S. Oranienburg (9) and S. Apapa (10) transmitted by indirect or direct domestic contact with bearded dragons are reported, as are instances of infections with other Salmonellae, transmitted from other reptiles such as snakes, in newborns or young infants (3, 8) Contact with reptiles still appears rarely recognized and/or underestimated as a mode of infection in newborn sepsis It is essential that parents and caregivers be aware of this risk In both adults and children, non-typhoidal Salmonellae (NTS) transmission is commonly feco-oral via contaminated food (12). However, −11% of all NTS infections are associated with animal contact (20), with transmission via claw scratches or bites (21). Between 2009 and 2018, 1.465 reported cases of RAAS in the United State led to 306 hospitalizations (22, 23) RAAS can affect anyone, but members of certain groups are particularly vulnerable to severe clinical courses. These high-risk groups include those aged <5year, those aged >65year, the immunocompromised, and the pregnant (15) Of note is that the father of our patient was not aware of the risk of salmonellosis associated with reptiles despite owning several NTPs for many years This emphasizes that vendors of such pets must be required to inform purchasers of disease risks and to warn that the pets should remain terrarium confined Fomite transmission from a colonized surface to the infant is the most likely route of transmission; however we couldn't obtain conclusive evidence for this probable theory since the previously deceased bearded dragons had already been disposed and were The results of the subsequent fecal cultures were not available to us after discharge which is why we can only provide anamnestic data regarding the further course during the first year of life Its increasing incidence has been linked to increasing popularity of NTPs NTSI usually result in self-limiting gastroenteritis but people in certain groups may experience severe complications and initiation of empirical antibiotic therapy should not be delayed RAAS poses a significant and often underestimated risk That parents (or prospective parents) be aware of this potential danger is essential NTP vendors should be mandated to provide comprehensive risk information to customers to ensure public awareness and safety The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/Supplementary Material further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author Ethical approval was not required for this retrospective case report in accordance with the local legislation and institutional requirements The medical interventions were conducted in accordance with the local legislation and institutional requirements Written informed consent was obtained from the participant/patient(s) for the publication of this case report NG: Writing – review & editing AB: Writing – review & editing The author(s) declare that no financial support was received for the research We thank all those who were involved in patient care We thank all the collaborating institutions inter alia: Central institute for medical and chemical laboratory diagnostics (ZIMCL) Institute of hygiene and medical microbiology The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher Salmonella genomics in public health and food safety 2. Fact sheet: Salmonella (non-typhoidal). World Health Organization. 2018. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/salmonella-(non-typhoidal) (Cited 2023) Reptilien-assoziierte salmonelleninfektionen bei säuglingen und kleinkindern in deutschland CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Guideline for urine culture and biochemical identification of bacterial urinary pathogens in low-resource settings and outcome of Salmonella meningitis in children under one year of age in Taiwan Invasive non-typhoidal salmonellosis in immunocompetent infants and children Salmonelová enteritida u kojence jako následek neprímého kontaktu s plazy Neugeborenensepsis durch Salmonella apapa nach reptilienkontakt im haushalt [neonatal infection with Salmonella apapa after contact with a reptile in the home] Survival and death kinetics of Salmonella strains at low relative humidity Persistent infection and long-term carriage of typhoidal and nontyphoidal salmonellae PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Nontyphoid salmonella infection: microbiology PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar A review of zoonotic disease threats to pet owners: a compendium of measures to prevent zoonotic diseases associated with non-traditional pets: rodents and other small mammals Hospital incidence and mortality rates of sepsis Delayed antimicrobial therapy increases mortality and organ dysfunction duration in pediatric sepsis Unusual meningitis caused by non-typhoid Salmonella in an Italian infant: a case report Méningites dues à Salmonella au CHU de Ouagadougou Burkina Faso (2000-2004) [Salmonella meningitis in Ouagadougou Estimates of enteric illness attributable to contact with animals and their environments in the United States PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Multistate reptile- and amphibian-associated salmonellosis outbreaks in humans A review of Salmonella and squamates (lizards snakes and amphisbians): implications for public health Recent multistate outbreaks of human salmonella infections acquired from turtles: a continuing public health challenge Effect of regulation and education on reptile-associated salmonellosis Human salmonellosis associated with exotic pets Salmonella enterica in reptiles of German and Austrian origin PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Increase in reptile-associated human salmonellosis and shift toward adulthood in the age groups at risk doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2016.21.34.30324 Reptile-associated salmonellosis in children aged under 5 years in south West England Surveys on exposure to reptile-associated salmonellosis (RAS) in the piedmont region-Italy Outbreak of human infections with uncommon Salmonella serotypes linked to pet bearded dragons 33. 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This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited in accordance with accepted academic practice distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms *Correspondence: Benoît Bernar YmVub2l0LmJlcm5hckBpLW1lZC5hYy5hdA== agentur für gesundheit und ernährungssicherheit (Austrian health and food safety agency); CDC centers for disease control and prevention; CRP reptile- and amphibian-associated salmonellosis; RKI Robert Koch-institut (Robert Koch institute); S Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher 94% of researchers rate our articles as excellent or goodLearn more about the work of our research integrity team to safeguard the quality of each article we publish This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page diggers and volunteers try to clear mud and ruined belongings from wrecked homes and businesses A brown line one and a half metres high on the kitchen wall marks where the waters reached when Christian Ulrich’s house was inundated The electrician stands amid the mud-splattered walls and his voice breaks as he recalls how he had barely enough time after the warning came to reach the cellar to get food and water and send his mother up the stairs He had just managed to let in the neighbours who had banged on the door for help when there was an “almighty crash – like an explosion” as a huge wave of water rolled in from the back and front of the house so strong it pushed out the front door and many of the windows Rubbish and destroyed furnishings are piled up in front of the old city wall Eight days on thanks to a man on a mechanical digger outside on Bachemer Strasse who has spent the last few days on the street clearing the rubble from Ulrich’s family home and others but he says the smelly heap is now only a fraction of the height it was But we are saddened that there has so far been very little official help,” he says where Ulrich’s mother is trying to recover from the trauma Volunteers carry mud from a physiotherapy practice into the street via bucket chain while a helper takes a break who is operating the digger – lent by a landscaping company – with an efficient calm His son Jonas is in an adjacent street doing the same knowing we had skills they might need,” says the self-employed builder A similar scenario is playing out in thousands of homes across this spa town in Rhineland-Palatinate state – all of which are without running water or gas – and in turn in scores of towns and villages across the region A further 766 were injured and 155 people remain missing lines of mud-coated volunteers scoop the gunge from cellars and ground floors in buckets and pass them on The last in the chain dumps the mud in the street Many punctuate the work with a joke or a song are clearing the cellar of a physiotherapy practice on Ahrhutstrasse The youngest helper spotted is seven-year-old Eno who alongside many others is pushing a shovel into the thick sticky grey mud which has to be watered down to stop it from clogging the drains Hartmut Schönhöfer is busy stripping the plaster from the walls of the picturesque 18th-century Marktbrunnen (market fountain) pub had spent the best part of lockdown painstaking renovating Maike Sperlich helps to load rubbish from the houses into containers and trucks “When the waters came it was like pinball as it seemed to come from all over the place and really fast,” he says “None of us died – for that we’re grateful,” he adds “But our tragedy is that we had put €300,000 net (£256,000) into the renovation and we’ll need another €150,000-€200,000 to restore it now But we have no elemental damage insurance [to cover storms and severe weather] It was just not available.” The story is repeated in homes and businesses across the town Above: A helper removes mud from a residential building At Dr von Ehrenwall’s clinic for psychiatry and neurology delegates jobs to staff who have gathered to help with the cleanup About 150 patients had to be moved to the top floors where they stayed the night before being evacuated to a makeshift shelter in a Haribo sweet factory on a strolling promenade popular with rich weekenders from Frankfurt the Förtsches are sorting through the remains of their antique shop take this as a souvenir,” Udo Förtsch half jokes picking up a mud-smeared Marc Chagall print His wife Uschi washes down some brass statues and a glass vase and places them in a plastic box But more or less all the rest of their €150,000 of stock is destroyed Above and right: a helper distributes home-baked cake Far right: Helpers are treated to free bratwursts and chips They are not insured either “We planned to retire in a couple of years A fellow shop owner comes to tell them that their landlord’s 18-year-old daughter was drowned as she tried to get the car out of the garage as the waters came “We are the lucky ones,” Uschi Förtsch says the curtains of the five-star Steigenberger hotel flap in the wind The windows were smashed by the force of the water their frames buckling along with the pipes and lamp-posts outside cutlery and champagne buckets are scattered across the floor A Peugeot has been flung against the hotel terrace “It’s like Bosnia after the war,” says Tim from a Gummersbach firm specialising in construction cleanups who has just arrived and is surveying the scene from the banks of the brown and his helper Johannes Ehmer shovel mud from his grandfather’s grave Above: destroyed and silted graves in the cemetery In the Ahrweiler district a non-stop column of trucks and tractors one of four gates in the old town’s ancient wall and queue up to tip seemingly unending loads of the mud-drenched contents of homes and businesses – washing machines A digger operator is tasked with compressing the mound as much as possible and loading it onto trucks which are transporting it to incinerators across Germany and the Netherlands Spotting a red carpet from a hotel or restaurant in the waste he picks it up in the teeth of his excavator bucket and waves it at his fellow workers offering a brief moment of levity amid the misery The efficiency of the operation is fine-tuned to the extent that lorry maintenance engineers are on hand to offer repairs for everything from tyre punctures to loose screws The Auths have driven their “Brat King” (Grill King) catering truck the 160 miles from Fulda stocked with thousands of sausages and other donations from butchers tuck into a currywurst and chips as they take a break from cleaning up Lily recalls leaving work early after a flood warning came late on the night of Wednesday 14 July and driving on the bridge over the river Ahr towards home “I swear I could feel it shifting,” she says Several cars were on it when it subsequently collapsed “I think if I’d been 15 minutes later I might have been swept away.” She points to the bridge An excavator trying to clear the rubble around it has just toppled over into the fast-flowing water though luckily the fire brigade managed to drive the vehicles out in time Cars and a van are tossed among broken gravestones and there is hardly a blade of grass in sight Benjamin Monschau tends to the grave of his grandfather Erich he’s trying to free the rest from the mass of sticky mud “I didn’t want to let my grandmother see it like this,” he says Masks are worn here primarily to protect from mud A muddy handprint has become a hallmark of the cleanup effort Elisabeth Parschau has placed two of hers on the front of her boyfriend’s T-shirt and to hope it keeps coming – the town will need a lot of help in the coming months,” she says She is sitting playing her piano flanked by two water tanks delivered earlier by the army outside their house with its bucolic courtyard laced with grapevines Elisabeth Parschaun plays her ruined piano in the street But before it’s carted away with the rest of the debris she has chalked the invitation “Spiel mich” – play me – on it Residents and rescue workers in need of a respite have been readily taking up the offer The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are proud to announce the Club’s inaugural 24-player NRLW squad who will make their Premiership debut on Friday The Bulldogs’ squad features a strong balance of NRLW mainstays headlined by Holli Wheeler and Tayla Preston a three-time NRLW Grand Finalist and representative at both State and International level brings a wealth of experience to a fledgling side looking to bring further success to Belmore Wheeler is a hard-working forward that inspires through her actions on and off the field Preston – who comes from a Bulldogs mad family – has been a staple of the NRLW since her debut Preston steered Parramatta to the 2022 decider before guiding the Sharks in the 2024 Grand Final alongside Wheeler The Bulldog pedigree enters a new era with Tongan representative duo and 2024 NRLW Grand Final opponents Tegan Dymock and Kalosipani Hopoate whose father Jim claimed the Clive Churchill Medal in the 1995 Premiership win arrives via a Grand Final appearance for Cronulla whose brother Will played 124 NRL matches as a Bulldog from 2016-2021 comes off a Premiership-winning campaign with the Sydney Roosters Ebony Prior (Tigers) and Maatuleio Fotu-Moala (Dragons) also arrive to continue their NRLW careers having recently debuted in the women’s top-tier competition Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa and Ashleigh Quinlan arrive following personal best seasons in the NRLW culminating in appearances in the 2024 Pacific Championships Final adding a touch of class and tenacity to the squad Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership co-captains Sarahcen Oliver and Latisha Smythe make the step up alongside aunty-niece duo Shaniece Monschau and Shaquaylah Mahakitau-Monschau as fellow graduates through the Club’s Pathways program That list also includes teammates and Tongan representatives Paea Uilou and Shannon Muru who further add starch to an already impressive pack of forwards Hope Millard and Pauline Suli-Ruka will be pushing for NRLW debuts with the latter two having impressive resumes in the female pathways space Local junior Anneka Wilson returns to the Club having represented in the lower grades Tongan rugby international Moana Courtenay rounds off the squad looking to become the latest in a number of converts to make the jump to the 13-a-side code two spots remains in the Club’s Top 24 squad the 2024 Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership Player of the Year a Women’s State of Origin Under 19s representative Alexis Tauaneai Andie Robinson Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa Anneka Wilson Ashleigh Quinlan Bridget Hoy Ebony Prior Elizabeth MacGregor Holli Wheeler Hope Millard Kalosipani Hopoate Latisha Smythe Maatuleio Fotu-Moala Moana Courtenay Paea Uilou Pauline Suli-Ruka Sarahcen Oliver Shaniece Monschau Shannon Muru Shaquaylah Mahakitau-Monschau Tayla Preston Tegan Dymock  selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter Coffee and desserts at The River Cafe Cafe When: 9am-10pm Click: rivercafe.co.uk The River Cafe has been serving simple, elegant Italian food from Thames Wharf since 1987; this month sees it expand its remit for the first time since it opened. The River Cafe Cafe will sit next to the restaurant in what was once the office of the architect Richard Rogers (the late husband of the Cafe’s co-founder They will offer a lower-key menu of coffee and brioche in the morning mozzarella and seasonal vegetables at lunch Orlebar Brown’s 34-piece summer capsule collection collaboration with La DoubleJ Priced: from £130 Click: orlebarbrown.com British brand Orlebar Brown joins forces with JJ Martin’s maximalist label La DoubleJ for its first women’s fashion collaboration The 34-piece summer capsule includes swimwear all in a mood-boosting colour palette with motifs inspired by Italian summertime by Louise Bourgeois When: 21 June to 15 September Click: galleriaborghese.beniculturali.it  Rome’s Galleria Borghese will open its first exhibition dedicated to a contemporary female artist this month including disembodied marble limbs and one of her famous spiders will be shown throughout the 17th-century villa and its gardens which enchanted the artist when she first visited the city in 1967 The Folio Society edition of Slouching Towards Bethlehem Click: foliosociety.com Slouching Towards Bethlehem, Joan Didion’s 1968 book famously explores hippie counter-culture in San Francisco the failure of the dream promised by California and what John Wayne meant to America An illustrated edition is now being published by The Folio Society posters and photographs from the era curated by Didion’s friend The Secret Sea Cove table in Pescadero © Katie Katz Courtesy of Outstanding in the FieldWhen: 6 June Click: outstandinginthefield.com Dinner entertainment could come in the form of pelican- or whale-watching Cos x Tabata Shibori capsule collection When: from 5 June Click: cos.com folding and twisting cloth to create intricate indigo patterns is one of the oldest dyeing techniques in Japan Now one of Kyoto’s last artisans dedicated to the ancient craft is collaborating with the London-based retailer Cos on a limited-edition capsule collection sees Kazuki Tabata’s vibrant whorls of blue orange and brown transposed onto pieces such as silk scarves recycled polyester shorts and pleated midi dresses by Isabelle Wenzel © Isabelle WenzelWhen: until 15 September Click: kuk-monschau.de A new group exhibition at the Fotografie-Forum in the German town of Monschau explores the history of fashion photography, spanning the earliest images of noblewomen in the 19th century to experimental contemporary work. The show features work by Martin Parr whose new book Fashion Faux Parr collects his fashion imagery; Isabelle Wenzel best known for her surrealist self-timer images; and reportage scenes from Alex Webb Monet’s Salle a Manger Jaune, 2021, by Mickalene Thomas © Mickalene ThomasWhat: Mickalene Thomas: All About Love ($60, artbook.com) Where: the accompany exhibition at The Broad Mickalene Thomas’s mixed-media portraits of Black women 12ft technicolour paintings and nude prints glittering with rhinestones are a highlight of a retrospective covering the past 20 years of the American artist’s work which opened at LA’s The Broad museum last month which will then travel to Philadelphia and then London is titled All About Love in reference to bell hooks’ seminal book on the subject Tiffany Titan by Pharrell Williams gold and diamond clasp bracelet Click: tiffany.com producer and Louis Vuitton men’s creative director Pharrell Williams looked to ancient Greece when designing his Titan collaboration with Tiffany & Co king of Atlantis,” he says – and the collection pays tribute to the god’s trident with black-titanium necklaces and bracelets that menace with spikes and gold earrings with diamonds set with the points facing outwards Eileen Agar, photographed by Orde Eliason in Holland Park, 1988 © Orde EliasonWhat: A Look at My Life by Eileen Agar (£35, Thames & Hudson) Where: a simultaneous exhibition at Redfern Gallery The surrealist painter Eileen Agar was one of the few women to show alongside artists such as Dalí spent a summer in the south of France with Picasso dated Paul Nash and studied with Henry Moore she committed her story to paper – and it’s now being republished after 30 years out of print coinciding with an exhibition of unseen Agar works at the Redfern Gallery on Cork Street Proenza Schouler’s reimagining of the Vans slip-on sneaker in ecru Priced: from £180 Click: proenzaschouler.com When New York label Proenza Schouler first collaborated with Birkenstock in 2020, they turned the prosaic sandal into a cult fashion item. Now the duo have turned their minds to Vans reimagining the skate brand’s classic slip-on sneaker into a minimalist leather shoe The style features an inflated collar and comes in black Click: theparakeetpub.com, bouchonracine.com which provides medical aid to Palestinians Yellow and Turquoise) Precipitating Magenta by Bridget Riley © Courtesy of Tanya Baxter ContemporaryWhen: 26-29 June Click: eyeofthecollector.com the Grade II-listed Garrison Chapel at Chelsea Barracks The fair will display works from notable artists such as Lucian Freud and Bridget Riley as well as rediscovered figures like the 20th-century avant-garde painter Mildred Bendall and the Belgian painter and watercolourist Alice Frey Skateboards by Jules de Balincourt at Hôtel de Crillon © Daniil LavrovskiWhen: 18 June to 14 September This July will see skateboarders compete for Olympic gold inside a giant bowl set up on Paris’s Place de la Concorde Overlooking the events is the Hôtel de Crillon where guests can find a tribute to the sport in the form of skateboard installations by artists including Cindy Sherman A special edition designed by French artist Inès Longevial will also be on sale with 10 per cent of sales benefitting charity projects part of The Dover’s Sunday Lunch Club When: 16 June Click: thedoverrestaurant.com the Italian-American-style restaurant in Mayfair is introducing a new monthly Sunday lunch club the lunch will begin with an aperitif and green olives grissini and 36-month aged parmesan at the bar Lunch can be served in individual portions or family-style: tortellini in Brodo beef arrosto – The Dover’s twist on an English roast – or spaghetti and meatballs Dessert is a huge silver platter of vanilla gelato wheeled into the dining room to be served with hot chocolate sauce and Borsci liqueur Click: wolf1834.com are celebrating 190 years of production with a new edition of the Ballet Box first imagined in the 1950s by Philip Wolf III Crafted from walnut with an embroidered blue lining the box comes with two interchangeable ballerinas who twirl to the tune of Swan Lake Bella Freud china Postmodern and Love is the Drug plate set Click: bellafreud.com Bella Freud’s new collection of china tableware featuring six dinner and side plates and a jug invites you to label your dinner guests via their place settings Sets of plates also include her famous mantra “Ginsburg is God” Click: torredelleartibellagio.it Nancy Cadogan has been drawing around Lake Como for more than 20 years “It doesn’t surprise me that the Romantics were so moved by the lake,” the British painter  says of the area which was also beloved of Percy and Mary Shelley and Lord Bryon in the early 19th century “It has the capacity to relieve the individual of themselves.” In her latest works which can be seen in situ at the Torre delle Arti Bellagio cultural centre she considers not only the dramatic scenery of Como but its historic role as a muse The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have jumped to eight points and fourth on the ladder after a healthy 34-14 win over Parramatta Eels in Round 6 and are now preparing to face the Central Coast Roosters Head Coach Blake Cavallaro has kept his 1-17 after an impressive performance against the Eels on Sunday Centre and Co-Captain Sarahcen Oliver and winger Abigayle Sekitoga proved lethal on the outside edge each bagging a double in the Eels clash Elisiva Felila and Shannon Muru also added bite from the forward pack With Shaquaylah Mahikitau-Monschau and Olivia Vaalele starting to form a strong combination in the halves the squad will be seeking their fifth win of the season when they face the Central Coast side this Sunday NRL Round 10 Team News: Top of the Table Clash NRL Round 9 Team News: A Titanic Magic Round "He loved his family first and hunting second — Sean was an amazing father and an amazing husband," his obituary reads Manchester’s 2024 Varsity Boys Soccer Team at Jonesville last Monday Last Monday Manchester Boys Soccer played at Jonesville Manchester also was victorious over Michigan Center last Wednesday 5–2 Manchester for the win at Michigan Center Thursday Manchester suffered a tough loss to Hillsdale Today’s game will be at home against Leslie Wednesday they will play Grass Lake in Grass Lake and Thursday they will play Lenawee Christian here in Manchester Wesley Earhart goes for the ball at last Wednesday’s game against Michigan Center Manchester defeated Michigan Center last Wednesday at Michigan Center Manchester’s Jesse Sangster goes for the kick in last Thursday’s game against Hillsdale Philip Monschau Johnson and a Hillsdale player last Thursday at home by Sara Swanson writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Harvey Norman Women’s team will face the Wentworthville Magpies this Sunday in Round 4 After a demanding encounter against the St George Dragons last week the Bulldogs will be looking to bounce back this Sunday Sarahcen Oliver and Latisha Smythe will look to steer the side back to the winners circle in what promises to be a tough encounter against the current competition leaders Five-Eighth Shaquaylah Mahakitau-Monschau will look to continue her strong attacking form after scoring a try and making three line breaks last week The women’s team will kick-off at 11:15am AEST on Sunday Editor's note: Following is the full text of the remarks of Brig 14 commemoration at the Galleria mall in Middletown on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge was cold and quiet along the Ardennes Front the “Ghost Front.” From Monschau in the north The lion was prowling behind the German lines the Allied generals far behind the lines refused to accept any intelligence that in any way indicated the immediacy of a German attack In Echternach in Luxembourg a single rifle company garrisoned the town No one saw any activity from the enemy across the Sauer River the 4th Infantry Division was holding the line while it licked its wounds after suffering 7,500 in losses during the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest To the north of the 4th Infantry Division was one Combat Command of the 9th Armored — just arrived in Europe and stationed on the “Ghost Front.” Sent for experience in anticipated skirmishes to gain some easy combat experience before being totally committed in combat the lines were taken over by the 28th Infantry Division also recovering from heavy fighting in the Hurtgen At Vianden an observation post manned by 37 GIs who earlier had accepted the surrender of a German sergeant who warned them that “The Germans come tonight The Germans come tonight!” The 28th’s positions continued north for another 22 or 23 miles the “Golden Lions” had taken over from the 2nd Infantry Division only two days before who was very concerned by the fact that the entire division was occupying the Schnee Eiffel a salient thrust deep into the German lines and imminently in danger of being cut off and isolated he was defending five miles of the seven-mile width of the Losheim Gap with the 14th Cavalry Group troops left to him when he relieved the 2nd General Jones had good reason to be concerned He was positioned beside the route the Germans had used to invade France in 1860 he could be cut off and isolated from the Allied lines and in the final two miles of the Gap there wasn’t a single tank or Allied foxhole at that point VIII Corp’s lines ended and V Corp’s began and a corridor through the lines of the 99th Division where the 2nd Division was attempting to penetrate the Seigfried Line through a two mile gap in the 99th’s lines that massive German movements had been observed he sent the information on to General Hodges despite the fact that his own Intelligence Officer had stated unequivocally that the Germans were about to attack through the Ardennes but Hodges’ staff recommended ignoring Dickson’s warnings the G2 announced that “it is now certain that attrition is steadily sapping the strength of German forces on the Western front.” Eisenhower’s G2 issued a report that the German forces were all but finished chimed in with a flat statement that the Germans “cannot stage major offensive operations,” and asked if he couldn’t have a few days of R&R in England and to the east some 250,000 Wehrmacht infantry and SS were moving up quietly over straw covered roads the German High Command was planning Wacht am Rhein German shells began raining down on the forward American positions in the Ardennes Now the Supreme Command finally realized their blindness and reinforcements were dispatched to support the troops trying desperately to stem the German attack General Bradley ordered the 10th Armored to Bastogne and placed the 7th Armored under General Middleton’s command in the IIIrd Corps while Eisenhower agreed to the shift of the XVIIIth Airborne Corps to the Ardennes as well The American forces fought heroically to stem the German tide and although the Germans managed to break through in some areas they did manage to drive through the 106th lines in some areas capturing among others the crossroads at Baugnez and there captured troops of the American 385th Field Artillery Observation Battalion together with other POWs who had been forced to surrender were murdered by SS troops of the 1st SS Panzer Division commanded by SS Standartenführer Joachim “Jochen” Peiper in the action referred to as "the massacre at Malmedy." elements of the 101st Airborne began to arrive in Bastogne and by the 21st III Corps of the 3rd Army began a drive to relieve Bastogne But when on the 22nd Germans demanded its surrender Brigadier General McAuliffe made his historical response History records that as “Nuts,” but many of us insist that his actual response was a suggestion to perform a biologically difficult On Christmas morning the weather finally cleared and American air attacks on the Germans and accurate supply drops to the Americans signaled the beginning of the end By the 4th of January the last major attack of the Ardennes was launched by Wehrmacht General von Manteuffel and American resistance throughout the area began driving the German forces back signaling the total failure of the Germans to break through to the Channel and create massive nightmares in the resupply and reinforcement of the Allied forces marked the final Allied nail in Hitler’s coffin The troops destroyed in the Ardennes had been the German reserve intended to defend against the Allied crossing of the Rhine it has been said that this was one of the most decisive battles of the Second World War Allied troops on the Western front were finally able to carry the war on to German soil 3rd Army troops were able to drive from the German border before turning south to finally meet the advancing Russian troops in Czechoslovakia and Austria 3rd Army troops liberated the first concentration encountered on the ground in the snow and freezing temperatures of the Ardennes Forest winter the Battle of the Bulge is fought with blank ammo by reenactors at Fort Indiantown Gap and by other reenactment groups around the country The Indiantown Gap reenactment is a long-running annual program and a heck of a lot less dangerous than the real thing Some places stand as monuments to recovery others inspire our readers with their beauty – or the wisdom of the ancients and each took turns to descend to the orchestra and read from Sophocles or Euripides – among the wisest writers of all time It’s been a turbulent 10 years for Greece and for us When the dust has settled it would be good to revisit and remind ourselves of some of the eternal wisdoms and pleasures.Mary O’Keeffe Christchurch Cathedral, part-destroyed in the 2011 earthquake. Photograph: Paul Kennedy/AlamyIn 2013 I visited Christchurch, a city slowly emerging from the crisis of the 2011 earthquakes Things appeared normal until you noticed the cracks The spray paint from the rescue teams was still visible on shops; the empty white chairs and the beautiful cathedral was fenced off in disrepair But the vibrant Re:start mall and its indie shops Lego-adorned coffee cabins and rainbow flowerpots were the first signs of the resilience of this bohemian city In a time where we need to focus on recovery and a brighter future I look forward to seeing what Christchurch becomes.Anna Kennett Photograph: AlamySainte-Marine We rented a cottage about 500 metres from the sea and 750 metres from the village centre a patisserie and lots of fabulous harbour-front restaurants where you can sip a glass of local cider gorge on moules et frites and people-watch to your heart’s content with amazing walks around the coast.Trish Every week we ask our readers for recommendations from their travels. A selection of tips will be featured online and may appear in print. To enter the latest competition visit the readers' tips homepage Photograph: John Kellerman/AlamyI know it’s touristy Make the trek up to the Piazzale Michelangelo cheese and wine from the amazing market first Then head back down to marvel at the Duomo and walk the streets looking for the Medici balls on the buildings No trip would be complete without a visit to David Turning into the long room and seeing the statue at the end simply takes your breath away Even in the crowded streets and the museums lakes and rivers that glint and reflect the sky lush greenery and brown hues of the blanket bog Near the peninsulas you can find some of the most picturesque villages (Roundstone) and finest beaches (Doonloughan) As well as some of the freshest and tastiest seafood The people are warm and welcoming and the Guinness is fabulous There are five-star restaurants and places to stay and you can walk your socks off or hop on a boat to one of the other islands It is the place to go if you need some big sky.Emma Wellman k Photograph: Brian Bjeldbak/AlamyLast July, my partner and I spent two nights in Aarhus. It was booked as a surprise for both of us, and neither of us knew what to expect. It turned out to be the annual Jazz Festival any venue that can host jazz in the city does You wander from small bars to parks to libraries and take in the music The most astounding thing was that the whole city got involved and just had fun Photograph: travelib/AlamyWhen all this is over a peaceful place of greensward and church surrounded by birdsong and chocolate-box cottages I’ve been thinking about the plague-ridden villagers of 350 years ago who wrestled with our issues of choosing self-isolation And I’ll go back to the museum to be reminded of the local inventor of silk processes and how industry and creativity can bring communities back to life after tragedy Germany lies in the heart of Europe combining its role as an economic leader with a rich culture Whether you are exploring the high-energy streets of Berlin or wandering around the hills of Bavaria there is never a shortage of unique and fun activities in Germany Known for grand-scale events such as Oktoberfest and its exquisite beers Germans are also known for things like their exceptional engineering skills They also pride themselves on a deep-rooted history of artistry and thought with names including Beethoven and Kant Have you ever dreamed about those fairytale-like German towns The ones with the adorable timber-framed houses built on forest-covered hills If that sounds like the Germany you want to see read on because these towns are some of the most charming in the country Zugspitze peak and Alps mountain range in Garmisch Partenkirchen Garmisch-Partenkirchen finds itself surrounded by some of Europe's grandest and most stunning mountains The Bavarian Alps rise against the deep cuts of the valley giving the surrounding area a dramatic and beautiful look it is universally praised for its awe-inspiring views The mountain comes with year-round activities Embrace winter's chill with skiing or soak in summer’s warmth the Partnach River has sculpted a marvel named the Partnach Gorge This geological wonder plunges depths that reach around 260 feet The gorge has narrow paths and tunnels brushing alongside steep limestone walls Visitors coming to take in the views can see intense water currents and waterfalls Garmisch-Partenkirchen serves as home to the esteemed Richard Strauss Institute a facility devoted to lauding the composer's career It also acts as a research center and museum teaching about the long-lasting effects of the composer’s work some of the best porcelain in the world is born This village is recognized for its superior-grade porcelain there was a famous place called the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory It was the first of its kind in Europe to unlock the mystery of making porcelain this artistry was only known and practiced in China Some of the most impressive structures in the country lie inside of Meissen Albrechtsburg Castle is a stunning late Gothic castle It was built back in the 15th century and was also the spot where the Meissen porcelain was produced you will see another of those gorgeous Meissen buildings The skyline of the town is defined by the dramatic presence of The Meissen Cathedral Its two tall spires were contributions from the 15th century while the original construction began around the 13th century Wismar old town streets with colorful houses along Grube river canal Some places have a depth that needs to be seen to be fully understood as its first recorded mention was back in 1229 The timeless town is found in the heart of northern Germany and its city center proudly sports a UNESCO World Heritage badge This medieval center has kept its architectural legacy intact through centuries and is celebrated for this preservation One of the most captivating structures near the market is the Wismar Water Art or Wasserkunst ornate facade with elegant gables and a distinctive octagonal shape so this original building will definitely catch your eye "Marienkirche," hits you like a bolt out of the blue It was partially destroyed during World War II and now only the tower of the church and parts of the wall remain as a brutal reminder of the destruction of war there is an ancient feel to the streets and buildings almost hanging in the air like mist from a summer storm medieval town has remained basically unchanged for centuries The experience for guests is like stepping back in time feeling the textured cobblestone streets underfoot and sensing history from well-preserved city fortifications Dinkelsbühl forms an integral part of the renowned “Romantic Road” in Germany a journey that loops through villages and landscapes across Bavaria as well as Baden-Württemberg The one-of-a-kind celebration known as the Kinderzeche This occasion is a reenactment harking back to when the community capitulated to Swedish forces during the Thirty Years' War there is no shortage of remarkable religious structures and this particular town upholds the trend a brilliant example of Gothic architecture along with vibrantly colored stained-glass windows Resting on the famous Rhine River Bacharach has a collection of medieval architecture from cobblestone streets to iconic German-style timber-framed houses a timber-framed building dating back to 1368 aged timbers crisscrossing across the white undercoat an impressive castle from the 12th century It has seen substantial restoration work over time and currently functions as a youth hostel Fans of fine wines take note that Bacharach's region is celebrated for its outstanding vintages Tucked within the heartland of Rhine Gorge recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site you will discover vineyards renowned for their premier grapes The steep slate of rocks is associated with old legends a siren said to have lured sailors to their doom Historical Old Town of Michelstadt in Odenwald featuring colorful houses and the timber-frame Town Hall on the central square at sunrise When you enter Michelstadt, the old-world charm drips from the Middle Ages era timber-framed houses Likely the most famous building in town is the Michelstadt Rathaus It acts as the town hall and is an iconic building with a steeply pitched roof what sets it apart is the way it is elevated on stilts While ivory is mainly frowned upon in modern times it is still an essential part of world culture has museum displays with detailed artworks and carvings made of ivory This marketplace is a magnet for guests across the region marking a significant occasion in the wintertime It is doubtful if any other town in Germany is quite like Lindau The town lies on the shores of Lake Constance with its turquoise waters rolling around the edges of the shore While the more modern version of Lindau lies on the shoreside the historic old town lies on an island connected to the mainland by a bridge and a causeway look for either the 20-foot Bavarian lion statue or the nearly 120-foot-tall lighthouse narrow streets with ancient-looking half-timbered buildings It does not hurt that the area also has a beautiful Alpine background to stare at Lindeau has played host to Nobel Laureate Meetings This event unites esteemed winners in studies including physiology and chemistry with emerging researchers from around the world has been a significant fixture since the 11th century The church is known for its distinctive stone artistry and dramatic angular rooftops it functions primarily as an institution of arts and culture Scenic Monschau village in the North Eifel hills It is not a stop in Germany without experiencing their Christmas season but you might want to make your visit line up with the season the town erupts with the spirit of Christmas and is famed for its Christmas market The town transforms into a winter wonderland This house from the 18th century was once owned by a prosperous fabric maker and is now renowned for its opulent inside decor featuring an exquisite staircase and vintage furniture For those who have a love of mustard (everyone does explore the Mustard Mill - also known as Senfmühle- which has been standing since 1882 You can get a tour or tasting when you visit The Miniature Railway Exhibition is an unusual attraction showing off model train sets From the architectural wonders and rich traditions of Michelstadt to the soaring Alps of Garmisch-Partenkirchen it is not hard to see the beauty in Germany around almost every corner Exploring these German towns offers a real sense of the country's heritage Immerse yourself in Germany's fusion of cultural heritage and breathtaking nature photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com '+n.escapeExpression("function"==typeof(o=null!=(o=r(e,"eyebrowText")||(null!=l?r(l,"eyebrowText"):l))?o:n.hooks.helperMissing)?o.call(null!=l?l:n.nullContext||{},{name:"eyebrowText",hash:{},data:t,loc:{start:{line:28,column:63},end:{line:28,column:78}}}):o)+" \n '+(null!=(o=c(e,"if").call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2PreText"):l,{name:"if",hash:{},fn:n.program(32,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:63,column:20},end:{line:63,column:61}}}))?o:"")+"\n"+(null!=(o=(c(e,"ifAll")||l&&c(l,"ifAll")||n.hooks.helperMissing).call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Text"):l,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Link"):l,{name:"ifAll",hash:{},fn:n.program(34,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:64,column:20},end:{line:70,column:30}}}))?o:"")+" Rinaldi confirms Ferrari 488 GT3 for VLN competition… Rinaldi Racing will make its return to VLN competition having confirmed Monday a Ferrari 488 GT3 for the championship marking the first full-season Prancing Horse entry in recent memory The Blancpain GT Series regulars will run under the Wochenspiegel Team Monschau banner Mike Stursberg will complete the lineup for selected races which led to the German squad finalizing plans for a full-season campaign “VLN 8 was a very good test for everybody,” said team boos Michele Rinaldi “There the drivers adapted themselves to the car very well and managed the car at the first attempt “Therefore that they have never been behind the steering wheel of the Ferrari 488 GT3 it was a successful result for the whole team.” The team plans to contest Creventic’s Hankook 24H of Portimao in August with a Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport also entered for the VLN season “We are very pleased to work together with the Wochenspiegel Team Monschau,” Rinaldi added “The driver lineup around Georg Weiss is promising and we will see where we will be ranked in the new Pro-Am class Many thanks to Georg to trust in Ferrari and in Rinaldi Racing for the 2017 VLN season.” John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John BMW officially pulls cover off new entry-level M2 Racing platform; customer debut set for.. Falken Motorsports continues strong run of form at the Nürburgring Nordschleife with victory in.. Scherer Sport PHX to make partial switch to Porsche for N24 title defense.. New updates ensure Mercedes-AMG GT4 remains eligible for competition until 2029.. The 2019 VLN season begins this weekend with a 171 car PROVISIONAL ENTRY >> Included on the entry are a number of drivers looking forward to stepping up to SP9 action when their ‘Ring Permit is in place including KCMG Nissan men Josh Burdon Both are prepping for their planned SP9 Nissan drives later in the season Alongside them in a ProSport Cayman is a driver named as ‘Joa Lima de Oliviera’ could that be Joao Paulo de Oliveira If so it would be the first confirmation of a VLN programme for the long-time and now ex-Nissan factory man Also in training cars are Hugo de Sadeleer The biggest name on the list of ‘rookies’ though is Martin Brundle (seen above at Le Mans in 2012) the ex-F1 superstar and World Sportscar Champion is undertaking his required permit school practical tests today at the Aston Martin Performance Centre he’s entered in a GT4 Vantage alongside Garage59 team co-owner Alexander West for VLN1 ahead of a planned programme later this season KCMG have a solo SP9 Nissan GT-R entered with Alex Buncombe joining the team The Kondo team too enter their Nissan in SP9 The glory days of Zakspeed came with the Dodge Viper and the famous team return in 2019 with a new Chrysler Viper GT3-R the team partnering with Dunlop for their 2019 programme in this their 51st year Missing from the entry though are the Ferraris from Wochenspiegel Team Monschau This is the result of a furore that has gripped the VLN paddock after SP9 (GT3) SP-X and SP-Pro power levels were slashed by c.5% just days before the start of the season after pressure was exerted by the FIA onto German sanctioning body DMSB That equates to c.25-30 bhp for the SP9 cars and several well-established teams are very unhappy about both the measure and its timing and long-time VLN and N24 stalwarts Team Frikadelli are very unhappy indeed both that the measure has been introduced despite safety changes made to the Nordschleife and that the measure is not an ‘across the board’ shift for all classes The BoP for the affected classes was changed in time for the Test Day last weekend Teams observed that the straight-line speed for the GT3-spec cars could now be down on those for other classes SP8 and SP7 cars on the Döttinger Höhe and elsewhere with subsequent pressure for the more aerodynamically effective GT3s to make up more track position in riskier areas under braking or through the corners Wochenspiegel Team Monschau has withdrawn already citing the new BoP directly and working on a late entry into other races (potentially including 24H Series and the IGTC rounds at Spa and Kyalami) the Wochenspiegel Team Monschau doesn’t feel welcomed any longer on the Nordschleife.” Frikadelli meanwhile has stated that they will withdraw after the Nurburgring 24 Hours this year if the situation is not addressed Walkenhorst Racing driver David Pittard states in a blog win his website that the move can be justified by resurfacing work undertaken over the winter on the circuit meaning that lap times are likely to be quicker this year “closer to the 7:49.999 barrier which my teammate Christian Krognes got closer to at VLN9 Qualifying in 2018 completing the VLN layout in the Walkenhorst BMW M6 GT3 in 7:52.578 “The most challenging race track in the world will become more challenging,” he continued “As drivers push their new machines harder and faster and with the old school nature of the circuit the risk of an accident will naturally increase for all cars and drivers.” “by reducing the power of the fastest car classes it will stop the headline classes being as fast However by reducing the power of just 1 class only reduces the risk of (an average) of 25 cars in the SP9 class All the other car classes are still going faster and therefore increasing their risk and then add in more overtaking due to the lower class cars now overtaking SP9 cars surely the risk goes up even more for the remaining 125 cars in the VLN races?” The TCR class will feature a Dunlop spec tyre choice in this season’s VLN alongside the newly upgraded BMW 240i Racing Cup The GT4 class meanwhile has moved to an open tyre competition but several of the leading players have opted for Dunlops including Sorg Racing and Ring Racing The all-conquering SP8 Ferrari 458 that whitewashed the field in 2018 in class sticks with Dunlop too Once again the live video stream of the VLN will be available this season on DSC It’s difficult to begrudge a film that has the good sense to put so much stock in Ben Kingsley’s hammy theatrics the scenery-chewing on display goes a long way toward elevating Collide above its more dunderheaded and often self-serious ilk Hagen Kahl (Hopkins) is the owner of a large trucking company which turns a profit on the side cargoing cocaine into Cologne It’s an operation overseen by the erratic Geran (Kingsley) who asks for a bigger cut of the earnings—a request which Hagen rebuffs Caught between the two is an American expat who sees himself pulled back into the criminal lifestyle he agreed to leave behind for his girlfriend after she requires an expensive life-saving kidney transplant Geran hires Casey to steal one of Hagen’s trucks which is carrying a massive stash of drugs and as soon as the young man pulls off the heist This is the launching pad for a propulsive action thriller that compensates for its narrative improbabilities with eye-tickling action Creevy effectively utilizes the film’s locations especially the German resort town of Monschau winding streets set the stage for one particularly nail-biting car chase (shades of John Frankenheimer’s Ronin) Collide speeds from one set piece to the next with a jaunty confident air that largely elides the plot’s many coincidences and leaps in logic it’s difficult to begrudge a film that—as evidenced by the scene where Geran opines about the pleasures of the John Travolta-Jamie Lee Curtis aerobics drama Perfect while dancing to some dubstep—has the good sense to put so much stock in Kingsley’s hammy theatrics Keith Watson is the proprietor of the Arkadin Cinema and Bar in St document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id" "a88658d78438ed3ef39a98c039dd1f44" );document.getElementById("facec42938").setAttribute( "id" and website in this browser for the next time I comment Get quick access to your favorite articles Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers Make your voice heard with article commenting Ferrari outfit Wochenspiegel Team Monschau (WTM) announced its exit following the decision by VLN organisers to implement a five percent power drop for the SP-9 SP-X and SP-Pro classes in the interests of safety equivalent to robbing the FIA GT3-spec cars that race in these classes of around 25bhp was announced last week in a newly-issued Balance of Performance ahead of this weekend’s opening round of the series has also stated it will withdraw from the championship after this year’s Nurburgring 24 Hours if the changes are not reversed team boss Georg Weiss commented: “By lowering the performance of the GT3 vehicles The team’s argument is that by slowing down the GT3 cars on the straights – to the point where they are slower than some cars in the lower classes – it forces drivers to take more risks in the corners to get ahead of lapped traffic WTM now instead plans to contest the 24h Series with two Ferrari 488 GT3s starting with next weekend’s Mugello 12 Hours and will enter a single car in two rounds of the Intercontinental GT Challenge the Spa 24 Hours and the season-closing Kyalami 9 Hours Weiss added: "You can see that the VLN is not willing to keep the GT3 in the top class The accident balance clearly shows that the GT3 vehicles are not the problem at all “The fact that only two weeks before the start of the season an entire vehicle class is slowed in this way without compensation is an unprecedented act that cannot be surpassed in disrespect for the teams." #11 Wochenspiegel Team Monschau Ferrari 488 GT3: Leonard Weiss The move to slow the GT3s was triggered by a letter written by FIA head of circuit and rally safety Stuart Robertson to Michael Gunther requesting that the DMSB implement the five percent power reduction It marks the second times GT3 cars have been slowed, following on from the changes made in the wake of the crash at the Nordschleife that claimed the life of a spectator in 2015 in the opening round of the VLN. There are currently no plans to slow down the other classes, something that Frikadelli Racing boss Klaus Abbelen believes makes no sense at all. "The much-too-late new BoP states that only the GT3 cars should lose five percent of their power, but not the other cars in the VLN,” said Abbelen. “As a result, smaller vehicles costing just one-tenth of the annual budget of GT3 cars will overtake them on the straights. "If this change really should be accomplished, one would have to reduce the performance of all vehicles by five percent. Only then will you be able to compete and will we able to justify the cost of the GT3 vehicles.” Abbelen added that "many other teams are currently considering doing something similar" if the changes are not scrapped, while Martin Rosorius, chairman of VLN teams' association ILN, warned that it's "five to midnight" in terms of finding a solution to the dispute. "In the opinion of the ILN, it would have been appropriate, instead of a BoP communicated in the short term, to set up a working group with the involvement of all concerned in order to develop targeted solutions and give the teams appropriate planning security," said Rosorius. #31 Frikadelli Racing Team Porsche 911 GT3 R: Norbert Siedler, Lance David Arnold From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker. Receive exciting Motorsport news, updates, and special offers straight to your inbox. Make your voice heard with article commenting. and centuries-old markets bring the past to life in a way you won’t forget Published: Feb 21, 2025written by Gabriel Kirellos Germany’s past is written across its landscapes, from the Roman frontier to medieval fortresses and the echoes of empire. It was here that Charlemagne forged the foundations of the Holy Roman Empire in the 9th century, where Martin Luther ignited the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, and where the Thirty Years’ War reshaped Europe’s borders The country has seen the rise and fall of kingdoms yet its deep historical roots remain intact Germany also hides a treasure trove of medieval towns with their towering castles others served as strongholds or royal residences and many have remained largely unchanged for centuries Whether exploring a fortress perched above a river these destinations allow visitors to step back in time and experience Germany’s rich and layered history firsthand Quedlinburg, a picturesque town in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, boasts a rich history dating back over a millennium. First documented in 922 AD, it gained prominence when King Henry the Fowler was buried here in 936, and his widow, Queen Matilda established a women’s convent in his honor This convent became a center of power and culture with its abbesses governing the town for centuries Quedlinburg is celebrated for its well-preserved medieval architecture featuring over 2,000 half-timbered houses spanning six centuries The town’s skyline is dominated by the Collegiate Church of St a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture housing a renowned medieval treasury Adjacent to the church stands the Quedlinburg Castle offering panoramic views of the old town and the surrounding Harz region Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 Quedlinburg invites visitors to explore its cobblestone streets Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a living testament to medieval Germany it flourished as a Free Imperial City from 1274 to 1803 its well-preserved architecture offers a journey back in time Visitors can stroll atop the intact city walls offering panoramic views of the town’s half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets where festivals and markets bring the square to life is one of Rothenburg’s most photographed spots For history enthusiasts, the Medieval Crime Museum provides insights into ancient legal practices, while the RothenburgMuseum showcases art and artifacts spanning centuries. The town’s rich heritage is further celebrated during annual events like the “Reiterlesmarkt,” a traditional Christmas market that transforms the town into a winter wonderland First mentioned in 928 AD, Dinkelsbühl, a picturesque town in Bavaria, became a Free Imperial City in 1273 and flourished during the 14th and 15th centuries The town’s historic center is encircled by 10th-century fortifications visitors can admire the charming half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets a Gothic masterpiece constructed in the 15th century Its impressive tower offers panoramic views of the town and surrounding countryside Dinkelsbühl’s rich history is celebrated annually during the “Kinderzeche” festival in July This historic festival commemorates the town’s successful defense during the Thirty Years’ War and features colorful parades Perched on the northern shore of Lake Constance Meersburg is a charming town in Baden-Württemberg translating to “Castle by the Sea,” reflects its origins centered around the historic Meersburg Castle is considered one of Germany’s oldest inhabited castles with its central tower dating back to the 7th century Visitors can explore over 35 furnished rooms Adjacent to the Old Castle stands the New Palace a Baroque residence constructed in the early 18th century as the domicile for the Prince-Bishops of Constance it houses a museum showcasing art and cultural history and its terrace provides panoramic views of Lake Constance The town itself is divided into the upper town (Oberstadt) and lower town (Unterstadt) connected by steep stairways and a street known as Steigstrasse allowing visitors to leisurely explore the narrow streets lined with half-timbered houses Meersburg is also celebrated for its viticulture with vineyards surrounding the town producing notable regional wines Wine enthusiasts can visit local wineries and the Viticulture Museum to learn about the area’s winemaking traditions Nestled along the Neckar River in Baden-Württemberg Bad Wimpfen origins’ trace back to Celtic and Roman settlements with the Romans establishing a military fort around 90 AD to secure the Neckar-Odenwald Limes This fortification evolved into a significant civilian town serving as the administrative center of the Civitas Alisinensium The town’s prominence grew under the Staufer dynasty in the 12th century notably with the construction of the Kaiserpfalz (Imperial Palace) around 1182 This development transformed Bad Wimpfen into a focal point of imperial administration visitors can explore the well-preserved medieval old town characterized by its picturesque half-timbered houses and historic streets part of the original imperial palace complex offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape The town is also renowned for its spa facilities with modern saltwater spas continuing a tradition that began in the 19th century Whether you’re a history enthusiast or seeking relaxation Bad Wimpfen provides a rich blend of cultural heritage and rejuvenation opportunities This picturesque town in northern Hesse has origins that date back to 724 AD when Saint Boniface felled the sacred Donar Oak marking a pivotal moment in the Christianization of Germany he established a church and monastery dedicated to Saint Peter laying the foundation for what would become the town of Fritzlar visitors to Fritzlar can explore its well-preserved medieval architecture The town is encircled by a 2.7-kilometer-long city wall This tower offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape At the heart of Fritzlar lies the historic market square adorned with half-timbered houses dating from the 15th to 17th centuries The square is home to the Rolandsbrunnen fountain and the town hall is considered one of Germany’s oldest administrative buildings still in use constructed between the late 11th and early 13th centuries This Romanesque basilica stands on the site of the original church founded by Saint Boniface and houses a museum showcasing religious artifacts including the notable Kaiser-Heinrich-Kreuz has been a hub of trade and viticulture since the 11th century Its name is believed to stem from “Baccaracus,” a nod to its long-standing wine culture it remains one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval towns known for its scenic landscape and historic landmarks once served as a strategic fortress for the Counts Palatine it provides visitors with panoramic views of the Rhine the town’s half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets reflect centuries of craftsmanship and tradition its skeletal structure telling the story of a turbulent past a medieval watchtower overlooking the river and vineyards Nestled in the Eifel region of western Germany Monschau was established in the 12th century It flourished due to its thriving textile industry in the 18th century constructed in the 13th century by the Dukes of Limburg the castle now serves as a youth hostel and a venue for concerts and operas during the summer months The town’s historic center is characterized by narrow cobblestone streets lined with traditional half-timbered houses reflecting architectural styles that have remained largely unchanged for over 300 years Visitors can explore the Red House (Rotes Haus) This museum showcases 18th and 19th-century bourgeois living culture with a highlight being the impressive wooden staircase For panoramic views of Monschau and the surrounding Rur River valley This vantage point offers a picturesque perspective of the town’s scenic landscape with the annual Monschau Christmas Market attracting visitors worldwide The market transforms the town into a festive wonderland Tucked into the rolling hills of the Black Forest Its narrow streets wind between half-timbered houses their steep roofs and ornate facades unchanged for centuries flourished thanks to its location at the meeting point of two rivers a sloped town square lined with medieval buildings the Schüttesäge Museum showcases the town’s history of woodworking where visitors can see a water-powered sawmill still in operation Schiltach offers a gateway to hiking trails that lead deep into the Black Forest or simply admiring the centuries-old craftsmanship Schiltach is a rare pocket of Germany where history and nature exist in perfect balance this medieval settlement dates back to at least 1122 when the powerful Lords of Eppstein ruled over the region Their legacy still stands in the form of Eppstein Castle a 10th-century fortress that once guarded trade routes and hosted nobility and step inside a museum showcasing its storied past Altstadt (Old Town) is a collection of half-timbered houses a 19th-century pavilion offering breathtaking views of the town and valley below Gabriel is a travel writer and editor with 5 years of experience having authored more than 400 articles on historic sites from medieval castles in France to ancient temples in Asia offering readers in-depth cultural insights With personal travels to over 35 countries he combines firsthand exploration with historical research Gabi is a digital nomad traveling across Europe throughout 2024-25 to bring authentic storytelling to his followers Two wolves in Lower Saxony in a wildlife preserve In the mysterious case of the "fake wolf" it turned out that the animal carried a transponder chip allowing its origin to be traced to Belarus "How the animal reached the Eifel from Belarus is unknown" Environment and Consumer Protection NRW (Lanuv) the agency has sent an inquiry to the authorities in Belarus and the animal is being cared for in an appropriate environment The wolf-dog hybrid had followed the hikers for several hours It is believed to be two to three years old Lanuv reported that the wolf-dog exhibited "shy The animal begged for food and allowed itself to be put on a leash The transponder chip was clear evidence that the animal did not come from the wild Releasing the animal is not being considered at this time In North Rhine-Westphalia there are now four designated wolf areas These are located in Schermbeck in the Wesel district the northern Eifel at the border to Belgium as well as in the Oberbergischen district Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025 Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations Every month, we release new books into the wild Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024 Africa Close menu Countries Antarctica Antarctica Close menu Regions Asia Asia Close menu Countries Australia & the Pacific Australia & the Pacific Close menu Countries The Caribbean The Caribbean Close menu Countries Central America Central America Close menu Countries Europe Europe Close menu Countries Middle East Middle East Close menu Countries North America North America Close menu Countries South America South America Close menu Countries Food plays a huge part in the Advent traditions December in Germany has always been an important time and for visitors it's the perfect month to experience centuries-old Christmas traditions that are still alive today Advent is meant to be a period of time for preparing for the Christmas religious holiday and runs from the start of December until Christmas Eve it's a time to get together with friends and family - Deutsche Gemütlichkeit (German coziness or hygge) Christmas decorations set up and homes fill with the smell of cinnamon and freshly baked cookies You can start feeling the Advent atmosphere in mid-November; people start spending more time inside slowly enveloping themselves and their homes in wintery magic Families and friends get together to sing Christmas songs for dinner or just simply spend time with each other - things there was not enough time for throughout the busy year Life slows down and the whole country dives into the holiday anticipation mood. Travelling to Germany in December is a great way to see the country in a festive mood and experience a fairytale-like atmosphere it’s better to book and plan all activities in advance Read more: Germany for first-timers At the end of November farmers markets start selling “Adventskranz” – a wreath traditionally made of evergreens and topped with four candles One additional candle will be lit each Sunday until all four burn together before Christmas Eve Lots of families create the wreath themselves but you can find them at the weekly farmer’s market in most German cities More modern wreaths bought at department stores or small design shops are designed to last years Around this time, Christmas markets open in the heart of most cities and villages, while larger destinations can have markets in every district. Among the little huts selling food and goods, Glühwein (mulled wine) roasted caramelized almonds and Reibekuchen (potato fritters) with applesauce are the most popular treats wooden carved figurines or Christmas tree decorations made of paper or glass are everywhere; perfect for a beautiful souvenir Mountainous regions like in the south of Germany also have a higher chance of snow in December Read more: 8 Christmas traditions from around the world Every bakery decorates and sells Christmas cookies - Gingerbread Lebkuchen and Weihnachstgebäck - and a great gift to bring home Another great sweet treat is a Weihnachtsstollen - a cake-like sweet bread with raisins marzipan and nuts covered in a cloud of sugar powder On 6 December is the celebration of Saint Nikolaus – not to be confused with Santa Claus you'll see children polishing their boots and placing them outside their door because Nikolaus is on his way Overnight the shoes of well-behaved kids will be filled with nuts oranges and chocolates while those misbehaving would only receive a “Rute” (twig) If you travel with kids tell them about the tradition and encourage them to place their shoes outside your hotel door Some hotels and B&Bs enjoy playing along and provide little surprises for their young guests Advent time comes to an end with the beginning of the Christmas holidays Christmas Eve is when a lot of families gather together for dinner and go to church Afterwards there are presents stashed under the decorated Christmas tree 25 and 26 December are national holidays when everyday life comes to a complete halt and are reserved for family visits and reuniting with close friends With Christmas markets all over the city and beautiful decorations, spend an entire weekend exploring, combining first-class shopping, traditional Bavarian food, and stop-overs for a cup of mulled wine and sweet treats. Munich has a high chance of snow in December and the crispy air in the evenings make a stroll through the city even cosier Read more: Traditional Christmas desserts from around the world (and where to try them) Bremen old city and the Schnoorviertel are beautifully lit and decorated and the statue of the famous Bremen Town Musicians from the Brothers Grimm tales will spice up your photos You'll find a lot of fish dishes at these Christmas markets and it's a great way to see how Advent is observed in northern Germany Bremen is not as busy as neighbouring Hamburg but has enough activities to keep you busy during a weekend For Christmas vibes in a little village with a gorgeous set up in the Eifel mountains and most-likely snowy surroundings The village is touristy but don't let that put you off HomeDestinationsInterestsTop Places to Travel by MonthSearchMenuBest time to go to Germany The premier ballooning event of North Rhine-Westphalia located in the North Rhine-Westphalia region Thousands of balloon enthusiasts gather to see around 35 balloons filling the Lower Rhine skies with different colors and shapes Kevelaer Hot Air Balloon Festival also features a fair with carnival rides Kevelaer Hot Air Balloon Festival features morning and evening balloon ascensions and helicopter sightseeing flights over the famous pilgrimage sites of Kevelaer This year marks the 30th anniversary of the festival The Night Glow or "Nachtglühen" is the main crowdpleaser at the festival illuminating night skies to the sounds of music soundtrack Kevelaer Hot Air Balloon Festival is one of the region's main summer highlights The event will begin in the late afternoon on July 12th at 3 pm and in the early morning at 5:30 am on July 13-14 and continue until midnight on both days You will have plenty of time to enjoy food and beverages at the venue while observing the magnificent balloon displays Balloon launches take place at 5:30 am and 8 pm you'll have a chance to enjoy a balloon outdoor bash with DJ-curated music boasts stunning architecture and tranquil landscapes Festival events take place at Solegarten St The city is conveniently situated 34 miles (55 km) northwest of Duisburg and 47 miles (76 km) from Essen making the travel to Kevelaer an easy one-hour drive St. Jakob Solegarten HülsparkstadionSt. Jakob SolegartenHülsparkstadionLast updated: June 5, 2024Authors: , People interested BackBMW: Mario Theissen to step downBMW: Mario Theissen to step down Related News24h Le Mans02/05/2025 The trailer for the documentary ‘American Thunder: NASCAR to Le Mans’ unveiledIn 2023 during the Centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans ‘American Thunder: NASCAR to Le Mans’ retraces this adventure in a full-length documentary broadcast exclusively on Prime Video on 12 June The second round of the 2025 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) takes place this Sunday 4 May at the Circuit Paul Ricard An impressive 44 cars are expected on the grid with a large French contingent on home soil in terms of both drivers and teams For the 93rd edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours (11-15 June 2025) the #59 McLaren 720S LMGT3 Evo entered by United Autosports in the LMGT3 class will feature a unique livery: the Meningitis Flag The aim of this livery is to raise awareness of a disease that is all too often overlooked: meningitis The Automobile Club de l’Ouest is proud to announce that Roger Federer the revered champion and global sporting icon will don the mantle of official starter at the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans the fourth round of the FIA WEC World Endurance Championship RWP started in 1984 under the management of Dr.-Ing Today the company is one of the leading manufacturers of simulation software for metalcasters.98 participants and guests celebrated on 13 and 14 November 2014 in Monschau a city with a long industrial history and typical half-timbered houses near the German border with Belgium The celebration of the thirty-year anniversary took place concomitantly to the regularly scheduled meeting user RWP is one of the top manufacturers for the foundry industry with the simulation software WinCast Especially the high accuracy based on the method of finite elements and the repeatedly praised by many users very customer-oriented service are the reason to the success of WinCast.The company is today 18 employees and offices and subsidiaries in the United States Belgium and India represented locally worldwide With the software usually be simulated casting and heat treatment processes for components as well as tools This is possible for all standard casting processes like sand casting centrifugal casting and continuous casting but also for welding or heat treatment as well as for special processes.How powerful the software is it became clear during the two-day user meetings based on the lectures of Zollern Soest The very informative mixture of lectures encouraged to detailed discussions in the auditorium and during breaks the preliminary presentation of the new user interface which some time ago integrated into the company finally united and many innovative new features includes aroused great interest among the participants In the opinion of several participating users this new frontend promises a very structured and easy to use Further features will add the competitive advantage for example a choice to focus on filling and solidification or solidification and stresses to place early.The evening event was also a highlight which began with a guided tour for the participants through Monschau and then the guests atmospheric and with lots of rhythm accompanied with a musical dinner for the evening and other famous musicals gave a varied program together with a review of the history and in a second part of an outlook on the future of RWP RWP.NEW could guess how much it is to expect in the near future of RWP and WinCast expert I would like to receive the bi-weekly Foundry-Planet newsletter with all latest news Plus the special newsletters – all can be cancelled anytime and at no cost You must be logged in to post a comment Natural spectacle instead of image processing: In the stream valleys of the northern Eifel the daffodils make their spring appearance visitors who are not familiar with the area are sometimes told that the bulbs in the Eifel have to be put in the ground with a drill or a power tool as the ground on the heights in autumn and spring is so wintry But nature obviously has other methods in store parts of the northern Eifel turn into a sea of yellow as if they had cheekily put on a colourful sweater It's the time of year when daffodils bloom along the stream valleys around Monschau These yellow flowers set their internal clock according to the early spring weather Experts estimate that it will take at least a few more days - perhaps even a week or two - for the yellow sea of blossoms to appear Monschau is situated almost 500 metres higher than the Rhine valley and the biological clocks tick differently managing director of the tourist information office explains that they regularly have to console guests from Cologne or Bonn who seeing the first daffodils in their gardens at home assume that the flowers are also blooming in the Eifel and set off a week or two too early "It's best to look at our 'daffodil ticker'," she advises this week the forecasts remain cautious: "The daffodils around here are taking their time You can't expect them to bloom before the end of March or beginning of April." Should the Eifel temperatures settle in the range above ten degrees isolated blossoms" "with a careful search" But you will be able to admire these until well into May none of this prevents people from warming up a little Two main areas are particularly predestined for a visit to the yellow flower meadows: Firstly the Perlenbach-Fuhrtsbachtal nature reserve in the Monschau district of Höfen about ten minutes by car from Monschau's historic town centre There is even a special "daffodil route" here where hikers can experience the yellow blossoms which supposedly number in the millions and cover some 280 hectares here alone The almost 15-kilometre-long circular route which also has an exhibition called "Narcissus Rush and Forest Change" From the end of March to the beginning of May most of which start at the nature park centre Haus Seebend on the territory of the municipality of Hellenthal and with one foot more or less in Belgium the first visitors want to try their luck this weekend the round of guided hikes began at the "Hollerather Knie" car park on the Bundesstraße 265 and there will be many other tours at the same meeting point until the end of April In her novel "Das Kreuz im Venn" (The Cross in the Fens) the writer Clara Viebig described the blossom as a "sea of gold": "A whole area in the Fens shimmers like gold I don't care for gold - it makes people hard selfish and unjust - but this gold is beautiful Yet the lush imagery of the Eifel poet did not prevent people from almost draining the "sea of gold" a little later: about a hundred years ago trade in the wild growing daffodils had become a lucrative business in the markets of surrounding cities like Aachen Nature itself provided the supply - and continues to do so today and entire groups of new individual plants can grow from one mother plant it is mainly bumblebees that pollinate the flowers The consequence of the daffodil trade was overexploitation bringing the flowers to the brink of extinction It was not until 1936 that the Reich Nature Conservation Act put an end to digging up the flowers and prohibited commercial trade with the daffodil Then in the 1950s the flower was again threatened from another direction: for centuries farmers had kept the meadows in the stream valleys free of trees to feed their cattle with the hay either artificial fertiliser and more intensive cultivation or the planting of spruce trees came into play - in each case with the result that the daffodils disappeared in many places after all the NRW Foundation put the area under nature conservation and bought up many of the meadows The spruces were removed and the meadows were mown once a year beetles and birds have returned to the floodplains the "Red List" prohibits picking the flowers or digging up the bulbs Hanover: Daffodils bloom in front of the Herrenhäuser Gardens detours on the hiking trails to the Belgian side south of Kalterherberg are expressly permitted where the Perlenbach passes the mighty Bieleyfelsen (Bieley Rock) This route is also lined with wild daffodils The winding valley of the little river Warche is another alternative in this area you need to pay attention to the signposting in the forest Shooting exercises at the nearby Elsenborn military training area have already given hikers a mighty scare Back to North Rhine-Westphalia: in addition to Monschau and its historic centre including the permanent exhibition in the "Red House" the "Kölschkier" in the Perlenbach Valley is worth a visit which is especially fun for younger climbers The astronomy workshop's "Stars without Borders" offer is quite new and is naturally aimed primarily at night owls: At the observatory at the Ordensburg Vogelsang visitors can gaze through the starry Eifel sky for several hours There are still dates available for April and May winter sports enthusiasts in Bonn can take advantage of the skiing tobogganing and cross-country skiing offered in the region The winter months are here and that means it’s the season for skiing and sledding Here we offer an overview of where winter sports enthusiasts can take to the slopes around Bonn on skis If you want to get current information about the toboggan and ski slopes as well as the cross-country ski trails and snow hiking trails in the region you can also call the "snow telephone" for the listed Eifel locations the highest mountain in the Eifel at 747 meters tall good winter sports conditions are normally reported in snowy weather The small ski area is located in the Kaltenborn district of Jammelshofen Three slopes of easy and medium difficulty are available for skiing and snowboarding Right next to the ski slope is the toboggan run from the mountain hotel going in the direction of Jammelshofen along with the entrance to various cross-country ski trails (5 The ski lifts near the Waldhotel in Jammelshofen are in operation from 1 to 5 p.m on weekdays when snow conditions are sufficient - from 9 a.m Prices for the lifts (20 / 10 point ticket): Adults 9 / 5 euros Further information: www.kaltenborn-eifel.de the small community of Nettersheim has a trail for you you can start here on the eight-kilometer-long circular ski trail between Nettersheim and Marmagen snow info telephone: 02486/1246 or by e-mail: naturzentrum@nettersheim.de Further information: www.nettersheim.de If you like to sit in a café and watch your children sledding the Blankenheim district of Nonnenbach is the right place for you There is a small tobogganing slope for children right next to the Waldcafé Maus Cross-country skiing is also possible there poles and boots) and sleds can be rented at the café More info: www.eifel.de The Michelsberg ski resort (588 meters) near Bad Münstereifel welcomes both tobogganers and skiers It is a popular destination especially with families one can also take a winter hike on well-maintained trails around Bad Münstereifel's local mountain Parking is available at the "Decke Tönnes" and "Bleielsnück" sites A stone's throw away from the Hohe Acht is the winter sports facility Arft There you can find good skiing and tobogganing conditions on snowy days In addition to various slopes with different levels of difficulty the winter sports area in Arft offers a 450-meter toboggan run and a ski and snowboard fun park Prices for the lifts (10 ticket / day ticket / day ticket from 7/18 pm): Adults 5 / 9 / 7 euros Further info: www.arft.eu The winter sports area "Weisser Stein" near Hellenthal also welcomes tobogganers and skiers and offers cross-country skiing too The ski and toboggan lifts run on weekdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m Cross-country skiers can enjoy several groomed trails when snow conditions are good enough Winter sports equipment can be rented at the parking lot "Weisser Stein" Further information: www.hellenthal.de or www.eifel.de 640 meters high is the ski and toboggan area Hollerath - very close to the Hellenthal ski area "Weisser Stein" The slope is about 350 meters long and the toboggan run 150 meters There are 7.8 kilometers of signposted and groomed cross-country ski trails in optimal snow conditions Those who do not want to go on the slopes and cross-country trails can use the signposted winter hiking trails Winter sports equipment can be rented in the village of Hollerath Further information: www.eifel.de or www.hellenthal.de a part of Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler with a higher elevation It is located directly on the L84 road opposite the parking lot for hikers at the Königsfelder Dreieck A tobogganing area at the village of Rohren offers optimal conditions for sledders when it’s snowy Three downhill runs and a practice slope attract skiers For cross-country skiers there are several marked trails Horse-drawn sleigh rides and snowshoe hikes can also be enjoyed in Monschau More info: www.monschauerland.de In the northwest of Prüm in the Eifel in the winter sports area "Schwarzer Mann" there is a 450 meter long toboggan run as well as a children's toboggan run There are also two alpine ski slopes of 700 and 800 meters with two tow lifts as well as groomed cross-country ski trails of 10 kilometers You can rent sleds at the "Blockhaus" restaurant at the end of the slopes There is also a large parking lot for day visitors Further information: www.eifel.info or www.blockhaus-schwarzer-mann.de At the Westerwald-Steig in Hausen/Wied is the Malberg hut Directly at the hut there is a toboggan slope if there is enough snowfall The ski slope on the Malberg is no longer in operation The area is also suitable for hiking followed by a stop at the Malberg hut (reservation required) Further information: malberg-huette.de This is a listing that does not claim to be complete or follow objective criteria THE LEADING SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR THE LEISURE INDUSTRY Back to Latest News back A new study by SportsShoes online site has revealed which marathons are most in-demand worldwide having analysed global Google search data With almost 650,000 global annual searches made for terms like 'marathon near me' and 'how to get into a marathon' and thousands of aspiring and elite runners searching on how to enter specific races running experts at SportsShoes analysed global Google search data scrutinising the number of places available in over 60 global marathons and comparing it with the number of searches they receive each year.  The Boston Marathon takes the crown as the world’s most in-demand race with 98 people searching for the event compared with its capacity The marathon is known for its challenging course attracting elite runners across the globe and thousands of participants from all walks of life The Great Ocean Road Marathon ranks in fifth place with an impressive 43 searches per starting place making it Australia's hardest marathon to get into The 44km Great Ocean Road Marathon is now sold out for 2024 with the event being held on Sunday 19th May The Great Ocean Road Marathon offers runners views and stunning landscapes as they wind their way along the wild and windswept Southern Ocean runners race down the Great Ocean Road through Wye River Kennett River and Skenes Creek before finishing in Apollo Bay Germany’s Regensburg and Monschau Marathons take second and third place receiving 65 and 58 searches per available starting place Both races are brimming with atmosphere: the Regensburg Marathon takes place in a UNESCO World Heritage Site while the Monschau Marathon takes place at 767metre above sea level the UK capital’s London Marathon is not the most in-demand British marathon it's the New Forest Marathon receiving the most searches per starting place with the New Forest Marathon in eighth place and the London Marathon in 12th position Head of Marketing at SportsShoes noted “Whether you’re an experienced competitor or are looking to take part in your first-ever marathon we hope our research spurs you on to apply for your next race It’s interesting to see some smaller British marathons surpass London in the world’s most in-demand rankings like the New Forest and Loch Ness Marathons but this does obviously mean they can be tricky to get into.”    there is a commitment to “supporting everyone on their fitness journey and with this data we hope that we can help you choose your next challenge Whichever marathon you get into in the future we hope you enjoy the process to its fullest – it's a wonderful achievement.” A full breakdown of the results of the most in demand marathons and other facts can be found at www.sportsshoes.com/advice/running-hub/health-wellbeing/running-report  For more information on The Great Ocean Road Marathon  23rd May 2014 - Great Ocean Road Marathon breaks record 17th April 2024 - Toowoomba Regional Council approves marathon event sponsorship 5th February 2024 - Riyadh Marathon to incorporate newly-constructed Kingdom Arena 17th December 2023 - Chinese Court imposes jail sentences on organisers of ultramarathon in which 21 competitors died 5th December 2023 - Singapore Marathon sets new benchmarks for region’s endurance racing 21st September 2023 - Singapore Marathon 2023 App enhances participant experience 18th September 2023 - Sydney Marathon 2023 becomes largest marathon ever held in Australia and looks to achieve World Major status 29th August 2023 - Bali’s ‘Elite’ Maybank Marathon 2023 attracts active participation of over 13,600 runners 14th July 2023 - Singapore Marathon to finish at National Stadium for first time 6th July 2023 - Ballarat Marathon set for 2024 launch 24th August 2022 - Abbott World Marathon Majors and Mass Participation World partner drive return to running we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news Click here to view our subscription options Click here to view our subscription options product and event updates delivered right to your inbox The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services See more see more See the directory see all Get your business noticed in our targeted directory Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week Website by Shaquaylah Mahakitau-Monschau at GA for St Peters Premier being heavily defended by the two Verdettes Marist Old Girls defenders Kirk Roberts Consulting Indoor Premier Results ● University of Waikato Premier Reserve 43 vs Waikato Diocesan Premier 43● University of Waikato Premier 79 vs FTNC Premier 49● Verdettes Marist Old Girls 83 vs St Peter's Premier 47● Northern United Mamba 51 vs FTNC Premier Reserve 49● Allied HOB Keppler Premier 55 vs Verdettes Marist Premier 49● Nottingham Castle Rangers 38 vs OTC Timber HGHS Langman 37 In the third and final week of the round robin before finals University of Waikato Premier Reserve and Waikato Diocesan Premier had a close and exhausting tussle University Premier Reserve started well to lead the first quarter but by halftime they trailed by 20 goals to 18 after increased effort and pressure by the Waikato Diocesan team The third quarter was a draw and in the final quarter University Premier Reserve was able to claw back a couple of goals to get the draw For Waikato Diocesan it was a more consistent performance with intent and purpose at wing attack playing up from the Premier Reserve team Ruby Makeham at wing defence brought grit and energy to lift the mid-court at crucial times The return of captain Grace Wilson to goal shoot from injury was pivotal in this match It was great to see the team connecting with belief and backing each other up as they continue to build for UNISS For University Premier Reserve it was just not their night and they were put under a lot of defensive pressure by the young school team impacting on the goals scored The team were disappointed not to be able to take the win in the dying minutes Nottingham Castle Rangers and OTC Timber Langman had a nail-biter of a game Castle Rangers started strongly to lead by 11 goals at the end of the first quarter but by halftime they only led by 20 goals to 15 HGHS Langman was again strong in the third quarter to be only a goal adrift meaning Castle Rangers took the win 38 goals to 37 it was great to win with both teams playing well With determined team defence and strong purposeful attack There was a momentum shift in the second quarter when HGHS Langman made some positional changes that the team took time to adjust to The final two quarters had the intensity of a semifinal and it was great to absorb the pressure It was a low-scoring game with both teams getting plenty of defensive gains Ella Wilton at wing defence and Alysha Priestley worked tirelessly to turn over ball right up to the final whistle Kaycee Smith at goal shoot and Lucy Morris at centre both entered the game seamlessly and had a good impact they fired up in the second quarter with Ariana Ratana at goal attack making an immediate impact This galvanised the defensive team into gear and as each quarter progressed the team's confidence grew as they outscored the opposition in the remaining three quarters only falling short by 1 goal at the end This was a team effort this week by the entire HGHS Langman squad Northern United Mamba and FTNC Premier Reserve also had a very close and tight game The first quarter was a draw but by halftime FTNC Premier Reserve led by 26 goals to 21 Northern United Mamba was then dominant in the third and final quarter to take the win 51 goals to 49 Allied HOB Keppler Premier and Verdettes Marist Premier also had a close game At halftime Allied HOB had a two-goal lead of 29 goals to 27 Over the remaining two quarters were able to advance their lead to win the game 55 goals to 49 University of Waikato Premier was too strong for FTNC Premier although this was a great skilled game to watch with lots of flair University Premier lead by 35 goals to 21 in the first half and won the game by 73 goals to 49 Verdettes Marist Old Girls were also too strong for St Peter's Premier and they led from start to finish in what was an athletic and aerial game The halftime score was 42 goals to 22 and the fulltime score was 83 goals to 47 'The team have nailed it – it’s a strategy that everyone can understand.' Blake Cavallaro has named his squad to line up against the Wests Tigers this Sunday at Concord Oval in the Harvey Norman Women's Premiership Young pups have been called into the squad for this weeks' clash as Cavallaro continues to test combinations Australian Schoolgirls squad member Olivia Vaalele will make her first start of the competition with fellow Aussie Schoolgirl representative Pauline Suli-Ruka injecting some energy from the bench Shaquaylah Mahakitau Monschau at centre for St Peter's Premier This week in the sixth week of the second round robin there were again some great games Verdettes Marist Old Girls had a competitive game against St Peter’s Premier St Peter’s started strong and led by three goals at the end of the first quarter but by halftime Marist Old Girls had come back to take the lead at 27-19 Marist Old Girls dominated the third quarter to lead by 16 goals and then the final quarter was a draw This was a fast-paced and athletic game by both teams and a great spectator game University of Waikato Premier were too strong for HGHS Langman despite a valiant effort by the young schoolgirls they led by 32 goals to -21 and they won the game 64 goals to -39 Nottingham Castle Rangers were too good for Allied HOB Collins Premier and they won all four quarters with confidence The halftime score was 35-20 and the fulltime score was 72-35 the Premier team dominated against the Premier Reserve team they led 39-19 and the final score was 74-35 there was some good comradery between the two teams Melville Vetora Premier and St Paul’s Premier had an epic battle with only a few goals the difference the whole game Melville Premier were up by two at the end of the first quarter and stayed two up at halftime when the score was 18-16 At three-quarter time there was only a goal between the teams and at fulltime the game was declared a draw St Paul’s team management were pleased with the team’s performance which was an improvement when the two teams met last round and the team are going from strength to strength The game was a physical one and the players did not give in to this and showed a lot of versatility Sophie Dunn at centre drove to the ball beautifully and put herself on the circle edge to feed our shooters The defensive end won turnovers to give the shooters plenty of opportunity to increase the lead which they did leading into the final quarter however the team underestimated St Paul’s and they were able to disrupt the attacking end and we lost our advantage There was great leadership by Gloria Graham at goal attack and Ange Jackson at goal shoot both providing some amazing movement in the circle Waikato Diocesan for Girls Premier also had a good game against the University of Waikato Premier Reserve side coming back from an initial slow start and a deficit of nine goals The second quarter was a draw and the halftime score was 28-19 University Premier Reserve strengthened their lead in the third quarter to lead by 14 goals only to see Waikato Diocesan come back in the final quarter to lose the game 48-38 Hinemaioha Rolleston-Gabel at goal defence and Jameelah Warner-Morris at goal keep were key in the first quarter putting pressure on the shooters and turning the ball over a number of times They were also able to apply pressure to the opposition’s pocket drives Alicia Craig at centre and Caitlin Judd at wing attack had strong performances making the best of opportunities on attack and being tenacious on defence pulling the ball in and shooting the majority of the goals the team struggled to bring the ball through the court allowing the opposition to claw back some of the deficit a slow first quarter put them on the back foot particularly in the second and final quarters but also periods of inconsistency and errors which affected the game University of Waikato A also had a win this week although in losing Verdettes Marist Development got their highest score to date and had their closest game At halftime University A led 29-18 and they won the game 56-40 Northern United Mamba were too strong for Verdettes Marist Premier and they lead from start to finish they led 32-19 and they won the game by a big margin of 61-37 There is only one week to play before finals