I first fell in love with the picturesque village of Rothenburg the town still fed a few farm animals within its medieval walls and Rothenburg is well on its way to becoming a medieval theme park But Rothenburg is still Germany’s best-preserved walled town Countless travelers have searched for the elusive “untouristy Rothenburg.” There are many contenders (such as Michelstadt but none holds a candle to the king of medieval German cuteness and a nearly inedible pastry specialty (a fried ball of pie crust called a Schneeball – “snowball”) Save time and mileage and be satisfied with the winner there are several “Rothenburgs” in Germany Make sure you plan for Rothenburg ob der Tauber (on the Tauber River); people really do sometimes drive or ride the train to other when Berlin and Munich were just wide spots in the road Rothenburg was Germany’s second-largest city it’s the country’s most exciting medieval town enjoying tremendous popularity with tourists without losing its charm There’s a thousand years of history packed between its cobbles Rothenburg’s Medieval Crime and Punishment Museum is full of diabolical instruments of punishment and torture Jakob’s Church contains the one must-see art treasure in Rothenburg: a glorious 500-year-old altarpiece by Tilman Riemenschneider For a closer view of this realistic commotion of Bible scenes It’s Germany’s greatest piece of woodcarving Warning: Rothenburg is one of Germany’s best shopping towns my Christmas tree sports a few ornaments from Rothenburg.) The biggest of the ornament shops has an excellent little German Christmas Museum upstairs Its collection is much more than a ploy to get you to spend more money You’ll get a look at tree decorations through the ages mini-trees sent in boxes to WWI soldiers at the front A trail leads downhill from Rothenburg’s idyllic castle gardens to the cute 600-year-old “Toppler Castle,” the summer home of the town’s mayor in the 15th century its floor plan is more like a four-story tree house The mayor built it in an attempt to demonstrate to townsfolk that it was safe to live outside the ramparts of the densely populated walled town the trail continues downstream along the trout-filled Tauber River to the sleepy village of Detwang It is actually older than Rothenburg and has a church with another impressive Riemenschneider altarpiece To see more of the rural countryside (old mills rent a bike for a breezy half-day pedal around the river valley To avoid the hordes of Rothenburg’s day-trippers Except for the rare Saturday night and during festivals the sounds of the Thirty Years’ War still echo through turrets and clock towers climb the Town Hall tower to enjoy the best view of the town and surrounding countryside This 1.5-mile stroll atop the wall is at its most medieval before breakfast or at sunset warm light bathes the half-timbered houses A walking tour helps bring the ramparts alive For the serious side of Rothenburg’s history you can take the tour offered by the town’s tourist office (or follow my free audio tour) But for a thoroughly fun hour of medieval wonderment The watchman jokes like a medieval John Cleese as he stokes his lamp and takes tourists on his rounds all the while telling slice-of-gritty-life tales I’m happy to find myself alone with Rothenburg I finger the medieval stonework and ponder how centuries of hard-working horse carts wore grooves in the cobbles while the winds of history polished half-timbered gables and blew through the grooves of centuries of horse carts I aim an arrow into the dark forest that surrounds the city it feels good to be within these protective walls where modern-day travelers meet medieval wayfarers Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible Get breaking news delivered to your inbox as it happens © Copyright 2025, The Spokesman-Review | Community Guidelines | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy Germany — Look at one of the numerous lists of the world’s most beautiful small towns and you’re all but guaranteed to see the Bavarian wonder known as Rothenburg ob der Tauber on it But without the intervention of six American GIs who risked their lives 80 years ago to save the town from a planned Allied bombing campaign the medieval jewel would have been obliterated Army Garrison Ansbach told the tale of that little-known World War II feat Friday with a screening of “And Now Show that You are One People!” at the Bismarck Movie Theater on base which is about 20 miles east of Rothenburg civilians and German residents showed up to watch the 2020 documentary by German filmmakers Thilo Pohle and Kerstin Schmidt in recognition of the 80th anniversary of Ansbach’s liberation It tells how a group of American soldiers who entered Rothenburg in April 1945 under a white flag persuaded the German fighters holed up there to leave they saved the 60% of the town that was not in ruins along with countless lives including children belonging to the Hitler Youth had been instructed to fight to the last man The film features archival photographs in the style of American documentarian Ken Burns and interviews with local survivors Voiceovers by Americans from the base allowed it to be shown in English Friday’s audience for the movie included Sgt “It helps provide a better framework of why we’re here and what we’re doing,” said Holm who is assigned to an artillery unit at Ansbach who works in human resources at the garrison said he enjoyed the film’s attention to African American troops who were some of the first to liberate the area The Germans had been told they were cannibals but residents interviewed for the film recalled how their humanity shone through “Films like this (usually) like to bulk all the American soldiers together,” said Jackson Pohle and Schmidt came across the story of Rothenburg’s rescue after reading former Stars and Stripes correspondent William Dwyer’s posthumous memoir “So Long for Now,” which was released in 2009 Dwyer had part of the team that entered Rothenburg on orders from Assistant Secretary of War John McCloy to make contact with the Nazi leadership under SS Gen Max Simon and persuade his forces to withdraw As the six of them headed to meet a German officer at Wildbad Rothenburg on April 16 local residents shook their fists and spat at them group were blindfolded and feared execution but were ultimately given audience with a German officer The Americans explained that the town would be bombed if the German forces did not withdraw immediately The officer feared death at Simon’s hands but ultimately acquiesced touching off a race against time to call off the impending attack to give the Germans one chance to surrender the town and save it from absolute destruction All six members of the team were later awarded Bronze Stars for succeeding in the mission to spare Rothenburg Ansbach was liberated three days later by elements of the 56th Armored Infantry and 92nd Reconnaissance Squadron which had encircled the city from the north and east was among the Germans in the audience Friday She expressed her amazement that the six-person team went ahead with the mission given how badly they were treated “It’s surprising that they wanted to (save the town) after all that happened,” she said ‘To hell with them.’ But we appreciate it.” Stay informed with this twice-weekly e-newsletter sent right to your inbox The City of Arlington and the City of Rothenburg ob der Tauber Germany memorialized their official status as Friendship Cities in a signing ceremony on Nov The documents were signed by Mayor Jim Ross and Oberbürgermeister (Grand Lord Mayor) of Rothenburg Markus Naser officiated by Vice Chair of Sister Cities International and former City Councilmember 4 as Rothenburg Friendship Day in Arlington to further commemorate the occasion The partnership was also recognized with a signing ceremony in Rothenburg The signing takes place in both participating cities so that both communities can witness the endeavor and help build relationships A Friendship Cities relationship often serves a stepping-stone to a more formal relationship between two cities and is typically centered around a project – in this case Sister Cities International was created in 1956 by President Eisenhower with a vision to champion peace and prosperity by fostering bonds between people from different communities around the world.  “We’re here to celebrate our relationship and our friendship between Rothenburg and Arlington that’s rooted in the traditions and the joy of Christmas and the Christmas markets,” said Trey Yelverton “This partnership will allow our cities to exchange cultural treasures and deepen our appreciation for each other’s heritage in this special kind of gathering.”  is known for its well-preserved medieval history and buildings has maintained a commitment to preserving Rothenburg’s historical charm preserving sustainable development and international collaboration.  “When you ask about what brings our two cities together I think it’s the difference[s] of the two cities because it’s way more interesting to learn from another city if you’re not exactly the same,” said Lord Mayor Naser “We get to see the differences in our concepts and we’re making another big step today because we’re officially signing an agreement.”  future collaborations between Rothenburg and Arlington could include working with the University of Texas at Arlington on exchange student programs.  Sister and Friendship City initiatives position Arlington as a global hub for international cooperation cultural enrichment and mutual understanding.  For more information on Sister Cities International, visit sistercities.org.  View on Map Contact Us Known as Deutschland and the Father Land by many this relatively modern country was founded on land spanning thousands of years of history and inhabitation Kingdoms have both risen and fallen—empires have thrived and crumbled—but what remains constant is Germany's famed beauty Whether that is its rolling green hills of Hochsauerlandkreis or the deep green forests in Bavaria the towns of Germany surrounded by its impeccable beauty continue to draw many to this day Germany is the perfect place to quietly settle down and it is home to the most welcoming towns to retire On a small island halfway between the German mainland and Denmark Burg auf Fehmarn sits cozily as a perfectly preserved town filled with ancient architecture being the largest town on this tiny island has only about 6,000 inhabitants from a 2021 estimate there is no doubt that you will appreciate its surreal beauty Burg auf Fehmarn houses a variety of activities and entertainment one of which is a well-known indoor zoo known as Schmetterlingspark Fehmarn a local hotspot and comfortable small space—filled with plenty of butterflies and a collection of reptiles that make for a calming experience The indoor zoo is also a perfect representative of the museum town Burg has already become coupled with the eccentricities of Brandung near the shores and this community is never a place that fosters boredom but a slow and meaningful living Yet what makes Burg auf Fehmarn a great place to retire specifically? Burg simply is a well-rounder: it has a hospital in town (AMEOS Klinikum Fehmarn), a moderate to moderately high range of rent expenses (3,000~ euros a month), with all the scenic views of the Baltic Sea in between amidst the Alpine peaks of snow and green valleys below a town known for its striking views of the mountains—and for creating some of the best musical instruments in the world Home of the once prestigious and generally considered best instrument-making families in all of Europe Mittenwald takes Klotz as part of its Bavarian tradition and atmosphere and thus has now become a beacon in the music world nearly becoming a sacred site for musicians of every flavor Mittenwald is not a one-trick pony either; its surrounding area's beauty has enough scenic views for a lifetime provides a wonderful hike through the mountains and woods all while the snow-capped peaks of the Alpines loom in the distance its old town is populated with numerous buildings from a bygone era with often family-owned businesses and museums on every corner A notable museum dedicated to Mittenwald's music past is the Geigenbaumuseum a wonderful place dedicated to the art of wood instrument-making but to retire there in the mountains along with its other 8,000 residents is still feasible the average rent for Mittenwald is nearly 6,000 euros Bavaria itself is one of the most expensive regions in the entire country—but what is the price of Mittenwald South and by the shores of the dark blue lake a town that looks straight out of a fairytale and tourists alike take the trolley leading to Mount Wallberg and bask at its high-mountain views with fields and forested paths below—all the way down to the Rottach Waterfall The nearby lake provides many opportunities to also sunbathe and enjoy the cold water Not many towns have the diverse biomes that Rottach-Egern does and the appeal to this lakeside community at the foot of a mountain has attracted a variety of wealthy families and individuals looking for a quiet place to pass the time It's no surprise then that properties here fetch in the millions of euros but the upside is its incredibly low crime rate—travelladies.com a website mainly for solo female travelers The town also has the necessary modern amenities such as a medical clinic (Medicum Tegernsee Medical Center) and a nearby hospital (Privatklinik Jägerwinkel) in Bad Wiessee For those with the means to live a life of luxury and quietude Rothenburg ob der Tauber has a mere 11,000 people walking its cobblestone streets nearly double from its medieval population status of 6,000 a few centuries ago while Rothenburg ob der Tauber is known for its celebration of medieval life and tourism it also happens to be a great place to live Since the town is steeped in its long history places like the Medieval Crime Museum showcase the macabre and fascinating facets of regular medieval life For those wishing for a more artistic experience of pure expression the town is also home to a prime piece of art on display at Saint Jakob's Church near the heart of the town and was masterfully crafted by Germany's finest woodworker In addition to its niche and culturally rich atmosphere the town has easy access to a nearby medical facility ANregiomed clinic Rothenburg ob der Tauber Gengenbach looks much closer to a rural community than that of its other medieval brethren With a population barely breaking into the 11,000 mark the town is less of a tourist area—but don't be fooled there are plenty of things to be enjoyed here caped and lined with small shops that go back generations and all the necessities of a refreshing and relaxed living the well-known distillery is around the corner the Brennerei & Weingut Wild is surrounded by vineyards and the greenery of the Black Forest Mountain range rent prices are in a moderate range of around 2,000 euros and above (according to rentberry.com) this once historic resort town ("bad" meaning bath in German) is surrounded by tall grasses and meadows watered by the long and flowing river of Neckar Home to the majestic Wimpfen Imperial Palace a must-see site with available guided tours by costumed and experienced locals there is no doubt that Bad Wimpfen is considered a beautiful and historic town resting by the water—one that is the beating heart of Bad Wimpfen that is filled with luxurious gastropubs (such as Weinstube Feyerabend) and a myriad of other historic buildings and key points of interest all worth visiting is within walking distance from Blauer Turm and keeping this in mind with the nearby medical center the town's soft and welcoming atmosphere is best rooted in its promotion of a luxurious lifestyle the main town of really a connection of three others—including Alstadt they are each distinct but seem to mingle and coalesce right in the middle of Dinkelsbühl and with the sheer amount of things to do and places to see a 15th-century work of art in its own right celebrates the saint who slew a conniving and extorting dragon—and now the church—more a time capsule—has become a hotspot for the religious and non-religious alike Though there are no more dragons to be slain the makings of a medieval moat can still be found at Bäuerlinsturm a 16th-century tower that has since become the icon of the town along the running Wörnitz River (which offers tours and is visitable) But Dinkelsbühl's appeal lies in the fact that one can actually buy properties there Realestate.com places the properties at around 1 million euros or so but these properties have the classic architecture one might expect to find in a borderline ancient German town; the difference is in the modern interior homes Pair this with a top-notch hospital in town (ANregiomed Klinik Dinkelsbühl) and the town becomes yet another historic and luxury pick for the soon-to-be retiree Germany is by no means in short supply of special towns that each have their own strengths and weaknesses Every town has something that draws seniors—whether their relative location they border the Alps or are in the central flatlands or whether they celebrate a medieval past or focus more on an artistic and musical kind of history—all of these are truly the cream of the crop And while some may attract the crowds every now and then what is better than a tourist getting to appreciate the gold of the land not just one day Head out to discover the most welcoming communities in Germany photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. on KPBS TV / PBS app In Germany's largest wine region, Mainz unfolds like a delightful Riesling. Samantha explores the ruins of a Roman amphitheater near a main train station and visits Eva Vollmer Winery She enjoys German wine at Weinhaus Loesch, then travels to Wiesbaden to taste hot chocolate at Kunder Chocolateria At the Wiesbaden Museum she admires the largest Art Nouveau collection Finally, she tours the fairy-tale town of Rothenburg, experiencing its medieval charm and visiting the Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas Shop home to an impressive collection of authentic German Christmas decor Watch On Your Schedule: This episode will be available to stream with the PBS app for a limited time PLACES TO LOVE takes viewers on a discovery of the emotional heart of travel by highlighting the people who are changing challenging and strengthening a destination to deliver a decidedly refreshing and enriching travel experience The series encourages viewers to experience the passion of people and the soul of a place in a way that only traveling can do Samantha Brown on Facebook / Instagram HomeDestinationsInterestsTop Places to Travel by MonthSearchMenuBest time to go to Bavaria Treat yourself to a once-in-a-lifetime experience: see the extra special Christmas markets of Bavaria Whether in a bustling city square or a quaint village Bavaria’s Christmas markets are sure to immerse you in the festive spirit A pint at the Hofbräuhaus adds a classic Munich touch to the holiday experience Praised for its gorgeous medieval charm, Nuremberg draws about 2 million visitors to its Christkindlesmarkt in Hauptmarkt Square this Bavarian market offers an authentic Christmas experience featuring over 180 stalls with local vendors selling handmade gifts The stalls are adorned with white-and-red cloth—hence comes the fair's fancy name "Little Town from Wood and Cloth." Highlights include the children’s market with a vintage carousel and a giant Ferris wheel the angelic figure central to German Christmas folklore This market transforms Nuremberg’s old town into a festive wonderland The medieval city of Regensburg is a top destination for Christmas markets in Bavaria offering four distinct holiday fairs within a 20-minute walk of each other is set against the stunning backdrop of the historic Altstadt This market enchants visitors with beautifully decorated stalls selling handcrafted straw stars Daily live performances and a vintage carousel add to the festive charm while visitors enjoy mulled wine and traditional bratwursts A stroll from Neupfarrplatz takes you to the markets at Haidplatz each with its unique atmosphere and twinkling Christmas trees The Memmingen Christkindlesmarkt opens just in time for the first Advent with a torch-lit ceremony led by the mayor and the Christkind the market features around 30 festive stalls offering Christmas goods and treats Visitors can enjoy performances by choirs and brass bands while children are entertained by Kasperle puppet shows and visits from Nikolaus A special highlight is the heated “Himmelsstube,” a cozy retreat where guests can enjoy the Advent season in both joyful and peaceful moments Rothenburg ob der Tauber, often hailed as the most romantic timber village in Bavaria, transforms into a fairytale during the Reiterlesmarkt (Rider’s Market) this market is considered one of the most enchanting in Germany from Herrengasse to the atrium of the town hall With 54 stalls offering holiday crafts and treats visitors can also enjoy daily brass performances in the Green Market where a rider on horseback greets the crowd and the town’s massive Christmas tree is illuminated explore the Medieval Torture Chamber or take a walk along the city’s ancient walls 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 the Black Forest National Park is chock-full of surprises like the Krunkelbachhütte (Krunkelbach Hut) The alpine inn on the slopes of the Herzogenhorn the Black Forest’s second-highest mountain is the cherry on top of Germany’s longest toboggan run the Krunkelbach Hut sits 1,312 feet above the alpine village of Bernau you can hike the 2-mile trail from town or hitch a snowcat ride from the Höfeck ski lift Tucked into the majestic Herzogenhorn (“Duke’s Peak” in English) the wooden lodge resembles a gingerbread house—especially in the winter when heavy regional snowfall provides generous layers of buttercream-like frosting you can score unparalleled views of the beautiful Bernau valley while tucking into a bowl of signature Krunkelbach goulash Rothenburg ob der Tauber (Red Fortress above the Tauber River) is Germany's most quintessential medieval \"winter village\" the northern Bavarian village’s market square appears to be charmed right from a children’s bedtime story cozied in by some of Germany’s best preserved feudal city walls holds a Christmas village boasting festive cheer 365 days a year It is home to the world’s largest collection of German Christmas ornaments including ornate handcrafted nutcrackers and cuckoo clocks which traces the history of local holiday customs Inside a former airship hangar, you’ll find the world’s largest indoor waterpark, which promises beachy vibes even in the depths of winter. Tropical Islands is a favorite escape for locals fighting cabin fever with saunas and Mai Tais an airship hangar on the 1930s-built Brand-Briesen Airfield known as the biggest free-standing hall in the world The waterpark’s steely dome ceiling creates a surrealist industrial world where tropical resort life is played up to kitschy perfection: here is the world’s largest indoor rainforest overnight tents and cabins and a covered beach made with real sand and always climate-controled to 79°F (that’s 26°C in Germany) a day ticket sure beats the cost and carbon footprint of a Caribbean flight A two-hour drive from Berlin in Saxony, the Meissen Porcelain Museum is the perfect place to obsess over wintry ornaments Located next to Europe’s oldest porcelain manufactory the museum keeps a collection of over 20,000 objects spanning a 300-year period of “white gold” artisanship from early Baroque to modern times Meissen’s signature Schneeballblüten (“snowball flowers”) pattern a delicate technique for hand-molding blossoms introduced in the 18th century visitors can also see porcelain craftsmanship in action hands-on workshops also provide opportunities to create your own tea-light holders and tree decorations Hamburg’s renowned Kunstmeile (Art Mile) traces European art through space comprising six indoor institutions in a single all-access pass is essentially the perfect winter activity—bringing together a broad cultural perspective from ancient and modern times The Bucerius Kunst Forum is a great place to start it offers great family-friendly winter programming that includes art-making workshops the Hamburger Kunsthalle keeps up a historic counterpoint with a permanent collection spanning 700 years of art history and plentiful rarities across styles ranging from medieval to Dutch Golden Age masterpieces and German Romanticism Ahrensburg Palace—about 12 miles from Hamburg—is one of Germany’s most stunning Renaissance buildings The snow-white fairytale manor is especially striking during winter rising up along flatlands beloved for tobogganing and snowshoeing But don’t miss the chance for a museum tour inside Originally built by the von der Osten family the palace is a rarity that showcases the unique Mehrfachhaus architectural style (a short-lived design trend in northern Germany during the Renaissance period) Glide across the palace’s elegant parquet floors in your warmest socks marveling at exquisite aristocratic wonders from oil paintings to elaborate chandeliers Nestled between three states (Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia), the Harz Mountains offer some of Germany’s most underrated and easily accessible peaks The Harz Baumwipfelpfad (treetop walkway) is an incredible canopy path on the Grosser Burgberg range spanning 18 platforms suspended above the Kalten Valley provides breathtaking views across 50 interactive exhibition stations Themes include the Harz Mountains’ natural and cultural heritage (local flora but another 15 stations delve into pondering the universe The walk culminates in a dome-shaped observation tower and a glass footbridge offering panoramic vistas While the snow-capped forest is a popular spot for snowshoeing and hiking many visitors opt to reach the observation tower by taking the Burgberg cable car In Berlin, there is no better place to banish winter chills than a futuristic spa called Liquidrom a wacky-looking concert venue that was once a circus tent (and before that Liquidrom is a little labyrinthine oasis of saunas is a magnificently designed saltwater floating pool where innovative underwater speakers play eclectic soundtracks (everything from classical music to live DJ sets) enhanced by accompanying multi-colored lights plan to go naked (as is customary in German wellness retreats) and to catch a traditional sauna Aufguss where essential oils are applied to hot stones while a strong-armed Aufgussmeister distributes heat by whipping towels and birch twigs with gusto In the theatrical Gasometer Oberhausen, a towering 384-foot industrial cylinder, prepare to lose a sense of the outdoor season—as well as your sense of time and space. The barrel-shaped industrial relic once used to store gas that powered blast furnaces from the 1920s was decommissioned in 1988 and eventually transformed into one of Europe’s most impressive art venues its monumental art installations are highly immersive—for example a captivating exploration of ocean ecosystems No visit is complete without an elevator up to the structure’s 384-foot-high platform for expansive views across the surrounding landscape The most spectacular biblical scenes can be found on the Chagall windows at the Church of St Stephan’s in the city of Mainz (about 27 miles from Frankfurt) the church underwent extensive postwar restoration in the 1970s to become a symbol of peace and reconciliation Renowned Jewish artist Marc Chagall was chosen to design the stained-glass windows as a testament to healing; his work drew from the Old Testament reflecting the shared roots of Judaism and Christianity It also featured classic scriptural figures like angels and Moses rendered into 20th-century style contributing nine pieces before his death in 1985 at age 97 The work was continued by stained-glass artist Charles Marq who created 19 more windows to complete the fenestral ensemble culminating in an iconic candlelit midnight mass on Christmas Eve showcasing the stained-glass masterpieces in their prime the winter holidays are a gift that never stops giving From Christmas markets to skiing adventures in the Alps the country’s main seasonal attractions are well known but the cooler months of December to March also offer much more off the beaten path and manors straight out of the Brothers Grimm books promise a unique turn to the wintertide Here are some of the best, lesser-known places for outdoor fun and indoor warm-ups across the country. And if you’re ready to book your next trip, Lufthansa operates direct flights from 20 U.S making it easier than ever to plan the perfect German winter adventure Rothenburg ob der Tauber (Red Fortress above the Tauber River) is Germany's most quintessential medieval "winter village" Inside a former airship hangar, you’ll find the world’s largest indoor waterpark, which promises beachy vibes even in the depths of winter. Tropical Islands A two-hour drive from Berlin in Saxony, the Meissen Porcelain Museum is the perfect place to obsess over wintry ornaments Hamburg’s renowned Kunstmeile (Art Mile) traces European art through space Nestled between three states (Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia), the Harz Mountains offer some of Germany’s most underrated and easily accessible peaks In Berlin, there is no better place to banish winter chills than a futuristic spa called Liquidrom In the theatrical Gasometer Oberhausen, a towering 384-foot industrial cylinder, prepare to lose a sense of the outdoor season—as well as your sense of time and space. The barrel-shaped industrial relic The most spectacular biblical scenes can be found on the Chagall windows at the Church of St In cooperation with the German National Tourist Office and Lufthansa Tucked in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country town of Adamstown in Lancaster County, Stoudtburg Village is wildly different from most other Pennsylvania towns it’s modeled after the Bavarian town Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Germany much of which was spared from destruction during World War II the German town of Rothenburg looks like a postcard — and so does Stoudtburg Village you’ll jaunt past colorful homes on cobblestone streets many homes have small but lush gardens or balcony flower boxes A large koi pond invites you to relax on nearby benches you’ll find a beautiful fountain featuring a nymph — her name is Peaches But it’s not just the picture-perfect scenery that makes Stoudtburg Village and its 98 properties worth a visit It’s also a lovely community that prides itself on its warm and welcoming nature and that’s home to a handful of small businesses and a number of engaging events throughout the year (Stoudtoberfest Read on to learn more about the village and plan a weekend when the residents of Stoudtburg Village can extend a warm “Willkommen” to you People gathered in Stoudtburg Village on a summer evening The idea was that homeowners would have small businesses on the ground floors of their homes just as shopkeepers did in European villages back in the day New development has added homes that aren’t meant to also serve double-duty as shops but many of the businesses in Stoudtburg Village zoned for both residential and commercial use indeed house the shopkeeper on the second floor Many of the Stoudtburg Village shops represent the passions of their owners The mix of shops is owned both by longtime entrepreneurs and by retirees launching a “second act,” all of who are sole proprietors of their businesses Sole proprietorship does mean that shop hours might not be convenient for everyone who wants to visit but individual shops may have different hours Be sure to check with a specific business in advance if you really want to visit Here are some businesses you can visit in Stoudtburg Village: Stoudtburg Village shop entrance at Christmas There are no hotels (yet?) in Stoudtburg Village but there are plenty of short-term rentals listed online Check Airbnb or Vrbo so it’s easy for you to stay inside the village You’ll wake up in what might look like Bavaria but is actually a friendly and welcoming Pennsylvania community This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license Mike Fowler had been faintly aware that a museum of Rolls-Royce and Bentley vehicles existed near his boyhood home in the suburbs of Harrisburg,.. Spring in Pennsylvania brings rain showers Here's our guide to some of the best spots to tiptoe through the tulips in.. These Pennsylvania hotels offer entertainment and amenities that rival a day at a theme park Pennsylvania is home to some pretty stellar theme.. runners will race through the commonwealth’s urban areas or beautiful scenery in 18 Pennsylvania marathons The Delaware River town of New Hope draws visitors interested in exploring a small town with a big arts and culture scene Here’s our guide to some of the best spots to tiptoe through the tulips in the commonwealth 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 The best of Bavaria, beyond the mainstream Sponsored by The Bavarian culture of hospitality and Gemütlichkeit creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere for travelers. Courtesy of bavaria.travel / Frank Heuer This story was crafted collaboratively between Visit Bavaria and Lonely Planet. Both parties provided research and curated content to produce this story. We disclose when information isn’t ours. Determines the concept, provides briefing, research material, and may provide feedback. We provide expertise, firsthand insights, and verify with third-party sources when needed. These German Christmas markets are straight out of a storybook. Skye Sherman is a travel writer based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Aside from traveling, she's also a pilot, scuba diver, bookworm, and fourth-generation Floridian. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Palm Beach Illustrated, Atlas Obscura, and more. While some are rather obvious like the Alps or the many landmarks found in the nation’s capital there are plenty that elude even the savviest German Here are the epic places in Germany that you’ve probably never heard of Anatol Rurac / unsplash While Germany is widely known for its scenic Alpine landscapes these are not the only rock formations in the country that inspire wonder located in the Teutoburg Forest in North Rhine-Westphalia The arresting landscape has long drawn visitors – not all of them welcome The Nazis placed particular interest in these jagged sandstones which were used as nationalistic propaganda under the Third Reich and still draw neo-Nazi visitors to this day appenzellmoto / Unsplash Even within the famed Alpine regions of south Germany, there are many stunning hidden gems worth seeking out. Obersee Lake in Bavaria is one of them. Find it in Berchtesgaden National Park, close to the Austrian border import PrebidBidService from "/v1/js/PrebidBidService.js"; import AmazonBidService from "/v1/js/AmazonBidService.js"; window.addEventListener('intersecting',async (e) => { const element = document.querySelector('[data-id="in_article_1"]'); const slot = element.getAttribute('id'); if(e.detail.slotName !== slot) { return; } let promises = []; if(window.canRunPrebid) { const prebidService = new PrebidBidService(); promises.push(prebidService.requestPrebidBids(null [slot])); } if(window.canRunAmazon) { const amazonService = new AmazonBidService(); promises.push(amazonService.fetchBids(null [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Gorge Walkway Garmisch-Partenkirchen Historical Landmark The winding creek is surrounded on either side by steep precipices that form the ‘walls’ of the corridor it is renowned for its extremely blue waters which beautifully contrast its lush forested surroundings Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy lukasseitz / Unsplash View Tour Most tourists who are in the area will likely be drawn to Neuschwanstein Palace but let us recommend that you also check out the smaller summer abode of the same King Ludwig II Linderhof Palace was his lavish baroque summer home and it is outfitted with impressive gardens It was the only residence commissioned by the king of which he actually lived to see the completion before his mysterious import PrebidBidService from "/v1/js/PrebidBidService.js"; import AmazonBidService from "/v1/js/AmazonBidService.js"; window.addEventListener('intersecting',async (e) => { const element = document.querySelector('[data-id="in_article_3"]'); const slot = element.getAttribute('id'); if(e.detail.slotName !== slot) { return; } let promises = []; if(window.canRunPrebid) { const prebidService = new PrebidBidService(); promises.push(prebidService.requestPrebidBids(null [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Burg Neuleiningen Building Schrecksee doesn’t actually bear any connection to the fictional green ogre except perhaps for the lush coloring of the surrounding mountain peaks and it has remained astoundingly untouched by civilization images of the lake appear to be taken from an entirely different era altogether as if it functioned as the inspiration for Jurassic Park or The Land Before Time The next epic spot on our list is located in a village in the district of Görlitz which is situated in eastern Germany near the Polish border and is worth visiting in itself The reason that we are mentioning Kromlau here which extends like a bridge across the water creating a perfect circle when reflected on the surface What’s more is that this is also the site of the largest rhododendron park in the country Maxence Pira / Unsplash Basteibrücke near the German-Czech border functions as a different kind of juncture altogether The sandstone bridge was built in 1851 and stands at over 194 meters above the Elbe River It is surrounded by jutting rock formations and trees lasmaa / Unsplash The tiny town of Cochem in Rhineland-Palatinate dates back to late Roman and Celtic times it remains filled with dozens of intriguing historical buildings including the Cochem Imperial Castle It is popular to take a sightseeing tour from a boat on the Moselle River it is possible to see Cochem’s many colorful homes set against the backdrop of the castle poised on a sharp hill import PrebidBidService from "/v1/js/PrebidBidService.js"; import AmazonBidService from "/v1/js/AmazonBidService.js"; window.addEventListener('intersecting',async (e) => { const element = document.querySelector('[data-id="in_article_6"]'); const slot = element.getAttribute('id'); if(e.detail.slotName !== slot) { return; } let promises = []; if(window.canRunPrebid) { const prebidService = new PrebidBidService(); promises.push(prebidService.requestPrebidBids(null [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Lichtenstein Castle benjaminmerkle/ unsplash Speaking of castles, the Lichtenstein Castle located in Honau, Baden-Württemberg could truly give Neuschwanstein a run for its money Built in stone and featuring a large turret and access by bridge this gorgeous abode was built in gothic revival style in 1840 It is so beautiful that it is known for contributing to the aesthetics of 19th century German romanticism which helped pave the way for future concepts of German nationalism and the town is illuminated with Christmas lights You can find out more about her work at lilycichanowicz.com or via Twitter @liliaceaeflora See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in July Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in December See & Do A Guide to River Cruises in Germany: What to Know See & Do The Best Weekend Trips From Heidelberg See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in October See & Do Germany's Most Beautiful Abbeys and Monasteries See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in September See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Autumn See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Summer Design The Most Beautiful Churches in Berlin Art 10 Masterpieces You Can Only See in Munich Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in November US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd exciting things at my house because they equal road trips My husband and I had just unpacked from a cosmopolitan-packed weekend in Düsseldorf Located along Germany’s picturesque Romantic Road Rothenburg (RO-TEN-BURG) has long captured the hearts of those who meet her it is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the country More than 3.5 kilometers (2.15 miles) of the ancient city walls remain intact and walkable Rothenburg has also appeared in several films notably as the inspiration for the village in Walt Disney’s “Pinocchio” and in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” Parts 1 and 2.We were sold We punched Rothenburg into our GPS and off we went We exited the A6 near Heidelberg and threaded our way through the rural countryside The road morphed from the well-marked concrete of primary roads to soft black asphalt I had to fight the urge not to hang out of the sunroof like it was a Las Vegas limousine One lonely hill waited at the end of the street Surely that’s where Rothenburg’s famous ancient walls must be hiding “Your destination is on the left.” We craned our heads left but the only thing we saw was a field of grazing sheep and in the tiny print reserved for discussing medicinal side effects the resident expert chastised travelers to make sure to get the right Rothenburg we ended up more than two hours away from the Rothenburg more formally known as Rothenburg ob der Tauber the red (rot) fortress (Burg) on the Tauber River.Hungry and angry we were determined to see some ancient city walls WHERE TO PARKDriving within the city walls is discouraged but check regulations with your hotelier first there are five well-marked parking areas surrounding the city walls which put us a few blocks north of the city’s White Tower (Gothic 13th-century tower housing Town Hall and the tourist office) and Market Square Pay at the automatic Parkscheinautomat kiosk and display the ticket on the dash before you leave the vehicle The city walls are an unforgettable experience this is also an excellent rainy weather activity and it’s free You can enter and exit the walls at several stairwells around the city and take breaks at your leisure A perfect stopping spot is at the Spitaltor to see the town’s crest emblazoned on the tower George’s fountain and meander through Market Square taking in the adorable Christmas and trinket shops and picturesque half-timbered architectural style Take a shopping stroll down Schmiedgasse and Spitalgasse These two streets bisect the city and are lined with dozens of shops tour the Medieval Crime & Punishment Museum These snowball-sized pastries are prominently displayed in bakery windows as the town Spezialitat Imagine a flavorless unsalted piecrust cut into strips then dusted with powdered sugar or chocolate — and you’ve got Schneeballs EATThere is no shortage of eateries in Market Square and Old Town But if you’d like to get away from the crowds and enjoy a nice beverage in a quiet This hidden gem is just a few short blocks off Market Square walk toward the Medieval Crime & Punishment Museum and St and you’ll see the restaurant’s patio tables in just a few hundred feet Entrées are reasonably priced at 8 to 14 euros KNOW BEFORE YOU GONot all Rothenburgs are created equal so make sure you put “Rothenburg ob der Tauber” into your GPS before you go Not simply “Rothenburg,” or “Rothenburg ob der” any other river Vidya Amalia Rimayanti TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As the carols chime in and the streets are beautifully adorned with twinkling lights, there is nothing more rewarding than spending this year’s miraculous occasion in one of the best Christmas towns in the world.  Let’s take a tour of the world’s Christmas destinations where the magical festivity is well celebrated throughout the year.  Time Out shares the best Christmas towns in the world and other astounding places as follows:  Crowned as one strenuous character of the best Christmas towns in the world Rovaniemi prides itself as the ‘Official Hometown of Santa Claus’ for its renowned Santa Claus Village amusement park the Christmas spirit becomes especially magical in the heart of Lapland With the edge of the Arctic Circle just five miles away the white Christmas town promises joyous days calling for sleigh rides.  Do you know that there is a dreamy neighborhood nestled between Munich and Frankfurt? Widely known as one of Germany’s best-preserved walled towns and home to the German Christmas Museum Rothenburg ob der Tauber is worth every penny spent The town’s December present is a Christmas-themed vacation for all visitors.  you will meet one of Europe’s best Christmas markets where you can treat your taste buds to a bite of the iconic Rothenburg Schneeballen.  Dreaming of a Christmas ambiance in the middle of summer? The United States has you covered with the existence of the North Pole just a 15-minute drive from Alaska’s Fairbanks While the painted candy canes all along the street fascinate you beyond wonder take a few more steps into the town and pay a visit to the Santa Claus House Gift.  Perhaps much of France should make the list of the best Christmas towns in the world for the magical feelings they exude Not only do they glow during the winter holy month but their festivities buzz all year round with the presence of the town’s cobbled lanes are you in for the holiday set on the 17th-century facades As a testament to France’s ecstatic atmosphere another nominee for best Christmas town in the world comes from the nation features a uniquely traditional architectural style around its surreal landscape it is recommended to visit the city during wintertime.  Gdask lives up to its white winter title all year round The city is also home to open-air markets that offer everything the festive season if your families are on the lookout for some Christmas cheer take a mini tour of Poland’s late-Renaissance buildings Santa Claus town does not wait for the folklore character to come in December presenting big festive-themed celebrations from a Santa Claus Museum to Santa’s Candy Castle the town also has a post office that receives thousands of letters from children sent to Santa Claus.  concludes the list of the best Christmas towns in the world this Florida town has a decorated tree standing out all year What makes it even more popular is the Christmas postmark that appears on every greeting card From enchanting markets to lighted streets, the best Christmas towns in the world invite you to experience the holiday in its most vibrant and memorable form. So, pack your bags, let the carols guide you, and step into a world where Christmas dreams do come true. Don’t miss the opportunity to include the best Christmas markets in Europe in your itinerary.  Editor’s Choice: Top 10 Best Christmas Buffets in Singapore 2024 Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News 2025 Conclave: How the Catholic Church Will Elect the Next Pope Budget-Friendly Vacation: Free Places to Visit in Penang Island Ready for a Change? 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Here Are the Top 10 10 Recommended Budget-Friendly Tourist Destinations in the United States Trump is the Symptom of Deeper American Malaise Microsoft Hikes Global Prices for Xbox Consoles and Games French Prosecutor Says Mosque Attacker's Motive Not Linked to Terrorism France Forge Partnership for Sustainable Mining Practices List of Countries That Experienced Massive Blackouts Top 10 Strongest Militaries in the World: United States Remains at the Forefront Today's Top 3 News: How to Sell Rare Coins Spain-Portugal Reeling from Massive Blackout: Impact Unfolds Ships Should Sail Free Through Suez and Panama Canals Prabowo Subianto Plans to Establish 100 People's Schools Soon Indonesia's Mount Semeru Erupts 3 Times This Morning, Sends Ash 700 Meters High Jokowi Responds to Calls for VP Gibran's Impeachment Prabowo Claims 99.99% Success Rate for Free Nutritious Meal Program Hasan Nasbi Cancels Resignation as Indonesia's PCO Head: 'I Am Loyal to the President' Hollywood Shaken as Trump Orders 100% Tariff on All Foreign-Made Films Prabowo Rejects 'Puppet President' Label, Denies Jokowi's Control Prabowo's Reason for Involving the Military in Food Matters Hamas No Longer Interested in Gaza Ceasefire Talks, Says Official Hun Sen Slams Developed Nations' Meddling in Developing Countries All 133 Cardinal Electors Arrive in Rome Ahead of Papal Conclave Halal Snack Polemic: Tests by MUI Contradict BPJPH, BPOM Findings on Pork Content Deadly Bus Accident Leaves 12 Dead in Indonesia, Police: Brake Failure Lenovo Set to Launch ThinkPad Aura Edition Series for Professionals in Indonesia Bappenas, FAO Host Training Workshop to Enhance Governance in Indonesia's Agrifood Systems Transformation I decided to spend part of the day strolling around the well-preserved medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber which in German means “Red fortress above the Tauber” The town is perched on a plateau overlooking the Tauber river which is why the surrounding wall that guards the town against potential enemies is only needed around part of the perimeter Though I was not in a Christmas mood on a sunny spring day in Germany I decided I had to peruse through Käthe Wohlfahrt coined as “The world famous Christmas Shop” having traveled over 2 hours from Munich by bus to get to Rothenburg I was enchanted with the wooden Christmas pyramids that Germany has become renowned for My mother-in-law has a tiny one which she puts out for Christmas morning breakfast My aunt has one that is at least two tiers For those that do not know what a Christmas Pyramid is it is a wooden sculpture that turns around on a glass bearing and has propellers on the top that spin the sculpture when hot air created by the candles which one lights below are lit they were invented by the poor who could not afford a real Christmas tree What was a simple substitute for a real tree is now an elaborate art form Käthe Wohlfahrt has by far the widest selection of Pyramids that I could find in Rothenburg I had a difficult time choosing one from the many they had from about three different companies in Germany I finally decided on a medium sized one crafted by Müller Kleinkunst a company founded by Oswald Müller in 1899 that made toys and miniatures It took me over half an hour to examine each pyramid in the store and finally select this one It was not too small that it would disappear on the dining table during Christmas Yet not too big that it looses the charm and delicate nature of the piece which drew me to them in the first place I liked the mix of exotic woods that give the piece depth without overpowering like some of the painted pyramids I liked the traditional look of the natural wood grain I liked having the Christmas tree motif in the center and although there were other manufacturers that also had this motif only these ones in the store made by Müller Kleinkunst had the branches fully curled I thought this took greater skill to craft The piece will be shipped home as I have little faith I would be able to carry such a delicate piece home in one piece CULTURE LIFESTYLE FILMMAKING/TECH ATELIER STARK FILMS Fayrisya Maliha Riyawati Soehadi Putri TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A visit to the most beautiful towns in the world promises every traveler an ultimate experience and charming cultures are just a glimpse of what would’ve been waiting for you As highlighted by Condé Nast Traveler and TimeOut this article explores the top 10 most beautiful towns in the world where you can enjoy a trip to the delightful laid-back destinations adorned with their unique charm Continue to read to discover the full list Have you ever imagined stepping into a fairytale world Rothenburg ob der Tauber can turn it into a reality is best known for the breathtaking medieval architecture that feels straight out of a storybook Charming cobblestone streets and romantic vistas are sure to enlighten you especially during winter when the town transformed into a magical Christmas land Sidi Bou Said comes in second place of the most beautiful towns in the world for its enchanting atmosphere The town is stunningly scattered with the combination of white and blue hues evoking the charm of Santorini but without the overwhelming crowds Every corner of Sidi Bou Said feels like a living postcard enriched with cozy guesthouses and charming cafes celebrated by both locals and tourists alike California’s Carmel-by-the-Sea can be a great option Every traveler favors this gem’s unique charm which seamlessly blends the sparkling beaches and fairytale-like villages Carmel-by-the-Sea is a lively town that boasts numerous attractions and activities from boutique shops and art galleries to wine tasting Don’t miss the opportunity to greet friendly seals by going surfing or diving from tranquil beaches to exciting hiking trails this charming town is a place of endless exploration plenty of activities like \ fishing and sailing await you and are ready to enhance your travel experience powdery beach and share the view with curious deserves its place among the world’s most beautiful towns this charming town is a vibrant tapestry of history and color Its Dutch buildings are adorned in colorful eye-catching paints that have become its signature charm.  A leisurely stroll across the town reveals a delightful mix of inspiring restaurants inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the town’s rich history and lively atmosphere Guatapé is a mesmerizing town that captures the essence of vibrant colors and stunning landscapes each part of Guatapé promises a picture-worthy opportunity marking its place among the most beautiful towns in the world the panoramic landscapes of Guatapé are another charm that couldn’t be missed its beauty coupled well with the friendly atmosphere Located in the misty mountains of Northern Vietnam Sapa is the perfect town for a peaceful getaway This town couldn’t be more breathtaking with its terraced rice fields and dramatic mountain views awaiting to be captured Sapa is a destination for every traveler alike or simply immerse yourself in the cool air as you take in the spectacular scenery Step back in time with a visit to Albarracin a medieval town located in the province of Teruel in Spain This tiny town is best known for its preserved historical architecture—a labyrinth of narrow offering dramatic views of the surrounding countryside Albarracin's charm lies not only in its stunning architecture but also in its rich history with remnants of Roman and Moorish influences scattered throughout the town Thailand’s Ban Rak Thai is one of the most beautiful towns in the world that hosts stunning tea plantations and lush hills Ban Rak Thai is ideal for those seeking to be one with nature by going hiking or boating this hidden gem is filled with distinct architecture and fascinating culture that stand out as another appeal Baños boasts a perfect blend of picturesque landscapes Often referred to as the “Gateway to the Amazon,” this small town is surrounded by countless natural beauties from magical waterfalls and relaxing hot springs to lush forests Among the most beautiful towns in the world Baños stands out as a haven for adventure enthusiasts Whether you're zip-lining through the forest the majestic backdrop of waterfalls and the looming presence of an active volcano make every moment feel extraordinary These ten most beautiful towns in the world offer more than just tranquil escapes—they provide a lifetime of unforgettable experiences Editor's Choice: 10 Best Resorts in the World 2024, Lavish and Awe-Inspiring Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News World's Best Muslim-Friendly Country Destinations Singapore Named World's Cleanest Tourist City The Oldest Temples in the World Still in Use Today The 10 Best Coastal Towns in UK to Live Before Everyone Else Does Top Destinations with Perfect Temperatures Top 10 Countries with the Best Beaches in the World: Stunning Seascape Awaits Soekarno-Hatta Airport Immigration Services Ranked Top 10 in the World Indonesian U-17 National Team to Face Afghanistan in 2025 U-17 Asian Cup Tonight World Bipolar Day March 30: Detecting Bipolar Disorder and Its Types sharing a juicy piece of gossip could earn the speaker a punishment of wearing a humiliation mask A similar fate awaited men who told lascivious jokes and those who interfered in other people’s business A physical equivalent of social media shaming several centuries before Facebook and Twitter the masks were fashioned out of iron and had exaggerated features representing each specific social misconduct The “gossip” mask has long ears and glasses and an even longer tongue to show that the wearer was likely to spread the information quickly and indiscreetly A number of these shame masks or schandmaske intended to publicly humiliate the people perpetrating these acts are on display at the Medieval Crime Museum in Rothenburg From social shaming tools to more physically torturous devices the museum chronicles the brutal history of over 1,000 years of crime and punishment in Germany and other parts of Europe The painful private collection curated by a German publisher in the late-19th century was first housed and it took on the shape of a more expansive museum under the guidance of an artist couple in 1977 and displays over 50,000 objects relating to law and order as it was enforced and structured in the medieval era and thereafter.  For baking bread loaves that were too small or light bakers were locked into a cage and dunked repeatedly into water and off-key musicians were spotlighted with a shame flute fastened around their necks An entire section is dedicated to the treatment of women and to the terrible witch-hunt which took place in the Bavarian region in the 17th century. The beauty of the delicate carvings on a choke pear is swiftly overshadowed by its terrifying purpose—it was inserted into orifices of the human body and slowly turned so that each leaf expanded and the victim quickly admitted to his or her crime More torture devices cruelly designed to extract confessions from suspected criminals line the walls of this museum The more procedural aspects of the legal system in the form of documents and trade exhibits are also on display and but the overwhelming tone is gruesome and chilling.  The museum is in the south-west corner of the historic city centre not far from the main square (Marktplatz) and close to the Kobolzell Gate and Plönlein Tower entrances The nearest of the town's peripheral car parks are by the Plönlein Tower is only 15 minutes' walk away.From April to October the museum is open from 10 a.m and from November to March it's opening hours are 1 p.m to 4 p.m.The majority of exhibition pieces feature English and Chinese descriptions alongside German Medieval torture techniques with a modern conscience This 16th-century pole was once used in brutal public executions See Malta’s history through the recreation of scenes of torture using life-sized mannequins in a former medieval dungeon A display of torture devices used in the Spanish Inquisition and other scourges of medieval Europe Extensive private collection of authentic Medieval devices used for human torture and execution This 16th-century building features a flamenco stage on its ground floor and a torture museum on its upper floors Discover everything there is to know about Catalan giants and "Big-Heads." Jessica SchulzManager Information & Media (National Centre for Charging Infrastructure)(function(){var ml="leoshzd%.wimc0au-4gjbn",mi="C133:<>83*protected email* “We are delighted to be putting twelve new fast-charging points into operation this week Each charging point has a capacity of up to 400 kilowatts – enough to charge an average electric car for the next leg of its journey in around 20 minutes – and needless to say with 100 percent green electricity,” says Ludolf von Maltzan responsible for E.ON Drive Infrastructure’s business in Germany Larger charging spaces for barrier-free charging and for electric vans there is at least one particularly wide parking space for barrier-free charging At those charging locations with at least eight charging points there is also an extra-long parking space that allows electric vans or e-cars with trailers to be charged Charging can be started and paid for using standard charging cards and charging apps or by means of a credit card terminal at the charging station Those travelling to Rothenburg ob der Tauber by electric car to visit the medieval old town will find eight E.ON fast-charging points at Laiblestraße 26 within walking distance of the historic city wall This location also offers two barrier-free charging options and a parking space for light commercial vehicles each with a capacity of up to 400 kilowatts are now available to electric vehicle drivers a chemist as well as various other shops are all located in the immediate vicinity More than 170 E.ON fast-charging stations for the Deutschlandnetz network the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV – Bundesministerium für Digitales und Verkehr) is working with charging station operators to create 9,000 additional fast-charging points for electric cars at more than 1,000 locations in cities and at unstaffed motorway service stations Further E.ON locations for the expansion of the Deutschlandnetz are in the construction phase On behalf of the BMDV and operating under the umbrella of NOW GmbH the National Centre for Charging Infrastructure is coordinating the implementation of the Deutschlandnetz and is specifically responsible for demand planning reviewing technical requirements and the data monitoring of the sites Head and Spokesperson for the National Centre for Charging Infrastructure at NOW GmbH: “The Deutschlandnetz is continuing to grow with the addition of two fast-charging parks in Franconia Drivers of electric vehicles now have access to ultra-fast Deutschlandnetz charging points in Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Bad Königshofen Particularly for regions with a high level of tourism a well-developed charging infrastructure is becoming an increasingly important factor for the location.” e-motorists can now charge their vehicles with 100 percent green electricity 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 Content from video platforms and social media platforms is blocked by default access to those contents no longer requires manual consent Patricia Black was willing to drive to downtown Detroit from East Lansing to solve a family mystery I believe brought from Germany by my aunt after World War II,” she wrote to the column in an email “It says original ____ but I can’t read the name Would love to know what it is and have someone take a look at it.” That “someone” was DuMouchelle appraiser Jim Flannery who examined Black’s family heirloom during a recent Trash or Treasure appraisal session held at the downtown gallery and auction house The image shows a European street scene of a clock tower with timbered buildings It has hallmarks and crests in the lower left and writing on the lower right Black filled Flannery in on additional background at the event “My aunt was in Germany during World War II and worked with the USO,” she explained “This was one of the things she brought back in the 1940s.” the appraiser first corrected her on the medium “which he said is a colored etching originally done on copper and reproduced on paper” and not a painting or canvas The informative website artoftheprint.com had a little more information about the artist: “A twentieth century German painter and etcher Ernst Geissendorfer studed art techniques in Nuremberg In the decade of the 1930s he traveled and worked extensively Geissendorfer returned to live in Rothenburg and assumed control of the family art gallery there Ernst Geissendorfer served as Town Councillor of Rothenburg during the 1960s Ernst Geissendorfer usually produced small uncoloured etchings he created much larger etchings to which he applied hand-colouring.” Black’s work is known as “Rothenburg ob der Tauber,” and is one of the artist’s many well-known prints The town dates to 1274 and sits on the Tauber River “Rothenburg is in Bavaria and is a charming and well-preserved medieval town,” Flannery explained Because the piece is nicely framed and matted adding “the problem these days is that unfortunately etchings don’t bring a lot at auction anymore.” Black ultimately decided to leave the piece behind at the auction house and take her chances on the market “It’s been on the wall a long time,” she explained “I have a lot of things that I’ve had for years and it’s time to let go.” Do you have an object you would like to know more about Send a photo and description that includes how you acquired the object to: The Detroit News Include your name and daytime telephone number If chosen you’ll need to bring the items to an appraisal session By dallasnews Administrator Germany — Should Rothenburg ob der Tauber want to rid itself of tourists Baumgartner strides through the medieval walled village in costume followed by up to 300 tourists — sometimes picking up more as he goes along rather than leading the group to a dark future he takes them on an entertaining journey through the town’s past an Eric Idle look-alike with a dry wit and engaging manner has been leading Night Watchman tours for 25 years His tour received a TripAdvisor Award of Excellence in 2014 and the vast majority of the more than 470 reviews on the site are five-star raves Not bad for a guy who was a painfully shy child and had never spoken in public before taking the job was studying newspaper and magazine production which was “more boring than I thought it would be,” when he saw a newspaper article about Rothenburg needing a new Night Watchman tour guide after the death of the man who had done it for a decade News RoundupsCatch up on the day's news you need to know GoogleFacebookBy signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy “I was really excited,” Baumgartner says. “I thought this was something I have to do. It was like a voice telling me, ‘Go ahead, man. That’s your thing.’ I followed my voice.” Nobody in Rothenburg wanted the job, he says, because it required giving the tour every night. “Maybe they didn’t see such a big chance behind this,” he says. “But I saw the chance and thought it’s something I have to do. Thank God I did.” Baumgartner was neither a performer nor a historian when he applied for the job. The city gave him history books to read and tested him on his knowledge — and he passed and got the job. Some people are turned off when they see the size of the groups that gather for the Night Watchman tour each evening, but Baumgartner is skilled at keeping even large groups engaged, and enjoys the challenge. In fact, he still shudders remembering leading a tour of just one person. “It was in November and it was lousy and cold and ugly outside,” he says. He tried to talk to the woman who showed up out of taking the tour, but she was adamant. “It’s horrible,” Baumgartner says. “It lasts forever. You think it’s not going to end because there’s no walking and waiting for people to come over. This person is right by you all the time. But I made it somehow.” Between the tours and Die Kleiderey, a boutique he owns with his wife, the couple (you might see them zipping around town on their Segways) are able to spend two months each winter relaxing on a remote beach in Thailand, where the only tourists are Thais who visit on weekends. “Ahhh, it’s a dream,” he says. By any measure, the Night Watchman tour is a huge success for Baumgartner. To what does he attribute its popularity? “I wish I knew,” he says. “My wife says I give my parts of myself into my speech. I speak with my soul, or with my heart. It’s funny — people feel something special or they are attracted by my voice or how I say things. It’s been that way through my history, through my life.” Of course, Baumgartner would never want to Pied Piper tourists out of Rothenburg. They’ve been good to him. And he is grateful to that voice in his heart that spoke to him all those years ago — even though he was a little shaky the first time out. “I was 38. I stood on the market square and there were maybe 25 people, and I thought, that’s a crowd. I was scared,” he says. “But once you do it and you jump over your own fear, next time it’s even better and it’s getting normal, and you get used to it. Now there are 200 people and I think ‘How cool is that?’” Sophia Dembling is author of "100 Places in the USA Every Woman Should Go." Night Watchman tours meet at 8 every night in the market square in front of Town Hall. nightwatchman.de. Thank you for reading. We welcome your thoughts on this topic. Comments are moderated for adherence to our Community Guidelines Please read the guidelines before participating the Feinstein College of Education embarked on an expansion of URI’s existing partnership with Germany’s Technische Universität Braunschweig (TUB) to develop a new collaboration between the two schools that will incorporate each other’s respective research mobility programming and methodology into teaching programs This new branch of the institutional partnership has flourished and faculty in the respective Colleges of Education have hosted virtual faculty exchanges and successfully executed an innovative inaugural faculty-led program associate professor of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) coordinator of Global Education and Partnerships collaborated with TUB faculty and staff to design a five-week hybrid course that included online asynchronous and synchronous collaborative learning with German and URI students followed by URI students traveling to Germany to participate in historical and cultural activities and school observations with their German peers Hos and Rossignol took the college’s first cohort of students to Germany The students engaged in intercultural collaborations in and out of the classroom and focused on teaching literacy strengths of children and adults of diverse socioeconomic students explored comparative education between Germany and the United States as it pertains to teaching multicultural populations “We developed this faculty-led program with a belief that education is the bridge that connects diverse cultures and builds pathways of understanding By exploring the richness of different educational systems our students were able to not only enhance their own teaching practices We believe that it is through the exchange of ideas that we construct a foundation for a more interconnected and enlightened world,” said Hos Following the success of the college’s program in Germany TUB partners extended an Erasmus scholarship to fund one College of Education faculty member to travel to the TUB campus in Braunschweig was a guest lecturer in undergraduate and graduate level courses at TUB a senior delegation from TUB visited the College of Education to participate in an institution-wide partnership signing ceremony with URI President Marc Parlange The college organized school observations for the TUB delegation with the intention of furthering the joint research and comparative education programming with both institutions “This visit further cemented the commitment each university has to this partnership and resulted in outlining future goals of dual mobility and dual degree programs that we’re both working towards,” said Rossignol who is writing her dissertation on comparative special education models of the U.S Möhlen intends to travel to URI to conduct research under the guidance of Moore “This partnership is important because it provides opportunities for students and faculty Education students have the opportunity to network with cross-cultural dialogue with education peers from another country faculty have the opportunity to share research participate in joint research projects and guest lecturing activities broadening their impact and perspectives in education,” said Rossignol URI is one of five strategic partners for TUBS worldwide Copyright © 2025 University of Rhode Island | University of Rhode Island URI is an equal opportunity employer committed to the principles of affirmative action Thanks to its long history, rich culture, and well-established traditions, Germany is home to some of the most interesting places to visit in Europe Dotted across the country are countless small towns that each boast their very own charm and character and each of which offers curious travelers no end of fun things to do and see From picturesque small towns like Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Lindau with their well-preserved medieval architecture and fairy-tale ambiance to the scenic setting of Cochem on the Moselle River together paint a compelling picture of a Germany that thrives on its uniqueness The charming island town of Lindau on Lake Constance (Bodensee) in Bavaria is easy to get to from Munich and its international airport it is connected to the mainland by a bridge and a causeway used by vehicle traffic Lindau’s recorded history goes back as far as the 9th century and it’s known to have been fortified by the Romans at one point The town’s picturesque Harbor Entrance is unique for its lighthouse (Neuer Leuchtturm) and the Bavarian Lion statue (Bayerischer Löwe), which stand as guardians over the town and boat traffic that come and go. In addition to the spectacular views over Lake Constance and the Alps in Austria and Switzerland it is a great place to hop aboard a tour boat or simply sit at a café and watch the world go by this elegant spa offers visitors a ritualized bathing experience that promotes wellness and relaxation A more contemporary take on thermal bathing can be enjoyed at Caracalla Spa and steam baths set amidst beautiful gardens Other quirky things to do in Baden Baden include visiting the Kurhaus an architectural marvel housing the old-school Casino Baden-Baden; and the Festspielhaus Europe's second-largest opera and concert house Quedlinburg’s location, mid-way between Hanover and Leipzig, makes it a great destination for a day trip or overnight getaway. This UNESCO World Heritage Site (one of an impressive 52 in Germany all told) is worth visiting for its large collection of over 2,000 well-preserved half-timbered houses and landmark buildings spanning six centuries The Fachwerkmuseum im Ständerbau museum is a must-visit and delves into the history and construction of these half-timbered houses The centerpiece of this amazing architectural collection is Quedlinburg Abbey this Romanesque masterpiece sits atop Schlossberg Hill It houses the tombs of the first German King which contains medieval art and religious artifacts Other must-visits include Quedlinburg's Market Square (Marktplatz) and its Renaissance Town Hall (Rathaus) Usually referred to simply as “Rothenburg,” Rothenburg ob der Tauber is every inch the traditional German fairy-tale town. Located on the spectacular Romantic Road scenic driving route in the heart of beautiful Bavaria it is a delightful town to explore on foot a yellow half-timbered house at a fork in the road along with the fountain in front and the Siebers Tower and Kobolzeller Tower framing the scene is one of the most photographed spots in Germany The Market Square (Marktplatz) serves as the heart of Rothenburg Photographic highlights include the Town Hall (Rathaus) with its impressive Renaissance façade and tower (be sure to climb the tower for its views); St home to the Holy Blood altarpiece by Tilman Riemenschneider a masterpiece of wood carving; and walking the old town walls Two quirky museums to visit include the Medieval Crime and Justice Museum (Mittelalterliches Kriminalmuseum) and the Christmas Museum (Weihnachtsmuseum) which celebrates the town's year-round Christmas spirit Known as the "City of Towers and Gates," Ravensburg is an often-overlooked gem that should be included on any Southern Germany travel itinerary The townscape is blessed with 10 historic towers and many able to be visited as you explore the Old Town (Altstadt) area were part of the town's original fortifications and today offer panoramic views of the town and the surrounding countryside Ravensburg’s role as an important trading and market center is evident in the Marienplatz, the main square, which is surrounded by historic buildings, including the Waaghaus and the Rathaus (Town Hall). The town’s quirkier side can be explored at Museum Ravensburger, a fun attraction dedicated to the history of the iconic board game and puzzle maker Its stunning Moselle Valley setting makes Cochem a must-visit in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. This picture-perfect small town, a regular stop for passing river cruises, is home to the spectacular 12th-century Reichsburg Castle Perched on a commanding hilltop overlooking the river and the town guided castle tours paint a fascinating look into the times of knights and nobility Exploring Cochem's old town center is a must for its half-timbered homes and market square (Marktplatz) Martin's Church and the Baroque town hall (Rathaus) Cochem is a gateway to the Moselle wine region with numerous vineyards and wineries offering tastings and tours Another quirky attraction is the Cochem Chairlift (Cochemer Sesselbahn Talstation) which transports visitors up to the Pinnerkreuz lookout point for panoramic views of the area While much of Friedrichshafen’s town center was destroyed during WWII due to its industrial importance there is a very good reason for tourists to want to include this interesting Baden-Württemberg destination on their list of top places to visit in Germany that the very first Zeppelin took flight… and it’s here that tourists can experience the thrill of flying in a Zeppelin airship for themselves  Zeppelin flights are available from the town’s airport and boast breathtaking aerial views of Lake Constance and the surrounding region Whether before or after a flight, a visit to the Zeppelin Museum is a must. Housed in the former Harbor Railway Station (Hafenbahnhof), this fascinating attraction features the world's largest collection related to airship travel and the history of Zeppelin aviation, including details of the ill-fated Hindenburg disaster of 1937 famous for its Sun Organ (Sonnenorgel); constructed in 1703 this elegantly decorated instrument is still in use for recitals that are open to the public and provide a somewhat quirky musical journey back in time Exploring the town’s picturesque Lower Market Square (Untermarkt) is time well spent the oldest Renaissance building in Germany and home to the interesting Silesian Museum with its displays relating to local history and culture Boppard sits along the picturesque Rhine River in the Rhineland-Palatinate region and is the closest community to the spectacular Rhine Loop. Best seen from the vantage point of the Vierseenblick (Four-Lakes View,) just a 30-minute walk from the town center, this panoramic bend in the Rhine gives the impression you are looking at a series of interconnected lakes rather than a river. The town is also famous for the Boppard Chairlift (Sesselbahn Boppard), which carries visitors up to the Gedeonseck viewpoint for even more views of the Rhine Loop. Allow time to explore Old Town Boppard, too, as it has been designated part of the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley. Exploring the quirkiest towns in Germany offers a superb opportunity to experience a journey through some of Europe’s most impressive countryside and historic landmarks. From the well-preserved half-timbered houses of Quedlinburg to the fairy-tale streets of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, these charming communities embody the spirit of a bygone era and invite adventurous travelers to venture off the beaten track and explore. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com Where time stands still and the Christmas spirit is felt all year round restore your lost energy with some regional or international specialties at one of these top-notch restaurants ©Topinambur Restaurant A cool cozy bar to settle for a relaxing cocktail is the best introduction for a romantic candlelit dinner. When local rustic specialties blend with creative Mediterranean touches, the result is more than impressive. Find Topinambur inside the Prinzhotel for a meal to remember take advantage of the lovely terrace if the weather is nice and make sure to save some room for the divine desserts Maria Menegaki was born in Crete in 1991 and is an MA student of Social and Historical Anthropology at the University of the Aegean She holds a BA in Geography and is constantly looking for ways to combine her academic interests with her passion for travelling and exploring She loves music and cinema and is determined never to grow up © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker GermanyChevron MunichChevron Jacek Dylag/UnsplashSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links Part of a government plan to help consumers with rising energy costs the new fare is valid for travel for one month on all local and regional trains Though the unlimited ticket excludes popular Intercity Express trains you can still travel far and wide across the country for a mere €9 until the end of August Earlier in July, I decided to book a ticket to explore the charming medieval towns and foothills of the Bavarian Alps located along Germany’s Romantic Road Here's how I pulled off the four-day trip for just €9 in train fare All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors A view of the red roofs of  Rothenburg ob der Tauber The 9-Euro-Ticket Validity: One ticket is valid for one person for any number of journeys in one calendar month (from 0:00 on 1st of the month until 24:00 on the last day of the month) The ticket is valid on all public transport including regional buses and trains (2nd class) or EC trains or some long-distance or privately operated buses and trains (e.g. Where to buy: The €9 ticket can be purchased online on transport apps such as MVV (for Munich) and BVG (for Berlin) or on station ticket machines Paper tickets need to be signed with your name and I set off from Munich in a near-empty carriage I’ve packed light—my backpack fits comfortably overhead—following the wry advice on the train’s information screens to not “bring your double-bass” on-board during the 9-Euro-Ticket season In a more crowded carriage after changing at Treuchtlingen Distant churches with cupolas like onion bulbs and a freight train full of Audis whip by my window a fresh Bavarian pasta with cheese and crispy onions How to get there: From München Hbf (Munich Main Station) take the RB16 heading to Nürnberg and get off at Treuchtlingen (1hr 57 mins); change to the RB80 heading to Würzburg Hbf and get off at Steinach (1hr 6 mins); then change to the RB82 to Rothenburg ob der Tauber (15 mins) The bus service they replaced it with is a little patchy (I had to take two buses to get here) Singles from €60; doubles from €72; breakfast for €10 Singles from €60; doubles from €97; breakfast included Singles from €70; doubles from €80; breakfast included which are ravioli-like parcels; these particular ones are stuffed with fried vegetables How to get there: From Rothenburg Schlachthof take the 807 bus heading towards Dombühl Bahnhof and get off at Dombühl Lindenstr (50 mins); cross the street to get the 813 bus heading towards Dinkelsbühl Gymnasium and get off at Dinkelsbühl ZOB Schwedenwiese (43 mins) get the 501 bus heading towards Nördlingen Bussteig 8 and get off at Nördlingen Brettermarkt (44 mins) built to the eccentric tastes of King Ludwig II Giddy from the museum’s glittering treasures I head back to town through the inevitable storm to catch the train to Munich though I’m already planning to return for the castles How to get there: From Augsburg main station get the RB77 to Füssen (2hrs) take the RB68 to München Hbf (2hrs 14 mins) up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world and though main attractions can get crowded there are more than enough quiet corners of castles and cobblestoned alleys in 12th-century towns for everybody head southwest toward Füssen at the beginning (or end) of the Romantic Road For the love of all that is good and muscle-bound, please rent a fast German car. A BMW, an Audi, a Mercedes—doesn't matter. Just pick one and don't let the rental car company try to give you something compact. You'll be on the Autobahn for the initial stretch of the drive out of Munich and you'll feel safer in a ride with a big engine when everyone else is going 120 mph who goes "wooo!" in a Geo on the Autobahn a spa hotel at the base of the Alps with a welcoming fire going in the lobby and views of the castle from bedroom balconies If you don't make it to the castle until the next morning a walled Roman Catholic housing complex for the poor built in the early 1500s by Jakob Fugger It still serves as subsidized housing to this day and you can take a tour of one of the homes peeking into the spartan but welcoming living room There's also a complicated history of the Fuggerei's rebirth following a WWII bombing raid made all the more real by the mini-museum's setting in a bunker It all looks like a film set or a Disney theme park—but then again film sets and theme parks are made to look like this This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from the smell of gingerbread and roasting sausages the comforting feeling of wrapping your hands around a hot cup of mulled wine And where better to enjoy them than in the country that invented them — Germany — which still hosts some of the finest markets that Europe and the world have to offer Running for a whole month in most cases (late November through to Christmas eve they’re usually set on stunning mediaeval squares and each city town and region offer their own traditions The only thing you have to do is wrap up warm and wear comfortable shoes along with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times you can enjoy a collection of travel offers and competitions curated by our trusted travel partners especially for Times+ members"}}]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"This article contains affiliate links which may earn us revenue"}}]}]},{"name":"heading2","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"1 2024"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Best for"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" nativity scenes and sizzling bratwurst"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Known for its colourful Gothic buildings and grand towering landmarks such as St Mary’s Cathedral and St Severus’ Church Several of its medieval squares — Domplatz is the main one but Fischmarkt and Willy-Brandt-Platz also part of the festivities — are decorated with an impressively tall candle-adorned Christmas tree and a nativity scene with almost life-sized figures a Ferris wheel and a 12m Christmas pyramid Look out for figurines of local luminaries (Saint Martin of Tours Martin Luther) as well as around 200 stalls hawking Thuringian sausages and glühwein ceramics and crafts from the Ore mountains 2024"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Best for"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" tradition and hot soups"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"While it’s perhaps most famous for its skyscrapers and role as Germany’s premier financial centre many visitors to Frankfurt are surprised to discover its picturesque medieval public square Heralded by the three-gabled timber-framed Römer — the city’s administrative home since the 15th century — the square has served as a hub for European traders for centuries It’s also famous for hosting the annual Christmas market which has taken place here since the 14th century (1393 to be exact) These days the market extends beyond the square the Zeil shopping promenade and even down to the river Main A special feature is the pink Christmas huts serving warm cocktails and homemade soups at Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz The Steigenberger Icon Frankfurter Hof is a city star Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt"}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"0eb69588-ae7f-4fba-874b-271a0424af51","display":"fullwidth","caption":"Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg","title":"The Christmas market at Nuremberg Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt is vibrant enough to convince even the biggest seasonal grumps to join in There are nearly 200 independent vendors selling handmade crafts — everything from scented candles and local jams to wool clothing and hand-carved figurines — as well as local snacks including Nürnberger rostbratwurst and lebkuchen (gingerbread) Said to have started in the early 16th century the market gets its name from the holy Christkind (“Christ child”) who is played by a different local child each year and paraded through the central Hauptmarkt (main square) Karl August is a centrally located four-star hotel with a bar Dresden Striezelmarkt"}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"b3f08982-f045-4eef-b1c0-7d0c7323b83e","display":"fullwidth","caption":"The Christmas pyramid at the Dresden Striezelmarkt","title":"The Christmas pyramid at the Dresden Striezelmarkt 2024"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Best for"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" history and stollen"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Dresden’s market dates back to the early 15th century and is generally regarded as one of the oldest in Germany the classic German Christmas cake — you’ll find plenty of it here with the Elbe River tinkling in the background the market has quirky features such as the plaumentoffel — decorative figures made of prunes — and the largest Christmas pyramid in the country Berlin WeihnachtsZauber"}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"d02f1362-3686-45d7-af7d-b3a01e511fdf","display":"fullwidth","caption":"A street performer at the Berlin WeihnachtsZauber","title":"At the Berlin WeihnachtsZauber with its two baroque cathedrals and elegant neoclassical Konzerthaus It’s known as the WeihnachtsZauber (“Christmas magic”) and there is a small admission fee but you can expect top-quality food (Bavarian and Berlin specialities) drinks (including champagne) and handicrafts — as well as heated tents There is also daily entertainment in the shape of musicians head to the Scandinavian-themed Lucia Markt in Prenzlauer Berg Stuttgart Wintertraum Markt"}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"d98378a2-2e65-4441-b8cf-a5bbb10febec","display":"fullwidth","caption":"Stuttgart Wintertraum Markt","title":"Stuttgart Wintertraum Markt 2024"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Best for"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" fairytale chalet stalls and local produce"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Known for its cobblestone streets and historic buildings Stuttgart’s old town makes a fairytale setting for a Christmas market and is known as Wintertraum Markt (“winter dream market”) Here you’ll find almost 300 incredibly cute chalet-style wooden stalls that compete to win the annual city prize for the most beautifully decorated There are roasted chestnuts and lebkuchen aplenty — the market has an emphasis on local and sustainable products in all its food offerings — as well as a rollerskating rink live jazz and choral performances in local churches Stuttgart itself is right at the edge of the Black Forest 2024"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Best for"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" music and snowballs"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"This highly romantic affair in the fairytale medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a popular option the market features about 50 market stalls set amid the town’s winding lanes and cute timber-framed houses whose gabled roofs are often dusted with snow at this time of year and foodie treats that range from grilled sausages and flammkuchen (“flame cake” a pizza-style dish) as well as local delights such as the Rothenburger schneeball (“snowball”) — fried shortcrust pastry balls covered in powdered sugar or chocolate 2024"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Best for"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" carousels and glühwein"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Aachen’s Christmas festivities take place on the historic Münsterplatz overlooked by the city’s majestic and historically significant cathedral — the final resting place of Charlemagne selling everything from mulled wine to handmade wooden toys a local version of lebkuchen made with caramelised sugar Leipzig Christmas Market"}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"37eacaa4-cfca-447b-8a3c-f8bb4b035d7a","display":"fullwidth","caption":"Getting into the Christmas spirit at Leipzig’s festive market","title":"A dog at Leipzig's Christmas market 2024"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Best for"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" Christmas trees and Santa Claus"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"This market in the centre of the charming Saxony city of Leipzig is easy to reach from Berlin — as well as Dresden — if you feel like making a small winter tour Expect 250 to 300 stalls crammed into the host square which features striking buildings including the Renaissance-era old town hall where Bach was sworn into the city and whose balcony serves as a stage for trombone concerts Visitors can look forward to a 20m Christmas tree and child-friendly elements such as a “magic forest” installation and a roaming Santa Claus Nearby Augustplatz also has a ferris wheel that lets you enjoy the city from up above Innside by Melia Leipzig is steps away from Marktplatz and has modern rooms 2024"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Best for"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" parades and global gifts"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"One of the newer markets on the scene — only a few decades old — the Christmas Market of Nations lives up to its name by inviting 16 nations (or thereabouts) from around the globe to present products specialities and customs from their respective countries It’s set in the historic old quarter of Rüdesheim against an ensemble of the old town’s finest traditional buildings and near the banks of the Rhine As well as stalls decorated with illuminated lights Look out for the special parade for St Thomas’s Night on December 20 It’s also possible to take a cable car ride to see the market (and city) from above 2024"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Best for"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" dumplings and puppets"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Trier’s Christmas market has only been running for about 40 years well known for its Roman-era ruins and bustling cultural life also has a proud medieval heritage and a highly picturesque market square dominated by the mighty cathedral it’s a little smaller than other markets around Germany but there’s more than enough to keep browsers occupied and appetites satisfied including local treats such as gebäckkringel There’s also a small extension of the festivities at the historic Porta Nigra Romantik Hotel Zur Glocke is close to the main market and Porta Nigra and has modern Braunschweig Christmas Market"}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"648fc3bb-eb82-4248-a456-7a68ef31b8a3","display":"fullwidth","caption":"The world’s biggest nutcracker at the entrance to the Christmas market in Braunschweig","title":"The world's biggest nutcracker at the entrance to the Christmas market in Braunschweig Visitors can browse up to 150 stalls selling artisanal wooden toys seasonal products and regional specialities such as Braunschweiger Mumme a non-alcoholic malt extract with a spicy flavour nativity scenes with life-sized sculptures and an ice rink at Kohlmarkt 2024 (Friday to Sunday only)"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Best for"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" unique setting and regional dishes"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"This is the first and only Christmas market located in a gorge in the hills of the Black Forest Set below a striking 40m sandstone viaduct that forms part of the Devil‘s Valley Railway this has to be the country’s most unique seasonal event or at least the one with the most unusual and natural setting Accessed via a local train station (Hinterzarten or Himmelreich) and a free shuttle bus it has everything you want from a Christmas market: handmade wares live music and steaming regional dishes such as schäufele (smoked pork shoulder) and käsespätzle (egg pasta with cheese) Hotel Hofgut Sternen once hosted German poet Goethe and has two restaurants Munich Christmas Market"}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"5b25e828-a92a-4572-8bb2-7b0b72a0b7ef","display":"fullwidth","caption":"The Krampus Run at Munich’s Christmas market","title":"The Krampus Run at Munich's Christmas market It’s held right on the city’s scenic Marienplatz surrounded by historic buildings (including the new and old town halls) and features hundreds of wooden stalls and a huge tree adorned with 2,500 lights that together create a veritable winter wonderland There are Bavarian handicrafts such as hand-painted glass ornaments and wooden products from Oberammergau classic stollen and different types of mulled wine as well as unique activities such as the Krampus Run with around 300 runners dressed in terrifying costumes causing havoc through the city More sedate is the Christkindl tram with mulled wine offered on board and the advent concerts that are performed live every evening Cologne Heinzels Wintermärchen"}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"72fb854d-30b8-43fd-97b2-797812e6eeaa","display":"fullwidth","caption":"Heinzels Wintermärchen in Cologne","title":"Heinzels Wintermärchen in Cologne 2024"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Best for"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" skating and atmosphere"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"The Christmas market outside Cologne’s gothic cathedral is the classic one for tourists as it gives visitors a chance to browse trinket-laden wooden stalls while admiring the illuminated landmark But head to the city’s old town and you’ll find Heinzels Wintermärchen where over 100 stalls are set against the backdrop of Cologne’s steep-gabled houses The enormous market is split into two sections: the old market is where you’ll find traditional crafts from wood carving to ceramics while the new market is dominated by an ice rink and Bavarian curling lanes and roasted pork all make this a delicious affair International Christmas Market Essen"}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"0a255b7c-7d63-42fd-acfa-e8fb1dfaf199","display":"fullwidth","caption":"Illuminated angel wings at the International Christmas Market Essen","title":"illuminated angel wings at the International Christmas market Essen 2024"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Best for"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" early Christmas shopping"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"The Christmas market in Essen typically opens a week or two before those in other German cities which makes it ideal for those who want to get their festive fix early while taking advantage of the shoulder season hotel and flight prices in November It’s also unique in that although the 200-plus stalls twinkling fairy lights and fairground rides give it a traditional air the crafts and food sold here mix the classics with products from Peru So instead of mulled wine you might be drinking hot caipirinha Hotel Motel One Essen overlooks Kennedyplatz from restored villa retreats to stylish dens of cutting-edge design.","slug":"best-hotels-in-munich","categoryPath":"/travel/destinations/europe-travel/germany/munich/best-hotels-in-munich-w3hfcnk6w","__typename":"Article","summary({\"maxCharCount\":105})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Munich stunning"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":125})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Munich stunning architecture and fascinating"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":145})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Munich stunning architecture and fascinating history it offers"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":160})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Munich it offers visitors more"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":175})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Munich it offers visitors more than the"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":225})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Munich Most things deemed “cool” have a shelf life — except in Berlin where cool"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":125})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Leg warmers where cool is woven into the"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":145})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Leg warmers where cool is woven into the city’s identity Known"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":160})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Leg warmers Known for its"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":175})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Leg warmers Known for its progressive outlook"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":225})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Leg warmers Berlin even enshrines this spirit in its laws Soak up the atmosphere on river cruises that visit Europe’s Christmas markets.","slug":"15-best-christmas-market-cruises","categoryPath":"/travel/inspiration/cruises/15-best-christmas-market-cruises-hl6zdv62n","__typename":"Article","summary({\"maxCharCount\":105})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"With the aroma of gingerbread and spices filling the air and wooden stalls selling traditional toys"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":125})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"With the aroma of gingerbread and spices filling the air and wooden stalls selling traditional toys specialty foods"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":145})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"With the aroma of gingerbread and spices filling the air specialty foods and warming mulled"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":160})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"With the aroma of gingerbread and spices filling the air there’s"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":175})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"With the aroma of gingerbread and spices filling the air there’s nothing quite"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":225})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"With the aroma of gingerbread and spices filling the air there’s nothing quite like a traditional Christmas Here are the best places to get into the festive spiritErfurt Christmas Market in GermanyALAMYPaul SullivanTuesday September 17 2024 The TimesChristmas markets are a joy: the cheerful These are the best Christmas markets in Germany Main photo: Dresden’s Striezelmarkt at dusk (Getty Images) Become a subscriber and Erfurt Christmas Market is one of the best Christmas markets in GermanyALAMYWhen November 26 to December 22 2024Best for nativity scenes and sizzling bratwurstKnown for its colourful Gothic buildings and grand The family-friendly Hotel Am Kaisersaal has pleasant rooms and is centrally located Frankfurt Christmas MarketsGETTY IMAGESWhen November 25 to December 22 2024Best for tradition and hot soupsWhile it’s perhaps most famous for its skyscrapers and role as Germany’s premier financial centre • Discover our full guide to Europe Christkindlesmarkt in NurembergGETTY IMAGESWhen November 29-December 24, 2024Best for bratwurst and lebkuchenProbably the most famous of all the Christmas markets in Germany • Best things to do in Bavaria The Christmas pyramid at the Dresden StriezelmarktGETTY IMAGESWhen November 27 to December 24 2024Best for history and stollenDresden’s market dates back to the early 15th century and is generally regarded as one of the oldest in Germany Steinberger Hotel de Saxe is right on Dresden’s Neumarkt square and has elegant rooms and a decent restaurant A street performer at the Berlin WeihnachtsZauberALAMYWhen November 25 to December 31, 2024Best for entertainment and traditionOne of the most traditional — and striking — of Berlin’s markets is held at the Gendarmenmarkt square Titanic Gendarmenmarkt Berlin hotel is right on the square and has a grill restaurant and spa with an authentic Turkish hammam • Best things to do in Berlin Stuttgart Wintertraum MarktALAMYWhen November 27 to December 23 2024Best for fairytale chalet stalls and local produceKnown for its cobblestone streets and historic buildings EmiLu is a well-located design hotel with swish rooms and a sauna area • Most affordable Christmas market breaks in Europe The Christmas market at Rothenburg ob der TauberGETTY IMAGESWhen December 1-23 2024Best for music and snowballsThis highly romantic affair in the fairytale medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a popular option Hotel Reichs-Küchenmeister is a quaint four-star with spa facilities and a restaurant Bensons Hotel is a small and stylish spot close to the cathedral and other central sights Getting into the Christmas spirit at Leipzig’s festive marketALAMYWhen November 26 to December 23 2024Best for Christmas trees and Santa ClausThis market in the centre of the charming Saxony city of Leipzig is easy to reach from Berlin — as well as Dresden — if you feel like making a small winter tour as well as an à la carte restaurant and lobby bar • Best Christmas markets in the UK for 2023 Lanterns at Rüdesheim’s Christmas Market of NationsALAMYWhen November 21 to December 23 2024Best for parades and global giftsOne of the newer markets on the scene — only a few decades old — the Christmas Market of Nations lives up to its name by inviting 16 nations (or thereabouts) from around the globe to present products The centrally located Breuer’s Rüdesheimer Schloss is a family-run hotel set in a historic building with a traditional restaurant Chalet stalls at Trier Christmas MarketGETTY IMAGESWhen November 22 to December 22 2024Best for dumplings and puppetsTrier’s Christmas market has only been running for about 40 years The world’s biggest nutcracker at the entrance to the Christmas market in BraunschweigALAMYWhen November 27 to December 29 2024Best for wooden toys and local tipplesThis highly convivial market has a tradition that stretches back to 1505 and annually draws several hundred thousand people to the streets and squares that surround the city’s St Blasii Cathedral (the resting place of Henry the Lion and many important Guelph princes) and the 12th-century Dankwarderode Castle Magni Boutique Hotel is smart and comfortable and has a great restaurant and bar • Best Christmas markets in Europe for 2023 Ravenna Gorge Christmas MarketGETTY IMAGESWhen November 22 to December 15 2024 (Friday to Sunday only)Best for unique setting and regional dishesThis is the first and only Christmas market located in a gorge in the hills of the Black Forest The Krampus Run at Munich’s Christmas marketGETTY IMAGESWhen November 25 to December 24, 2024Best for handicrafts and live musicForget Oktoberfest — Munich’s Christmas market ticks all the boxes and then some Cortiina is a design hotel with stylish rooms and a great central location • Best hotels in Munich Heinzels Wintermärchen in CologneALAMYWhen November 25 to December 23 2024Best for skating and atmosphereThe Christmas market outside Cologne’s gothic cathedral is the classic one for tourists Hotel Mondial am Dom Cologne MGallery is just a short stroll from the old town with views of the cathedral from some of the rooms Illuminated angel wings at the International Christmas Market EssenGETTY IMAGESWhen November 15 to December 23 2024Best for early Christmas shoppingThe Christmas market in Essen typically opens a week or two before those in other German cities • Best things to do in Germany Sign up to the Times Travel newsletter for weekly inspiration, advice and deals here Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Complete digital access to quality analysis and expert insights complemented with our award-winning Weekend Print edition Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country Digital access for organisations. Includes exclusive features and content. See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times. 2017The Franconia wine region near Würzburg GermanyPhoto: AlamySave this storySaveSave this storySaveA hundred or so people crowd along the edges of Würzburg’s old medieval bridge while group of twentysomethings are performing blushingly cheesy—or maybe cheeks are rosy from the rosé—German covers of songs nearly impossible to identify over the chatter brought after three bottles of Silvaner This isn’t the stereotypical image of beer-guzzling The pristine college town situated along the Main River is part of centuries-old Franconia and a timber-frame romanticism that screams “Merry Christmas” even in the middle of summer It’s the heart of Germany’s “Romantic Road.” It’s the home of fairy tales like Snow White And it’s quintessentially “German,” and one of the few places in the world where “fairy-tale backdrop” and “picture-book beauty” aren’t metaphors but realities it’s the center of a thousand-year-old untapped wine culture that began during the Roman reign Photo: Courtesy of Tom BursonWhat to Drink:German wine is synonymous with the Riesling seemingly designed for sipping on a sunny day—or But while Riesling may be the star of Germany’s Mosel and Rhinegau regions the vino of choice is Silvaner (the local favorite) Müller-Thurgau—wines so supremely local that Franconia’s signature vessel at roughly 80 percent of the grapes planted But the handful of reds grown are uniquely Franconian A typical Rotling is the Franconian rendition of rosé in which vintners grow red grapes but treat them as if they were white yielding a deeply fragrant white wine that just so happens to be blushing is inelegant and unrefined compared to virtually anything out of France but what the wine lacks in grandeur it makes up for in flavor Photo: Courtesy of Tom BursonWhere to Go:Würzburg is the capital of the region’s wine country. It may not be Burgundy or Tuscany—certainly not in terms of the spittle required to even pronounce the name—but those hundreds lining the Alte Mainbrücke’s popular watering hole Alte Mainmühle don’t care. Wine here is poured in the German fashion, which means that, like beer, it’ll overflow out of the glass and eventually onto your white top. This trip is "straight out of fairy-tale central casting" Each week, we spotlight a dream vacation recommended by some of the industry's top travel writers. This week's pick is Germany's Romantic Road My wife and I discovered the answer when we arrived in Germany's Tauber River valley and were greeted by signs everywhere for the Romantische Strasse we had planned a cycling trip that'd trace roughly 62 miles of one of the country's most well-marketed driving routes and the region's rail lines all follow the Tauber River a gentle tributary more often than not canopied with willows Terraced vineyards cover many of the surrounding hills The tourist board could have told us we were following the "cute-cuter-cutest" route has a maze-like medieval town center and a steep 10-minute walk took us to the 12th-century Wertheim Castle "impressive from below and above." The next day we cycled on gently rolling hills above the Tauber — heeding road signs that warned of toad crossings — to reach the Bronnbach Monastery whose tucked-away church dazzled us with its 18th-century Baroque altars an "adorable" historic town known for its walking trails and wine stores a maypole was being decorated in the square where the town's 2,000 residents would soon gather to share food and drink before hiking the hills together From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox We had to stop when we first caught glimpse of Rothenburg ob der Tauber "the pinnacle of cuteness." A walled medieval city perched atop a hill Rothenburg "comes straight out of fairy-tale central casting" and it's the most popular destination on the Romantic Road Tourists crowd the cobblestone streets snapping photos of the city's "impeccably preserved" gingerbread buildings "the cutest wine café in the cutest town," we toasted the Tauber We were sitting in a 1,100-year-old building and we listening to locals at the bar bellowing out a 17th-century tune A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com Most of these travellers will spend at least a little time in larger urban areas like Munich and Frankfurt both of which benefit from direct flights from major North American cities before venturing out and exploring areas like Bavaria But knowing where to go to enjoy as authentic a German travel experience as possible can be a little daunting consider these destinations in our list of the best towns to visit in Germany for a 3-day stay Lindau emerged in the 9th century as a free imperial city which significantly influenced its architectural and cultural heritage Exploring Lindau’s Old Town (Altstadt) on foot is a lot of fun and given it’s an island you’ll never get lost Just allow curiosity to lead you along the cobblestone streets and eventually you’ll find key attractions like the Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) with its striking façade Famous for its Bavarian lion statue and lighthouse here you can watch the ferries and tour boats head out onto Lake Constance or; better still For accommodations, we recommend Hotel Alte Schule Lindau/Bodensee. Set in a 15th-century former schoolhouse, this first-rate family-run hotel offers an excellent buffet breakfast and a comfortable, quiet sleep, all just steps away from the best things to do in Lindau and down the centuries have been a huge draw for nobility and tourists seeking to benefit from their therapeutic properties The Friedrichsbad and Caracalla Spa are two of the most famous bathhouses here Each boasts an intoxicating mix of traditional Roman bathing culture and modern wellness treatments including a 17-step bathing ritual that combines steam baths Baden-Baden is also celebrated for its cultural offerings with highlights including the Festspielhaus built in 1904 and one of Europe's largest historic opera houses With so much fun stuff to do in Baden-Baden you’ll certainly want to spend at least two nights / three days here to get the most out of your visit Popular accommodation options include the magnificent Brenners Park Hotel & Spa and Hotel "Belle Epoque," both of which offer an authentic and luxurious Baden-Baden vacation experience Perhaps Germany's most recognizable Medieval-era town Rothenburg ob der Tauber deserves to be the subject of at least a three-day stay Usually referred to simply as “Rothenburg,” it’s located in Bavaria mid-way between Munich and Frankfurt and dates back to the late 12th century when it flourished due to its strategic location at the intersection of major trade routes Rothenburg's rich history is evident in its charming cobblestone streets all of it adding up to an unforgettable getaway Historic highlights include the famous Plönlein a picturesque spot where two streets converge in front of a small fountain Framed by a tower and half-timbered buildings it’s one the most photographed spots in all of Germany  Rothenburg is also a beautiful spot to visit in winter for its superb Christmas market But regardless of the time of year you visit try to book a stay as close to the town center as possible Popular choices include the affordable Hotel Spitzweg and the plush Romantik Hotel & Restaurant Markusturm Although not always included on people’s German travel itineraries, the southern town of Ravensburg should be. Located in the state of Baden-Württemberg, Ravensburg should be instantly recognizable to anyone who has ever played Chinese Checkers or done a puzzle as it’s the hometown of the iconic Ravensburger company one of the world’s leading game and puzzle publishers You’ll want to visit Museum Ravensburger for its fascinating displays related to the company’s history Take the short ride to turn them loose in Ravensburger Spieleland Explore Old Town Ravensburg (Ravensburg Altstadt) on foot and you’ll see why this charming town is known as the "City of Towers and Gates." Some of these old structures can still be climbed this symbol of historic Ravensburg offers spectacular views over the Old Town Other fun things to do in Ravensburg include exploring Museum Humpis-Quartier with its historic old homes dating from the town’s earliest days; Kunstmuseum Ravensburg, showcasing modern and contemporary art; and the Marienplatz, the central square of the Old Town, and where you’ll find the useful Ravensburg Tourist Information Center we loved staying in the lovely Hotel Kaiserhof Ravensburg just steps away from the top attractions in Ravensburg and its train station Located on the banks of the Elbe River, Wittenberg holds a special place in history as the birthplace of the Protestant Reformation and is most famous for its association with Martin Luther the theologian who initiated the Reformation in the 16th century Now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site Wittenberg’s an easy 40-minute train ride from Berlin making it an ideal place for a 3-day alternative to the country’s capital Wittenberg’s most iconic landmark is the Schlosskirche (Castle Church), where Martin Luther is said to have nailed his 95 Theses to the door in 1517 challenging the Catholic Church's practices This pivotal moment in religious history led to significant changes in the Christian Church and European society Other related sightseeing opportunities s include the Lutherhaus formerly Luther's residence and now a museum dedicated to his life and work; and the Stadtkirche (Town Church) As for places to stay in Wittenberg the Luther-Hotel and the Hotel & Restaurant Brauhaus Wittenberg are both centrally located and make walking tours of this attractive town easy Reminders that Friedrichshafen is the hometown of Germany’s famous Zeppelin airships are everywhere From Zeppelin-themed playgrounds to museums dedicated to these remarkable 100-plus-year-old machines as well as numerous statues and monuments dedicated to its founder it’s evident that Friedrichshafen is proud of this heritage Start your three-day adventure with a visit to the Zeppelin Museum. Housed in the former harbor railway station and overlooking Lake Constance, you’ll find full-scale, partial reconstructions of the famous Hindenburg airship along with displays dealing with its disastrous crash in New Jersey in 1937 The museum's also the perfect warm-up for the highlight of your stay in Friedrichshafen: a ride in a real these thrilling sightseeing tours offer numerous daily flights all of which provide breathtaking views over Lake Constance and even into Bregenz in Austria The eastern German city of Weimar is a cultural hotbed steeped in European intellectual history Renowned as the cradle of German classicism Weimar is forever linked with some of the greatest names in German literature The city's association with the literary giant is evident in the Goethe National Museum and Goethe's Residence To get the most out of a visit, spend at least two nights and three days exploring all there is to do in Weimar consider staying at the Hotel Elephant Weimar Germany’s rich history, diverse landscapes, and vibrant culture make it an ideal European destination for travellers seeking a memorable vacation. To truly experience all that this dynamic country has to offer the curious traveller, consider these best towns to visit in Germany for a 3-day stay when planning your adventure. Also, be sure to visit the country’s tourism website for more ideas and inspiration I opened a nearly untouched cabinet in a spare room at my parents’ house and there it was — an antique cast iron piggy bank that I had gifted my mom a few Christmases back I’ve altered my approach to holiday gift giving sure to leave them with plenty of priceless memories that can’t be returned to the store or stashed away in some random drawer get a vacation out of it offsets the considerable price difference of an Airbnb versus a practical sweater for my dad and a vintage knick-knack for my mom The destination is revealed via a handmade brochure: a guide to Railroad Pennsylvania with plans to ride a historic diesel locomotive along the Northern Central Railway or an invitation to stay in a restored 18th-century stone house in New Jersey the brochure’s cover showed a storybook Bavarian-style village with fachwerk To which I’d reply: Do you really think I’d jump from antique piggy banks and sweaters to round-trip airfare to Europe unless I had discovered profound inspiration (or a winning lottery ticket) in a piggy bank of my own But Stoudtburg Village a mere hour-and-a-half drive from my parents’ house is easy enough to confuse with a medieval German town If Bavaria’s renowned Rothenburg ob der Tauber is too far for a weekend jaunt Stoudtburg Village’s muted rainbow houses with their steeply pitched red roofs will fill in just fine Pennsylvania Dutch County’s answer to Old World charm is modeled after the iconic tourist destination right down to the centerpiece fountain (though Rothenburg’s depiction of St George the dragon slayer has been replaced by Peaches the nymph for the stateside interpretation) Rothenburg’s appeal goes beyond just the aesthetic Tourists crowd the cobblestone streets not only in search of scenic backdrops but also for the chance to travel back in time As one of Europe’s most well-preserved medieval towns Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a portal to the past with a rich history from its designation as a free imperial city in 1274 to the incredible tale of a 17th-century mayor who protected the village during the Thirty Years’ War by accepting a challenge to drink 3.25 liters of wine in one go But it does come with its own charming backstory Ed Stoudt opened Stoudt’s Kountry Kitchen in Adamstown When the savvy Stoudt — only 20-something at the time but taught well by his restaurateur parents — noticed how many steaks he was selling he rebranded as Stoudts Black Angus Restaurant and worked 100-hour weeks hand-trimming each and every steak a young kindergarten teacher named Carol Texter walked into the Black Angus for the first time From one fateful cocktail came a romance that Carol fell in love again — with a pilsner at Augustiner-Bräu that took a captivating seven minutes to pour into an elongated glass and she’d go on to become the first female brewmaster since Prohibition It was partly due to a technicality that Carol Stoudt led the charge for Stoudts Brewing Company in 1987 — Pennsylvania law prohibited brewpubs at the time as owner of the Black Angus and its adjoining beer garden could not manufacture beer to be sold on the premises she took her zeal for German beers and ran with it No matter that imported hops from Germany and what was then Czechoslovakia cost an arm and a leg compared to domestic options; her products would follow the Reinheitsgebot tradition with only four ingredients — barley malt where she chose from the comprehensive Weihenstephan yeast bank in Freising the German concept of “like-minded people having a great time together,” as Carol put it Stoudtburg would come nearly a decade later a testament to the Stoudts’ unwavering dedication to all things German Steps away from the brewery where Ed Stout would play his tuba at the front of a jubilant Oktoberfest conga line construction began on an idyllic Bavarian-style neighborhood where shop owners living directly above their storefronts could enjoy views of the village plaza or a koi pond and a true sense of gemütlichkeit with their fellow residents As if each Stoudtburg Village homeowner had received a handbook of German phrases upon the signing of the lease, our Airbnb hosts also promised the experience of “gemütlichkeit” (this time translated as “coziness”) in the listing’s description but several of the properties are available through Airbnb and Vrbo Our accommodations were smack-dab in the center of the action with a view from the kitchen window of Peaches the nymph clutching a magnificent fish and the town’s tavern just beyond the cherubic fountain topper the illusion of having landed in Germany via Pennsylvania farm roads continued with details like an ornately carved throne chair and the quintessential snapshot of Rothenburg ob der Tauber on a shower curtain it’s not the accents and languages of passersby that reveal Rothenburg’s aesthetic match as an imitation — it’s the lack of passersby altogether despite what a picture-perfect image suited for a postcard or shower curtain may suggest is nearly always crowded with literal busloads of tourists lured in by the romance of gallivanting around the walled medieval town Many reviews start out the same: “Maybe we came in the wrong season as they try to steer future visitors toward smarter choices is necessary to make the most of the Stoudtburg Village experience That was Ed Stoudt’s vision for the village if not quite to the scope of Stoudt’s ambitions a self-taught gourd artist who sells her art in a ground-level shop of her Stoudtburg Village house “I could be upstairs making a grilled cheese sandwich then I hear the bell and go down,” she said Drover sold the home she had shared with him in Harrisonville a 1.5-acre property with a chicken coop and an in-ground pool that required too much upkeep for her alone She wasn’t familiar with Stoudtburg Village but the unconventional listing caught her eye but you can have your own small business here,” the description for the three-story townhouse read the extra space could be used for a family room Zoned for both residential and commercial use Drover had no need for an extra family room. To her, the first floor felt like an opportunity to sell her art without having to lug around a slew of gourds from one craft show to another. In November 2020, she moved into her new home; her shop, Outta My Gourds Among the Stoudts’ myriad business ventures was Stoudts Black Angus Antiques Mall a 70,000-square-foot shopping destination that began with just 10 vendors in the basement of the Black Angus Ed Stoudt dubbed Adamstown “Antiques Capital The area’s antique malls — Angus Antiques (in the former Stoudts space) among others — offer visitors the chance for an all-day shopping extravaganza where the smattering of stores can provide an hour’s enjoyment Directly next to Outta My Gourd is Fire Kissed Jewelry where jewelry designer Andrea Binetti sells handmade flamed copper earrings and polished red dinosaur bones framed in copper or silver with pierced Tyrannosaurus rex designs on the back Binetti stumbled upon Stoudtburg Village via online listing like being in the German portion of Epcot without the rides,” Binetti was sold She moved to Stoudtburg in November of 2020 and opened her shop the following May where they’re just as likely to walk away with a 19th-century Victorian bride’s basket as they are an antique tablecloth (owner Dee Looper will give customers a lesson on caring for the latter) At Out of This World Oddities retired NYPD officer Joe Knedlhans stocks the shelves of his small storefront with decades-old toys and gadgets that will delight children and adults alike (my parents and I spent far too long playing with a “Grab-N-Gabs” talking elf from 2012 before purchasing it for my cousin’s kids) But the real delight of the shop comes from the display cases jam-packed with Knedlhans’ own collection of toy robots from the immediately recognizable “Star Wars” droids to the circa-1950s Robert the Robot Ask Knedlhans for a description of any single robot lining the shelves of the Toy Robot Museum or dangling from the ceiling Equally impressive is the massive Lego train display that takes up nearly every square foot of the Little Brick Gallery who first set up shop in Stoudtburg two years prior Those feeling inspired by Schamus’ masterpiece can purchase Lego bricks of their own organized in containers by color or sold as sets Then, a visit to Zen Squirrel is in order for Ayurvedic skincare products and handmade spice blends designed by a local herbalist who runs Zen Squirrel alongside her husband Ryke or attend an outdoor class on the plaza in warmer weather That brings us back to the best time to visit Stoudtburg Village We spent a three-day span in late July living the faux-Bavarian lifestyle and the village was as bustling as I’d imagine a small pocket of Adamstown Choosing a weekend helped too. Many of the shops are open from Friday to Saturday only, and no later than 4 p.m. or so. Come evening, the townspeople gather at the Village Haus Bar and Grill staking their claim on the restaurant’s outdoor tables for an evening of live music but I wholeheartedly enjoyed my meal at the Village Haus We were welcomed into the empty seats at a table full of residents and conversation with complete strangers felt as natural as catching up with old friends Currently, the Village Haus is Stoudtburg’s only restaurant, save for Village Perk and Crafts a charming coffee shop with an assortment of pastries to quell morning cravings (owner Jimi Hawthorne is also a talented seamstress and can hem a dress or craft a custom blanket) part of the IronSpire complex that took over the space Nearly every shop mentioned in a 2008 LancasterOnline article has since closed from the wine shop that occupied the first floor of a purple-and-lime stucco building to the Village Sweet Shoppe that once sold chocolate covered strawberries and licorice from nine different countries Plans for a casual Italian restaurant never panned out and the BYOB-friendly Kaffee Prost is no more and a music conservatory have all shuttered the Berks County-based building company responsible for the earliest construction although former president Bob Achey remains heavily involved in Stoudtburg Village — when Kaffee Prost closed in 2011 Achey swooped in and opened the Village Haus within three weeks There’s an ever-present promise that Stoudtburg Village will Responses to TripAdvisor reviews have sung the same tune from 2011 (“We expect bigger and better things to come for Stoudtburg Village”) to 2018 (“It's a process but hopefully we will get more active in the near future”) Increased optimism came in 2016 with the involvement of Keystone Custom Homes and the subsequent construction of new buildings Keystone’s additions were vaguer in their Bavarian inspiration than the initial Rothenburg replicas and many forwent the option of a ground-level shop Their higher square footage and grassy lawns proved appealing to families bringing further vitality to the community are not confined to the boundaries of Stoudtburg Village and should they exhaust their entertainment options at the shops the surrounding area is not lacking in places of interest We cut our own flowers at Farm Wagon Produce Market an enormous Amish farmers’ market open only on Fridays We ate hot dogs and ice cream at Boehringer's Drive-In just a 4-minute drive from Stoudtburg; we ate more ice cream at Sweet Ride Ice Cream in West Reading and then again at Lapp Valley Farms Creamery My mom led the charge from one antique store to the next (no vintage piggy banks were purchased) the temperature dropped just enough for us to gather around the fireplace in our Airbnb’s living room and we played several lively rounds of the board game Balderdash There was that coziness our hosts had promised and as wonderful as our full itinerary of activities had been little could compete with the simple pleasure of quality family time And so go to Stoudtburg Village in the summer Go with an appetite for German food or cheesesteaks and go with a willingness to connect with the townspeople over live music and beer and you’ll soon learn that you don't have to fly all the way to Germany for a much-needed weekend of gemütlichkeit while others overlooked when scrounging for the next outing from one's country This list offers a one-of-a kind collection that will not cost more than visiting Paris but give bragging rights of likely being somewhere only few have been A forty-minute car or train trip from Nuremberg will take one to this charming town, chosen democratically by the citizens as the town best suited for life in Germany With a large market for gardening and brewing today Bamberg was untouched by the attacks of the Second World War saving the beautiful medieval churches and baroque architecture Michael’s Church (declared sacred in 1015) It is no surprise that the town's symphony orchestra is of international reputation Hoffmann having lived in the house opposite of the Civic Theatre designated for being the centre of the 18th century Enlightenment in southern Germany one can stroll on the grounds of the Benedectine Abbey; it was also here that in 1459 the first book got printed in Germany Sitting on the canalized Regnitz River joining with the Main River above Nuremberg the rich history includes a story of a royal family first mentioned in 902 living in their ancestral castle One of the most notable sites is the imperial cathedral which served its purpose from 1004 to 1237 Part of the Santa Cruz group together with the Ilha do Corvo the Flores Island offers the natural pools of Santa Cruz the Faja Grande and Lajes das Flores beaches as well as the Poco de Bacalhau and Ribeira Grande waterfalls to swim in the feet for optimal water fun and relaxation Sitting in the very western Portuguese Azores archipelago while its centrally-located Morro Grande mount is the highest peak at 3,087 feet (941 m It likely gets its name for the lushly-vegetated crater lakes The economy of Flores Island is reliant upon its cattle for the dairy industry With two autonomous regions in Portugal, Madeira and The Azores Island, the latter, is a nine-island archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean It is described in the Forbes magazine as the "perfect destination to reconnect with nature" as well as granted a European Destination of Excellence reward for offering unforgettable travel opportunities flora and fauna sightseeing and marine life-watching including the juicy fruits grown in Portugal the Island of Flores is perfect for solitude within a natural environment being less visited for its relative remoteness Located in the eastern range of the Central Caucasus at the Russia-Georgia border, and known as Mount Mqinvartsveri by the locals, Mount Kazbek is one of Georgia's highest peaks. Sitting in the north at 16,512 feet (5,033 metres), just as Elbrus of double conical shape and formed of 1,000 feet (300 metres) thick lava flows while its lower elevations are alpine meadows At 3,800 m there is a cave in the upper part of an 80 m rock with an ancient monastery Betlemi (Bethlehem) accessed by monks with a long iron chain at its time It was mentioned in the poems of the celebrated Russian authors Aleksandr Pushkin and Mikhail Lermontov's "Hero of our Time” Featuring distinctive remains of an ancient gigantic crater on its south facade Kazbek is one the world's most appreciated mountains offering spectacular views upon ascent frequented more commonly than other peaks in the Caucasus while its icefields also give rise to the headstreams of the Terek River There is a convenient access from Tbilisi or from the check point with Russia (Verkhniy Lars) or one can catch a taxi from Vladikavkaz to Kazbegi village (150km) The village is 1.5-2 away from the old monastery near the foot to easily access the The Bethlemi Hut at the foot a former meteostation now serving as a gas stop and a convenience shop With the mostly glacier hike and only 100 m of easy ice climbing at less than 40 degrees the only challenge is the amount of ground one must cover making the trek up and down likely to last for days Rembrandt’s birthplace and the university where Einstein taught Leiden consists of many canals and waterways inclusive with canal side cafés for a mid-day pick-me-up with Vlot Grand cafe sitting right on the water Wandering the historic streets with a modern twist over the intricate bridges among the notable 17th century architecture is the best way to soak up the Dutch vibe Already being the heart of tulip country featuring the Keukenhof gardens offering the city views from the Molen De Valk museum mansard being the setting of Pilgrims raising money to commence their Mayflower journey to the New World but it is also the birthplace of famous Rembrandt making it the centre of the Dutch artistic Renaissance Lying at the confluence of the Oude Rijn and Nieuwe Rijn (Old Rhine and New Rhine) rivers 10 miles (16 km) northeast of The Hague and 5 miles (8 km) inland from the North Sea Leiden was first mentioned in 922 and grew around the 12th-century castle the influx of weavers from Ypres gave start to the city’s textile industry the Elzevir family from Leuven established their press The Spanish siege from May to October 1574 was relieved by cutting dikes and flooding the countryside for the Dutch ships to deliver provisions to the citizens for the bravery of which the University of Leiden was founded in 1575 by William I (the Silent) science and medicine in the 17th and 18th centuries This is a coastal hamlet sitting in the state of Finistere, on the Brittany peninsula in France built to monitor the coast and disguised between two rocks with many boulders dramatically littering the Kerlouan seaside it displays how life was for sailors in the 18th century Nevertheless people flee to the location for the beauty of the region including the remote setting of lush landscapes bordered by turquoise waters of the mer d’iroise juxtaposed with the wild side of the Brittany coast East and west of the location are rock-strewn beaches suitable for a dip and a comfortable company picnic The stone-roofed house was built in the17th-century as a coastguard’s cottage to spy on the sea during the war period between England and France The picturesque houses within sandy grasslands is where people can view films of the past taste delicacies and try their hand in local craft the most popular activity is climbing the boulders to sense the vastness of the sea in front with just Ile Vierge lighthouse visible far away on a clear day There is also the rocky Chapelle Pol ("chapel") between Meneham and Brignogan and the Pontusval lighthouse surrounded by forbidden rocks a place of magnificent landscape and sublimit where Claude Monet resided upon leaving Paris for Normandy inspired him to create one of his greatest works After seven years of residency he finally acquired this house an hour-drive from north-west of the capital The stunning flower garden in front welcomed Monet in while the famous water gardens were created ten years later when he bought the vast property across the road Living in Giverny from 1883 until his death in 1926 his other paintings of the water lilies and Japanese bridge were also inspired by these gardens His garden paintings were made especially famous by the colourful blaze of blooming alliums rudbekia flowers and a carpet of nasturtiums in his 'Grand Alléé or the central alley painting in autumn Even amateur eyes can comprehend that the planting was strategic while the replica of a Japanese bridge and installed ponds with water lilies surrounded by weeping willows Between July and August one can see the lilies upon walking on the bridge of his gardens while his simple house features a colourful exterior with welcoming vibe illuminating warmth from within Sitting on the western shore of Ukraine's Black Sea where even the winter's ice does not interfere with shipping is an obscure gem of Europe It contains the famous Potemkin Stairs constructed in 1837-42 featured in the The Battleship Potempkin film (1925) with the scene of the baby carriage falling down all 192 steps Also equipped with convenient rail and bus links one can reach the 25 miles (40 kilometers) of sandy beaches galore with many clubs along the shore from outside of Ukraine as from within Ibiza and Itaka night clubs on the Arcadia located on the eastern side when facing the sea are overcrowded and overpriced during the summer months but concerts by most loved European artists make it well worth attending The city received its name in 1795 from an ancient Greek colony Odessos that occupied the area prior to it being called Khadzhibey the region was Russia’s that began construction of their naval base with the rapid growth and foreign trade expansion in the 19th century and with the arrival of the railway in 1866 It was the center of the unsuccessful 1905 revolution the set for civilian massacre after warship Potemkin mutiny occupied by the Germans with almost 100,000 Jews extinguished The most known Deribasivska Street is the heart of Odessa of endless restaurants Located in Bavaria in south-central Germany this postcard city provides a true fairy-tale experience as the essence of Germany and containing everything "the most" and charming for tourists and living conditions for the residents Lying in the deep valley of the Tauber River with the scenic “romantic route” between Würzburg and the Bavarian Alps it offers opportunities for strolling on the picture-perfect streets visiting some of the numerous cafes for a sausage or a schnitzel meal followed by a cup of traditional European coffee with a whipped cream-topped strudel or the famous Bavarian beer December and winter holidays offer the most magical site getting awarded as one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe Developed around the Hohenstaufen fortress it was a free imperial city from 1274 to 1803 Under the burgomaster Heinrich Toppler from 1373 to 1408 it was most powerful and successful losing its zenith after the Thirty Years’ War upon getting besieged and captured in 1631 by the Catholic League forces As commemorated in the collection of the Imperial City Museum as well as every week in the play Der Meistertrunk (The Master Gulp) the tale goes that the city was spared after its citizen completed an enemy's dare to drink more than three quarts of wine in a single gulp As one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Germany it is encircled by many-towered walls guarding Gothic and Renaissance city hall with a Baroque arcade Sistelo is a gem with only 300 inhabitants Sometimes called "The little Portuguese Tibet” it is considered one of the seven Portugal’s wonders with its green terraces shaped by human hands Its plateaus are used for animal farming as well as are highly arable stored in raised-from-the-ground granaries called "Espigueiros" to protect the precious supply from rodents This small village is major producer of corn flour that is ground within the mills along the river where the most active can hike in natural setting stopping at the "Cha da Armada" viewpoint or walking the M1289 route to Padrao and Porta Cova to obtain the best views of this neat in one of the country’s most scenic places There is also the “Brandas de Sistelo” trail with 11-kilometer walking opportunity in fresh air with exceptional views that begins in the village and showcases some of the most beautiful sights the region’s nature has to offer Officially named national monuments and cultural landscapes of Portugal displaying the cultural heritage of the region in that it offers the opportunity to see the vastness of the world's largest country while being in an atmospheric environment throughout a three-in-one experience to cherish forever The journey on one of Russia's famed trains with three stop-overs in the cities of Irkutsk which holds 20% of the world's freshwater supply one may want to consider riding first- for the longer legs of the journey while opting-out for the "economy" third-class during the shorter ride where the experience of intermingling with the mostly-Russian crowd will leave lasting impressions one will get a chance to further appreciate its vastness through the onward journey to Ulan-Ude Ulan-Ude welcomes one with a Russian-Mongolian mix The main Arbat Street offers refreshing fountains and local cuisine cafes for passing time These gems offer unique perspectives of human and nature’s creativity on planet Earth Being less visited than the great epicentres that are more written about one can also self-reflect by choosing a gem get inspired and definitely have tales to tell back home can be better comprehended at the Renaissance-stylized Silesian Museum for a more direct connection with the last you need only stroll through the Lower Market (Untermarkt) to admire the medieval houses of cloth makers or Baroque buildings on Upper Market (Obermarkt) a late-Gothic abode with its early-18th-century Sun Organ why not take groupies and selfies in “Görliwood," as the town is lovingly called There is more to appreciate in this cinematic setting of a town most notably the many wonderful lodgings such as the Emmerich Hotel Bad Wimpfen is far from being a bad place to visit in Germany. Only 24 minutes north of Heilbronn, one can enjoy the historic thermal spas along the river Neckar, which date back to when the town was a vital Roman settlement and the Roman Empire held sway in the region Tourists today flock to the fortified Staufian Imperial Palace with its accompanying Blue Tower There is also the imposing Kaiserpfalz Bad Wimpfen a castle of remarkable architectural splendor alongside the medieval-old Kloster Bad Wimpfen monastery one can attend several large festivals or events in Bad Wimpfen such as the Valley Market almost every month For those who want to spend a good time in Bad Wimpfen much of the abbey’s 10th - 12th-century artworks and monuments are still on impeccable display once the seat of the East Franconian German Empire continues to dazzle and astound tourists worldwide the Klopstockhaus allows visitors to appreciate local poet Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock while the Schlossmuseum houses thousand-year-old artifacts Outdoor enthusiasts might be more amenable to ascending the Harz Mountains or descending towards Bode Gorge To get a better feel of the medieval streets of Quedlinburg settle down like weary travelers in inn-like establishments such as Hotel Balneolum Germany gave the world the Brothers Grimm and their transcendental fairytales the lovely village of Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber propels tourists into the pages of Germanic myths and folklore With its location deep in the Tauber River valley and its romantic surroundings of Bavarian Alps Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber had been built as a Hohenstaufen fortress and free imperial city from 1274 until 1803 If you want to spend your jolly days gallivanting through a town that literally resembles something from Beauty and the Beast then find accommodations at the Gästehaus Am Heckenacker or Hotel Rappen Rothenburg ob der Tauber No one will feel like fussing around in the 700-year-old Bavarian town of Füssen. Only two hours away from Munich and at the border of Austria, Füssen welcomes travelers with bracing winds from the Bavarian Alps and Lech River Although the village itself contains a number of historic landmarks throughout Europe’s architectural periods—such as the High Palace from the Medieval Age and the Baroque homes of prominent violin and lute makers—tourists throng to Füssen for the two astonishing castles overlooking the picturesque town First, the Hohenschwangau Castle above Schwansee (Swan Lake), a palatial estate that continues to preserve the romantic era through lavish chambers like Swan Knight’s Hall, Guelph Room, and Hohenstaufen Room. Second, Neuschwanstein Castle is a fairytale and fortressed abode befitting the home of a Disney princess Step into the pages of history and folklore and see more of what Füssen cherishes and preserves while staying in lavish holiday apartments like Ferienhaus "Beim Lenzer" or Ferienwohnungen Allgäu Moni Savor your evenings in the mountains of Germany at the Hotel Bichlerhof the “Garden City,” as Lindau is lovingly called now attracts thousands of visitors with its green refuges like Stadtgarten which provide excellent views of the mountains and of Lake Constance Lindau is also home to several well-preserved relics Among these relics is a 19th-century Bavarian lion beside a stone lighthouse at the town harbor or detailed human sculptures called the Lindaviabrunnen Visitors should take care when climbing the Mangturm a 12th-century watchtower located at a harbor front called Seepromenade See more of a town named from the German phrase “island where lime trees grow,” and find good lodgings such as Hotel Bayerischer Hof or Garni Hotel Noris such as the old winery of Burgruine Winneburg and Burgruine Coraidelstein For those who want to see more of Cochem or savor its timeless wine do not forget to book a room at either the Hotel Hegenbarth´s or Ich Zeit - Apart Hotel where wine instead of Germany’s world-renowned beer is brewed In places straight from the Grimm Brothers’ pages such as Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber and Füssen you will be enchanted by the cultural ambiance which is complemented by awesome mountains like the Bavarian Alps And in towns like Quedlinburg and Lindau that continuously preserve their historic architecture you will be mesmerized by the beauty and ingenuity of human genius From a country renowned for its industrialism Germany welcomes you with its many small towns rich in folklore and modernity Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time Rothenburg's town hall and main square at night The nightwatchman is a well-timed five minutes late A crowd has gathered in the square and is getting restless when he appears in a swirl of cloak and clank of halberd he stomps through the tangle of intimidated tourists and onto the town hall's steps breaking into a big grin under his black tricorn hat Hans Georg Baumgartner is a Pied Piper of history Sometimes 300 people follow him on his nightwatchman tour through Rothenburg's streets with an off-beat edge to provide a frisson of unpredictability Historic buildings with fountain in the foreground at night in Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber "The nightwatchman's duties were to keep lanterns lit and protect citizens from thieves and cutthroats," he explains as we set off through dark streets but I don't feel so tonight as you'll all be following me!" he quips Good to know I'm better paid – thanks for coming!" Baumgartner's comic timing is impeccable He doesn't take tourism's idealised past seriously although that idealism is alive and popping with geraniums in Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauer presenting the Middle Ages as a merriment of cream pies and romantic wall-top walks A medieval archway in the old town Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Germany.Credit: Shutterstock "Imagine the filth in the streets from thousands of poultry and the stench from the tannery must have been outstanding part of a pulley system once used to haul goods into attics "As sieges were an ever-present threat citizens were required by law to store enough grain to last the family an entire year." The city gates shut at night and everyone feared what was over the horizon As we head onto the battlements – whose spectacular views of Rothenburg are a calendar classic – Hans explains how that fear came true in 1631 when the Lutheran city of 5500 found itself under siege from a Catholic army of 40,000 A cannon shot hit the city's main gunpowder storage tower "That was the end of Rothenburg's bad old days and then they had 300 years of even badder old days It isn't romance but poverty and despair that give the town its look." and then in 1945 of the Allied bombing that destroyed 300 buildings and a swathe of Rothenburg's famous walls Rothenburg: The bad old days are over.Credit: Shutterstock you're thinking there must have been some positive aspects of history and you're right," says Baumgartner Our final stop is an ancient pub called Zur Holl and one of Rothenburg's few late-night eateries so when someone tells you to go to hell in Rothenburg For most of the time Rothenburg really was hell and all because of you!" says Baumgartner Brian Johnston travelled as a guest of the German National Tourist Office Romantic Road and Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber traveller.com.au/germany romantischestrasse.de Etihad flies to Abu Dhabi (14.5hr) and Frankfurt (7hr). Rothenburg is a two-hour drive from Frankfurt. Phone 1300 532 215, see etihad.com The Romantic Road Express coach links Rothenburg and other towns on this tourist route, and connects to Frankfurt and Munich airports. See touring-travel.eu The nightwatchman gives tours daily at 8pm between mid-March and Christmas. No reservations required. A donation is requested. See nightwatchman.de Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now. The nightwatchman is a well-timed five minutes late. A crowd has gathered in the square and is getting restless when he appears in a swirl of cloak and clank of halberd, as if sprung from a trapdoor. Tall and silent, he stomps through the tangle of intimidated tourists and onto the town hall's steps. "Well? What are you waiting for? Who wants a selfie?" he shouts, breaking into a big grin under his black tricorn hat. Hans Georg Baumgartner is a Pied Piper of history. Sometimes 300 people follow him on his nightwatchman tour through Rothenburg's streets. He's engaging and witty, with an off-beat edge to provide a frisson of unpredictability. "The nightwatchman's duties were to keep lanterns lit, announce the hours, watch for fire, and protect citizens from thieves and cutthroats," he explains as we set off through dark streets. "In the old days, I'd have been quite unsafe, but I don't feel so tonight as you'll all be following me!" he quips. "By the way, after hangmen and gravediggers, watchmen were the lowest profession. Good to know I'm better paid \\u2013 thanks for coming!" Baumgartner's comic timing is impeccable, his tone tongue-in-cheek. He doesn't take tourism's idealised past seriously, although that idealism is alive and popping with geraniums in Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauer, Germany's best-known old town. It seduces with cobbles and cuteness, presenting the Middle Ages as a merriment of cream pies and romantic wall-top walks. The nightwatchman dismisses it all. "Imagine the filth in the streets from thousands of poultry, pigs and horses. People emptied their chamber pots outside, and the stench from the tannery must have been outstanding. The rats! The plague!" He marches down the street, pointing out hooked beams under eaves, part of a pulley system once used to haul goods into attics. "As sieges were an ever-present threat, citizens were required by law to store enough grain to last the family an entire year." The old days were dangerous. The city gates shut at night and everyone feared what was over the horizon. As we head onto the battlements \\u2013 whose spectacular views of Rothenburg are a calendar classic \\u2013 Hans explains how that fear came true in 1631 when the Lutheran city of 5500 found itself under siege from a Catholic army of 40,000. A cannon shot hit the city's main gunpowder storage tower, blowing a hole in the defences. The town as sacked. Three years later, the plague returned. "That was the end of Rothenburg's bad old days, and then they had 300 years of even badder old days, so little changed. It isn't romance but poverty and despair that give the town its look." Onwards we go, around the walls and into horror tales, amusingly told, of boiling oil and betrayal, and then in 1945 of the Allied bombing that destroyed 300 buildings and a swathe of Rothenburg's famous walls. "I know, you're thinking there must have been some positive aspects of history, and you're right," says Baumgartner. He pauses. 'But really, I can't think of any. There were no good old days." Our final stop is an ancient pub called Zur Holl, or To Hell, under the sign of a golden devil, and one of Rothenburg's few late-night eateries. "It's not a bad place, so when someone tells you to go to hell in Rothenburg, it's a recommendation." For most of the time Rothenburg really was hell, concludes the nightwatchman. Finally, the tourists came and changed its destiny, so there was a happy ending at last. "Now we're back, rich again and famous all over the world, and all because of you!" says Baumgartner, grinning and holding out his hat for tips. Brian Johnston travelled as a guest of the German National Tourist Office, Romantic Road and Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber. Etihad flies to Abu Dhabi (14.5hr) and Frankfurt (7hr). Rothenburg is a two-hour drive from Frankfurt. Phone 1300 532 215, see The Romantic Road Express coach links Rothenburg and other towns on this tourist route, and connects to Frankfurt and Munich airports. See The nightwatchman gives tours daily at 8pm between mid-March and Christmas. No reservations required. A donation is requested. See Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The Augsburg Confession was read at the Diet of 1530; the Peace of Augsburg was concluded in 1555; and the League of Augsburg was formed in 1686 Sites of interest include the Fuggerei (1519) the world’s oldest housing settlement for the poor.