Wildfire Today In Germany, the Harz Mountain Fire has forced tourist evacuations; the fire reportedly started at the Königsberg peak in northern Germany on Sundayl Another fire was ignited in the eastern state of Brandenburg on Wednesday and it is still growing. Deutsche Welle (DW) reported that near the town of Wernigerode in the state of Saxony-Anhalt a fire in the Harz mountains had been contained About 100 people were evacuated from the Brocken peak the highest point in northern Germany and a popular attraction famed for its literary connections Weeks of dry weather have increased the risk of wildfires in eastern Germany with some regions on the second-highest alert level was burning for days as authorities scrambled to keep it from reaching surrounding villages Meteorologists say that rain predicted for the coming days may lower the threat of wildfires. CTIF the Internation Association for Fire and Rescue Services reported that Europe is expecting that 2023 will be extremely hot 2022 was a year of weather records in Europe; the summer was record-hot with temperatures above 45°C (113°F) with numerous heat-related deaths The 2022 annual report from the EU’s environmental monitoring program Copernicus shows that scientists believe the extreme heat will get even worse in southern Europe Britain recorded summer temperatures exceeding 40°C for the first time ever in July 2022 Britain’s heatwave was only one of many; the highest temperature measured was in Portugal at 47°C The Copernicus program collects and transforms data from multiple sources (e.g satellites and in-situ or non-space measurements) into operational services to provide information about the earth’s land Typos, let us know HERE, and specify which article. Please read the commenting rules before you post a comment I was fortunate to attend the Aerial Firefighting Conference in Zadar The first day was devoted to discussion on the challenges of aerial firefighting cross international borders where you countries that are significantly smaller then the USA or Australia This was my introduction to the challenges of fires in areas that had been subject to some serious civil wars with large areas contaminated by unexplored ordnance as well as minefields that were randomly laid and not marked/mapped Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts by email Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience Non-members can add the privileges at checkout through our 30 day free trial By continuing I accept the Terms & Condition and Privacy Policy. I would like to receive Newsletter from MICHELIN Guide Save lists of your favorite restaurants & hotels The Norwegian government on Tuesday signed a deal to start stockpiling grain a war in Europe and climate change have made it necessary The deal to store 30,000 tons of grain in 2024 and 2025 was signed by agriculture and food minister Geir Pollestad finance minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum and four private companies which will belong to the Norwegian government will be stored in already existing facilities by the companies in facilities across the country Three of the companies will store at least 15,000 tons this year Companies “are free to invest in new facilities and decide for themselves where they want to store the emergency grain but they must make the grain available to the state if needed,” the government said Norway’s ministry for agriculture and food said “the building up of a contingency stock of food grains is about being prepared for the unthinkable.” “There should be an extra level of security in the event of major disruptions in the international trade systems or failure of national production,” Slagsvold Vedum said “This is an important part of the government’s work to strengthen national preparedness.” Norway will sign further stockpiling contracts in the coming years with the goal of building up the reserve until 2029 The aim is to have some 82,500 tons of grain in storage by the end of the decade “so that we then have enough grain for three months’ consumption by Norway’s population in a crisis situation that may arise,” Pollestad told Norwegian broadcaster NRK the Scandinavian nation said it would spend 63 million kroner (US$6 million) per year on stocking up on grain Norway had stored grain in the 1950s but closed down its storage sites in 2003 after deciding they were no longer needed following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine Norway set up a commission to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of its emergency preparedness systems which recommended stockpiling grain products also houses the Global Seed Vault in its Svalbard archipelago some 1,300 kilometres (800 miles) from the North Pole gene banks and organisations around the world have deposited nearly 1 million samples of seeds at the vault to back up their own collections in case of human-caused or natural calamities The Norwegian government funded the construction cost while an international non-profit organisation pays for operational costs View the discussion thread. Our slow travel expert explores villages and forests on a narrow gauge line that terminates at the top of the Brocken This year marks the 125th anniversary of the opening of the railway to the Brocken, the highest summit in Germany’s Harz Mountains at 1,142 metres. The Brocken line is part of a wider network of narrow-gauge railways – mainly hauled by steam trains – in the eastern half of the Harz region, which is a wonderful place to explore by rail. Read moreDirect steam trains run to the Brocken from Wernigerode several times daily But there’s an alternative: a once-daily year-round service leaving Nordhausen mid-morning and taking just over three hours to reach the summit The northern route from Wernigerode and that from Nordhausen a railway junction high in the Ziller valley on the eastern flank of the Brocken Quite apart from the appeal of a longer journey for the same price, there is good reason for favouring the Nordhausen option: it includes a gorgeous 90-minute stretch from Ilfeld to Drei Annen Hohne through the finest scenery in the Harz mountains. In my opinion, this section of the route, following the Harzquerbahn (Trans-Harz Railway) is even better than the final steep climb to the summit of the Brocken there are few takers for the 10.33am from Nordhausen There’s an anxious moment as departure time approaches when several engineers gather around the steam engine the train chugs out of Nordhausen and climbs up towards the forested hills steam drifts down over the claret-and-cream carriages View image in fullscreenDense forest shrouds the narrow gauge track Photograph: Dieter Mobus/AlamyA cheerful ticket inspector asks if we need something strong for the journey which is a mainstay of the train to the Brocken but the crew member reassures us that she’ll be back later if we change our minds but on spring and summer days the ride to the Brocken is immensely popular When the first trains arrived at the summit in 1898 Germany’s intelligentsia had mixed feelings The literary establishment disdained the arrival of the hoi polloi in one of its most sacred spaces echoing John Ruskin’s opposition to the intrusion of the railway into some of England’s most revered landscapes but the very summit that had been immortalised by Goethe in Faust View image in fullscreenAn old half-timbered house in Nordhausen a voluntary association founded in 1886 to promote public access to the hills As the first flood of tourists spread out over the top of the Brocken a club spokesman suggested that there was still ample space for those wanting to experience the quiet of the Harz Poet and essayist Heinrich Heine’s 1825 account of a Harz journey (Die Harzreise) painted a picture of idyllic lives lived by woodsmen and peasant folk – though the reality might not have been so rosy as village names like Sorge (sorrow) and Elend (misery) suggest Our train stops at both; the latter has a tiny museum on the railway platform recording aspects of everyday life in the area prior to German reunification in 1990 At one point the railway passed within 700 metres of the fortified frontier when the Berlin Wall and inner-German border were strengthened by the East German authorities no passenger trains climbed to the top of the Brocken View image in fullscreenA view to the Brocken in summer Photograph: Zoonar GmbH/AlamySpeed is not the name of the game Our train chunters through forests at a pleasant 20mph and station stops are leisurely affairs – a chance for a chat and a smoke on the platform and an opportunity to take photos of the vintage train and its immaculately preserved steam engine featured trips and local tips for your next break as well as the latest deals from Guardian Holidays the train crew tell us how the Harz Railway network survived as a historical oddity in what was a difficult-to-visit part of East Germany “There were all sorts of restrictions on who could come here in those days,” says the train driver Now this narrow-gauge network is valued as a premier-league tourist attraction and there is talk of extending the network west across the former inner-German border “It’s not just for tourists though,” adds the driver we are a lifeline for remote communities in the hills.” Germany | How could a fairly vapid German industry rumour suddenly become a hot topic for a Russian trade publication - unless Russia’s hybrid warfare now includes spreading half-truths about beer and brewers The Russian website profibeer.ru reported on 29 November that AB-InBev is planning to brew the Mexican beer brand Corona Extra in Germany Corona Extra will be produced at the Hasseröder brewery in Wernigerode and will be transported to the Beck’s plant in Bremen production will be completely localised in Wernigerode and the volume will rise to 400,000 hl per year AB-InBev sold more than 200,000 hl of imported Corona beer in Germany When approached by Brauwelt International about the veracity of the Russian article AB-InBev Germany commented on 1 December that it is assessing all options with a view to providing sustainable logistics AB-InBev’s response is intentionally vague: it neither denied nor confirmed the Russian article The Russians’ scoop is more interesting for its timing than for its content which represents some of Hasseröder’s 200 workers called for strike action after two rounds of wage negotiations had fallen through The union is asking for a pay rise of 6 percent The Russian story raises several pertinent questions: Why did the Russians have the rumour at all The fact that it was a well-known Russian beer industry website which focuses on the central and eastern European beer markets and has never extensively covered Germany before who could have leaked the story to profibeer It does not seem likely that there is a mole at Anadolu Efes Why should Efes gossip about AB-InBev’s strategic games in Germany someone at AB-InBev itself could have leaked the plan to the Russians which would create an interesting problem for AB-InBev The Russian article is a well-placed rumour the Russian article could serve as a prime example as to how Russian online warfare works be they nation states or global industries Although the rumour has a kernel of truth – AB-InBev has localised the production of Corona Extra in China and the UK since 2019 – it does not seem plausible that AB-InBev will put Germany on that list too the Corona Extra beers found on Munich supermarket shelves are imported from Belgium it should not make much of a difference if Corona Extra for Germany is brewed in Belgium or eventually in Wernigerode it would make a great difference to the Hasseröder brewery’s staff They are fighting for their jobs and livelihoods in an economically disadvantaged region They will have greedily lapped up the rumour at a time when they are about to go on strike the plant is tired and currently heavily underutilised If AB-InBev were serious about localising the production of Corona Extra at Hasseröder the initial investment would be negligible But a long-term investment plan would need to follow Why should AB-InBev splash out big money on the Hasseröder plant if it can brew Corona at the Beck’s brewery in Bremen at almost no extra cost it has kept AB-InBev’s PR people busy for a few days if the Russian “leak” manages to render negotiations between AB-InBev and its Hasseröder staff more acrimonious (This article was updated on 20 December 2022) Germany brewers Russia company reports company news Newsletter archive and information At the Nemak cylinder foundry in Wernigerode As Nemak managing director Frank Lehmann announced around 180 jobs will be cut in Wernigerode in the autumn of next year which means that around a third of the Nemak workforce is at risk of losing their jobs which was also announced to the works council and workforce was the restructuring and transformation in the automotive industry which means around 30% less production in the medium term The trend towards e-mobility is causing a drop in orders Cylinder heads and cylinder blocks for the automotive industry are manufactured in the aluminum foundry in Wernigerode while Nemak supplies Volkswagen and Audi as well as Porsche and Daimler as with the manufacturers of components for internal combustion engines are currently heavily influenced by the social discussion about environmental impacts there are regulatory requirements of the legislature which result in the increasing electrification of drives Important new and follow-up orders have already been lost and the number of new orders does not come close to earlier figures and this could lead to production having to be lost as early as 2019 some of the then 700 employees were working on short-time work the management had to decide together with the shareholder to cut staff The order volume for 2022 could still change which will probably disappear in September / October next year but state that they will face the challenges and actively approach and shape the change to new projects and new technologies The management hopes that Nemak Wernigerode will be able to participate in the production of parts for electric mobility in the future I would like to receive the bi-weekly Foundry-Planet newsletter with all latest news Plus the special newsletters – all can be cancelled anytime and at no cost Aristos is a Newsweek science and health reporter with the London He is particularly focused on archaeology and paleontology although he has covered a wide variety of topics ranging from astronomy and mental health Aristos joined Newsweek in 2018 from IBTimes UK and had previously worked at The World Weekly He is a graduate of the University of Nottingham and City University You can get in touch with Aristos by emailing a.georgiou@newsweek.com. Languages: English either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content Archaeologists have uncovered several 500-year-old gold coins during excavations at the ruins of a medieval monastery in Germany The discovery was made in the former Himmelpforten monastery near the town of Wernigerode in Saxony-Anhalt state German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA) reported Wernigerode is renowned for its well-preserved historic center researchers identified four gold coins in the monastery ruins that would have been very valuable may have been hastily hidden by monks when the monastery was stormed by rebellious farmers in 1525 and the small fortune was probably hidden by a monk in an acutely dangerous situation," project manager and archaeologist Felix Biermann of the Saxony-Anhalt State Office for Monument Preservation and Archeology told the DPA "The whole thing did not end well because the coins could not be recovered." The artifacts are known as guilders—the name of several gold coins used during the Holy Roman Empire The HRE was a political entity spanning western central and southern Europe that lasted for around 1,000 years from the tail end of the first millennium until its dissolution in 1806 its territory covered the entirety of modern-day Germany the HRE was a confederation of numerous small- and medium-sized political entities The coins found at the monastery in Wernigerode which was once located within the territory of the HRE They include a guilder minted in Frankfurt before 1493 by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III The other two guilders were minted in Bonn archaeologists have uncovered numerous artifacts dating from the 13th to the 16th centuries during their recent work at the monastery site These items include brass book clasps from the monastery library a cavalry spur and ornate cloth seals made of lead Archaeologists said these artifacts indicate large-scale trade and a prosperous monastic community The Himmelpforten monastery was founded before 1253 by the noble von Hartesrode family and once housed Augustinian hermits The Augustinians are members of Catholic Christian religious orders who live in a manner inspired by Saint Augustine's rules of life the Himmelpforten monastery was visited by German priest theologian and Augustinian friar Martin Luther a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation The Reformation was a religious movement marked by widespread political and social upheaval that spread across Europe in the 1500s It resulted in a splintering of the Catholic Church and the formation of Protestantism The Himmelpforten monastery was abandoned during the Reformation with the buildings subsequently falling into disrepair They were later almost completely demolished Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground Newsletters in your inbox See all situated at the foot of the harz mountains the project reactivates the former natural ice-rink into a multi-functional arena the architects were challenged with the brief of creating a structure that could accommodate cultural and sporting events throughout the year image © michael moser (main image © matthias bein) the project by graft is characterized by the dramatic roof structure that rests on the ground at just two points and provides shelter from rain snow and sunlight but also frames a view of the mountains beyond and the sky above developed in co-operation with schlaich bergermann partner, consists of a steel construction with a steel rope net covered by a PTFE membrane the light form aims to create an elegant architecture that complements the surrounding landscape image © michael moser  the new scheme also includes two functional spaces on the eastern and western sides of the stadium housing sanitary facilities changing rooms and places to eat. the existing natural stone terraces and listed wooden referee tower were asked to be retained and included into the new design. these buildings each encompass the foundation blocks of the roof so that they are visually integrated into the structure these elements blend into the topography and are therefore perceived as part of the landscape image © michael moser   project name: ‘feuerstein arena schierke’ architect: graft structural planning: schlaich bergermann und partner technical planning: IMF – ingenieurgesellschaft meinhardt fulst GmbH landscape architect: WES fire protection: HHP lighting design roof: jack be nimble lighting design: IMF – ingenieurgesellschaft meinhardt fulst GmbH construction supervision: IGS GmbH & co woodworks: tischlerei göbel metalwork: KGM zerbst GmbH brickwork and concrete: umwelttechnik und wasserbau GmbH roof structure: zeman & co gesellschaft mbH  roof membrane: taiyo europe GmbH façade: schüco international KG ice rink: AST eis- und solartechnik GmbH, höfen/ österreich roof membrane: taiyo europe GmbH images: michael moser, matthias bein happening now! partnering with antonio citterio, AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function, but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style, context, and personal expression. contemplation and the desire to take things slowly the Christmas markets are opening their doors and invite you to do more than just shop.Image: Maximilian Koch/picture alliance Alluring lightsThe Christmas market at the Chocolate Museum The festive lighting gives the market a warm glow while the scent of fir branches and candles perfumes the air This mix of nostalgia and anticipation draws people to the markets every year a tall Christmas pyramid delights the many visitors atmospheric fairy lights and ornately decorated Christmas trees create a magical backdrop People are drawn to the Christmas markets not only for the shopping but also for the unique atmosphere The gentle crackling of the fireplaces and the sound of Christmas carols create an atmosphere that brings back childhood memories and reminds you of cozy winter evenings even during the current spring-like temperatures in the Rhineland Seasonal culinary delights are also there to tempt the palate From hearty dishes such as bratwurst and mushrooms in garlic sauce to sweet treats such as marzipan and roasted almonds — there is something for everyone's taste hot mulled wine or punch is a highlight and an integral part of any visit to a Christmas market Many visitors appreciate the opportunity to discover handmade goods From wooden toys to ceramics and jewelry: Here you can find special gifts away from the mainstream Visitors stroll through the Christmas market in Düsseldorf A great opportunity to meet up with friends family or colleagues and enjoy a little break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life — or maybe even to go on a first date the Botanical Garden has been transformed into a sea of Christmas lights: the Christmas Garden Impressive light installations and a magical atmosphere await visitors there in his own punk fashion—by eating at a Chinese restaurant in Germany Clooney was taking a break from directing and starring in his latest feature—The Monuments Men—to enjoy dinner with Matt Damon GERMANY – APRIL 10: Dead trees stand in the devastated Harz forest on April 10 Two-thirds of the trees in the forest are now confirmed to have died mostly due to an infestation of the bark beetle made worse by climate change as persistent years of dry weather have weakened many trees The regional forestry service is planting saplings but reforestation efforts will take years A tree fell onto a car while stopped in traffic in Pennsylvania The driver is fortunate to be alive afterwards How crazy is that? You wouldn't even have a second to react! One second the tree is there standing tall and the next it's on top of her car. You're helpless if something like this happens when you're stopped in traffic. You can't get out of the way even if you had time to react and saw it coming. It appears that the woman wasn't seriously harmed during the incident as she is seen getting out of her car to look at the damage to see what just happened to her. You would certainly never expect that to happen. It's wild how fast that tree fell and it was instantly on top of her car. It all happened so fast. Download the app to LISTEN LIVE wherever you are and connect with us like never before! props: {"id":"reveal-ad","path":"/137873098/FM/default_reskin","selectAllTargets":true} skipWhenExists: false });CMSBrowserComponents.load({ el: '#vue-1746489728406-325' props: {"id":"div-gpt-ad-1746489728406-626","path":"/137873098/FM/default_lb","size":[[970,90],[728,90],[320,50],[300,50]],"sizeMapping":[{"viewport":[980,0],"size":[[970,90],[728,90]]},{"viewport":[750,0],"size":[728,90]},{"viewport":[320,0],"size":[[300,50],[320,50]]}],"refreshInterval":15,"scrollOffset":100} skipWhenExists: false });Norway Again Stockpiling Grain Climate ChangeThe deal would store 30,000 tons of grain this year and next while an international nonprofit organization pays for operational costs Berlin (VNA) – Activities were held in Wernigerode town from August24-27 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the friendship and twinningrelationship between the city and Hoi An city in the central province of Quang Nam the two cities held an inauguration ceremony for the Hoi An Garden atthe Miniaturen Park ‘Kleiner Harz’ in Wernigerode Chairmanof the Hoi An People's Committee Nguyen Van Son said at the event that the twolocalities have many similarities as Hoi An is a world culturalheritage recognised by the United Nations Educational Scientific and CulturalOrganization (UNESCO) while Wernigerode boasts many ancient architectural works.Both cities attract large numbers of tourists Sonhighlighted that cooperation activities between Hoi An and Wernigerode overthe past ten years have helped strengthen connection and people-to-peopleexchanges between the two cities and the two countries Heemphasised that the two cities will continue to implement the commitments madein the past time to further tighten the friendship between Vietnam and Germany Mayor of Wernigerode Tobias Kascha said in addition toboosting understanding between the two nations people they have carried out projects that generated positive results such asa German-funded solar power project installed in Hoi An a culturalcentre built in Hoi An and a vocational training project leaders of HoiAn and Wernigerode agreed on certain points in their upcoming cooperation plan.Specifically the two sides will continue to implement a vocational trainingproject for students from Hoi An to Wernigerode Wernigerode authorities will support Hoi An to build an "eco-road" so that Hoi Anpeople can feel the atmosphere like in Wernigerode they will promotethe tourism development project in Hoi An through the issuance of a tourismquality certificate VietnameseAmbassador to Germany Vu Quang Minh said that Hoi An and Wernigerode are the twofirst cities of Germany and Vietnam to get a twinning relationship Therelationship was made at the same time Vietnam and Germany set a strategicpartnership the two cities’ twinning relationship has become amodel for cooperation between cities and localities of the two countries This year marks the 20th UN Day of Vesak Celebrations with Vietnam having hosted the event four times A highlight of the 2025 event is the ceremonial enshrinement of the historical Buddha’s relics symbolising Buddhist harmony and its peaceful message 1975 will forever be a milestone in Vietnam’s history and the beginning of a new era of independence said Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang They are asked to issue legal documents within their jurisdiction to implement cuts and reassign the authority of settlement at the district level For procedures requiring government decrees ministries must submit them to the Ministry of Justice for review by May 10 and to the Government for approval by May 30 Progress on the work must be reported to the PM by May 10 Vietjet passengers traveling on domestic flights departing from Terminal 1 at Noi Bai International Airport can now complete check-in and boarding procedures using biometric authentication (eKYC) via the VNeID app About 500 Vietnamese expatriates recently gathered in Moscow to welcome their homeland’s military delegation preparing for the Victory Day parade marking Russia’s 80th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War triumph once turned into a “hell on earth” by the colonialists and imperialists to suppress Vietnamese patriots and revolutionaries became a sacred historical place and epitomised the fighting spirit and ardent patriotism of the Vietnamese people The newly formed localities are expected to better harness the region's potential and advantages to accelerate development The activities will feature the participation of hundreds of ethnic minority representatives currently living and working at the village along with delegations from 11 provinces and cities Events included the ceremonial opening of a relic viewing of the Buddha’s sarira The two-hectare range broke ground in July 2024 supported by a grant of over 700,000 USD from the US Government and a calibration zone for mine clearance equipment Uzbekistan and Vietnam have enjoyed a long lasting relationship More than 3,500 Vietnamese students have studied at educational institutions in Uzbekistan and played an important role in strengthening the friendship between the people of the two countries./ a total of 8,056 inmates have been granted early release under this year’s amnesty the Government has effectively connected provinces rich in human resources with key economic hubs A Mexican scholar has praised Vietnam as a notable model of success not only for Asia but also for developing nations across Latin America amid the economic volatility in the 21st century Hanoi has launched a wide range of cultural and entertainment activities to attract tourists during the five-day national holiday Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) said the two services which departed from Hanoi (SE1) and HCM City (SE4) on April 29 were more than just a special service to mark the Liberation of the South the invaluable lessons drawn from the Route 9–Southern Laos and Lam Son 719 victories continue to inspire the heroic traditions of both armies remain highly relevant and meaningful to both Vietnam and Laos as they move forward in a new era Vietnam's struggle for independence and freedom ended in the spring of 1975 with President of the Republic of Vietnam Duong Van Minh and his cabinet appearing at Saigon Radio station to announce unconditional surrender on April 30 A total of 221 Vietnamese citizens detained in Myanmar for breaching immigration regulations returned home on April 28-29 Ho Chi Minh City contributes over 20% of the national GDP It proposes and implements groundbreaking institutional reforms from renovating administrative procedures and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to piloting special mechanisms 2008 by the Ministry of Information and Communications Email: vietnamplus@vnanet.vn Reproduction in any form is prohibited without written consent 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 Alex in front of the old town hall of Wernigerode © Alex Butler / Lonely Planet summer travel is proving much pricier than any of us would have liked Perhaps that’s why Germany’s announcement that it would offer country-wide public transport passes for just €9 a month this summer - for locals and visitors alike - made headlines around the world I was particularly excited, as I had already been planning to spend July in Berlin the pass has been an unbeatable deal for exploring the city but I also wanted to see how it could be used for a weekend adventure mountain views and art museums - all in parts of Germany I would have never thought to visit otherwise Passes can be bought online here and are valid for the calendar month so there’s only one month left to make the most of it.) You’ll receive a digital pass with a QR code - keep it handy on your phone (or print a copy for good measure) as it will be checked fairly regularly The pass can be used on all public transport it does not apply to the fast intercity trains like ICE and IC Because the pass doesn’t apply to the faster long-distance trains expect journeys to take much longer and to sometimes include multiple transfers Traveling to Germany? 6 questions you need to ask before you go With roughly 48-hours free for a trip, I wanted to pack in as much as possible, without spending the entire weekend on trains. That meant not trying to pack in a cross-country journey and instead focusing on smaller communities that are closer to home. After a bit of research (Want to cut straight to Germany's best journeys? Check out our list of the top €9 itineraries) Top 10 national parks in Germany The nearly 2-hour journey from Berlin to Quedlinburg required transferring from the S-bahn to two different regional trains my partner and I nearly missed our transfer - a definite hazard of connecting multiple regional trains But once we arrived, it was more than worth racing through train stations. Quedlinburg offered a postcard view of Germany I’d yet to see in person. With limited time, we walked the streets to take in some of the more than 1300 half-timber buildings Quedlinburg is famous for. In fact, the entire Old Town is a Unesco World Heritage Site, described as being “an exceptional example of a medieval European town” we headed to the Sternkeikerturm observation tower where a €1 coin unlocks a revolving gate to climb above for a view Servatii (a church currently mostly under scaffolding) with grounds that look over the town below Lunch and a walk through the historic neighborhood of Münzenberg was all we had time for before heading to the train station for our next stop How to get around in Germany Making our second stop in the town of Wernigerode was an easy choice. With just one transfer on the half-hour journey, it seemed a simple trip for the pay-off: more beautiful half-timber buildings, amazing views of the Harz mountains and a storybook castle overlooking the town Since this would be where we’d spend the night we dropped off our bags at the hotel and took in the lovely view of the red-roofed buildings nestled amongst the hills before wandering into the town below to check out the sites (an incredible old town hall Wernigerode’s smallest house) until the sky turned dark with Leipzig winning out because of its attractions and that it would bring us closer back to Berlin After that it was down to the train for our next journey Wine on the Rhine: three German wine regions off the beaten path The 2-hour and 2-transfer journey was an easy one - we snagged seats immediately and settled in for a relaxing ride. Since it was already about 4pm when we arrived in Leipzig, we rushed to the Museen im Grassi opted to focus on the decorative arts museum - particularly to see the Art Deco and Art Nouveau collections which is oft-dubbed the new Berlin as it becomes a hot spot for those leaving the German capital is home to long ‘passageways’ owed to its past as a trading center We wandered to the Mädlerpassage - a massive five-story covered hall home to bars restaurants and shops - for a walk past the Auberbachs Keller restaurant and a quick cocktail at the aptly-named Mephisto From there we scoped out the sites of the old town to see the incredible architecture we then had to head to the hotel to crash before our journey home the next day Top 12 things to do when you visit Germany the trains from Leipzig to Berlin were busy as we were accompanied by many travelers on their way to the airport our route home required us to switch from regional trains back to the S-bahn - meaning there was time for a quick final detour to Schlachtensee lake where we had a swim and washed the travel off before heading home As a one-way high-speed train from Berlin to Leipzig alone can cost more than €30 I couldn’t believe what value this travel pass provides for exploring Germany - if you’re willing to go slowly Germany's best beaches While you may usually rely on apps like Google Maps for trip-planning, it won’t be of much help here: Google usually suggests the fastest route from point A to B - which often requires taking the exact high-speed trains the pass doesn’t cover. Instead, make your life easy and download the Deutsche Bahn app (or use the website) Go into the options and under “means of transport” select “regional transport only” That will immediately remove ICE and trains you can’t take with the pass from the options so you’ll only see routes you can actually take These top hikes in Germany show why walking is a way of life here with lots of people standing in aisles or sitting on their bags I’d advise packing light and preparing to stand - and being pleasantly surprised if you happen to snag a seat Top 10 reasons to visit Bavaria If you’re a short-on-time traveler trying to make a quick day trip to another city in Germany slightly different journey that will push you to explore places you might not have done otherwise get the DB app and start mapping a journey Regardless of how long you’ll be spending in Germany this pass is an incredible deal that is worth making the most of Germany for first-timers Maike Mende's Uner 25 ride First Class has moved into training with Ingrid Klimke in Munster Mende made a winning international U25 debut a month ago First Class is a 10-year old Hanoverian mare by Furstenball out of Buena Vista (by Bergamon) First Class was trained from young horse level to Grand Prix by young professional Maike Mende The pair made its national show debut in the spring of 2016 in Billerbeck when the bay mare was four years old Mende competed her at regional and national shows in her area and in 2017 made it to the Bundeschampionate where they were 21nd in the 5-year old dressage horse preliminary round In 2018 the mare sold to Vivica Mittelsten Scheid and in 2020 she registered her with the FEI as owned by her company and stable Gut Hülsen Mende retained the ride on First Class and competed her at the 2018 Bundeschampionate placing 9th in the 6-year old Dressage Horse Finals In 2019 they made their international show debut in the 7-year old classes at the CDI Wiesbaden In 2020 the pair competed in the national developing Grand Prix horse classes and their CDI Under 25 debut took place in Troisdorf at the start of May where the duo achieved a double victory with 69.538% in the short Grand Prix and 73.410% in the freestyle who is based at Gut Berghausen and trains with Jan Nivelle The horse will continue its training with German Olympian Ingrid Klimke Stalls for Rent at Durondeau Dressage in Peer, Belgium Exceptionally Well Located Equestrian Facility in Wellington, Florida Well-built Equestrian Estate With Multiple Business Opportunities in Sweden Stable Units for Rent at Lotje Schoots' Equestrian Center in Houten (NED) For Rent: Several Apartments and Stable Wing at High-End Equestrian Facility Stable Wing Available at Reiterhof Wensing on Dutch/German border Real Estate: Well-Appointed Country House with Extensive Equestrian Facility in the U.K. Rémi Blot © Michael MoserThe historic stadium area transforms into a multifunctional arena presenting a highly touristic attraction. Due to the conversion measures, the arena now functions as a protected artificial ice rink in winter and a space for cultural events like concerts and theatre plays as well as sport and health events during summertime. The buildings each encompass the foundation blocks of the roof so that they are visually integrated into the structure They strongly blend into the topography and are therefore perceived as part of the landscape You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email 'Walpurgisnacht,' or May Eve, is an occasion for revelry and excess in Germany's blustery Harz mountains. Legend has it that on the night of April 30 to May 1, witches fly their broomsticks to meet the devil at the top of the highest peak in the region – known as the Brocken. Locals and tourists mark the occasion by dressing up and dancing their way into the new month of May. Unlikely as it might seem, the celebration takes its name from an English nun – Saint Walpurga. When Pope Adrian II canonised Walpurga on May 1, 870 for converting pagan Germans, he hoped to Christianise a much-loved heathen spring festival that fell at that time. The plan failed, but Walpurga's name stuck. Now, Walpurgisnacht is a huge tourist draw in the Harz region, where people don witch and devil costumes and enjoy a night of music and spectacle. The Harz mountains were one of the last places in what later became Germany to convert to Christianity and the area is characterised by dark pine forests and eerie rock formations. Brocken Mountain, which is shrouded in fog 300 days a year, provides a natural stage for the supernatural and fantasies about evil. Amid this uncanny landscape, a legend arose of witches mounting their broomsticks on the eve of May 1 and flying up the Brocken to commune with the devil. The fantasy inspired stories and drawings - and now dressing up. Walpurgisnacht is most famously featured in a scene of Goethe’s masterpiece “Faust I,” a work that has helped to imprint the festival further onto the German psyche, helping explain its popularity in the Harz area. The villages around the base of the Brocken celebrate the occasion with all sorts of revels. In Stiege (pictured above) Satan is rowed across the lake in a flaming torch-lit boat after nightfall to lead dancing around the bonfire. Elsewhere, with the help of cables, witches appear to fly overhead while in Thale, men from around northern Europe and Scandinavia compete in a terrifying speed chainsawing competition, carving diabolical creatures from logs of wood. A man surveys the landscape from a HSB light railway carriage as he travels through the dense forest covering the Harz mountains. A man with a devil mask poses for a picture on the light railway. Another reveller with his face painted to look like the devil peers out of the train. Women dressed up as witches travel on the light railway. The train driver hangs his tattooed arm out of the window. A group of revellers dressed as witches and a devil walk along a platform in the town of Wernigerode. Women dressed up as witches walk by the summit of the Brocken. Tourists stand near the boulders that mark the peak. A tame fox approaches revellers gathering at the summit during celebrations for Walpurgisnacht. 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 Art 10 Masterpieces You Can Only See in Munich See & Do The Best Weekend Trips From Heidelberg Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in November See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in September See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Autumn Design The Most Beautiful Churches in Berlin See & Do A Guide to River Cruises in Germany: What to Know See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Summer See & Do Germany's Most Beautiful Abbeys and Monasteries Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in December See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in July See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in October US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd One of last the taboos of Hitler era revealedThe Associated PressBERLIN - For decades they suffered in silence aging Germans who as children were selected by the Nazis for their Aryan qualities and handed over to SS families Collectively known as "Lebensborn children," some will gather publicly today for the first time Many are trying to make peace with pasts they long kept cloaked from shame tracing their roots and demanding that the truth be told about SS chief Heinrich Himmler's Lebensborn "It is an important issue and it is time that it finally comes to light," said 64-year-old Dagmar Jung whose adoptive parents refused for years to answer her questions about her past as a Lebensborn child Jung will be in the eastern town of Wernigerode where the Nazis ran the "Harz" Lebensborn home for a meeting of Lebensspuren - Traces of Life - an association formed last year part of the session today will be open to the public nearly two-thirds are Lebensborn children who feel a growing need to uncover their past and break one of the last taboos about the Adolf Hitler era in Germany Lebensborn was a lesser-known side of Nazi racial experiments While millions of Jews and others deemed "undesirable" were being slaughtered thousands of children were carefully selected for Aryan physical qualities and given to families of SS members to be raised The Nazis kept the program so secret that many of those selected often do not know who they really are the program became the stuff of legend in the postwar years Misleadingly depicted in several films as a high-end bordello offering blue-eyed blondes to SS officers with the aim of creating a master race association with the program became doubly shameful many of them suffer from the consequences of secrecy and the Nazi ideologies of race," said Matthias Meissner Conservative estimates put the number of Lebensborn children in Germany somewhere around 5,500 "There is far too little written about it in history books and reference works," said Jung who has spent 30 years trying to piece together her true identity her adoptive father revealed clues that finally led to her birth mother and Jung has built a relationship with her The search for her father took several more years and ended in disappointment when Jung discovered they had lived in the same city for years but he died in 1963 those running Lebensborn preyed on the difficult situation many unwed pregnant women found themselves in during those more conservative times It offered them a chance to have babies in comfortable state-run homes where the children stayed until they were adopted Adoptive mothers and fathers were required to prove not only their Aryan qualities but also the absence of any mental or other genetic illnesses or defects Lebensborn was expanded after the Nazis overran Denmark and Norway in 1940 German occupation soldiers were encouraged to find suitable local partners who were offered the chance to have babies in one of 10 Lebensborn homes set up in the region Some 8,000 children were eventually born in Norway and thousands more were registered in Denmark Lebensborn also operated in the occupied Netherlands your new go-to podcast to spice up your weekday mornings with relevant news and behind-the-scenes from Brussels and beyond From the economy to the climate and the EU's role in world affairs this talk show sheds light on European affairs and the issues that impact on our daily lives as Europeans Tune in to understand the ins and outs of European politics Dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries Deep dive conversations with business leaders Euronews Tech Talks goes beyond discussions to explore the impact of new technologies on our lives the podcast provides valuable insights into the intersection of technology and society Europe's water is under increasing pressure floods are taking their toll on our drinking water Join us on a journey around Europe to see why protecting ecosystems matters and to discover some of the best water solutions an animated explainer series and live debate - find out why Water Matters We give you the latest climate facts from the world’s leading source analyse the trends and explain how our planet is changing We meet the experts on the front line of climate change who explore new strategies to mitigate and adapt It’s not often that a three-hour drive from a capital city will take you back in time Yet that’s exactly what my trip to the Harz Mountains in Germany did I rarely saw anything that looked like it had been around for less than 100 years heavy white clouds masked the mountains from view and the town’s medieval-style buildings were topped with snowy hats regular snow from December through to February is nothing new but my English eyes weren’t used to snow lasting more than a day I began to crunch my way through the streets of wooden houses and brightly-painted fences to get to the train station The Brocken Railway was the reason I had come to this town lost in time Two restored steam trains that look like something from a Harry Potter book wind their way across three railway tracks the more spectacular the landscape becomes The town square was surrounded by market stalls selling handmade food and drink with gas-powered lamp-posts standing at the end of each platform With just two trains running on these lines it didn’t take me long to find my platform The red and black train was smaller than I expected but it would manage to huff and puff all the way up to the top of the mountain These railways are used to reaching all but the last sixteen feet of Brocken’s summit The train itself was anything but luxurious left deliberately reminiscent of their vintage history I soon learnt that the railways snaking through the Harz Mountains have stood since 1898 their past is broken up with the unrest that plagued the country throughout the 20th Century World War Two left the railways damaged and unusable repaired only to be used as a Cold War military base the trains carried supplies and soldiers through the mountains even spilling out onto the precarious metal walkways that joined the train carriages with 360-degree views of pine and fur forests and sooty steam billowing overhead standing outside is well worth the ice-cold wind until it stacked up at the side of the tracks I refused to go back inside to the warmth of the train standing outside with only my eyes exposed to the air blinking away the smoke that streamed down the side of the train When it seemed impossible that this much snow could exist in one place and the trees began to bend under the weight on their branches Through low-hanging icicles and a flurry of snowfall I could just about read a red and yellow sign that told me we had officially reached the top of Brocken I followed the other train passengers up the path although I couldn’t see what lay at the other end of it I couldn’t see more than two metres in any direction What I thought were white-washed concrete walls were actually densely-packed blocks of ice Icicles bigger than my entire body hung from the buildings and it was hard to tell what each one used to be It’s easy to lose your sense of direction when your world has suddenly shrunk to four square metres With snow stretching on for eternity and every building looking the same it took me a few tries before I found Brockenhaus the visitor’s centre that also serves as a cafe I had to go through two sets of doors to get into the building so as to protect the main room from the cold and the wind I saw rows of benches with German flags from every state lining the enormous room The sudden roar of voices and the smell of smoke and bread smacked me over the head After exploring what felt like miles of snowy mountaintop food and hot chocolate were high on my priority list Pretzels and hot drinks were made from log-burning stoves and German waitresses in traditional dirndls walked between the tables - albeit with more fur on their clothing than their southern cousins When I finally emerged back out onto the mountain the white of the snow made me blink and lose my bearings all over again I walked as far as I dared into the white expanse that surrounded me I could have been standing on the edge of the mountain for all I knew With the seemingly permanent snowstorm only picking up speed as time went on When it finally became time to board the train back through the dense pine and fir forests the cold had sunk deep enough into my bones that I ventured inside for a seat by the window The foggy window offered glimpses of a sunset poking through the trees as we crawled lower and lower until you could finally see the base of the trees once more Getting off the train felt like waking up from a dream The monochrome summit seemed otherworldly and distant now the wind was gone and colour had returned to the world it was another world I was glad I had visited The ancient city of Hoi An will host a ‘lantern night’ in the streets of Wernigerode in Germany as part of cultural co-operation between the two cities from August 23-25 Hoi An ancient town twinkles at nightScenes around the ancient town of Hoi An at night director of Hoi An’s Culture and Sports Centre said that Hoi An artisans will light up the old streets of Wernigerode with hand-made lanterns Craftspeople from Hoi An will also demonstrate lantern-making skills for visitors during the three-day cultural exchange event while chefs will offer the traditional food of Hoi An Artists from Hoi An and Wernigerode will stage a joint performance during the lantern night festival German singer Rainer Hochmuth and the Webster Band performed at the German Beer festival in Hoi An provided a solar-powered system for public lighting as well as loudspeakers and lanterns last year Hoi An often hosts lantern night events during weekends cafes and hotels are decorated with colourful lanterns blue eyes: the Third Reich's sinister plan to boost the "master race" has left behind an emotionally charged legacy that lingers to this day The Lebensborn Kinder - a long hushed-up aspect of Nazi history - were born in special maternity homes places where mostly unmarried women and the wives of SS men gave birth to children with "good Aryan" blood a group of these children met this weekend in the eastern German town of Wernigerode telling their stories in the hope of quelling the taboos and flamboyant myths about the murky Nazi institutions "It's high time to tell the truth," said Gisela Heidenreich one of the 37 Lebensborn (source of life) children who travelled to the quiet town "There's been too much talk about Nazi babies women being kept as SS whores and tall blond people being bred." are notable for their diversity - a far cry from stereotypes of any unified Nazi master race Walking down the leafy streets after visiting Wernigerode's Lebensborn home Gisela described the confusion she and her peers have suffered Her eyes blazed as she spoke of the web of lies that dominated her childhood First she was led to believe that her birth mother was an aunt She woke up to the fact that all was not as it seemed when she was four and heard her uncle refer to her as "an SS bastard" "That was the first time that my world fell apart My second shock came when I was a teenager and found out through mere coincidence that my father was alive," the tall "I've learnt that this feeling of deep uncertainty about my identity is typical of us Lebensborn children So many felt that something was wrong before they discovered the truth." The children represented a traumatic chapter in 20th century history and were often shunned by society a lively woman who travelled here from Norway described being stigmatised as a "Nazi child" during her childhood in a Norwegian children's home When she later found her own mother she also met a wall of coldness I can remember that day so clearly," Kikki said The weekend meeting of the group called Lebensspuren (traces of life) its members swap stories about tracing relatives and dealing with rejection and lies There is the odd happy tale of reunited families but for many it has been a battle against taboos and misinformation Folker Heinecke was only two years old when he was kidnapped in what is now Ukraine by Nazis because of his Aryan looks He thinks his real name is Aleksander Litau he was only able to search for his family when the wall came down He travelled to the rural town in Ukraine where records suggest he was found even though I have no memories of living there it somehow felt strangely comfortable to me I was sent to some houses where children were meant to have been kidnapped - but no one knew anything," the smartly-dressed 66-year-old said nods and reaches over to hold Folker's hand I know I've got two other siblings but I just can't find them anywhere." the Lebensspuren organisers want to create a museum in the inconspicuous cream-coloured house that was formerly a Lebensborn home The last Lebensborn baby was born there in 1945 It was kept as a maternity clinic for years afterwards - partly because the Nazi era equipment had been state of the art books were found listing the births which had taken place there a member of the Lebensspuren board stresses how important it is to document what happened but always with a nod to the larger tragedy of Hitler's regime "but certainly not stand as any sort of memorial" "That is the crux of the dilemma for this generation This unwieldy historical baggage impels Gisela to take her story to pupils in schools and colleges "We all need to be aware of what happened especially the younger generations," she said at the meeting "The story of Lebensborn is so important because it's about families; mothers it's something they can empathise with." And for her - as with others gathered in the room - telling the truth is all-important As she gives an impassioned speech to the crowded room it is clear how her ruptured history has dominated her life And her chosen career comes as little surprise - family therapy was a programme created by Heinrich Himmler It was designed to boost the German population by encouraging citizens SS officers came under pressure to have four children Ten maternity homes were set up across Germany where 8,000 to 12,000 Lebensborn Kinder were born but many were adopted by families of SS officers Lebensborn homes were set up across Europe most fathered by SS officers to Norwegian mothers There were also cases of children with "Aryan" characteristics being kidnapped from their homes in occupied territories A night performance in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the twinning between the ancient town of Hoi An and Szentendre will be staged at An Hoi Sculpture Park on the Hoai River on July 20 Hoi An (VNS/VNA) - A night performance in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the twinning between the ancient town of Hoi An and Szentendre The city’s Information and Sports Centre said series of cultural exchanges and meetings will be held between the two cities to boost co-operations in heritage conservation businesses alongside schools visits of the two sides in the coming years It said the anniversary will be an opportunity for the two cities sharing discussions and plans of hosting more cultural and tourism events in 2024-29 The two cities will be seeking people-to-people visits as well as introducing each other in world forums and events has twinned with seven urban areas including Wernigerode in Germany Gwangju in the Republic of Korea and Thanh Hoa city in Vietnam The ancient town is a rendezvous for annual Japan-Hoi An Cultural Exchange Day and a Korean Culture Day A lantern festival of Hoi An was also organised in Wernigerode and Paris Hoi An has officially joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in field of Crafts and Folk Art The mid-autumn Full Moon Festival (on the 14th day of the eighth lunar month) of the Hoi An ancient town was the latest National Intangible Heritage recognition in 2023 joining series of national intangible heritages recognised such as the annual Nguyen Tieu Festival of Hoi An carpentry of Kim Bong Village and Tra Que vegetable garden./ Vietnam currently ranks fifth among Asian U23 teams information and models of 87 Buddhist national treasures currently preserved in museums and relic sites across the country are on display The New Zealand Herald has run an article by journalist Cath Johnsen affirming that Vietnam offers one of the kindest cultures in the world held in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Vietnam–Hungary diplomatic ties aimed to strengthen connections between young overseas Vietnamese in Hungary and their cultural roots The exhibition features a dome made from do (poonah paper) combined with recycled plastic and steel to create a space that is both soft and strong The International Martial Arts Tournament welcomed participants from 11 African countries that are part of the African Vovinam – Viet Vo Dao Confederation alongside representatives from several European nations and Vietnam Deputy Minister of Culture of Venezuela Alí Alejandro Primera will perform renowned songs praising President Ho Chi Minh during an art programme titled “Forever Ho Chi Minh” on the occasion of his 135th birthday (May 19 The oil on canvas "Property of a Lady of Title" was the top-selling item at Sloane Street Auctions on May 2 and marked the first Vietnamese artwork ever auctioned at the house Vietnam will be one of 11 hosts of the AFC Asian U23 Cup 2026 qualification Coach Nguyen Dinh Hoang of Vietnam will bring 14 players who have practised hard at intensive training courses and friendlies in Vietnam and Japan to China for the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025 The Berlin exhibition presents a chronological narrative of the war through the eyes of artists and photographers who lived through or deeply studied the war from the early days of revolutionary movement to the great victory on April 30 Ha Long Carnival 2025 unfolded in three acts each weaving Quang Ninh’s cultural heritage into a vivid tapestry of performance The elaborately choreographed performances captured the spirit of local residents invited attendees to explore the locality's breathtaking natural beauty themed “Unity and Inclusivity for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insights for World Peace and Sustainable Development,” will take place in Ho Chi Minh City from May 6 to 8 expected to draw 1,200 delegates from 85 countries and territories Hanoi has mobilised hundreds of billions of VND for the restoration preservation and promotion of local cultural heritage every year transforming the treasures into engines for sustainable tourism development and Tourism Suansavanh Viyaket emphasised that the victory on April 30 was not only a triumph for the army and people of Vietnam but also a shared victory for the united forces and the special combat alliance between Laos and Vietnam not only won the final stage of the 37th National HTV Cycling Cup which concluded on April 30 in Ho Chi Minh City but also secured his place as the overall champion of the prestigious tournament The oil on canvas "Property of a Lady of Title" will be the first Vietnamese artwork on auction at this distinguished auction house It was on display at a solo exhibition of Vu Cao Dam in London in 1960 hosted by the prominent Frost & Reed Gallery titled “Mua xuan thong nhat” (the spring of reunification) serves as a profound tribute to previous generations soldiers and civilians who made great sacrifices for the country’s freedom and independence The exhibition showcases 42 photographs and propaganda posters created by Cuban artists reflecting Cuba’s heartfelt solidarity with Vietnam during its prolonged struggle for national defence The drone show is a highlight of the festivities commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30 © Copyright belongs to VietnamPlus, VNA. 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Pani Garmyder / Shutterstock Goslar Tours The medieval mining town of Goslar was founded back in 922 AD and has a fascinating history involving knights its adorable cobbled streets endlessly lined with half-timbered guild houses are a meanderer’s dream come true The huge Zwinger Tower and the Imperial Palace of Goslar dominate the skyline of Goslar while the beautiful Gustav Adolf Stave Church never fails to stop travelers in their tracks and boasts of the rare history of being ruled by women for 800 long years It houses steep-roofed half-timbered buildings from at least five centuries and a medieval Old Town all still preserved in their original condition as the town was lucky enough to escape destruction during the war If there was ever a contest for the most quaint town the UNESCO World Heritage town of Quedlinburg would be an unrivaled contender [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Wernigerode Historical Landmark as it has incredible routes waiting with the promise of adventure and discovery A romantic narrow-gauge steam railway passes through Wernigerode on its way to Brocken Photo by Max Payload on Unsplash From a tiny mining village around year 1250 to a much-loved spot for winter sports lovers, Braunlage has come a long way. This picturesque town offers incredible opportunities for skiing and tobogganing and offers breathtaking views over its panorama from its 400m-high Wurmbergseilbahn Braunlage is also a popular health resort housing several spa gardens The picture-postcard town of Blankenburg sits shyly by the Goldbach stream it is hard to imagine that it was hit hard by a devastating fire in 1836 and once housed a hard labor camp The 12th-century Schloss Blankenburg nestled in a lush baroque garden tells the story of medieval times while the ruins of Schloss Regenstein still stand witness to almost eight centuries of history Markus Muller / Unsplash A walk around the Old Town of Duderstadt is like a stroll through the pages of history The cityscape of this town dating from 929 AD is adorned by St and the gorgeous Town Hall protected by ancient towers An aerial view of Duderstadt would reveal a sea of red roofs crowning half-timbered houses wrapped tightly by lush green fortifications Deny Hill / Unsplash The town of Eisleben was christened Lutherstadt Eisleben in honor of Martin Luther who was born here and also breathed his last in this town Various monuments dedicated to Martin Luther are still today immaculately maintained and proudly shown off Andrew’s Church (where he held his last sermons) Eisleben also has rows of adorable half-timbered houses that are so typical of Harz towns German Trips and Tours Want to continue your germanic adventure Germany has plenty to offer from their iconic Christmas markets fairy tale-esque Black Forest and mystical castles to the urban cities of Berlin and beyond 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_4"]'); 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]]); } }); If you click on a link in this story All recommendations have been independently sourced by Culture Trip Read Next See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Autumn © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd. All Rights Reserved. is finding one that has something genuinely interesting to look at and also someone on hand to explain what everything is Here are our nine best picks for castle tours in Germany a visit in the off-season is still worth it Neuschwanstein can only be visited by guided tour which must be booked for a specific time at least 48 hours before you arrive If you are late collecting your tickets or showing up for the tour Adult tickets are €17.50 each and children 18 or under pay just €2.50 You can also book guided tours with pick-up from Munich or Hohenschwangau Wernigerode Castle Historical Landmark and flashlight tours are also available for €12 [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Schwerin Castle Building and is still used as the state seat of parliament Guided tours give the lowdown about the building but also the ghost Petermännchen and the real story of Buttocks Parade Nelson Wong / Unsplash The House of Hohenzollern was the last royal house in power before the monarchy was abolished completely after the First Wold War The castle itself is still privately owned The general tour costs €13 and lasts 45 minutes English tours are offered once day during the summer months and Saturday and Sunday afternoons during the rest of the year 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_2"]'); 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]]); } }); Heidelberg Castle Ruins Michael Hamments / Unsplash Heidelberg Tours Though the castle was first built in the 13th century its appearance is thanks largely to the castle craze that swept the nation in the late 19th century the once-imposing edifice lay in ruins due to a lightning-caused fire in 1764 but many sections have been left too long to do anything about The standard tour is available in English several times a day particularly if you need the tour in a language other than German © klausdie/Pixabay This Medieval castle became famous for offering refuge to Martin Luther after Pope Leo X excommunicated him Luther translated the New Testament from Ancient Greek to German Like many old castles it fell into disrepair over the years only to be restored in the 19th century as part of the Romantic love affair with all things old and ruined Guided tours in English are available each day at 1:30pm and cost €13 [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Burg Eltz Joshua Kettle / Unsplash Burg Eltz Tours Germany’s best example of a Medieval castle is unique in that the same family has owned it for more than 850 years but being situated atop a 70-metre (230-foot) rock does help keep intruders at bay Entrance with a guided tour costs €14 per adult but you need to write ahead of time to reserve your place Hohenschwangau Tours The neighbour to Neuschwanstein Hohenschwangau was the summer home of King Ludwig II and his residence before Neuschwanstein was rebuilt in the 19th century Since this is one of the most popular tourist sites in all of Germany tickets must be booked at least two days in advance and are often sold out in the summer All tours are guided and available in English [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Schloss Augustusburg Brühl Azyumardi Suntana / Unsplash A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984 Schloss Augustusburg is a gem just 30 minutes by train from Cologne and Bonn Originally the residence of the Archbishop-Elector of Cologne the palace is publicly owned and one of the rare examples of Neo-Classical architecture in the area The tromp l’œil in the staircase alone is worth a visit but if there are enough English speakers in the group The entrance fee is €9 and includes the tour Read Next See & Do Germany's Most Beautiful Abbeys and Monasteries