Oppenheim is a place of wine and water, a small town on the banks of the Rhine where the circle of life is very much present. It is a place where you can get back to basics. Travelers can stroll past gorgeous buildings, wander sprawling vineyards, and emerge from aContinue Reading
Pforzheim embodies so much that is good about Germany. With more than 100,000 people, it’s large enough to offer something for every traveler, and small enough that navigating it doesn’t feel overwhelming. There is an excellent blend of culture, commerce and nature. And, crucially, Pforzheim offers wonderful access to oneContinue Reading
Something about Idar-Oberstein feels almost mythical. During the journey there, shadows and light dance through trees while two-lane roads wind through valleys and forests. When you arrive in the large town along the banks of the Nahe River, the mythic theme continues. Why? Because Idar-Oberstein made its name in muchContinue Reading
Worms makes an excellent destination for a day trip. It is packed with outstanding architecture, pedestrian zones and green space. It is steeped in history, too. As one of Germany’s oldest cities, Worms’ most famous monuments testify to its role as a microcosm for the religious forces (and tensions) thatContinue Reading
Whether you love winter or simply endure it until spring arrives, one thing is true: getting outside and active is important for your health during the long, dark months. Fortunately, there is no shortage of excellent outdoor opportunities in Germany. You have lots of options for seeing the wintry worldContinue Reading
Zweibrücken makes for an excellent day trip. Located a few kilometers from the French border, the city is rich with natural beauty, history and a very interesting mélange of sightseeing opportunities. Plus, you get to visit a city that begins with the letter Z, which doesn’t happen every day! Zweibrücken:Continue Reading
If you talk to those who have traveled the world and checked off bucket list items like champions, you’ll often hear a common theme: they’ve never explored the places they live. Their hometowns – whether in Germany, the U.S. or elsewhere – were often just places to hang hats untilContinue Reading
Volksmarching is an ideal activity for the COVID era. Founded as a non-competitive sport in Germany in the 1960’s, volksmarching (or “wandering,” as it is also called) is essentially a well-organized hike. Which makes it healthy, social, safe, outdoors-oriented and purposeful. It’s also an excellent raison d’être for day trips.Continue Reading
As far as day trips go, Ulm packs a serious punch. It’s a large city, with plenty to do. Located on the banks of the Danube River, it offers history, art and culture. It also offers a great mix of random coolness – such as being the birthplace of AlbertContinue Reading
Trier is a beautiful, history-rich city with origins that are shrouded in mystery. One legend holds that it was founded by an exiled Assyrian prince 1,300 years before the birth of Christ. What is provable, however, is that Trier is Germany’s oldest city. On a related note, it boasts oneContinue Reading
Schönau almost seems like Shangri-la. Every twisting road that leads to the little village deep in the Pfalz forest leads you further and further into what feels like a forgotten valley. When you reach Schönau, nestled against the French border, you also discover that it is very much an outdoorContinue Reading
One of the classic (perhaps THE classic) German day trip destinations is Rothenburg ob der Tauber. You’ve probably seen pictures in guidebooks or on websites: half-timbered buildings, cobblestone streets, impossible cuteness. There’s a reason Rothenburg is so highly recommended: it has the power to transport even the most cynical traveler.Continue Reading
These are strange days, especially for Americans living in Europe. After all, one of the benefits of being here is that travel is so easy. So many world-famous cultures, countries, cities, and landmarks are so reachable. And even when travel is confined to Germany, life is still good. This isContinue Reading
A trip to Niederhausen is good for your body and your soul. This small wine village on the banks of the Nahe River is off the beaten path, and yet is filled with brilliant paths. And, during an era in which travel to quiet, rural places has never been moreContinue Reading
Mainz is easy to enjoy. It is filled with classic architecture, including towering stone spires and half-timbered buildings. The Rhine River chugs past, acting as a beating heart for a thriving university city. Restaurants, shops, wineries and an abundant amount of green space can be found downtown. Mainz is alsoContinue Reading
During an era in which access to great outdoor settings has become a critical travel criterion, Landau is almost the perfect destination. The large town in the heart of the Pfalz wine region has parks, vineyards, hills, forests, a lovely pedestrian zone and easy access to exotic animals. If you’reContinue Reading
Koblenz combines two features that are fundamental to Germany: history and beauty. This is a city, after all, that was founded by the Romans, and that celebrated 2,000 years of continued existence…in 1992. This is also a place where two of Germany’s most famous rivers, the Rhine and the Mosel,Continue Reading
In many ways, Jossgrund is similar to most any little village in Germany. It’s small, tidy, tranquil and prosperous. You’ll find red roofs, a church steeple, a gasthaus. You can drive a small winding road through it and be gone in two minutes. But Jossgrund – and the surrounding areaContinue Reading
Heidelberg is obvious and surprising all at the same time – which is one of the best combinations that travelers can hope for. Once you hit the city, its beauty is evident. Steep wooded hills rise from both sides of the Neckar River. A world-class castle ruin looms above anContinue Reading
There is much to be said for activating your imagination somewhere beyond your office, home, or home office. Sometimes all it takes is one little – or very large – piece of input to transport you far away from the daily toils and cares of the world. Like, say, ifContinue Reading
At first glance, Frankfurt isn’t as easily graspable as some of Germany’s other large cities. It’s not Berlin, which is urbane, gritty and packed with history. Nor is it Munich, where Bavarian prosperity is evident from the moment you set foot in the city. Perhaps what Frankfurt most resembles isContinue Reading
August 31, 2020 In its way, Elmstein is as quintessentially German as Neuschwanstein Castle or the Brandenburg Gate. But you won’t find it on any Top 10 lists. Which is good, because Elmstein can be your little secret. And though this little village in the heart of the Palatinate ForestContinue Reading
If you’re searching for something good, you’ll find it by traveling to Bad Dürkheim. “Bad,” however, might not mean what you think it means. For English speakers, it translates literally as “bath.” In truth, though, “Bad” is closer to “spa” – which means water, healing and tranquility. You’ll find thoseContinue Reading
During an era in which many of us are longing to get away, Cochem may be just the thing to ease your tourist blues. Why? Because it’s built for visitors. This is a place with in-your-face sights and fun things to do. As a bonus, it’s located on a gorgeousContinue Reading
When you’re standing above Bernkastel-Kues, the scene seems almost too beautiful to be real. Vine-filled hillsides plunge toward the Mosel River. Small roads snake through vineyards, parceling the beauty into something your mind can process. And below? Well, down there lies an ideal place to begin exploring an area thatContinue Reading
Aachen is a beautiful university town packed with history, culture and outdoor activities for the whole family. Nestled next to Belgium and the Netherlands, the city (pronounced Ach-ken) offers a feeling that is sort-of German, sort-of Dutch-Belgian, and distinctly cool. There is a reason this was Charlemagne’s favorite place. WhyContinue Reading