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

by Ronnie Juhans Photo by Jag_cz/shutterstock.com For my fellow hikers who enjoyed the great outdoors trekking during the warmer months of the year, there is no need to put away those boots and let Old Man Winter keep you indoors until spring of next year. Winter hiking and snowshoeing areContinue 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

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

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

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

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

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

Hiking trip to Humbergturm (Humberg Tower)

Story and photos by Jaqueline Samad No matter the weather, this outing in the Pfälzer Wald (Palatinate Forest) is ideal whether you are with your partner, children, a dog or alone. This trip to the Humbergturm (Humberg Tower) is the ideal place to recharge your batteries and relax in theContinue 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

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

In northern Italy, where the massive Dolomite mountains dominate the land, you can find a different sort of country. This is adventure Italy. Adventure Italy gets your heart pumping. For example, we asked a lifelong local to recommend a remote hike that was still reasonable enough for a family ofContinue Reading

Cover photo by Erlebnis Akademie AG Many people from other countries, particularly the United States, see Germany as a place that truly ‘gets it’ with regard to wellness, concern for environment, and plugging-in with nature. Since 2009, a series of extended, elevated walking routes is putting Deutschland and surrounding countriesContinue Reading

The GREATest BRITAIN Road Trip, my favorite destinations in England, Wales and Scotland: read part 1 about Bruges, Dover, Stonehenge here, part 2 about the Roman City Bath here, part 3 about Wales here, part 4 about The Lake District here, part 5 about Hadrian’s Wall here, part 6 about theContinue Reading

Seewoog parkrun in Ramstein-Miesenbach will soon be the 9th parkrun event to launch in Germany and will be officially opened by the Mayor of Ramstein, Ralf Hechler on 15 September, 2018 at 9:00am. It will take place at the same time every Saturday thereafter. parkrun is the biggest running eventContinue Reading