Germany (or the land that IS Germany) has been around a very long time, and many places have seen the likes of Stone, Bronze, and Iron Age man (and woman), Celts, and Romans — each bringing their own aura of mystery to the land.

So, in honor of the Beatles — welcome to my Magical Mystery Tour.

Barbarossahöhle (Barbarossa Cave)
This vast network of caves northwest of Bad Frankenhausen in Thuringia has seen all sorts of ancient rituals and offerings from salt to hair, including human dating to around 3,000 years ago.

ISIS Temple & Mater Magna
Only discovered in 2000 (quite by accident) in Mainz, this Egyptian Goddess’ temple and one to the Great Mother was favored by Roman soldiers as late as the 3rd century A.D. Artifacts found have included everything from lamps to fruit (wow, talk about preservation).

Ohlsdorf Cemetery
While not a Roman or Celtic site, the Ohlsdorf Cemetery in the Ohlsdorf district of Hamburg is the final resting place for more than a million people (mostly the who’s who of Hamburg). It has 12 chapels, six memorials, museums, an area for World War I soldiers, and 17km of roads.

Mt. Untersdorf
Close to Berchtesgaden, there are more then 400 caves within the area of Mt. Untersdorf. One legend tells of the end of the world from here. It’s said to have haunted spirits, and even the Dalai Lama himself noticed the magical aura of the place.

Mühlhausen
In the town of Mühlhausen in Thuringia you’ll see a reconstructed Germanic Tribe village on the site of pagan sacrifices dating to the 6th century B.C. Want to learn more? Check out their website at www.opfermoor.de.

Witches Dancing Ground (Hexentanzplatz)
Yes, the Hexentanzplatz is a real place in the rustic Harz Mountains, near the town of Thale. The legend says that witches left from the spot before heading to Mt. Brocken to wed the Devil. Today you’ll find plenty of men, women, and children just having a good time.

Exernsteine
Found in Horn-Bad Meinberg in the Teutoburg Forest are the so-called Exernsteine — 13 pillars made from rock standing over 37-meters tall. It’s also where artifacts dating to 10,000 B.C. have been found.

I’m pretty sure I’ve missed about a gazillion other mystical places in Germany — so feel free to add any you know to the list. Then it’ll be OUR Magical Mystery Tour. ;-)

Because I’m German, I love lists (an order for everything, I must say). This is why I’ve made a list of some of my faves of Germany’s National Parks (besides the Black Forest, which I did not list below since I guess you all know by now that the Schwarzwald is my top favorite of all). This way, while you’re here you can enjoy the family-friendliest, most economical, a downright prettiest countryside on the planet.

Sorry, Yellowstone, you’re gorgeous too.

Bavarian Forest National Park

The Bavarian Forest is 243 square kilometers that stretches eastward all the way to the Czech Republic’s Bohemian Forest National Park. With 300km of hiking trails, 200km of cycling paths, and 80km of cross-country skiing lanes, there’s no possible way you’ll ever say or hear the words: I’m bored.

Harz National Park

The mountainous Harz region in both Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt has wild boars, woodpeckers, and hundreds of other kinds of wildlife living in it. Add in cave exploration and a ride on the 130km narrow-gauge railway, and you’ve got an excellent adventure to say the least.

Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park

One word: mudflats. Yes, mudflats. Mudflat hiking is booming here — and there’s not much to it. Get yourself a guide to fill you in on the low tide schedule, then walk out on the terra firma that was just covered by the water.

As if hiking the mudflats isn’t enough, try to find all 3,000 species of animal that lives within this park’s boundaries, take a boat cruise, or enjoy the rustic simplicity of a small fishing village.

Saxon Switzerland National Park

No, Saxony does not border the country of Switzerland — that’s just its name. It’s called Saxon Switzerland due to the mountainous landscape.

But, I don’t think you’ll care when you’re off hiking around the rock formations, valley, or gorges. Dresden isn’t too far away, so starting from there makes getting to this park remarkably simple.

Hainich National Park

Forested woodlands makes this Thuringian landscape look as if it came straight from the pages of a storybook. Guided tours can take you to find everything from mushrooms to a thousand-year old Oak tree, or you can choose to follow the Rennsteig (Thuringia’s oldest hiking trail) or see Wartburg Castle all on your own.

These are some of my favorite picks, and I’m pretty sure that you’ll love them too.

Summer’s rough, isn’t it?

However, if you want to shed ALL of your clothing, then you might as well do it at one of Germany’s nude beaches.

Nude beaches? Germany’s got nude beaches?

Yeah, it sure does and they are scattered throughout the country, so you’ll find one when you really want one (or, got the guts to go ;-).

Uh, where are they; and what are the “rules” for being there?

Let’s start at where it all started; the island (and town) of Sylt (in North Frisia). The entire island isn’t a beach for naturists (as nude beach goers are called), but an area of the island has been set aside for those looking to don their clothing since the 1920′s.

Situated on the Baltic Sea in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, you’ll find some nude beaches in the Rügen district. The white chalky cliffs make for a great background. Too bad though you can’t bring a camera to take pictures of them.

You really didn’t think you could bring cameras onto a nude beach, did you? ;-) Do yourself a favor and keep the camera put away until you’ve left the beach area. OK?

Even Berlin gets in on the nude beach action over at the Wannsee. The sandy beach might be clothes free, but make sure you’ve brought something to cover up with while you’re playing beach volleyball or are out paddle boating.

It’s always good form to bring something to sit on or cover up when you’re at a nude beach restaurant, or some other concession area. Sanitary, ya know.

Lower Saxony has got a nude beach on the island of Borkum. Whether you keep your clothes on or take them off, you’ll love the clear lakes and nude camping.

One thing, Gentlemen, if you’ve come to Borkum or some other nude beach to pick up the ladies; you better think twice. Nude beaches aren’t meat markets!

Yeah, that means you don’t invade anyone else’s space. And you certainly don’t want to be up close & personal not smellin’ all that fresh. So, make sure you’ve practiced some hygiene before arriving.

Look, don’t kill the messenger. I didn’t make the rules, I’m just passing them on. ;-)

Hamburg isn’t going to be left out. So, if you’re a true naturist, the Sommerbad Volksdorf is the place you’ll want to be.

Places like this are (believe it or not) quite family-friendly. So, please don’t come to the Sommerbad Volksdorf thinking it’s like Jamaica’s Hedonism. Keep the public displays of affection to a very (very, very) bare minimum.

Better yet, don’t display them at all.

But, don’t let a few rules of etiquette keep you from enjoying the best of Germany’s nude beaches. Then again, most of these “rules” would apply if it was a clothing-required beach, as well. Right?

There are so many trails, it’s hard to know where to begin. Probably one of my favorites is walking through the Hunsrück hills. In the summer you’ll find a flowered wonderland, and in autumn the woods are ablaze with color.

The Saar-Hunsrück Trail leads you into scenery beautiful enough that you won’t want to forget to bring your camera gear. Climb the high ridges, cross lovely valleys and be rewarded with some spectacular views. Begin at the Cloef observation point and hike down the hill to Mettlach. Follow streams and relax on benches to catch your breath and maybe a bite to eat.

When you reach Grimburg Castle, you can choose whichever path suits your fancy. You can continue on to Trier, or you can move on to Idar-Oberstein. If going to Idar-Oberstein, you will be heading into the beautiful Nahe Valley. But no matter the path you choose, you will love every minute of your hike.

Of course, the most famous hike in Rhineland-Palatinate is the Ausoniusweg. Named for a Roman poet, this trek is broken into sections so you can manage each one easily in a short amount of time. Otherwise you’d be on the road for a week or more!

Starting in Bingen am Rhein, you will find the joy of walking through amazing landscapes. But before you truly start on this Roman Road, you’ll want to stop to see the St. Martin basilica, the “Mouse Tower” as well as the Klopp Castle.

This road goes from its beginning in Bingen, the first section of the hike ending in Rheinböllen, a distance of 23 km. Then take off for Kirchberg, another 19 km. The next section is to Morbach-Gonzerath, then to the village of Gräfendhron. From there it is 18 km to Fell (Mosel). And the last leg of your journey is from Fell to Trier, a 12 km hike.

After a long trip such as that, you’ll want to take a break, and there is no better place than in Trier. Don’t miss visiting the oldest cathedral in Germany, and be sure to see the amphitheater in the Olewig district.

You can spend a lot of time around Trier on some exciting hikes, too. So your adventure isn’t over yet! You can find a trail map at Weißhausbrunnen, and take any one of the nine trails through the forest. At a length of about 38 km in total, you will enjoy the more than 6,000 acres of forestland and wildlife.

You see, Rhineland-Palatinate offers some great vacation adventures for the whole family. It’s a place of beauty and wonder, at any time of year.

—Marcus

If coming from South Germany, you will come to our lovely northern section via the German Fairy Tale Road. If beginning your journey in northern Germany, you still have to be sure to include this route on your itinerary.

Starting in the south in Hanau, just a half hour east of Frankfurt, as you move northward, you will see settings along the way that take you to your childhood. The landscapes are reminiscent of the Brothers Grimm. In Kassel, for example, you must stop at the Grimm Museum.

With plenty of family activities to enjoy as you drive, you will find the kids are completely entertained with story-telling fun, puppet shows and much more, no matter what town you stop in. But stopping at the Sababurg (in Hofgeismar) is definitely a thrill for the young ones, as this is where Sleeping Beauty slept away 100 years.

The remainder of the Märchenstraße consists of lovely rolling hills and wonderful forested terrain, perfect for some outdoor activities, ending in Bremen and its Town Musicians.

The largest city in the north of Germany is Hamburg. There is plenty to do here as you take a breather from so much driving. You can shop, walk along the Elbe River, or just sit in a small cafe and enjoy some great food.

Driving from Hamburg to Berlin, you can take a short excursion north to Naturpark Lauenburgische Seen or Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park. Everyone will love the large lakes and extensive stretches of forestland.

Another side trip is to drive through the countryside of the state with the longest name, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, moving along the healthy coast of the Baltic Sea. An old narrow-gauge railway offers mesmerizing trips, running from the spa town of Bad Doberan to the equally relaxing town of Kühlungsborn.

While in Mecklenburg, be sure to visit Rostock. This town was founded way back in 1218. A walking tour of this town gives you another break from driving and allows you to stretch your legs.

There is so much to see in North Germany and about the best way to get around and not miss a thing is to rent a car and drive it. You are your own boss this way as well. It makes the experience a marvelous one! :-)

—Marcus

Moving along the scenic routes in Southern Germany gives you the opportunity to see an engaging country, meet friendly folks and taste delicious food. A driving vacation gives you a special view of Germany that can’t be beat by any other means.

Flying into Frankfurt Airport [FRA], Munich Airport [MUC], or Stuttgart Airport [STR] are probably the most convenient ways to access the most popular southern drives. You will experience Bavaria and the Rhine Valley in a way never to be forgotten. Rent a vehicle so you can take your time to enjoy your travels.

The Rhine Valley will be your first stop. It is only about an hour from Frankfurt, driving northwest. Rüdesheim am Rhein is a good place to start your explorations. If you want to save all your driving time for other roads, you can always choose to take a river cruise between Rüdesheim and Sankt Goar. This is a beautiful boating tour, sure to give you something to remember with love.

While in Rüdesheim, be sure to take the cable car up to the monument sitting high above the Rhine. Some amazing views await you there. Great restaurants provide great food, too, so you won’t go hungry.

Next trip will be taking the Romantic Road. Romantic Road is like moving through the old days of Germany. View picturesque scenes of walled towns, gorgeous cathedrals and perhaps come upon a festival celebrating medieval times.

Head southeast from the Rhine Valley and you will drive for about two hours (stopping to take photos, of course) to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Here you can stop for the night.

While in Rothenburg, you should explore this medieval town. Take some delicious food at Market Square and visit St. Jakob’s Church. There’s even a museum showing the early ways of crime and punishment. Take a horse and buggy ride through town to really get the flavor of the olden days.

When you continue on your journey, you will start on the famous castle section of this popular road. Reaching the Neuschwanstein Castle, you have come to the end of this route, but will get to tour two marvelous castles for the price of one. Reservations will be needed, so ensure you book early, before starting your trip.

The German Fairy Tale Road will be the next route to include on your itinerary. This road begins in Hanau, just a half hour east of Frankfurt. The settings along the way will remind you of the Brothers Grimm, with the landscapes that were the inspiration for many fairy tales.

The kids will really love this trip, too. There are numerous family-friendly activities all along the way. Pick any town in which to stop to enjoy plays, puppet shows and story-telling events.

You will end up in North Germany as you travel this well-known path. It’s taking you to a new adventure in another part of lovely Germany.

Now you’ve seem some of the most remarkable scenic routes South Germany has to offer. :-)

—Marcus

With more than 400 spots where you can cast a line in Germany, you’ll find a place in Bavaria that will fulfill your fishing dreams. You can look in the Fliegenfischen, a German fly-fishing magazine, and scour the pages to find the fishing spot best for you. They also produce a pamphlet with map so you can narrow down your choices.

If you like mountain scenery, you’ll find two rivers in the town of Berchtesgaden. Downtown there’s a small store called Schirm-Dink where you can get your fishing permit. Take time out while there to tour the salt mine and go see Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest.

Closer to Ramsau, you can get in some lake fishing at the Hintersee Lake. The deep, clear waters are filled with brown, rainbow and other trout. On the west side of the lake, at Hotel Gamsbock, you can find daily or weekly permits. Wade the shallows or rent a boat and get out mid-lake to see what you’ll catch.

Pull out your dry flies and get ready for a day of fishing in Bavaria on the Wiesent River. This marvelous place is located in central Bavaria, and perhaps you’ll catch it at a point where the river is running high. These spring-fed waters offer big trout.

Next to the Austrian border, many anglers love to fish the Deutsche. This free-running river and its tributary streams offer great catches. Getting out in nature can’t be beat, especially in such a lovely area.

Both novices and experienced fishermen enjoy the Weiße Traun, near the village of Siegsdorf, with long stretches and gentle beaches. Access is simple, and the normal water levels allow for great wading.

Always check the weather before embarking on your adventure. Mornings can be misty and gray with fog. But as the sun peeks through and rises, it will burn off the clouds and the day will become pleasant and warm in spring and summer.

Don’t be put off by the rules and regulations on fishing in Germany. Sure, there are some things you must understand before fishing the lakes, rivers and streams. But this happens anywhere, in any country.

In Germany, you won’t find any actual public fishing spots. Someone owns all accesses to streams, rivers, lakes and ponds. So in addition to getting a German license, you must pay to fish in various areas. You’ll find permits available in most hotels and other accommodations, general stores and of course, fishing shops. You can get daily, weekly or monthly permits depending on the time you want to spend out there in nature.

Trout season opens at the start of May and goes through October. Some areas are open all year, but you can find this out once you determine where you are going in Bavaria to fish. That would be the first step — working out where exactly you are heading in Germany’s Bavaria.

Truly, there’s nothing better than fishing those beautiful mountain streams of Bavaria, and it’s worth a little bit of extra trouble to get access. You’ll find some of the best opportunities to have some superb fishing in Germany are right here, as well as incredible scenery as a backdrop.

—Marcus

There are so many hiking routes to take advantage of around Munich and within lovely Bavaria, that it is impossible to list them all in one short article. But below you’ll find some of the best.

Close to Munich, there are a number of places to take off for a day trip for a walk along a marked trail. A favorite seems to be Jochberg Mountain. In the summer it might get a bit crowded, but it is an easy climb for the whole family. Allow yourself about an hour or even two and a half hours if you want to take it slow. Between May and September there will be no snow, making it easy to reach the summit.

Another Bavarian trail, this one starting in Gunzenhausen, takes you on a long trek of 198 km, but you don’t have to go the whole way. Called Altmühltal-Panoramaweg, this trail leads all the way to Kelheim. Visit ancient ruins, medieval houses, fortresses and darling little towns and villages.

Lake Ammersee offers some scenic hiking for the outdoor lover! Hike along the river Lech. Take an easy jaunt around the lake. It’s very relaxing to walk through gorgeous alpine pastures, across quaint bridges and into lush valleys.

The German section of the Allgäu Alps is one very popular place to go to get in some hiking. Lying on the German/Austrian border, these mountains have a varying terrain which attracts people from all over. If you don’t want to have too much difficulty, you can always hike among the smaller hills that rise from the pastures. These are the Allgäu Prealps and provide stunning views.

Traveling south from Munich, you will find that Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the perfect place to go in summer months for great hiking. In this deep valley, you can enjoy walking on trails around the blue, sparkling lakes or try something more strenuous, like climbing across some glaciers.

For some well-kept trails, you’ll find plenty around Lake Tegernsee. You can take some easy hikes or go for the longer and steeper trails. Many of these are cleared in the winter, making it possible for all-year-round hiking.

There are many trails in the Pfaffenwinkel area, where you will find enchanted forest landscapes and much natural beauty. The Lech-Höhenweg trail is one that provides breathtaking views of river valleys. Others trails include the König-Ludwig-Weg and the Prälatenweg.

Stop for a filling Bavarian meal with delicious beer when you hike around Lake Chiemsee. You can even take some time to enjoy other activities here, such as rafting the Tiroler Achen River, cycling or mountain biking.

The city of Starnberg is known as the heart of the Five Lakes Country, and you can hike a number of trails in this area. Strolling along the shores of the lake is quite a relaxing pastime.

Throughout Bavaria, you’ll find a wide choice of trails, from many easy and well-marked trails to those where you can set off on an adventure along unmarked pathways. Whether trekking in Berchtesgadener Land, in the Bavarian Forest or through Lower Bavaria, hiking in this region of Germany is something you simply can’t pass up.

—Marcus

For instance, starting at the Brandenburg Gate in Potsdam you can take a long circular tour on the trail known as 66-Seen Wanderweg. It takes you through Marquardt, Melchow, Wendisch Rietz, Trebbin, and then comes around once again to Potsdam. This 416-km trek provides such sights as lovely regional parks, Roman baths and palaces of exquisite beauty.

You’ll run across secluded areas where you can swim, enjoying a refreshing dip before continuing on your way. Walk on lakeshores and soak up the sun.

Visit Charlottenhof Palace, dating from the 18th century. This is where the architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel worked his magic by transforming a farmhouse into a thing of wonder.

This “66-Lake Trail” is, of course, named for the marvelous lakes along the way. Rivers also run nearby, such as the Havel River and the Spree. The hike will take you all around Berlin and outlying areas. You will find places to stay all along this path.

Naturally, you don’t have to hike the entire 416 km. You’ll discover shorter sections, dayhikes around the city. From Potsdam to Marquardt is only 17 km, an easy trek at any time of year. This is a quiet route starting out in Potsdam and taking you on pathways in the city and suburbs. Although you won’t tour every sight in Potsdam, you get a great cross-section of the area.

Take off from Marquardt for a 20-km hike north to Brieseland. As you follow the Havel River, you’ll marvel at the scenery and solitude of this adventure. It’s a spot not often frequented, with many quaint towns along the way.

Some of the other shorter hikes on the 66-Lake Trail include from Brieselang to Hennigsdorf, 23 km of beauty, Hennigsdorf to Wensickendorf, a hike of 24 km, and many more. You can take a hike of 24 km from Wendisch Rietz to Neuendorf am See or from Wünsdorf to Trebbin, 27 km.

The last leg of the journey is from Seddiner See to Potsdam. This 25-km hike is almost all natural woodland trails, out of town for the most part, and nicely quiet. Wander through a wonderful hardwood forest, the shores of the Havel River and visit at last the park of the Sanssouci Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

You should take time after your long trip is over to tour Potsdam. Here you can visit historic sites that give you a real taste of the past in Germany. Stroll through ethnic quarters, such as the Dutch or Russian sections of the city.

There is another wonderful trail close to Berlin that you can embark on — the Naturpark Hoher Fläming. This is a long 122-km path starting in Bad Belzig and looping around through Rabenstein, Wiesenburg, Görzke and Groß Briesen (part of Friedland). Once you finish and return to Bad Belzig, you can brag how you have seen the best Germany has to offer.

Of course, this trail also is divided into sections, each from 15 to 19 km each. You can take shorter hikes in this way, in case you don’t have time to travel the entire way. You should plan your trip so you are sure to see the area near Dippmannsdorf with all the beautiful springs. There are numerous castles, stone churches and other cultural highlights to this adventure.

You see, hiking in Brandenburg is simply a pleasurable pastimes for outdoor enthusiasts in Germany. You simply must try it to see why.

—Marcus

While most of Germany’s amusement parks are closed for the winter, mid-March signals the beginning of their new season. So, if you’re longing for an escape from the winter doldrums, then an amusement park vacation may be just what the doctor ordered. ;-)

Europa-Park

The biggest of them all is Europa-Park in Rust north of Freiburg with over four million visitors each year. Europa-Park has fifteen parts or “lands” you can visit, from Russia and Iceland to Spain and Portugal. The park was founded by the vehicle-making Mack family, who opened it in 1975 as a showcase for their latest inventions.

Don’t miss one of the newest super-thrill roller coaster and the first upside-down ride, the Blue Fire. Balthasar Castle is the Cinderella centerpiece, complete with its own moat.

Bayern Park

A more traditional and charming outing can be found at Bayern Park in Reisbach, 126 km (78 mi) east of Munich.

The Bayern Park is not your everyday modern amusement park filled with adrenaline rides, but its charm lies in the simplicity of its attractions. Relaxing train rides, beautiful mock architecture and fun family rides ensure that you’ll still have a great time. Highlights include the mandatory roller coaster, river rafting, pirate ships, boat rides and the Schweinchenbahn (pig train).

Holiday Park

Holiday Park is a popular destination for the whole family, located in Haßloch in the Palatinate region. Here you will find carousels, extreme roller coasters, free fall rides, log flumes and relaxing boat and train rides.

With over one million visitors each year, Holiday Park is half-theme park, half-nature park with a very green, wooded environment.

Bavaria Filmstadt

Movie lovers will want to check out the Bavaria Filmstadt in the Geiselgasteig district of Grünwald (just south of Munich).

Bavaria Filmstadt gives its visitors a behind-the-scenes peek at the world of TV and movie making. The guided tours of Filmstadt offer some great insider stories and anecdotes about life in the movies. You’ll also gain some insight into the production of movies and TV. The film tour takes you through many famous sets of German programs and the 1980s kiddie film, The Never-Ending Story.

Some highlighted shows featured at this park include German soap operas and the comedy Raumschiff Surprise-Periode 1.

Phantasialand

Finally, the adrenaline junkies will want to book their tickets for my personal favorite German theme park, Phantasialand in Brühl (just south of Cologne). Rides like the Colorado Adventure, Talocan and Black Mamba will take you through hairpin turns, corkscrews, dark tunnels and a final splash as you barrel along on these extreme coasters. If that weren’t enough, there is also a unique collection of Chinese architecture, reconstructed German capitals and world folk music.

You’re missing some of our theme parks?

Don’t sweat. There are much more incredible theme parks in Germany, all of which will thrill, entertain and help you create new, wonderful memories.

—Marcus

To catch a wave in German, you really need to head south.

River surfing in Germany is a major sporting institution, and one that locals take very seriously. They have their own surfing leagues and there is a German surfing magazine (German only).

The epicenter of the action is in Munich, where a permanent wave generator has been set up on the Eisbach river. Here, locals and visitors alike prove their skills on a narrow channel of water, cheered on by passing spectators and surfer groupies. Experts surf at the wave generator near the Haus der Kunst museum in the Englischer Garten, while beginners ride the waves further up the tributary at Floßlände near the Thalkirchen campground.

There is no doubt that the wetsuit clad surfers look very cool in the midst of the city. They’re freezing, of course, because of the water temperature. No one was kidding around when they named the river — the English translation is Ice Stream and it averages about 6 °C or 42° F! As a result, all but the most dedicated wave riders limit their surf time to the summer months.

This makes right now the best season for getting an eyeful of the local tricksters and surf champions, and provides sightseers with the opportunity for a good, warm afternoon in the park as well.

To prepare yourself for the day out, you’ll need a picnic blanket, snacks, sunblock, and a crash course in German surf culture.

As far as German surf culture is concerned, start by listening to the best German surfer bands online — there’s Sportfreunde Stiller from nearby Germering, The Love Preachers from Düsseldorf, and Plan 9 from Berlin, just to name a few of the more famous bands to put you in the surfing mood.

From there, practice being polite and holding your board aloft as you wait in line for your shot at the river or start practicing your whoops and cheers for the local boys showing off.

If you can’t make it out to the Eisbach but wish you could, pick up the documentary on German river surfing that took 10 YEARS to make. Called Keep Surfing, it will let you see how the waves were made and showcase the lives of those who spend their days surfing South Germany.

—Marcus

P.S. Here’s a video of a surfer on the Eisbach river in action…

If getting to your job every day equals getting through a mass amount of snow (and, eventually, passing transverse trucks) you may feel overwhelmed and stressed at times. Same holds true if you simply don’t like coldness.

For others, however, it can be very pleasing and relaxing walking through snow and experiencing true German winter — including its coldness it provides in 2009/2010.

Note: That (below) is not a piece of cake (click to enlarge)… ;-)

Balcony in German Winter, Berlin 2010

And these bike seats below are not that high in summer… ;-)

Bikes in German Winter, Berlin 2010

The kids like it, too… :-)

Berlin Winter with Kids, 2010

Here’s the Berlin Reichstag…

Berlin Reichstag in Winter, 2010

And, finally, the majestic Brandenburg Gate (again, click on it to see the large version)…

Brandenburg Gate in Winter, 2010

Hope you have a chance to enjoy the German winter this time.

If you’re still thinking about visiting Germany this winter, don’t delay… it’s incredible this time! Entire Germany is white these days providing us with countless of opportunities to do the things we like to do in pure white snow.

So get on that airplane and… off to Germanyyyyyyyyy!

—Marcus

While other countries might have just one or two of these sites, Germany has 33 (!) stunning world heritage sites, with new sites being added regularly.

As you look into the year ahead and your travels in Germany, why not plan to visit some of the 33 locations listed below? I’ve included all of them with the date they became a recognized site, as it’s an excellent New Year’s Resolution to try and see each one! ;-)

1. Aachen Cathedral in Aachen — 1978
2. Speyer Cathedral in Speyer — 1981
3. Würzburg Residence in Würzburg, with the Court Gardens and Residence Square — 1981
4. Pilgrimage Church of Wies in Steingaden — 1983
5. Castles of Augustusburg and Falkenlust in Brühl — 1984
6. St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. Michael’s Church at Hildesheim — 1985
7. Roman monuments, Cathedral of St Peter and Church of Our Lady in Trier, Germany’s oldest city — 1986
8. Hanseatic City of Lübeck — 1987
9. Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin (including Schloß Sanssouci) — 1990, 1992, 1999
10. Abbey and Altenmünster of Lorsch (in the Bergstraße district — 1991
11. Mines of Rammelsberg and Historic Town of Goslar — 1992
12. Town of Bamberg — 1993
13. Maulbronn Monastery Complex — 1993
14. Collegiate Church, Castle and Old Town of Quedlinburg — 1994
15. Ironworks in Völklingen — 1994
16. Messel Pit Fossil site — 1995
17. Bauhaus and its sites in Weimar and Dessau — 1996
18. Cologne Cathedral — 1996
19. Luther Memorials in Eisleben and Wittenberg — 1996
20. Classical Weimar — 1998
21. Museum Island (Museumsinsel), Berlin — 1999
22. Wartburg Castle overlooking Eisenach — 1999
23. Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz — 2000
24. Monastic Island of Reichenau — 2000
25. Zeche Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen — 2001
26. Historic Centers of Stralsund and Wismar — 2002
27. Upper Middle Rhine Valley, the Rhine Gorge — 2002
28. Town Hall and Roland on the Marketplace of Bremen — 2004
29. Muskauer Park in Weißwasser on both sides of the Neisse River — 2004
30. Frontiers of the Roman Empire: Upper German & Rhaetian Limes — 2005
31. Old Town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof — 2006
32. Modernist Housing Estates in Berlin — 2008
33. Wadden Sea in Schleswig-Holstein — 2009

Now the decision of which ones to pick…

—Marcus

Known for its outdoor activities, in the winter it serves as a skiers’ retreat and snowboarders’ haven. Visitors flock in to take advantage of the snow and then head for colder climates when the springtime comes.

Yet staying away from this area in the summer is a mistake you won’t want to make. When the snows are gone, the Lauterbad region comes to life even more, just in a different kind of way. The welcoming blossoms of the flowers and the lush green of the forest trees will draw out the stresses of your day to day life and have you reveling in the charms of a country summer.

Bike trails, hiking paths and walking trails invite you out away from Blackberries, Emails and TVs. You can go over to the Freudenstadt golf course or rent equipment for water sports from any of the local hotels. From dawn till dusk, there are activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Yet if you are seeking a grown-up pampering you will also not be disappointed. There are a number of spa and wellness retreats, each with their own restaurant. All the competition keeps the quality quite high. You will find yourself spoiled for choice when dinnertime comes around and almost every place will be a top spot.

One of these wellness hotels in Lauterbad, one I personally visited time and again and, consequently, is on my “highly recommended” list, is the Hotel Grüner Wald. Their sauna center is exceptional; sitting outside breathing in the fresh air makes you at least ten years younger; and their dishes are first-class and so delicious, I would fly in there and book a stay just so I can pamper my tummy again. Hmmmm… unforgettable each time!

Lauterbad also offers the delicious local vintages you would expect from this corner of Germany. You can pick up something lovely and then sit out to enjoy the sunset over the mountains. Away from the urban world, you will be able to watch the stars come out and congratulate yourself on having listened to my advice and found this corner of Germany in just the right season! ;-)

—Marcus