Tourists will be interested to know that these mountains are the highest in Germany that lie on the north of River Main. Apart from that, it is also an extremely ancient mountain range. Whatever you would love to find in a mountain range, are available in the Harz Mountains.

Harz Mountains, Tefeferic of Thale

Lovers of water sports will be thrilled at the waterfalls, large reservoirs, and the streams that this mountain range offers. If you look at these mountain ranges from a helicopter, it will seem as if the mountain is shaped like a table with its sides dropping away.

Lovers of geology will also find a treasure trove in these mountain ranges, especially in the Oker valley which is renowned for its eye-catching rock formations. Do not miss out visiting the Oker reservoir and the Romkerhall waterfalls that is situated adjacent to it. It is one of the most picturesque natural sights in Germany.

The wealth of the region can be gauged by looking at the vibrant half-timbered buildings in the quaint towns. Lovers of history should check out the Walkenried Abbey that is situated in the southern part of the mountain.

Harz Mountains

Some of the best Romanesque architectural examples can also be found over here, inclusive of numerous palaces, castles, and buildings from the Ottonian era. Tourists can take part in various activities like inline skating, rock climbing, horse riding, and cycling over here.

Do not miss out on a trip on the historical narrow-gauge railway that goes up to the highest peak of this mountain range.

From 1933 through 1989, Jena was negatively influenced by the Communist and Nazi regimes. However, it has undergone revitalization in recent times to the extent that it was designated in 2008 as “City of Science”. The university centers in Jena have also undergone remarkable expansion. The city by virtue of these now plays host to the best of young and vibrant talents in Germany.

Jena, St. Michael church

Really, getting to Jena requires that you make concrete plans. As passengers alight at the airport in Frankfurt, it is suggested that they take an express ICE train to Weimar which is not too far away. From there, they can then change on to one of the regional express trains heading for Jena. However, for passengers coming from Munich or Berlin, the ICE service link the two cities and they stop over at Jena.

For motorists, it is quite easier to access Jena since it is situated at the intersection of two major German expressways, the A9 and A4. The express ways pass through the country from north to south and east to west respectively.

The Jena card can also be purchased just like many towns in Germany makes available for transportation in their metropolis. This will grant the traveler access to unlimited public transport service in the city. It goes for 8.90 Euro and it is valid for 2 days. There are also discount offers for attraction sites.

As regards accommodation, you are bound to be treated to some wonderful hotels. However, due to competition for space, it is strongly advised that you book in advance.

Sincerely, there are very captivating sights there in Jena. The Medieval Foxes Tower is there and the more recent Jen-Tower which was constructed during the GDR days is there for your viewing pleasure too. From these two towers, you will be enthralled by the vista below.

The optical museum is a must see. There, you actually learn about this enticing industry.

The town’s planetorium established in 1926, which has reputation as one of the longest standing in the world is visit worthy. There are available in this place, children programs and scientific lectures.

Jena, Christmas Market

This lively town with large student population will help you learn more about Napoleon. In fact, you will visit if you are interested, the battlefield and the site of the Napoleon stone. The horticultural gardens will thrill you also.

The climate in Jena is continental. Please therefore, be abreast of forecasts and endeavor to prepare very well.

Candidly, you are bound to have the best of moments in Jena.
(photos: Frank Klemm, ReneS)

The beautiful scenery of Weimar is sure to keep you awe-stricken, including various country parks and historical gardens, some of which find place in the UNESCO World Heritage list. The traditional festivals too are sure to keep you glued and make you fall in love with the city all the more.

Weimar, Castle Belvedere

Weimar main tourist attractions

Park on the Ilm: With Goethe’s close involvement in the layout of this park, its classical and post-classical attributes are but natural. The main feature is its various lines of sights, and at the same time you should not miss seeing the Roman House, which is an example of its most unique architectural feature.

Garden at Goethe’s House: This garden was used by Christiane Vulpius, Goethe’s wife, to grow vegetables and fruits for the household. Goethe also executed few botanical experiments here. It is since 1820 that the plant arrangements in the garden have been preserved.

Goethe’s Home: It is certainly a must go for anyone visiting Weimar. This Citizen’s House was built in Baroque style in 1709. Goethe resided there as a tenant from 1782-1789, and as an owner from 1792-1832. The structure and furnishings of the room was planned by the poet himself.

Belvedere Palace: Created in strict French style, this palace was laid out in Duke Ernst August’s day. Many original buildings got demolished and gardens got transformed as per the English landscape approach, in the late eighteenth century. However, certain places are still preserved, like the orangery, gardener’s house and cavalier’s house.

Goethe’s Summerhouse: The Duke had bought it for Goethe, and the poet resided here till he moved to his house on Frauenplan. After the death of Goethe, it is considered a shrine for his admirers.

Church of St. James (Jakobskirche): The single-nave baroque church was built in 1713 after the demolition of its dilapidated predecessor. It became the garrison church in 1728 and the court church after the palace fire. Goethe and Christiane Vulpius were married in the sacristy on 19 October 1806

Must Visit: There are many other tourist spots in Weimar that deserve mention, including Goethe’s Star Garden, Artist’s Garden, Garden at Kirms-Krackow House and Buchenwald Memorial.

Weimar old town

Markets and Festivals:

Weimar is replete with festivals and activities that you should surely be a part of. Onion Market is held every October, with onion being the star of the event. However, these are not just simple onions presented for a glance. You shall get to see onions plaited together in traditional manner and adorned with dried flowers. The Flower Market and Potter Market are also very famous, and so is the Wine Festival.

Transport, Food And Lodging

Weimar has city bus routes, which serves all the villages and annex towns as well. The closest airports are Leipzig-Halle, Erfurt and Leipzig-Altenburg. You may either choose to stay in one of the hotels or guesthouses. Some of the well-known hotels include Acarte, Alt Weimar, Am Frauenplan, and Amalienhof.

Those who desire to stay in a guesthouse may opt in from AAs Appartmenthaus Am Schloss, Alter Zausel, Altes Stadtgut and others. You can enjoy scrumptious food in the various Weimar restaurants, including, Ratskeller, Shakespeares and Hotel Elephant.

It was the scene in 1207 of the Sängerkrieg, a contest of minnesingers in which Heinrich von Ofterdingen, Wolfram von Eschenbach, and Walther von der Vogelweide, among others, took part and which Richard Wagner used (with some poetic license) as the setting for a famous scene in the opera Tannhäuser.

St. Elizabeth of Hungary lived in Wartburg until 1227. In 1521, Martin Luther was brought to the castle for his protection by the elector of Saxony, and there he completed his translation of the New Testament. In 1817 the first general assembly of the Burschenschaften, the nationalist German student organizations, met at Wartburg castle.

The Romanesque Palace or Great Hall is the oldest part of the castle and architecturally is the most impressive of the buildings. Besides the chapel, it contains the Sängersaal or Hall of the Minstrels and the Festsaal or the Feast or Festival Hall.The Knights’ House on the western side of the drawbridge is half-timbered, and dates back to the 15th century.

The castle has two towers. The South Tower was originally erected in 1318 and it is the only tower preserved of the medieval castle. The castle keep was finished in 1859, incorporating the foundations of its medieval predecessor.
The Rüstkammer, (the armory of the Wartburg castle, used to contain a magnificent collection of about 800 pieces of armors.

In 1999 UNESCO added Wartburg Castle to the World Heritage List.
(photo: Robert Scarth, Ingo2802)