16.07.2020, Laura Schneider
Whether for a weekend trip or an extended annual holiday, the Saale-Unstrut region offers so many cultural highlights and pleasurable moments that there is never a dull moment.
Where the wine flows
With the first vineyards that you see from the train window, the holiday feeling automatically sets in. No wonder that the Saale-Unstrut region is also called the Tuscany of the North. The best way to start your holiday is with a visit to one of the 60 winegrowers. At wineries such as the Born Winery in Höhenstedt, the Zahn Winery in Kaatschen or at the Herzoglicher Weinberg Freyburg, you can relax and taste your way through the range and find your new favourite wine.
You want to take a look behind the scenes? No problem! For example, you can gain exciting insights into wine production on a guided tour with the cellar master through the huge wine cellars of the winegrowers' association.
Pleasure like in a fairy tale!
The Neuenburg
High above Freyburg lies one of the largest castles in Germany: Neuenburg Castle. In the castle museum you can immerse yourself in the fascinating history of the castle's construction and rule and walk in the footsteps of the past. Neuenburg Castle is also home to the Wine Museum, which tells the story of wine culture in the middle of Germany.
The Neu-Augustusburg Castle
Interactive themed tours take place regularly at Neu-Augustusburg Palace. Go on a journey through time with the soprano Anna Magdalena Bach, the second wife of the famous composer Johann Sebastian Bach, discover old crafts on a tour of the shoe museum and candle dipping or explore the crypt on a guided tour.
The Dornburg Castles
In Dornburg, three castles are enthroned high above the Saale. Together they form a unique ensemble that already inspired Goethe. Just like he once did, today you can stroll through the magnificent rose garden and enjoy the magnificent view of the valley. In the historic stables of the castles, time seems to have stood still. Here you have the opportunity to experience one of the last preserved and accessible workshops of the Weimar Bauhaus.
On the way on the Saaleradweg
The Saale-Unstrut region is criss-crossed by hundreds of kilometres of cycle paths, so it's no wonder that cycling is one of the most popular leisure activities here. With a rental bike, take the Saale Cycle Path through pretty villages to Kaatschen. The Thuringian wine tavern of the Zahn winery is the perfect place for a lunch break.
A sea voyage is fun!
At the Geiseltalsee, the largest artificial lake in Germany, a very special adventure awaits you. Equipped with all kinds of delicacies, it's off to the feel-good lounge barbecue boat of the Geiseltal boat rental. When the grill is fired up in the middle of the lake while the boat bobs on the gentle waves, you wish this day would never end.
A visit to Naumburg Cathedral
In the pretty town of Naumburg you can discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site Naumburg Cathedral. On a guided tour through the impressive building, you will not only learn about the special features of the unique medieval architecture, but also get to know Uta, the "most beautiful woman of the Middle Ages".
The Naumburg Cathedral also includes the Children's Cathedral Construction Hut. Here, small and large children can slip into the role of the medieval cathedral builders themselves and thus go on an exciting journey through time as glass artists, stonemasons or architects.
Relax and enjoy
In the Saale-Unstrut region you will find three spas in the "spa triangle" with the brine spas Bad Sulza and Bad Kösen and the resort Bad Bibra. Once brine was boiled to table salt in Bad Sulza. With the discovery of the healing power of brine, the little town turned into a spa town. Today you can see the long spa tradition everywhere in the town. Take your time and stroll through the spa gardens, taste the water in the historic drinking hall and visit the unique inhalation and atomizer hall in the "Louise" graduation house.
In Bad Bibra you can follow in the footsteps of Kneipp. Kneipp courses for everyone" are offered here on a regular basis. During the course on herbs, you can try and sniff your way through the impressive variety of plants in the beautiful herb garden of the Sebastian Kneipp primary school in Saubach, before preparing pestos, spreads and herbal oils at the bathing area of Bad Bibra and learning a lot about the teachings of Kneipp. The water basins at the bathing place and the health fountain, from which strongly ferrous water bubbles, are open to visitors all around. So you can create your own little wellness programme at any time.
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