Freyburg

In Freyburg, winegrowing is an important part of the landscape but also for the population of the area. The very romantic town is known for its sparkling wine and is situated in an idyllic landscape of gentle hills, forests, fields in an area otherwise characterised by the terraces that make up the vineyards.

Every year on the second weekend in September, the market in Freyburg is transformed into the biggest wine-growing festival in central Germany. Numerous winemakers from the region come together to showcase their wines, while traders fill the streets and there's dancing and partying galore. Schweigenberg in Freyburg, with its dry stone walls, is one of the most striking examples of winegrowing of all time and in 2010 it was included in the exclusive list of "Wine Cultural Highlights" issued by the German Wine Institute. Both here and along the Ehrauberge, south of Freyburg, there are numerous wine restaurants and taverns, so do stop and sample the local drops, but beware if your car has joined you on the trip.

Towering over the city is the grand Neuenburg Castle, built around 1090 by Thuringian Count Ludwig Springer, founder of one of the most influential dynasties of princes in the Holy Roman Empire. Today the castle houses a museum with various exhibitions on the Middle Ages as well as a wine museum and several special exhibitions.

If you've ever wanted to know how the bubbles get into your glass of sparkling wine, take a tour of the historic Rotkäppchen cellars and be initiated into the mystery.

Also visit St Mary's Church which was built in 1225 and has since been extended in 1500 and 1592 with several additions to the interior.

Freyburg is a nice little town that should definitely be on the list of towns to visit in the area. The whole family will enjoy the lovely walk through the undulating landscape filled with vineyards.