Germany: Freiburg

Over the course of the typical European vacation one will inevitably end up in the continent's major metropolitan areas, perhaps quickly traveling from one to the next until Prague, London, Paris, Rome, Athens, Berlin, and countless others have been visited. But for those interested in visiting some of the lesser-know cities in the old country, Germany's picturesque Freiburg is worth the trip.

Located between the Rhine River and the Black Forest, in the southwest portion of the country, Freiburg is just a 30-minute drive from the wine country of Kaiserstuhl and features an endless stream of delights for virtually everyone. A short hike to top of the Schlossberg, a small mountain in the city, affords a breathtaking panoramic view worthy of a picture postcard and Earnest Hemingway himself raved about the landscape and fishing in the middle Schwarzwald, less than an hour from the town itself. The Bachle, the shallow gurgling brooks that skim the streets of Freiburg since Medieval times, and a plethora of gargoyles and other architectural wonders, give the town a fairy tale appearance. The old Munster, a cathedral built in the Romanesque style in 1200, evokes wonder in all who visit and has been referred to as "the most beautiful cathedral in Christendom."

Wine, beer, and Black Forest chocolate cake, available in nearly every restaurant in town, will prove tempting to those with even the most distinguished culinary tastes and there is certainly no shortage of bratwurst, ham, and sausage in the local butcher shops. The sensory delights and rich sense of history in Freiburg make it a destination of choice for those tempted to visit the lesser know, and perhaps more beautiful, regions of Europe.